Cities in Albania

The cities worth knowing, and what to do in each.

White Ottoman houses with many windows climbing a slope in Berat above the river

Berat: The Town of a Thousand Windows

A guide to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, the inhabited castle, the Onufri museum, and how to fit it into your route.

8 min read Read guide
Sunset over the calm sandy beach of Durrës and the Adriatic Sea

Durrës: Ancient Port and Beach Near Tirana

A guide to Durrës — the largest Roman amphitheatre in the Balkans, the sandy beach closest to Tirana, and the ancient city of Dyrrachium.

7 min read Read guide
Silver-grey stone roofs of Gjirokastër climbing the hillside below the castle

Gjirokastër: The Stone City

A guide to Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the castle and the American spy plane, the Zekate House, the old bazaar, and the nearby Blue Eye spring.

8 min read Read guide
Krujë Castle and the old town houses below it on the mountain slope

Krujë: Skanderbeg's Stronghold

A guide to Krujë — the castle and Skanderbeg museum, the best old bazaar in Albania for souvenirs, and an easy day trip from Tirana.

6 min read Read guide
View of Sarandë bay and the white houses along the shoreline at sunset

Sarandë: Gateway to the South and the Riviera

A guide to Sarandë, the resort town facing Corfu — Lëkurësi Castle, the promenade, and an excellent base for Ksamil, Butrint and the Blue Eye spring.

8 min read Read guide
Aerial view of Shkodër and the winding river below the mountain range

Shkodër: Gateway to the North and the Alps

A guide to Shkodër — Rozafa Castle, the largest lake in the Balkans, a relaxed cycling city, and the starting point for the Koman ferry and the Albanian Alps.

7 min read Read guide
Aerial view of the Tirana skyline framed by green mountains at dusk

Tirana: A Guide to Albania's Capital

What to see in Tirana, how many days to spend, where to stay and how to get there — Skanderbeg Square, the Bunk'Art museums, the Blloku quarter and the Mount Dajti cable car.

9 min read Read guide
Aerial view of the Vlorë coastline and blue sea stretching along the city

Vlorë: Where Two Seas Meet

A guide to Vlorë — where the Adriatic meets the Ionian, the city of independence, the Llogara Pass, and the northern gateway to the Riviera.

7 min read Read guide