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Vuno

Small town feeling on the Albanian riviera

8.8km

40.133319.7

Dhërmi

one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, perfect for camping.

15km

40.1519.6333

Corfu

Greek island in the Ionian Sea

34km

39.666719.75

Korca

Korçë (Korça) is the principal city in the district of Korçë in Southeastern Albania.

120km

40.616720.7667

Shëngjin

A growing beach town located in northwest Albania known for its Adriatic Sea views.

147km

41.8119.59
Sights (38)

Porto Palermo Castle

fortification

3.2km

40.06219.791

Canyon of Gjipe

12km

40.1436111119.67027778

Kardhiq

Village in Albania.

29km

40.1216666720.0275

Lëkurësi Castle

34km

39.865920.02567

Orikum

municipality of Albania

39km

40.3333333319.46666667

Butrint

39km

39.7455555620.02055556

Zekate House

It is the most visited of Gjirokastër's monumental stone houses. It is one of the largest of its kind, featuring three floors spread over two large towers. The house was recently restored again (having undergone earlier restorations during the Communist era) and is kept open by its owners as a museum house. In addition to providing an interesting primer of the characteristic architectural elements of the city's tower houses, it offers a beautiful view of the city below.

40km

40.0748420.13229

Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum

Once Enver Hoxha's house, it is a well-restored Ottoman house which displays clothing, kitchenware, tools and other cultural artifacts. The guided tour (available in Albanian, English, and German though availability should be checked in advance).

41km

40.0755555620.13472222

Kaninë Castle

Built in the old center of Vlore in the 3rd century BC. This castle has an area of 3625 ha. It was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in the 5th century BC. In Anna Komnenes' notes, she talked long about her father, Emperor Aleks', war against the Norman army.

41km

40.44319.52

Gjirokastër Fortress

The historical and geographical center of the city, the Castle is billed as the second largest in all the Balkans, and is worth a look. The Armaments Museum is located in the castle (separate 200 leke entrance) and contains a collection of mostly post-War era weapons, photographs and artwork: the main gallery, with its eerily lit corridor, contains two columns of large German and Italian field guns, remnants of WWII. The Castle also contains two Bektashi tekes, the stage for the internationally-renowned Gjirokaster National Folk Festival, a prison (now part of the Armaments Museum and available with an extra charge) and numerous chambers, some in ruins, open to exploration. A second museum gallery, the Zenebishi Gallery, features occasional free art exhibits. Underneath the castle is the underground bunker built in the Cold War.

41km

40.07420.141

Oricum

Ancient theatre of Orikum (1st century BC), Church of Marmiroi (Kisha e Marmiroit) - Here is also a small hotel

42km

40.3188888919.42861111

Labovë e Madhe

village in Albania

42km

40.2069444420.13611111

Muradie Mosque

45km

40.46904919.490932

Flag's Square

- Independence Monument - a massive socialist-realist monument celebrating the independence of Albania from the Ottoman empire in 1912

45km

40.470719.4913

Blue Eye, Albania

49km

39.92361120.192778

Hysen Pasha Mosque

57km

40.7061111119.94027778

Bachelors' Mosque

57km

40.70468919.950051

Red Mosque, Berat

57km

40.707319.9457

Berat Castle

It was mostly built in the 13th century, but with origins going back to the 4th century BC. A very beautiful place with great views of the surrounding area. Getting to the Kala requires a steep walk up a cobbled path - take care, the stones are worn and slippery. The citadel is still inhabited, with many churches, and there are a couple of bars and shops in the Kala area.

57km

40.70819.945

King Mosque, Berat

57km

40.705619.9521

Lead Mosque, Berat

57km

40.704519.9554

Çorovodë

main city of Skrapar District, Albania

62km

40.520.21666667

Aoös

river

69km

40.6427777819.31722222

Vithkuq

municipality in Korçë District, Albania

98km

40.5166666720.58333333

Fatih Mosque, Durrës

Built in 1503.

