Types of recreation in Albania. The best resorts of Albania on the sea What is the sea in Albania name

Albania is located in the Balkan Islands and is washed by the warm Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Despite the fact that the popular resorts of Greece and Montenegro are nearby, nevertheless, tours to Albania are beginning to attract more and more travelers and vacationers. It should be noted that the prices for holidays in this country are affordable. Here you can enjoy the sea nature clean beaches, picturesque canyons. Services in hotels are carried out at the European level.

Registration of visa documents to Albania

It is obligatory to issue a visa to Albania, it is also necessary to provide an extract from the bank, and a certificate of earnings. The registration itself takes about 2 weeks and, in principle, it is valid for the duration of the hotel reservation. The visa fee is $15. But there are a number of countries that can come to this country without a visa, these include Russia, Georgia, China, Oman, Bahrain and others.

Resort and historical places of Albania

The most popular resorts in Albania are Sanarnada, Vlora, Shkoder. This country has a huge number of architectural monuments that are listed in the UNESCO book. If the traveler is in this country for the first time, then he should definitely visit the city of Berat, which quickly belongs to the era of Ottoman architecture, and here you can also come to the most cultural capital of Korça.

There is a huge archaeological park in Butringa and the oldest settlements of the Greeks were found here. In almost every city there are castles that have been preserved since the Middle Ages, and as a rule, they carried a defensive function.

Albania is especially famous for its local cuisine and wonderful wines, which are in no way inferior to French ones. Wine lovers can come to the Chobo Family Winery. Here the wine cellar is represented by ancient mosaics and there are also amphorae for storing wine.

The largest ethnographic museum in Berat has more than 1000 exhibits. But Skadar Lake, which is located on the territory of Albania and Montenegro, attracts travelers the most. Here you can meet rare animals and see unusual plants, the purest water. Travel on the lake on a ship. There are also a large number of islands, there are tomb churches.

Fans of the ancient citadel can visit the castle, a city located more than 100 km from Tirana Dana. The citadel was built in the 13th century and not only tourists themselves often come here, but also newlyweds, and inside this citadel there are several ancient temples, as well as various types of historical artifacts.

Traditions

The traditions and customs of Albania are as numerous and varied as the natural beauties and historical monuments of this amazing country are numerous and varied. From time immemorial comes the custom of Albanian hospitality. A guest is a sacred concept for an Albanian. If a guest came to the house, he should be well received: set the table and engage in an interesting conversation. If there is not enough money, the host will borrow, but arrange a treat for the guests. Even a stranger who appears on the doorstep, the Albanian will not refuse to help. Albanians are considered descendants of the Illyrians, who inhabited almost the entire Balkan Peninsula in the past for many centuries. By the way, the Albanians themselves call their country Shchiperia, which, according to one version, translates as “land of eagles”. There is everything for lovers of the most diverse types of recreation: 360 sunny days a year, magnificent wild beaches, original national cuisine, and, most importantly, cheerful and hospitable people.

Resorts

The Albanian Riviera is a very popular resort with luxurious beaches and rich excursion program.
Those who like to relax under the scorching rays of the sun will approach the city of Saranda - the southern gate of the Ionian coast. Local resorts are famous for their magnificent pebble beaches. Saranda is surrounded by small villages, which are chosen by tourists for more a relaxing holiday. These are Ksamil, Borsch, Dermi, Himara. At the junction of two seas - the Ionian and the Adriatic, there is a magnificent resort town Vlora. The warm Adriatic is known for its resorts: Durres, Shengjin and Velipoye. These resorts are well suited for families.

Excursions

Kruya - small, old City in Albania, located in the central part of the country, 32 kilometers from Tirana. The history of the city is connected with the name of the national hero of Albania - Georgi-Kastrioti Skanderbeu, who fought against the Ottoman invasion.
This picturesque city located on the slope of Mount Sari Saltiki, at an altitude of 560 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by high Mountain peaks. From here you have a stunning view of the surroundings. Kruja has a rich collection of historical and cultural objects. Within the walls of the fortress, in a house that is over 200 years old, there is the DollmaTekke Ethnographic Museum. It is very interesting for studying the national culture, home life and customs of the Albanian people. On the street of the old town of Kruja, leading to the fortress, there has been an "old bazaar" since the time of Skanderbeu. Here you can buy Albanian souvenirs, beautiful handmade jewelry, carpets and embroidery, filigree silver and copper items, alabaster crafts, traditional clothes and antiques.

Referred to in ancient times by the Roman poet Catuls as "the Adriatic tavern", Durrës is one of the oldest cities Albania. Its history goes back 3000 years. A city founded in 627 BC. colonists who arrived from Corinth and Kerkyra (Corfu), originally named Epidamnos, changed six names in his life. Nowadays, Durres is the main port of the country. A regular ferry service has been established with the Italian ports of Bari, Brindisi, Trieste and Ancona and the port of Koper (Slovenia). Durres is the largest and most popular seaside resort in Albania.

