The best of Unexplored Albania

About the destination: Tirana is by far the largest city in Albania and its administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Today, it is an interesting and fascinating city, with a lively nightlife. Tirana is where old and new Albania meet. There is an imposing Ottoman mosque and its towering minaret near Skanderbeg Square, the main square of Tirana. The construction of the Ethem Bey Mosque began in 1798 and was completed in 1821. Closed under the communist regime, the mosque reopened as a place of worship in 1991. Look at the frescoes outside and in the porch depicting trees, waterfalls, Ottoman houses, and bridges, motifs rarely seen in Islamic art. The center of Tirana is a delightful area of wide tree-lined avenues and large squares, populated by unforgettable brutalist architecture and sometimes extremely colorful. It also has some great examples of heroic and socialist realism, such as the huge mural on the facade of the National History Museum. Tirana is a fascinating city and the capital of a fascinating country. It is very relaxing, with friendly and hospitable people, some great restaurants, and a lively nightlife. You can practically see everything the city has to offer in a day or two, but it's a great place to start exploring nearby places, like Durres and Kruja.

About the destination: Berat (pronounced [ˈbɛ:rat] in Albanian, and officially known as Berati in Albanian), is the ninth most populous city in the Republic of Albania. It serves as the capital of Berat County, one of the 12 counties that make up the country. In terms of distance, Berat is 71 kilometers (44 miles) north of Gjirokastër, 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Korçë, 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Tirana, and 33 kilometers (21 miles) east of Fier, when traveling by air. Geographically, Berat is situated in the southern part of the country, surrounded by mountains and hills, including the eastern Tomorr, which has been designated as a national park. The Osum River flows through the city for a total length of 161 kilometers (100 miles) before it drains into the Seman River in the Myzeqe Plain.

About the destination: Saranda (Sarandë) is a quaint city situated in the southern part of Albania, close to the border of northern Greece. Recently, it has gained popularity in Albania due to the arrival of numerous cruise ships at its port. It's a peaceful city with a prime location, always bustling with activities. Cafes and terraces are open throughout the year, and its Mediterranean climate makes its beaches enjoyable. Unsurprisingly, it has been selected as a stopover for Greek island cruises.

About the destination: Albania is one of the final hidden gems yet to be discovered by tourists and travelers. It's a country rich in natural beauty and spiritual wealth, having spent over half a century in the 20th century completely cut off from the rest of the world. With its border just 20 kilometers from Ulcinj, Montenegro, we didn't hesitate to include a visit to Shkoder in our itinerary. Shkoder is one of the most significant and influential cities in Albania, and is, in fact, the country's second largest city.

About the destination: Tirana is by far the largest city in Albania and its administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Today, it is an interesting and fascinating city, with a lively nightlife. Tirana is where old and new Albania meet. There is an imposing Ottoman mosque and its towering minaret near Skanderbeg Square, the main square of Tirana. The construction of the Ethem Bey Mosque began in 1798 and was completed in 1821. Closed under the communist regime, the mosque reopened as a place of worship in 1991. Look at the frescoes outside and in the porch depicting trees, waterfalls, Ottoman houses, and bridges, motifs rarely seen in Islamic art. The center of Tirana is a delightful area of wide tree-lined avenues and large squares, populated by unforgettable brutalist architecture and sometimes extremely colorful. It also has some great examples of heroic and socialist realism, such as the huge mural on the facade of the National History Museum. Tirana is a fascinating city and the capital of a fascinating country. It is very relaxing, with friendly and hospitable people, some great restaurants, and a lively nightlife. You can practically see everything the city has to offer in a day or two, but it's a great place to start exploring nearby places, like Durres and Kruja.