Guide To Albania

Albania is not that small but with a good Albania travel guide and a car, you can visit all its top attractions in few days only but it is crucial to start your Albanian tour either on the southern or northern tip of the country. A few day trip is, of course, not enough to truly experience the country’s beauty but enough to visit its prime attractions and perhaps spent a day or two on its beautiful coast as well.

If you enter Albania from Greece, you do not have to drive far to reach one of the country’s greatest treasures – Butrint National Park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Albania’s most important archaeological sites. Butrint is famous for splendid ancient Greek and Roman ruins which include a Roman amphitheater, public baths, early Christian basilicas and many other structures that reveal its rich history. A reconstructed castle on the top of the acropolis hill houses objects that were excavated on the site.

Less than 50 kilometers north of Butrint is another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Gjirokastër or Gjirokastra marked by remarkably well preserved Ottoman architecture. Most of its buildings (which are still inhabited) date to the 17th and 18th centuries. The town is also known as the birthplace of the Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha.

Butrint

About 120 kilometers further north is another astonishing town – Berat that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well for its splendid architecture, most notably well preserved citadel from the 13th century, a number of Byzantine churches from the 13th century and mosques from the 14th century.

Tirana, the capital of Albania is situated somewhere in the middle of the country and is worth visiting as well. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Tirana include Et’hem Bey Mosque and the nearby Clock Tower of Tirana, Enver Hoxha Mausoleum, National History Museum, Tanners’ Bridge, Petrela Castle and Skenderbeg Square.

The city of Shkodër is one of the oldest towns in Albania and home to a lovely Mes Bridge across the Kir River and spectacular ruins of the Rozafa castle. It is located on the Shkodër Lake (on the border with Montenegro), a popular summer destination for both the locals and tourists.

Mes Bridge

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It is always a good time to visit just about every country and Albania is no exception. On the other hand, bad weather can easily ruin even the most carefully planned trip. For that reason it is always helpful to know the climate of the chosen destination because it enables you to maximize your traveling experience.

Albania - Mediterranean Climate

Due to its location along the Ionian and Adriatic Seas many people expect the mild Mediterranean climate but that is not the case in Albania except in coastal region and lowlands. Here, the climate and average temperatures are very similar to other Mediterranean countries which means that the winters are mild and that the summers can be very hot. However, the average temperatures in southern lowlands are higher for about 5 degrees Celsius than in lowlands on the north throughout the year. The difference in temperatures tends to be higher during the summer and some what lower during the winter.

The weather and temperatures in the inland and highlands are more affected by altitude rather than latitude. The mountainous regions in Albania have continental climate, while the winters are very cold because of the north and northeastern winds that blow most of the time and the influence of the continental air mass that plays the key role in the weather in the Balkans. The highest mountains are covered with snow from November to March and some of the most spectacular places in the Albanian highlands are inaccessible during the winter months.

Snow in Albania (Borsh)

If you have checked your Albania tourist guide, you have probably read that the best time to visit the country is spring or autumn. That is true if you want to explore the country and go sightseeing because the temperatures are pleasant both during spring and autumn. On the other hand, you should perhaps also consider planning your trip to Albania during the summer because it is worth to take advantage of the country’s location along Adriatic and Ionian Seas. If you would like to avoid the summer heat and enjoy the beautiful beaches on the Albanian coast, you should plan your trip late in spring or late in summer when it is pleasantly warm and the precipitation is low just about everywhere.

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