The capital of Albania - the city of Tirana - is located in a great place: on the one hand it is bordered by Mount Daiti, on the other - the coastal plain. This area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Mentions of Tirana as
city, date back to 1614, when the Turks, in honor of the victory over Persia, decided to found a city here. The capital of Tirana was proclaimed only in 1920. Since that time, its population began to increase rapidly and today it is about a million people. The capital of Albania is a large commercial and administrative center with comfortable hotels, cozy restaurants, discos, clubs and bars.

Daiti National Park is located in the vicinity of the Albanian capital. From the epicenter of economic and cultural life
Albania is only 26 km from the quiet and peaceful Daiti Park. You will be taken to the park by a modern cable car.
You will visit the Monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ardenitsa), located on top of a 237-meter
hill, near the village of Ardenitsa, which is located about 10 km north of the city of Fier, as well as in the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia.

The archaeological park of Apollonia is located 14 km west of Fier. Apollonia was founded in 558 BC. settlers from Corfu. The famous Roman trade route "Via Ignatia" (from Rome to Constantinople) passed through Apollonia. Scientists have established that in those days the city was of impressive size, it was surrounded by a 4-kilometer wall, the population of Apollonia numbered about 60 thousand people. It was a prosperous city, minting its own coin and selling Illyrian slaves.

Lake Koman is a beautiful place located in the mountains of the northern part of Albania. It was formed in 1978 as a result of the construction of a power plant on the Drin River. The journey on the lake takes place on a boat through amazing wild landscapes that resemble the Norwegian fjords. The depth of the lake in summer is 16-17 meters, and in winter it increases to 21 meters.

Vlora is located in the southwestern part of Albania, 147 km. from Tirana, to sea ​​coast, in a picturesque area surrounded by mountains, at the point where two seas meet: the Adriatic and the Ionian. This is one of the most beautiful cities Albania, it is called the pearl of two seas.
For centuries, Vlora remained an important center of the Albanian patriotic movement. It is in Vlora on November 28
In 1912, independence was proclaimed and the national flag of Albania was raised. Albania freed itself from five hundred years of Turkish domination. Vlora was the first capital of an independent state.

Visit to the archaeological park Butrint - a unique place listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will learn about the first settlement on this ancient land, which, according to one version, was founded by the Trojans who fled from the destroyed Troy. On their way to Italy, they stopped in this place, built a city in which some of them stayed to live. You will get acquainted with the history of Butrint during the reign of the Romans, Byzantium, Venetians, in the Middle Ages, during the reign of Ali Pasha Tepelena. Don't miss the opportunity to walk the streets ancient city, see with your own eyes the Roman baths, the ancient theater, the temple of the god Asclepius, and much, much more!

Natural natural reservoir Blue Eye, located in picturesque place 20 km from the city of Saranda and named for the amazing bright turquoise color of the water, these are 18 springs gushing out of the ground with a capacity of 6 cubic meters. meters/sec. The depth of the source is unknown, the water temperature is about 10 degrees. Water from blue in the center to dark blue at the edges creates a very picturesque sight, reminiscent of the shape of the human eye. The place is very popular among local residents. Weddings, festive dinners or just relaxing with the whole family are held here. You will spend an unforgettable time here, enjoying the natural beauty, fresh mountain air. You will also have lunch at the restaurant, admiring the azure waters of Surikalter.

In 2005, the historical part of the city of Gjirokastra was listed world heritage UNESCO. During the tour you will get acquainted with the fortress of the city, where the weapons museum is now located, visit ethnographic museum(located in the house where Enver Hoxha was born), walk along the streets of Gjirokastra, which have preserved the architectural style of a typical city of the Ottoman Empire of the 17th-19th centuries. and you can buy souvenirs and products of local craftsmen in numerous shops located on the old shopping street.

Shkodra lies in the northwest of Albania, on the shores of the lake of the same name, which is the largest on the Balkan Peninsula. Shkodra, like many cities in Albania, has a rich history. The city was founded in the 4th century BC as the capital of the Illyrian Labeat tribe, and is one of the main centers of Albanian history and culture. The main attraction visited by all tourists is the Rozafa fortress, built by the Illyrians. Then the path lies to the city of Lezhe, which played a huge role in the history of Albania. It was in this city that the historical meeting of the main national hero of Albania, Skanderbeg, with other Albanian princes took place, after which successful resistance to the Ottoman invaders began. Here, in Lezha, there is the Skanderbeg Mausoleum, which you will visit.

The 2,400-year-old city-museum of Berat has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located on the banks of the Osumi River at the foot of Mount Tomori, 130 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana. In ancient times, this place was considered sacred. Also called the "city of windows",
Berat has preserved two ancient quarters: Mangalem and Goritsa. They are an example of a classical Ottoman city, part of which is occupied by a fortress. Its origin dates back to the 4th century BC. In the fortress you can see Byzantine churches with unique wall paintings and valuable icons. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary houses the National Iconographic Museum, which contains a collection of works by the famous icon painter Onufri. In Berat, as in many cities of Albania, Orthodox churches adjacent to mosques. One of the most famous - the Royal Mosque deserves special attention and dates back to the 15th century.

