culture
The Burrnesha: Albania's Sworn Virgins and a Tradition Fading from Memory
The burrnesha were Albanian women who took an oath to live as men under the Kanun. Fewer than a dozen remain. Here is what the tradition was, and why.
Discover Albania
Your essential guide to Albania: destinations, culture, food, history, and travel tips from someone who knows it best.
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destinations
Hiking in Albania: A Complete First-Timer's Guide
Albania has some of the wildest mountains and least crowded trails in Europe. A practical first-timer's guide to when to go, where to start, and what to actually expect.
culture
How Tirana Got Its Colors: The Mayor Who Painted a Communist City
In 2000, a painter became mayor of Tirana and started coloring the grey communist blocks. The story behind the city's most photographed walls, and the politics around them.
food-and-drink
Farm to Table in Albania: A Guide to the Country's Agroturizem Revolution
From Mrizi i Zanave to mountain tavernas above Korce, Albania has the Balkans' most exciting farm-to-table scene. Where to eat, sleep, and drink.
food-and-drink
Albanian Raki: How It's Made, Where to Drink It, and Why Every Family Has a Recipe
A deep guide to Albanian raki: how it's distilled in copper kazanë, the regional varieties from Skrapar to Tropoja, and the etiquette of drinking it right.
destinations
The Koman Lake Ferry: The Most Beautiful Boat Ride in the Balkans
A 2.5-hour ferry through Albania's flooded canyon connects Koman to Fierza, with sheer cliffs, turquoise water, and fjord-like scenery.