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The Best of Albania

I am both looking for, and providing information about Albania. Please read the growing list of the best of Albania (compiled through personal research done on the internet). Please add, or edit items to list as you see fit. If you live in Albania, or consider yourself an expert on the country then please contribute your tips, hints, and favourites based on the criteria listed below. Once complete, this list should help visitors find exactly "the very best in Albania".

PLEASE only respond to this thread if you're interested in helping to edit or contribute items to the list. Thank you.

CRITERIA for LIST:
-memorable/dramatic scenery & landscape photography. Where to find the best (viewpoints, vistas, city views, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)?
-the unique outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and amazing views?
-lovely/charming streets, cute villages, and magnificent/attractive architecture?
-authentic/unforgettable "local" travel experiences (i.e. non-typical, interesting/special experiences (full of original character), and unique only to the local area).
-the best freebies (museums, galleries excluded)
-specialty/unique regional cuisine/gastronomy (or the BEST places to eat (w/ local's prices, food made with love/regional favorites, and not too many tourists eating there)),
-anything else off-the beaten path.

Thanks again

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ALBANIA

Puke, what to see around?
Lac, "

Tirana, Mt diajte view , Et`hem Bey mosque, What is Tanner's bridge? , Qasmil Ismail street?, What to see on a Kruja daytrip

Durres, amphiteathre, ahmed zog palace worth the visit?

Gjorokster, old city, hike to castle, Antigonea illyrian town, Labove orthodox church

Korce, cathedral, moravia, mt. torrimori, Berat town (try fig jam)

Saranda, Dhermi beach, Ksamil village, Gjiri i Palermos beach

Elbasem/Gramsh, what to do?

Pogradec, beach at Tushemisht, view from hill at Lin, eat Koran fish

Cuisine: Boza drink,Dukagjin drink,Hardic drink, Kabuni,Kungull Me Kos,Lakruar,Tarator soup:

and any more?

Albania, used to be a riddle, a very odd place, completely isolated in and out.
At first friends with the Soviet Union, got to disagreement broke up the relationship, became China's friend still continuing on the stalinist path - the great China in Asia and small Albania in Europe. It used to be like the PR of Korea in Europe. Then it parted with China and became the USA's and GWB's friend. All the way, like an ant and an elephant.

It's great country to visit. Now, completely open, safe to travel and still much different. It would be wrong if you think of Albania only as a post stalinist country. It's a country very rich with history. It used to be part of the Roman empire, and you can still find remnants of the ancient past (Butrint).
It's got great landscapes, mountains and beautiful coast. It's still cheap, but there are also prices for tourists (in the touristy places). It's Mediterranean culture - not the best way to compare, but sometimes you feel like being in Greece.
The infrastructure is still underdeveloped. Travelling inside the country isn't very easy, but it works.
It's safe and the people are friendly.

The easiest way to get there is from the Greek island of Korfu, 30 mins by boat, €15 ticket one way.

I've just come back from Tiranna. One of my highlights is the mosque of Tirana. extremely impressive!

travel in Tirana, never miss the mosque. A monumental complex of values is created by this mosque and the Clock tower in Tirana. every traveler tops this site at his must-see list. i love its frescoes, covering trees, waterfalls, bridges and life paintings.

daily tours are allowed there

Is this the mosque you are talking about?



Yes, it is a very beautiful one. It is just located at south-eastern corner of Tirana's main square: Skandebeg Sqaure, which itself is a must-visit when stopping in Tirana.



This is the square. You can also see the mosque and national theatre just next to it....