The thermal waters of Benja are located 14 km from the city of Permet. There are 3 main springs in the open air, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. One of the sources treats stomach problems, the other skin diseases, the third will be useful in the treatment of chronic diseases and rheumatism.

There are a large number of rivers in Albania, so everyone has the opportunity to take part in rafting rafting with professional instructors in the canyons of mountain rivers.

Kitchen

Albanian cuisine is sure to be appreciated by lovers of tasty and healthy food. It is distinguished by an unusual variety of dishes, in which Illyrian, Turkish, Slavic and Greek traditions are closely intertwined. Italian dishes occupy a special place in Albanian cuisine. In Italy they say that if you want to eat real Italian food abroad, you only need to go to Albania. Albania is so far the only country where the use of chemicals and GMOs in agriculture, so there is no doubt about the quality of vegetables and fruits. In the restaurants on the shores of Lake Shkodar you can try the famous Shkodar carp, and Lake Ohrid is famous for the Koran fish. Koran is a local variety of trout. The taste of this fish can also be judged by the fact that the English Queen Elizabeth II regularly orders it to her table. The "sweet" cuisine of Albania has been strongly influenced by Eastern, mainly Turkish cuisine. Albanian confectioneries will offer you a wide variety of sweets. Be sure to try the trileche. This is an extraordinary biscuit covered with soft caramel and soaked in milk. Albanians' favorite drink is coffee, especially macchiato and espresso. Coffee is drunk always and everywhere throughout the day.

Durres

The resort is the second largest city in Albania and the main port of the country. It is located 35 kilometers from the capital Tirana, 300 kilometers from the Italian port of Bari. Albania's main roads and railways intersect here.
But most of all, Durres is known for its sandy beach, stretching 180 meters wide and 7 km along Adriatic Sea, which made it possible to make the city one of the most important resorts in Albania.
The warm Adriatic Sea, the sandy coast, a large number of entertainment, shops, restaurants make your stay in Durres pleasant and unforgettable. The sea near the coast is shallow, which is especially attractive for families with children.

Vlore

Vlora is located in the southwestern part of Albania, 147 km. from Tirana, on the sea coast, in a picturesque area surrounded by mountains, in the place where two seas meet: the Adriatic and the Ionian. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania, it is called the pearl of two seas. Nearby are the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, which for centuries have been of great strategic importance for protecting the city from enemies. Tourists coming to Vlora have the opportunity to choose which beach they would like to relax on: sandy on the Adriatic Sea or pebbly on the Ionian. An ideal combination of azure waters, white sand and green mountains, hundreds of water sources and untouched forests, cultural monuments, medieval castles, ancient churches and monasteries - all this can be found in Vlora.

Saranda

Thanks to geographic location(just five miles from the Greek island of Corfu), mild climate, sunny days all year round, Saranda has become perhaps the most popular resort in the country.
In addition to the sun and the sea, the city and its surroundings are rich in archaeological sites and historical sites.
Saranda - "the southern gate of Albania", is located in the south-west of the country, 285 kilometers from the capital of Tirana.
She is surrounded high mountains and green plains. Rivers flow through the territory of the district: Bistritsa, Kalas, Pavlo, Borsch. There are picturesque lakes and underground springs, including the famous Blue Eye.
Saranda is the most loved by Albanians and foreign tourists resort in Albania. emerald waters ionian sea, numerous beaches, comfortable hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars, shops - you will find here everything you need for a good holiday. Saranda is the southernmost and sunniest city in Albania!

Borsch

Resort Borsh is located on the Ionian Sea, surrounded by olive groves and is one of the most famous villages of the Albanian Riviera. It has the longest beach - 6 km. It is no coincidence that the area where it is located is also called South Pearl. Only 2,500 thousand people live here, but Borsch is a well-deserved success among lovers of a relaxing holiday, those who need crystal clear water, fresh sea air, vegetables, fruits and the absence of a large number of people. The resort is often chosen as a cozy place for family holidays. Also, one of the best brands of olive oil in Albania is produced here, which is called Borsch.

Ksamil

To the south of Saranda is the resort village of Ksamil. Its full name in ancient times was Hexamil. The village is considered one of the best resorts in Albania, thanks to the amazing beaches with small pebbles. Here you will not find high-rise buildings, but you will be pleased with a large number of cozy family hotels and many fish restaurants, which serve dishes exclusively from the freshest fish. Recently, more and more small cozy hotels have been opened here. By the way, the road to the main attraction - the ancient city of Butrint, will take you no more than 15 minutes.

Of all the Balkan countries, Albania is the most underestimated by our tourists, and yet its beach resorts are much better than in the hyped Montenegro, and may well compete with the well-known Greek ones.

