7 Days in Albania

Kruje A hodgepodge of artisan goods and fine handicrafts, from brass trays and woven shawls to antique musical instruments, is sold in the old bazaar of the ancient town of Krujë, near Tirana. Along the cobblestone Rruga Albanopoli, with its soaring white minaret, some dozen shops can be found under the tile roofed buildings restored in the 1960s. Rozafa castle, Shkoder The legend of Rozafa is about the strength of women who sacrifice their lives for something bigger. Today, Rozafa Castle is one of the most interesting places to visit in Albania and is a must-see for anyone who spends time in the enchanting town of Shkodra. Lake of Shkodra This lake is the largest in southern Europe. One part of it is in Albania and the other one in Montenegro. It is also known for its amazing biodiversity. Overnight in Tirana.

Bovilla Lake Lake Bovilla (Bovilla reservoir) is one of the most amazing hidden gems of Albania. This reservoir provides most of the drinking water for the capital of Albania, Tirana. Located around 15 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana makes the place very reachable. You can go there for a picnic or if you want some more adventures you can hike to the Gamti mountain where the view of Bovilla Lake is amazing. Overnight In Tirana

Berat Visiting Berat Castle is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat, Albania. It dates mainly from the 13th century and contains many Byzantine churches in the area and Ottoman mosques. It is built on a rocky hill on the left bank of the river Osum and is accessible only from the south. The narrow stone paths go uphill in-between characteristic houses. It is where local ladies are selling traditionally handcrafted linen dating from their grandmother’s times. Some of the ladies will introduce us to some of the techniques of how they handcrafted all the linens. What makes the city and especially the castle more interesting is the fact that people are still living there, as they were centuries before. Berat Castle, also referred to as the Citadel of Berat and castle quarter, is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat. National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” Visit the "Onufri" Museum dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography, located inside the castle. Onufri was the most famous church painter. Unique in his style for the mix of red, orange and gold color, a technique that is still undiscovered. National Ethnographic Museum Situated within a striking, typical 18th century two-story Berat residence, that contains a diversity of everyday objects from throughout the history of the city. Gorica Bridge and Mangalem neighborhood - over the Osum river is a landmark in the city of Berat, Albania. It is one of the oldest and most popular Ottoman bridges in Albania. It connects two parts of Berat,was originally built from wood in 1780 and was rebuilt with stone in the 1920s. The seven-arch bridge is 129 metres (423 ft) long and 5.3 metres (17 ft) wide and is built about 10 metres (33 ft) above the average water level. Overnight in Tirana

Ohrid lake Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest in the world, and the deepest in the Balkans.The Ohrid Lake is a deep, oligotrophic lake of tectonic origin in Southeastern Europe shared between Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. Approximately two thirds of the lake surface area belong to Macedonia and the remaining third to Albania. It is one of the most ancient lakes in the entire world and the largest in the Balkan Peninsula.Despite the long and continuous history as well as the geographical isolation, it is the lake with the highest biodiversity in the world. Drilon - “Teto Ollga” Monument Driloni is a river located in Albania. Drilon springs are located near the villages of Tushemisht, 4 km from Pogradec, hillsides and have an incomparable view. It is a large limestone spring that springs from a vertical stream of water at the bottom of the limestone block, then continues to flow into Lake Ohrid. The water comes from Lake Prespa through the Dry Mountain. Water comes out as a large separate spring with a flow of 7 m³ / s. It is surrounded by dense vegetation and has a rich animal world. This place has been a favorite to spend the holidays with King Zog and Enver Hoxha. Korce Old bazaar The bazaar of Korca was one of the most reputed of the Ottoman times in Albania. Indeed the relevance of Korca as a market and traders place started only after the decline of the neighboring city of Voskopoje, but the bazaar became well known, mainly for the quality of clothes, the variety of spices and the animals sold there (goats mainly). Apparently it was a noisy busy place and very soon took the nickname of bazaar of serenades. Today it is a big market which keeps -around a big square-also some old streets filled with small shops pretty much similar to eastern bazaars. In a parallel alley there is also a large food market occupying a long street and two big covered naves. The whole area is bustling and colorful.

Tirana city tour Skanderbeg Square Skanderbeg Square is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square Et’hem Bey Mosque - Clock tower Fortress of Justinian The Fortress of Justinian, known simply as Tirana Castle is the only one found in the city centre. The fortress is where at one time the main east–west and north–south roads crossed, forming the heart of the town as it was then. The castle's history dates back prior to 1300. The walls are 6 m high and are a remnant from the Byzantine era. It is located near Parliament and the Academy of Sciences, not far from Skanderbeg Square. Grand Park (Parku i Madh) The Artificial Lake. It is the perfect place to spend a sunny day, in any season; the perfect place to see how nature awakens during spring, the sweet escape from the summer heat underneath all the trees, the chance to watch the golden ground made of leaves on autumn and a little spot to catch those warm rays of sun during winter. Dajti mountain Just 25km east of Tirana is Mt Dajti National Park. It is the most accessible mountain in the country, and many locals go there to escape the city rush and have a spit-roast lamb lunch. A sky-high, Austrian-made cable car, Dajti Express, takes 15 minutes to make the scenic trip (almost) to the top (1611m). Bunk'art 2 Bunk'art 2 reconstructs the history of the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1912 to 1991 and reveals the secrets of “Sigurimi”, the political police that was the harsh persecution weapon used by the regime of Enver Hoxha. Bunk'art 2 is the first major video museum exhibition dedicated to the victims of communist terror.