Albania is conveniently located on the very shore of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by the beautiful neighbors of Greece and Montenegro. Among the picturesque mountain landscapes and magnificent beaches, the Albanians erected small, but cozy and beautiful settlements. The cities of Albania, even if they are inferior in size to many European megacities, but are not devoid of originality and color. So we go on a journey through the streets and avenues of cities to see all the Albanian attractions.
We already wrote about amazing Albanian girls, now we will talk about beautiful Albanian cities.
1
Tirana
We begin, naturally, with the Albanian capital city of Tirana. The city was founded back in 1614, but received the status of the capital of Albania in 1920.
Located in a picturesque mountain valley 40 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, Tirana has become a pilgrimage site for tourists from all over the world for decades. Its streets are filled with the spirit of antiquity, and the surroundings mesmerize with mountain landscapes.
The main city of Albania is the twin city of the Russian capital. In addition, both European capitals in their architecture have a radial-ring layout.
2
Pogradec
One of the most beautiful resorts in Albania is located on the shore of the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula with the poetic ancient name Likhtinida. But now the lake is called Ohrid Lake, and it is located at the very border with Macedonia.
A relatively young city, but already has a glorious history. It has a special mountain climate, which makes the resort popular among tourists. Not far from the city, amidst magnificent gardens, the Drilon National Park is located.
In this place of Albania you can not only improve your health, but also visit the mountain springs, as well as get acquainted with the historical monuments of the Antiquity period.
3
Lushnya
There are few cities in the world that were founded by women. But Albanian Lushnya is known for just that. During the years of Ottoman rule over the Albanians, it was founded by a woman named Salusha.
Grateful Albanians glorified her name in the name of the city settlement, and old-timers still affectionately call their homeland “Salyusha”.
In 1920, the city was the capital of Albania for several months. But after a small council of clan leaders held in one of the Lushni buildings, it was decided to move the capital to Tirana.
4
Vlora
The beautiful port city in 1912 became the first capital of independent Albania, and the first settlements on its territory appeared in the VI century BC.
The city and its surroundings are full of sights of various periods of history. It was here that the independence of Albania was proclaimed, and during the war with Italy in 1920 it became the site of stubborn resistance of Albanian rebels to the onslaught of the Italian army.
During the period of socialism, the base of the Navy of the USSR was located near the city, but today it is abandoned, but is popular among tourists.
5
Lying down
Founded back in the 1st century BC by the tyrant Syracuse Dionissius the Elder, the city was called Lysoss. The modern territory of Lezhi is rich in historical monuments and beautiful places in the district.
Here, the Drin River flows into the bay of the same name, and the mountain peaks attract the eye with grandeur and monumentality. The air is clean, and among the attractions there is a mosque and a prison operating during the reign of Khoja.
Experts note that this region of Albania has huge tourist potential, but so far, tourists prefer to visit the more famous resorts and beautiful places of Albania.
6
Durres
The list, which includes the most beautiful resort towns, continues with the majestic Durres. The city of Durres was founded in 627 BC by Greek immigrants, and in ancient times was called Epidamus. The ancient city became one of the causes of the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta.
Today, the city of Duress is the most modern resort and cultural and industrial center of Albania with magnificent historical monuments and picturesque streets. Here you can get acquainted with the enchanting frescoes of temples and monumental castles of the Middle Ages. By the way, most-beauty.ru already once wrote about the most beautiful streets in the world.
In the world, the resort is known for its beaches with incredibly white sand and warm sea water. It is not for nothing that the Albanian resort is called the “Terrace of the Adriatic.”
7
Cramp
In the southeast of the Balkan state, Korca is one of the most beautiful and, secondly, the second largest city in Albania, although only about 76 thousand people live in it.
A small urban settlement from the end of the 18th century began to play an important role in the region, as the largest trade and craft center of the South of Europe. After liberation from the Ottoman yoke, the first school in the country was opened in Korce, where instruction was conducted in the native language.
Notably, the largest number of celebrities who glorified Albania was born in this city. Located in the highlands of Korca, it is a great ski resort that attracts thousands of winter sports enthusiasts.
8
Saranda
Another great resort in Vlora prefecture. Perfect for families with children. Small, with a population of only 16 thousand inhabitants, it was almost lost among the mountains on the very shore of the Ionian Sea.
Tourists are offered to visit beautiful places and historical sights that have remained here since ancient times. In the center is a unique temple of ancient times, with its style and architectural elements reminiscent of the Acropolis of Athens.
It is often called the southern gate of Albania, as there is a port here, which annually receives merchant and passenger ships from around the world.