At the same time, prices in Albania are pleasing to the eye and budget. They are lower than the average for the Balkans, which today, when the ruble once again beat against the euro and the dollar in the dance of St. Vitus, cannot but excite all those who know how to count. Although the Albanian lek has recently grown against the euro, it is still far from the Croatian kuna and the Bulgarian lev: on average, 1 local lek costs about 60 kopecks.

Of course, the main problem with Albania is the lack of direct flights on the Moscow-Tirana route. You can fly here with a transfer in Belgrade (regular flights are operated by Aeroflot and Air Serbia), as well as via Rome with Alitalia or Vienna with Air Austrian.

In the photo: a seller with a donkey on an Albanian beach

It takes about half a day to drive from Tirana to the Albanian Riviera, so there are no options here: either book a transfer or rent a car. Personally, I am always for the second option, because then you will not be tied to one location and will be able to explore the entire coastline and across.

WHICH ALBANIA RESORT TO CHOOSE?

The Albanian Riviera has a coastline of 240 kilometers. It is located just opposite the Italian region of Puglia, so the sea is there, like its neighbors - clean and transparent. Looking ahead, I will say right away, in my opinion, if you come to Albania for a period of 10 days to two weeks, then it makes sense to stay in Saranda, because leisure is the most diverse there. Not just sea, sun and sand, but also ancient ruins, as well as natural wonders. I will tell about all the resorts of the Riviera in geographical sequence: I will start from the north and will move strictly to the south.

Below for clarity is a map of the resorts of the Albanian Riviera

DERMI AND DRIMARES

The first important point on it is the Greek village of Dhermi, and for a purely beach holiday, this option is almost ideal. The village itself is located in the Ceravnia Mountains, it is located 200 meters above sea level, but on coastline in recent years, many decent hotels and simple hotels have been built for those who only come to the room to sleep. By the way, it is in such places that Albanian youth likes to live, which is why in the vicinity of the village there are a decent number of nightclubs, bars and other entertainment venues.

There are also wooden houses in the coastal zone, which the local population rents out to tourists for a moderate fee - a sort of Albanian kind of bungalow. Plus, it's within easy reach of Drymades Beach, considered one of the best in the country. It is located on the shore of a beautiful bay with a large rock that separates the pebble beach from the sandy one.

And, of course, it is impossible not to mention that it is here that the Ionian Sea meets the Adriatic Sea. The information is largely useless, but pleasant to understand: who would refuse to swim in two seas at the same time?

Summary: very clean sea and many entertainment facilities for young people.

HIMARA

If we talk about Himare (Himarë), today this city is an ordinary resort in southwestern Albania with a population of just under 4,000 people, but it has a glorious past. The settlement was founded by the Greeks during the Byzantine Empire, and there were constant battles for the city between the Ottomans, the Kingdom of Naples and the Venetian Republic. The local population calls themselves Himariots - Albanian Greeks, and before the outbreak of the First World War, they made numerous attempts to achieve reunification with neighboring Greece.

If we talk about the beaches of the resort, then they are, of course, not bad, but due to the promotion of Himara among the local population, in August the coastline is overly strewn with the bodies of sunbathing vacationers. Well, what can you do, this is the other side of the coin that in Himare the tourist infrastructure is developing faster here than in the whole country.

Livadhi is considered the most beautiful local beach. The pebbles there are light, and the beach is surrounded by a grove of olive trees. In general, I would recommend visiting Himara for a day, there is nothing to do there longer.

Summary:not bad, but too many tourists and there is nothing to do besides the beach.

BORSH

The village of Borsh (Borsh) Russians can choose to relax, if only because of the funny name associated with borscht. Okay, jokes aside, in fact, it is translated into Russian as "snow and rain." Not a very good bid for beach resort, right? However, in the case of Borsh, the principle works: words are just words.

The seaside village is located on the slopes of a mountain range, one and a half kilometers from the warm Ionian Sea and is surrounded by olive trees. The beach of the village itself is small light pebbles, and its length is about 4 kilometers, although guidebooks often write that it is the longest in Albania and stretches as much as 7 kilometers.

This is true and not true at the same time. Yes, the coastline here is many times longer, only officially the additional 3 kilometers no longer belong to Borsh, but to neighboring villages.

In general, Borsh is an incredibly romantic resort. You can stay in one of the bungalows or a hotel on the coastline. Near it there is a promenade with restaurants and cafes, olive orchards begin immediately behind it, and a castle rises on a limestone hill above the village. Its first building was erected in the fourth century BC. Over the long centuries of its existence, the defensive fortification on the mountain was repeatedly destroyed and then rebuilt. What has come down to our days refers already to XVIII century when Albania was ruled by Ali Pasha Tepelensky.

Summary: cute and romantic, especially for couples in love who decide to spend a vacation at sea.

SARANDA

Saranda differs from the resorts described above in that it is an option for those who want everything at once. Not only to lie down on the beach, but to disperse the transparent waves with your hands, but also to devote time to cultural leisure, because everything is fine with the second in Saranda.

