Albania is probably not the most important nation on the Balkan peninsula, nevertheless it’s stuffed with pure magnificence and locations that everybody, from keen journey lovers to common vacationers, can discover and luxuriate in.
This hidden European gem is situated simply south of Montenegro and north of Greece, with entry to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Its shoreline stretches for 476 kilometers (296 miles), nevertheless it shouldn’t be confused with the Albanian Riviera, often known as Bregu, which encompasses the southwestern districts of Sarandë and Vlorë.
The Albanian Riviera is dotted with historic castles, charming villages, church buildings, and monasteries, making it an ideal spot for sightseeing. When you’re executed testing these sights, you possibly can simply go to a few of the nation’s most well-known nightlife spots, in addition to its magnificent turquoise water seashores, seaside canyons, mountain passes, and even groves stuffed with lemon, orange, and olive timber.
Nevertheless, with so many one-of-a-kind sights in a single place, it could be difficult to decide on those which can be value visiting essentially the most. To present you a head begin, this text will information you thru a few of the undeniably distinctive places and issues you possibly can expertise there. Proceed studying under for extra particulars.
Himarë Municipality
The title Himarë refers to each the area and municipality in southern Albania. The area is generally dwelling to an unlimited ethnic Greek group, and native folks converse each Greek and Albanian. Himarë, often known as Himara, is full of lengthy white sandy seashores and hills planted with citrus and olive timber.
Jale Seaside
If you wish to work in your vacation tan and eat some scrumptious seafood when you’re at it, you possibly can go to Jale, which is a hidden bay with deep-blue waters situated close to the bilingual and extremely picturesque city of Himarë. There you possibly can both get pleasure from swimming within the azure seas, lay on the well-maintained seashore, or step into one of many eating places to style the conventional Albanian dishes.
Tenting in Gjipe
In Vuno, the charming small village situated within the Himarë municipality, about 10 kilometers (6,5 miles) from the city of Himarë, there’s one other hidden gem — Gjipe seashore and tenting website. It’s a free campsite geared up with requirements reminiscent of a rest room and entry to a secluded but stunningly stunning seashore.
Attending to the Gjipe seashore could be essentially the most difficult a part of your journey, however one of the best ways to succeed in it’s both on foot or by automobile/boat. A automobile or a ship will take you straight to the seashore, however for those who determine to hike there, be careful for the previous bunkers from Albania’s communist period, which make for an fascinating sight.
Gjipe is a distant seashore with shining aquamarine waters of the Ionian Sea. When you get there, you possibly can arrange your tent to remain in a single day. It’s additionally a good suggestion to go for a swim and go to the eating places and cafes that provide scrumptious recent seafood. When you’re executed dipping your toes within the sea, you may also go on a hike and discover the Gjipe canyon.
Aquarium Seaside
The Aquarium seashore is a tiny, secluded seashore not too removed from Himara. One might even name its location the literal center of nowhere, because the spot is well-hidden and surrounded by rock formations lined in inexperienced shrubs and timber. It may be reached by boat from Jale seashore, and there’s additionally a slender dust highway that results in it, nevertheless it is probably not too pleasant to inexperienced drivers or those that don’t drive a 4×4.
There aren’t any amenities reminiscent of bars, cafes, or resorts close to the seashore. The Aquarium seashore is a magical and tranquil spot that’s free from crowds and nonetheless unknown to many vacationers. In case you carry your individual provides, reminiscent of umbrellas, towels, and meals, you possibly can have a fantastic day of peaceable tanning and swim within the completely blue water with out being bothered by others.
Kakome Seaside
Kakome seashore is situated in a secluded bay of the identical title. This true jewel of the Albanian Riviera lies alongside the coastlines of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It’s a pebble seashore, made of sunshine gravel and geared up with sunbeds and umbrellas. There aren’t too many individuals there, so if you wish to calm down away from the madding crowds, then Kakome seashore is the proper vacation spot for you.
The water that washes the seashore’s shores is clear and surrounded by excessive, inexperienced hills. Close to the bay, there’s a fortified Saint Mary’s of Kakome Monastery that’s been sitting there for the reason that XVI century. Keep in mind that there aren’t any bars in eating places close to the seashore, so for those who determine to go to it for a day, be sure that to carry your individual drinks and meals.
Llogara Nationwide Park
Albania additionally has a lot to supply to all journey lovers on the market. For top-of-the-line experiences, it’s finest to journey to the Llogara Nationwide Park, located within the Ceraunian Mountains, which overlooks the Albanian Riviera. The park is widely known for its wealthy natural world, with its lush forests which can be dwelling to a variety of uncommon species, such because the golden eagle, European wildcat, or Alpine chamois. Tourism is a crucial a part of the park, so it’s only pure that in your method there, you’ll discover an abundance of various resorts, eating places, and picket cabins.
Paragliding over Llogara Go
The Llogara move, at an elevation of 1.043m (3422ft) above sea stage, is arguably one of the best spot to get pleasure from tandem paragliding in Albania. You’ll must do your analysis earlier than arriving within the place, as lots depends upon the actual operator you’ll fly with. For example, some folks paraglide solely in sure months, reminiscent of August, whereas others fly year-round.
Paragliding is a superb sport that may increase your adrenaline ranges and can help you get pleasure from round quarter-hour of flying at a time. You’ll see a few of the most stunning views from excessive above and be capable to really feel just like the Greek mythology hero Icarus.
Boat Journey to Karaburun Peninsula
Whereas visiting the Albanian Riviera, you possibly can discover a few of the finest purchasing places whereas on land, however you may also determine to set out on an journey to the Karaburun Peninsula. The most important peninsula in the entire nation, Karaburun boasts astonishing views of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, distinctive subtropical flora, and completely blue, calm waters.
