Albania is one of the most beautiful countries to visit in the world. Some of its top monuments include historical sites, castles, and UNESCO-protected heritage sites, according to an article in the travel magazine Magic Towns.
Itโs essential to explore ruins, caves, attractions, and new monuments, helping you connect with Albaniaโs cultural heritage, local music, art, and lifestyle.
If you want to discover the most famous places and landmarks in Albania, youโve come to the right place! Hereโs a guide to the 10 most beautiful places to visit in the country.
Albania is home to some of the best historical monuments and attractions for tourists to explore.
Among the most notable are the Castle of Kruja, Castle of Gjirokastรซr, Castle of Lรซkurรซs, and Castle of Durrรซs.
Popular attractions include the Blue Eye.
The Pyramid of Tirana and Skanderbeg Square are also well-known tourist spots, hosting various cultural events and local festivals.
1) CASTLE OF KRUJA
The Castle of Kruja is one of Albaniaโs most significant historical monuments.
It holds great importance in the countryโs history, symbolizing Albaniaโs resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, led by the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
The castle is located at an altitude of 557 meters. It also houses several museums, including the National Museum โGjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg,โ built in the 1980s, and the Ethnographic Museum.
2) THE BLUE EYE
The Blue Eye is an impressive natural phenomenon in southern Albania, making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in the country.
Also known as the Bistrica Springs, it stretches 25 kilometers, ending in the Ionian Sea, south of Saranda.
If you plan to travel to Albania, itโs best to drive along the Saranda-Gjirokastรซr route.
3) CASTLE OF GJIROKASTรR
The Castle of Gjirokastรซr, located in the city of Gjirokastรซr, sits at an impressive altitude of about 1,102 meters.
It is home to a military museum containing relics of the communist resistance against German occupation.
Explore its five towers and learn about its history. There is also a clock tower, a cistern, and a stage where the National Folklore Festival is sometimes held.
4) SKANDERBEG SQUARE
Planning to visit Tirana? Donโt miss Skanderbeg Square, the cityโs main square.
Covering an area of 40,000 mยฒ, the Skanderbeg Monument is the squareโs main attraction.
The square includes various significant buildings, such as the Bank of Albania, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, City Hall, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Economy, the Etโhem Bey Mosque, and the Palace of Culture.
5) CASTLE OF LรKURรS
The Castle of Lรซkurรซs is one of the finest monuments in Albania. Strategically located on a hill overlooking the entire city of Saranda, it offers a stunning panoramic view.
Visitors can also see the road leading to Butrint and the scenic view of Ksamil Islands from here.
Want to know something interesting about the castle? It once served the ancient village of Lรซkurรซs.
Ready to take on the challenge of climbing it? Leave the main road at Qafรซ e Gjashtรซ and ascend the hill on the opposite side of the city.
6) MES BRIDGE
The Mes Bridge, one of Albaniaโs most significant monuments, is an important bridge in Mes, about 5 kilometers northeast of Shkodra.
The bridge represents Postribe culture. Itโs worth noting that the bridgeโs architecture is made of stone slabs and smooth stones. Built in the 18th century by an Ottoman local pasha, Kara Mahmud Bushati, it spans an impressive 108 meters and has a width of 4 meters, making it one of the longest Ottoman bridges in Albania.
7) THE PYRAMID OF TIRANA
Visit another famous attraction in Albania. Opened as a museum in 1988, it became a major business conference center in 1991 after the fall of communism. Additionally, it was used as a NATO base at one point.
Today, it serves as a center for technological innovation.
If you plan to visit the Pyramid of Tirana, itโs good to know its history and cultural significance. For example, it was formerly known as the “Enver Hoxha Museum” and reopened to the public in 2023.
8) CASTLE OF DURRรS
Looking for another interesting place to visit in Albania? The Castle of Durrรซs should be the next stop on your Albanian itinerary. Fortifying the old town of Durrรซs, the castle is surrounded by city walls dating back to the 5th century.
While it remained closed for much of history, restoration work was announced in 2022 to improve the infrastructure of the tower while preserving its cultural history.
CONCLUSION
Albania is a country full of wonders, with an array of historical attractions, such as castles, bridges, pyramids, and town squares that serve their own unique purposes.
Furthermore, monuments like the Castle of Gjirokastรซr host cultural events, such as the National Folklore Festival.
The Blue Eye captivates everyone with its mesmerizing blue waters.
These sites are best visited in the fall and winter, as the weather cools down, offering a beautiful misty background for your photos.