The first important local attraction - ruins of the ancient city of Butrint. It was founded in the VI century BC by the Greeks, then the city naturally belonged to the ancient Romans, and in 551 was destroyed by the Visigoths. However, the story of Butrinti did not end there. It was restored, and it existed until the 15th century, being at first part of the Byzantine province of Epirus, and later being part of the Venetian Republic.

Finally, the city was abandoned only after the conquest of the coast by the Turks. Since 1992, the ruins of Butrint have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, in fact they are a museum under open air. The territory of the city is impressive, and you can walk around it all day. Near each object there are explanatory signs, so you can do without the services of a guide.

Another monument of the ancient era in the vicinity of Saranda is the ancient Greek city ​​of Finichi. Tourists go there mainly to take a look at the local Acropolis, which is larger than the famous Athenian one (some argue that as much as seven times). Yes, for reference, there were acropolises in all without exception major cities Greece. In fact, it was a fortification located on the highest point of the city. Temples and palaces were built there not just for beauty and for religious reasons: the local population could take refuge within their walls in the event of an enemy attack on the city.

For those who want to delve into very ancient antiquity, it makes sense to go on an excursion to the Konispol caves. There are traces of human habitation from the Upper Paleolithic to the Iron Age, and unlike other places in Europe, tourists are allowed inside the caves without any problems.

Add to this the fact that in the city itself there is a fortress of Ali Pasha Tepelensky - the actual ruler of Albania in the late 18th - early 19th centuries. Thanks to his cunning international policy, built on constant short-term alliances with European powers and incessant betrayal of allies, the country has reached an unprecedented prosperity.

Well, just 18 kilometers from the city at the foot of Mount Muzina there is an extremely curious natural object - a source Syri i Kaltër or "Blue Eye". If we discard the lyrics and turn to prose, then the reservoir is a vaucluse - a karst siphon-source with a large volume of water. In 2004, the Blue Eye suddenly began to dry up, but then the water debit in it was restored, and today it feeds the Bistrica River, several ponds that were used in the past for fish farming, and also ensures the uninterrupted operation of the local hydroelectric power station.

Although vaucluse itself is a rare geological phenomenon, tourists who decide to crouch at the source are unlikely to think about it. They come here to admire the amazing color of the water: dark blue in the center and transparent blue at the edges.

The water in the source is icy, and the speed of its movement is very high. You throw a pebble down and in a few seconds the internal currents will push it back to the surface. All the nuances mentioned above do not particularly stop tourists. Many, remembering the Russian folk tradition of diving into the hole on the night of Epiphany, do the same here, after which they solemnly post a photo report on Instagram.

By the way, divers have repeatedly attempted to measure the depth of the Blue Eye. Nothing happened. As much as possible, they managed to descend to 45 meters, but no further - the water in the bowels of the vaucluse beats under too much pressure, which makes it impossible to dive.

And the last super plus of Saranda is that from here you can sail on the ferry in just half an hour to the island of Corfu. Also entertainment, not only for show from the series “I have been to Greece”, because a boat trip is a pleasant pastime in all respects.

At the same time, the beaches of the Saranda resort are sandy, the water is warm and clear, so it makes little sense to swim across the other sea to the Greek island.

Summary: the best resort in Albania. No reservations!

KSAMIL (KSAMIL)

Actually, usually Ksamil is not singled out as a separate resort, since the village is located just half an hour from Saranda. It is remarkable for one single circumstance: the local beach looks like a frame from the Bounty advertisement or the European branch of the Maldives - come up with any other hackneyed epithet, this will not change the essence.

The purest azure water, three small islands in the bay, a boardwalk pier right above the sea waves and snow-white sand - it was formed from shell rock ground into chalk. True, there is a nuance. Many people have heard about heaven on earth today, therefore in August Ksamili is very crowded. Ideally, I would advise you to come here for one day in order to go snorkeling, ride a catamaran or just soak up the coastal waves from the heart, but it’s better to settle in Saranda.

The second city in Albania after the capital, located on the Adriatic coast, 33 km from Tirana, the population is about 200,000 people.

What

By Russian standards, Durres is a calm green town, devoid of the crowds and bustle of megacities. According to Albanian - the largest resort and port center in the country. The infrastructure is up to the mark. For vacationers, there are equipped beaches, a neat promenade, hotels of various categories, entertainment venues, which, by the way, work all year round, and not only during the peak season. For residents - large retail chains, clinics, banks, fitness rooms, beauty salons, the capital and the international airport - a 30-minute drive.

Worth noting is the waterfront area called the Volga and the new district of Tsurilla to the north of the city center, which is being built up with slender high-rise buildings. A lot of money is now being invested in this part of the city: the embankment is being extended, ornamental plants are being planted, and the beaches are being improved. In a word, they form an elite living environment, which is rare for a smooth Albanian real estate market.