9
Kukes
The small town is surrounded by mountain peaks, and the mountain valley in which it is located is intoxicating with the variegation of mountain herbs. A unique place is located at the confluence of two rivers - White and Black Drin.
The former settlement was flooded by the waters of the reservoir, and a beautiful city grew nearby, the pride of which is its magnificent natural surroundings. A small city with a population of just over 16 thousand inhabitants has its own airport.
In addition to two sister rivers, on the other side of the city there is another river with the romantic name Lum.
10
Shkoder
The city changed its name several times over its long history, but one thing remained unchanged - for a long time it remained the center of Catholicism in the Balkans.
It is reflected in the architecture and attractions that put it in a number of beautiful and amazing Albanian cities. A fortress built almost 2.5 centuries ago has been preserved within its borders.
Due to the large number of historical places, Shkodra is popular among European tourists and travelers. And not far splashing the waters of a magnificent lake.
11
Berat
The oldest urban settlement in Albania, founded about 2.5 thousand years ago, is called the "city of a thousand and one windows." The terraced location of the houses on the hillside creates an incredible impression.
The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since it was in this part of Albania that the buildings of the Ottoman Empire were well preserved. Monuments of the Middle Ages are monumental and diverse: from the royal mosque to the Orthodox churches of the XII-XV centuries.
With a population of 60 thousand inhabitants, it is the administrative and district center of the prefecture and district of the same name.
12
Kruya
The medieval city is located 32 kilometers from the capital, and is famous for being closely connected with the life of Albanian freedom fighter Georg Kastriot-Skandeberg. But the name itself is translated from the Albanian language, as "Spring".
It was this settlement in the XII century that became the capital of the first state-ethnic formation of the Albanians - the principality of Arberia, founded by Prince Progon.
Near the city there are defensive walls and towers of the fortress, which now houses the State Museum. Tourists also love to visit the old market, where you can clearly feel the color and spirit of Albanian traditions.
13
Gyrocaster
Spread in the beautiful and valley of the Drina River, Gjirokastra has the official status of a museum city, and is also known for the birth of the leader of Soviet Albania Enver Khoji.
The magnificent city began its history in the 1st century AD, and today, preserving the spirit of antiquity, it is the administrative and district center. On its territory one of the oldest citadels of Europe has been preserved. Which was built in the XII century.
Since 1968, once every five years, the largest folklore music festival has been held in its squares, gathering thousands of Albanian songwriters.
14
Grams
Another ancient city, but received the status of a city relatively recently. It is from this city that the ancestors of the legendary Italian communist Antonio Gramsci lead their family tree.
And the years of Ottoman rule, the city was called Grameç, and was the center of the Turkish province. In the city, as in the Middle Ages, trade was developed, and craft workshops grew into large industrial enterprises.
The leader of the Albanian rebels was born here, whose signature is under the declaration of independence of the country.
15
Ksamil
One of the most exotic and beautiful places in the country, the town of Ksamil is famous for its picturesque landscapes. It is in this part of the coast that the best beaches and sunset, and the beauty of other sandy beaches of Albania are unlikely to be compared with them.
Many tourists note that this place resembles the landscapes of the Caribbean archipelago and other exotic ocean islands. The coast is indented with small bays, and in the sea there are many islands surrounded by greenery.
In addition to nature, the beaches have a developed infrastructure with restaurants and game areas, where you can not only relax, but also have fun.
16
Apollonia
The unique monument of archeology, the ancient Greek policy of Apollonius, founded by immigrants from Corinth on the territory of modern Albania, is today included in the world heritage of Mankind.
As a result of a natural disaster, residents were forced to leave the city and move to neighboring Vlora. The fact is that the area began to swamp, and residents were dying en masse from the associated epidemics.
During the excavations, amazing temples, the ancient Greek amphitheater, residential and craft quarters, pebbled pavements were explored.
17
Butrint
We conclude our journey with a unique historical and archaeological reserve. It is an ancient city in southern Albania, known as Buraton, which the Greeks gave it.
It was the Greeks who founded it in the VI century BC, and in the first centuries of the I millennium, the polis became a Roman province. Large-scale archaeological research was carried out on the territory, which gave the world unique archaeological finds and discoveries.
In 1992, the Venetian fortress, located near the unique historical monument, was also included in the unique complex.
Map of cities in Albania with marked cities from our article
As you can see, the small but cozy cities of the Balkan state began their history during the period of Greek colonization of the Mediterranean coast. The Republic of Albania struggled with Ottoman rule for many years, and many became symbols of the struggle for independence, as well as glorious Albanian history.
Today, new modern quarters harmoniously coexist with narrow ancient streets, and tens of thousands of tourists rushed to this once-most closed country in the world to touch the preserved monuments of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Article author: Valery Skiba