110km

41.3111111119.44583333

Great Mosque of Durrës

110km

41.313219.4455

Royal Villa of Durrës

This used to be the most luxurious crib in all of Albania, but it was looted in the 1997 uprising and isn't open to visitors now. Reportedly prince Leka has plans to renovate the villa "in the near future", but this has been reported for quite some time. Endure the steep climb up the hill for one of the most spectacular views over the city.

110km

41.314719.4387

Boboshticë

village in Korçë, Albania

118km

40.5541666720.76444444

Andon Zako Çajupi Theatre

121km

40.618720.7771

National Museum of Medieval Art (Albania)

Fantastic collection; if the door is locked during opening hours, ring the buzzer.

122km

40.615820.7837

Birra Korça

Famous throughout Albania, sponsors a week-long Beer Festival in the summer.

122km

40.611220.7907

Fir of Drenovë National Park

123km

40.5833333320.8

Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

The Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park is a national park in eastern Albania adjacent to the border with North Macedonia. It encompasses 339.277 square kilometres (33,927.7 ha) and is specifically marked by a mountainous landscape supplied with glacial lakes, valleys, dense coniferous and deciduous forests and alpine meadows and pastures. Elevations in the park vary from 300 metres to over 2,200 metres above the Adriatic at the peak of Shebenik and Jabllanica, hence the name. It dwells a number of endangered species that are fast becoming rare in Southern Europe, including the brown bear, gray wolf and balkan lynx. The abundance in wildlife can in part be explained by the variety of vegetation types and remote location.

123km

41.1666666720.5

Tushemisht

Village in Korçë, Albania

127km

40.9002777820.71916667

Castle of Rodon

Roman amphitheatre in Durrës, Albania

132km

41.585819.4482

Lake Ohrid

lake

133km

41.0372222220.71888889

Prespa National Park

One of Albania's national parks, Prespa, is mostly located within Pustec Municipality. The park covers 27,750 hectares (68,570 acres), consisting of Albania's share of the Prespa region. Established in 1999, it aims to conserve the wildlife of Prespa including rare species of bird like the white pelican, the white stork, and the Dalmatian pelican. Almost half of the area of the national park is forest.

140km

40.7520.91666667

St. Mary's Church, Maligrad

This Orthodox cave church was built in 1369 by Serbian nobleman Kesar Novak, though there is an older preserved inscription in the apse of the church dating from 1345. A fresco on the interior depicts Novak's family. The western facade was painted in 1607. The church is built within a cave overlooking the lake.

143km

40.79220.9317
Nature

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Albanian Riviera

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In Corfu day trips say " must warn you if you go to Albania you must go with an open mind".

From my own experience, I can say many do not. Many tourists going from Corfu arrive then decide Albania is not for them and do a u-turn back.

Albania is a former Communist country. It was so Communist it didn't even want to be friends with other communist nations notably including the Soviet union.

To get there from Corfu is only an hour. You take a 80s style boat and listen to music from a similar period. My journey there in 2011 was accompanied by Broken Wings by Mr. Mister. The beaches here are pebbled and look very Italian Riveria.

In 2011, there were many roads still under construction. Ice cream and beer is cheap and a drive out of Sarande reveals there is a bit of a garbage problem here.

Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera (Albanian: Bregu) lies along the southwestern coast of Albania, from the village of Palasë and ending in Lukovë.

The Llogara National Park is known from its vibrant flora and fauna with over 100 different types of wild animals and birds including: deer, wild cats, foxes, etc. The mixture of refreshing high altitude mountain air and proximity of the sea makes it very attractive destination for tourists. The area is also important for the growth of eco-tourism, picnic, hiking and air sports.

The Ali Pasha Castle was named after Ali Pasha of Tepelenë, who resided there until 1820. The current fortress was rebuilt in 1819 from its surface with 3 towers. Until 1820, it was the second residence of Ali Pasha. The castle described and pictured is popularly known as The Triangular Fortress. Built under Venetian dominion in the late 15th or early 16th century, it provided a stronghold for the Venetians on Corfu to exploit fishing, grazing, olives and timber in and around Butrint. The Borsh Castle is also known as the Castle of Sopot by the name of the hill on which it is located.

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