Tatiana Balliu, Real Estate Consultant, Albania Service:

- There is no frankly elite or budget resort in Albania. For a long time, the country was closed to tourists, and when it opened, the cities began to develop in much the same way. Therefore, real estate prices in different parts of the country are similar. True, in large resorts, for example, in Durres, separate areas have already begun to stand out, which can be classified as elite. Wealthy Albanians and foreigners live there. And the distant suburbs of the city are cheaper than the average. But this is only because the local infrastructure is just beginning to develop.

The coastline of Durres stretches for 15 kilometers. In the distant suburbs, for example, in Cherret, a completely different atmosphere reigns - pastoral landscapes, rural flavor, serene calm. Local beaches have a gentle entrance to the sea, which is convenient for families with small children. And the prices for apartments are 30-50% lower than in the central part of Durres.

how much

The most budgetary offers in real estate are located in the suburbs of Durres, the most expensive - in the waterfront and Zurilla. On average in the city, an apartment on the first line with a side sea view can be purchased for €800 per sq. m. Apartments, which offer a panorama of the Adriatic, go from €850 per sq. m. m.

In the nearest suburbs of Durres ( big beach, Golem) we can distinguish the first two lines. "Actual" - let's call it that - when the building stands directly by the water, and "theoretical" - when a road passes between the house and the sea. In most European countries, and in the second case, the apartment will be considered located on the first line, which will naturally affect the price. In Albania, apartments behind the road are much cheaper - from €450 per "square". For this money, you can get a partial view of the sea and the transition to the water via a footbridge.

Residential properties in Durres

A country of mystery, "a new love in the Mediterranean" ... No wonder they say so. Dva and Adriatic), ancient cities under the protection of UNESCO, amazingly beautiful virgin nature, excellent cuisine, friendly, hospitable people. Meet Albania. Rest on the sea in this country is still a novelty for Russian tourists. But travelers from Western Europe fully appreciated the developing infrastructure in Albania. After all, prices here are much lower than in neighboring Croatia, Macedonia or Montenegro. Not to mention Greece or Italy. What do Russian tourists write about in Albania? What resorts of this country are worth visiting? What to see and what to try? Read about all this in our article.

Where is Albania located. Visa and currency

This country has long been closed to foreigners. Therefore, now with great interest, curious tourists are striving to explore a new land in Albania. Russian vacationers say that traveling to this country is a bit like a trip in a time machine. You can find yourself, as it were, in a Caucasian resort, but ... somewhere in the 1990s. Of course, there are no gang fights in Albania and everything is pretty nice. The locals try very hard to ensure that tourists have the best impressions of the country. But our tourists still have a lot of prejudices about this region in the west of the Balkan Peninsula.

What exactly is the Republic of Albania? Holidays at sea, fascinating excursions to ancient cities, hiking in the mountains, gastronomic tours - all this is now quite affordable for foreigners. For Russians in the summer and in September-October, a visa is not needed. You can stay in the country for ninety days, but only between June 1st and October 31st. Upon entry, you must declare that the purpose of visiting the Republic of Albania is to rest at sea. At other times of the year, tourists from Russia require a visa. The national currency of Albania is the lek. It contains one hundred kindarok. The ratio with the Russian ruble pleases: there are fifty kopecks in one lek. But locals often accept US dollars and euros for settlement.

Climate in Albania

Nature gave this Balkan country about three hundred sunny days a year. Moreover, it rains mainly in the first half of spring and in November. If we talk about beach holiday in Albania, reviews claim that the peak of the tourist season falls (however, as elsewhere in these latitudes) in the summer months. Although it is comfortable to sunbathe and swim in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas from the end of April until the first half of October. On the coast in July, the water temperature is +22 ... +25 degrees, and the air fluctuates between +28 ... +32 °С. In January (the coldest month of the year) it does not fall below + 8 °C. The summer heat is easily tolerated: after all, the Mediterranean mistral is constantly blowing from the sea. Mountains are another matter. There the climate is more severe, and in winter the temperature at a height of a thousand meters drops to -20 °C. The Albanian Alps are high mountains, and snow lies on their peaks for about half a year. Although there are very few ski resorts in the country. Best holiday in Albania at sea - reviews of tourists on this issue are the same - in September. And without that low prices fall even more. But the temperature of water and air remains high. Albanian September is quite a summer month.

Territory

Seventy percent consists of picturesque mountains covered with forests. If you are interested in the beach and the sea, then you should choose one of the coastal resorts in Albania. These are Saranda, Durres, Shkodra, Vlora or Fier. In each of them, in addition to wonderful beaches and the warm sea, the tourist will find a lot of interesting and informative for himself. In Durres, for example, there is a Roman amphitheater, the ruins of a Byzantine fortress and a Venetian tower. Many cities of the country were built before our era. But if you are interested in a sightseeing holiday in Albania, the reviews advise you not to miss Berat in any case. In this open-air museum, the Orthodox and Muslim worlds meet, separated by a river. The capital of the country, Tirana, is a piece of Turkey frozen in time, there are so many ancient mosques and houses in the Ottoman style in the city. lovers medieval castles Scandeberg, Kruje and Petrela are waiting.