You may keep on the boat and luxuriate in drinks, take in the solar, snap photos of your environment or strive swimming and snorkeling to see spots such because the Cave of Haxhi Ali. There are many speedboats you possibly can guide for both 4 or 7 hours, and most of them present facilities reminiscent of alcoholic drinks, bottled water, and snorkeling gear.
Cave of Haxhi Ali
The cave of Haxhi Ali is a karst cave that may be discovered on the Karaburun Peninsula, not too removed from the rocky Cape of Gjuhëz. It was fashioned in limestone cliffs and named after Haxhi Aliu, a well-known Albanian pirate lord. Many individuals contemplate the cave to be one of the crucial stunning locations situated within the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Nationwide Park.
Apart from being a well-known vacationer attraction and a fantastic place to go to for Instagram-worthy images, the cave of Haxhi Ali additionally has a excessive geological worth because it boasts distinctive stalactite formations that fashioned over the centuries. With the assistance of snorkeling gear, you possibly can bounce off the boat and see the cave up shut.
Grama Bay
The Bay of Grama is a well known vacationer spot on the Albanian Riviera. Within the classical antiquity interval, it used to function an important harbor and shelter for ships and boats crusing alongside the coast. Now, its shore consists principally of pebbled seashores and sloped coastal cliffs. Within the bay, you’ll discover quite a few solutional and sea caves which can be dwelling to the Mediterranean monk seal, which is among the rarest sea animals on the planet.
When you get there, both by boat or on foot, following the Palasë – Shën Andre Bay – Grama Bay path, you possibly can spend your time sunbathing and stress-free. The waters within the Grama Bay are extremely clear and stunningly turquoise. There’s additionally a bar restaurant that serves grilled fish and lamb in addition to snacks and drinks. An alternative choice is to remain there in a single day and camp in a tent. This fashion, you’ll be capable to get pleasure from magnificent views of the setting solar.
Mountain climbing to Maja e Çikës
The Maja e Çikës path that leads straight to the height of the identical title will be discovered within the Ceraunian Mountains — a coastal mountain vary inside the county of Vlorë.
The summit is at 2,044 meters (6,706 ft) above sea stage, making it the best peak of those mountains. You may set on an journey at any time of the yr, however keep in mind that climbing this path in winter could be exceptionally tough due to the snow and the 50-grade steep that begins at round 1000 meters.
It’s a path that may require you to make use of crampons through the winter months. They gained’t be needed for summer time, although. The views from the summit will definitely be well worth the effort. Apart from the blue waters of the Ionian sea, you’ll additionally see Italy’s coast, offered the climate is nice. It’s additionally possible that you simply’ll meet some Albanian shepherds in your method and be capable to look down at Himarë, Palasa, Dhermi, and Jala seashores.
Porto Palermo Citadel
Porto Palermo Citadel is a small fortress that’s been constructed by a French architect employed by Ali Pasha, a well-known Albanian chief who, at one level in his reign, used to regulate immediately or not directly the overwhelming majority of mainland Greece, virtually half of Albania, and a major a part of Macedonia.
The fort is situated on a small island proper within the Bay of Palermo that’s simply accessible on foot on account of the truth that it’s linked to the mainland by a slender strip of land. All you have to do to get there may be attain Porto Palermo by automobile or an area mini-bus and go on an extended stroll.
The fort has many rooms you could peek into. Inside its partitions, you’ll discover many fascinating work, a few of them depicting Ali Pasha himself. There’s an previous jail on the bottom flooring, nevertheless it hasn’t been used since World Struggle II. In case you go up the stone stairs, you possibly can stand on a terrace on high of the fort. It’s a fantastic spot for taking images with the glistening waters on the Ionian sea within the background.
Saint Nicholas Monastery
Though there are a number of monasteries devoted to the reminiscence of Saint Nicholas in Europe, the one situated within the Albanian Mesopotam village is actually value visiting. The monastery is part of the deserted Orthodox monastery of Saint George. It’s thought-about to be significantly particular because of its double apse, a semi-circle constructed into the ceiling over a pinnacle level.
You’ll want to keep cautious when exploring this monastery. That’s as a result of although it’s a delegated Cultural Monument of Albania, it desperately must be restored, and there are many picket props and scaffolding stopping it from collapsing. It’s an extremely fascinating spot stuffed with historical past, excellent for these with a burning ardour for structure.
Whereas this monastery isn’t situated immediately on the Albanian Riviera, it’s solely round 20 minutes by automobile from the coastal Sarandë, making it a great place to go to when you’re completed working in your excellent tan.
In Conclusion
As you possibly can see, the Albanian Riviera is a various place that may can help you spend time stress-free on its numerous seashores and swimming within the crystal-clear waters. Nevertheless, there’s additionally one thing for many who want to remain lively throughout their travels or wish to see some thrilling places which can be stuffed with historical past.
There’s a lot to do whereas visiting the Albanian Riviera. You may calm down on a few of the nation’s most stunning seashores, reminiscent of Jale, Aquarium, or Kakome seashores, and swim within the waters of the nice and cozy southern seas. You can even have enjoyable exploring the Cave of Haxhi Ali, camp in Gjipe, go to the Llogara Nationwide Park to strive paragliding, or hike to the summit of Maja e Çikës. If you wish to get in contact with historical past, go to see the Porto Palermo fort or journey a brief distance into the mainland to see Saint Nicholas Monastery.
Visiting the Albanian Riviera means that you can expertise distinctive places which can be usually true hidden gems, as not that many individuals find out about all of them. Benefit from the scrumptious Albanian meals, deemed one of many finest cuisines on the planet, take stunning images, and prepare to make nice recollections!