Ecological holidays in Albania: reviews of tourists

The virgin nature of this country attracts many travelers. Tourists are advised to go on independent or group excursions to the Tomor Mountains (and at the same time visit Bektash) or the Albanian Alps. The canyons of Skrapara or the river Valbona will leave a lasting impression. A special place among the natural attractions of Albania is occupied by the Lure National Reserve. Lake Ohrid is business card country. If you are in Tirana and have some time to relax in Albania, tourist reviews advise you to go to the picturesque Daiti Mountain. It is located in the vicinity of the capital. Ecotourism is beginning to develop in coastal villages. Residents of the former fishing villages welcome vacationers with pleasure. Beaches, ancient castles or archaeological parks, beautiful mountains, delicious authentic food from the farmer's subsidiary farm - this is the whole of Albania. Rest on the sea here never comes to the fore. The main thing was and remains the amazing uniqueness of the country. All tourists unanimously repeat: even the laziest travelers cannot resist the charm of the Balkan Republic and leave the pastime of seals for excursions.

Ionian Albania: holidays by the sea

Photos of the beaches of this Balkan country will make you cast aside all doubts. Holidays in Albania are cheaper than in neighboring Croatia, and the surrounding nature is cleaner. Is it worth it in this case to follow the well-trodden path of many thousands of tourists? After all, you can get a quality vacation for little money and feel almost like a pioneer. The beaches of Albania stretch for four hundred and twenty-seven kilometers. They are mostly sandy, although those who like to warm the bones on pebbles will also find nice coast. The Riviera of Flowers stretches from Saranda to Vlore. This is the Albanian coast of the Ionian Sea. There are many coves here that were harbors in ancient times. The local elite prefers the Riviera of Flowers, where the most popular beaches are Divyak, Golemi, Durres, Leger, Velipoe. Pebble coasts are located in the vicinity of Vlora. Albanian resorts such as Saranda (which is opposite the Greek island of Corfu), Dhermi and Himara are popular here. The coast abounds with rocks, the sea is deep here. Reviews recommend this Riviera to snorkelers and divers.

Adriatic coast

This area starts from Lalzit Bay near the border with Montenegro and extends south to the resort of Vlora. The golden sandy beaches of the Albanian Adriatic are perfect for children. The coast is a set of spits with a shallow sea and a gentle slope. Pine forests often grow near the beaches, so a pleasant stay here can be combined with recovery: coniferous trees contain a lot of useful phytoncides. The most famous resorts of Albania on the Adriatic coast are Dhermi, Shengjin, Durres, Kuna. Reviews find it difficult to answer the question of which of the two seas is better and on which beach the water is cleaner. Everyone agrees that for comfort, you should turn to five-star chain hotels. They often have private beach, the improvement of which meets European standards. The longest is Durrem. It's fifteen kilometers of sand. The most elegant reviews called the Saint-John beach near the Leger resort.

Saranda

Reviews recommend this resort to lovers of peace and languid bliss. Although inquisitive and active tourists there is also something to do here. Nearby is the ancient city of Butrint, sung by Plutarch. Saranda is a destination for gastronomic tours. Grilled meat and seafood are served here. But the main attraction of Saranda is a beach holiday. Ksamil Beach (Albania) is located ten kilometers from the resort and is the southernmost village in the country. The only drawback, according to travelers, is its remoteness from Tirana International Airport - 250 km or five hours on the way! However, the rest of the beach is excellent. White sand, against which the water seems endlessly azure. The notorious "Bounty" commercial could also be filmed at Ksamil Beach. There are several mini-hotels here, but the choice of accommodation is more in neighboring Saranda.

What to try in Albania

Shopping is best done in the Republic of Albania. Seaside holidays are recommended to be combined with a tasting of local delicacies. Local kitchen was influenced by the Turks, Greeks and Italians. From drinks, you should try Skanderberg cognac and brandy - grape vodka. Of the wines, reviews recommend Aquila Liquori, Cobo, Luani and Gjergj Kastrioti.

Albania, where beach holidays are quite developed, is still a Muslim country. The patriarchal way of life is still preserved here. Therefore, you need to be polite and tolerant of the customs of the people you came to visit. Ladies should not sunbathe topless. This is fraught not only with conflict, but also with a large fine. You can take pictures of local residents only with their consent. Reviews note that Albanians are very fond of children, so it is good form to praise the child. But making compliments to local girls and women is not recommended.

A few years ago, Russian travelers found in the Balkans the last secret of the European Mediterranean - the coast of Albania. And where - close by the promoted Montenegro!

Albania is like a pearl that is still hidden in a shell. It is a shy country, not yet spoiled by mass tourism. But here wonderful nature, pleasant climate and two whole seas: Ionian and Adriatic. Choose which beaches you like: pebble or sand, they are all clean and beautiful. PROturizm offers you an overview sea ​​resorts Albania.

Adriatic sea resorts

• Distance from Tirana – 60 km
• Population - 11 thousand people

One of the clearest evidence of the tourism potential of Albania. Even 20 years ago, Shengjin was a fishing village under the Italian pines, and today it is already a developed resort - with hotels, restaurants, swimming pools, supermarkets and more.

There are many comfortable new buildings in Shengjin, and some Russians buy apartments here so that they can come to rest like home. Families with kids appreciate the abundance of playgrounds, and the beach in Shengjin is one of the most comfortable in Albania.

Once upon a time, Julius Caesar deployed his fleet in the local bay during military operations. A small port still exists. In the future, they plan to turn it into a large, international one, and locals fear that this will affect the quality of the sand - now it is considered healing, saturated with iodine. The air, by the way, is also special - sea with an admixture of pine.

Durres

• Distance from Tirana – 33 km
• Population - 180 thousand people

Sea port, the second largest city in Albania. I managed to visit Bulgarian, and Byzantine, and Turkish, and Italian, and at the very beginning of history - Roman (since then, the ancient Roman amphitheater has remained here). In all these ups and downs, Durres managed to maintain its uniqueness.

Today's conquerors - tourists - appreciate the green parks and the white sandy beach, stretching for 15 km. Life is noisy on the embankment - attractions, cafes, shops, and hotels are located in a quieter area, remote from the port. The quietest beach of Durres is Qerret: there are few people here and there are no high-rise buildings nearby.

Resorts of the Ionian Sea

• Distance from Tirana (capital of Albania) - 280 km
• Population - 40 thousand people

This resort is called the southern gate of Albania and the sunniest place on the Ionian coast. It is quiet, calm and you can see Greece - the island of Corfu, which is less than an hour by ferry.

At the same time, Saranda has “grown up” to tourism: there are several good hotels, it is easy to rent a house, there is where to have fun in the evenings. Along the entire coast there is a promenade with restaurants and souvenir shops. Within the city there are several beaches, all pebbly, but with clear water. The hotels built on the first line have their own comfortable beaches.

Attractions surrounding Saranda:

• the ancient city of Finichi with an acropolis seven times larger than that of Athens;
• the fortress of the bloody medieval warrior Ali Pasha Tepelensky;
• Butrint - an open-air archaeological museum-reserve;
• Konispol caves with traces of primitive settlements;
• karst source "Blue Eye", the water in which is really juicy blue-blue color and always the same temperature - about 13 ° C.

• Distance from Tirana – 295 km
• Population - 3 thousand people

It is located ten kilometers from Saranda. As a true resort city, it appeared only thanks to local natural virtues (most recently, in the 1960s). Ksamil is the Albanian Maldives. Seriously: several islands are scattered off the coast, which can be reached by swimming or by boat. They are called so - the islands of Ksamil, or Tetra. Some have restaurants.

The beach in Ksamil is sandy, because the artificial one is bulk. But the sand is white, and the water is azure. It is not surprising that many tourists from abroad come here - and this despite the fact that it takes five to six hours to get from the airport to Ksamil, and the tourist infrastructure is not very rich on the spot (few shops, pharmacies, banks, etc.) . But there are enough hotels or apartments for rent. Some stop in Saranda, and go to Ksamil to swim.

• Distance from Tirana – 225 km
• Population - 4 thousand people

The region of Himare is the town itself and several villages, only 20 km long and 5 km wide. On the one hand - mountains and orchards, on the other - the sea. The long pebble beach is divided by rocks into several parts: Spille Beach, Maraçaj Beach, Strevija Beach and Potami Beach. These are cultivated beaches, and there is a completely wild, untouched - Filikuri Beach, which is hidden behind a cape, it can only be reached by boat.

The civilized opposite is Jale Beach, 10 km from Himare. The beach is also pebbly, but there are sandy areas. The infrastructure is well developed here: there are umbrellas and sun loungers, rental of scooters and catamarans, many cafes and restaurants. Divers dive on the right side of the beach, you can also take a motorboat to the Pirate's Cave or fly over the beach on a paraglider.

There are many accommodation options in Himare, there are even two four-star hotels. And the main cultural advantage of this resort is Old city with its castle, churches and monasteries.

Dhermi

• Distance from Tirana - 340 km
• Population - 2 thousand people

Dhermi (aka Zermi, aka Dryumades) is located near Himara, built on the slope of a 200-meter mountain. Its name is translated from Greek as "oak grove". This is one of the oldest villages in Albania, and there are 30 ancient Orthodox churches here - lovers of cultural recreation will like it.

Beach lovers like it here too, holidays in Dhermi are considered elite (and therefore it costs a little more). The five-kilometer Dhermi beach stretches from the Karaburun peninsula to the monastery of St. Theodora. In addition to churches, there are also brand new hotels, bungalows and restaurants.