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My Favourite Photos of Albania to Inspire Your Next Adventure

Posted on the 20 November 2024 by Just Go Exploring @JustGoExploring

Albania is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Tucked away on the Balkan Peninsula, this small country has a huge amount to offer: dramatic mountains, stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and cities overflowing with culture.

The Albanian Riviera is the stuff of dreams, with its impossibly clear turquoise waters, untouched landscapes, and hidden coves. It easily rivals the most gorgeous coastal spots in Greece – but without the mass tourism and inflated prices.

That’s not all, though. Albania has a lot more to offer beyond its incredible coastline.

The rugged landscapes of the north are perfect for hiking and adventure. The Accursed Mountains (epic name) are wild, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Albania has a rich and varied history going back thousands of years. You’ll find crumbling castles, Ottoman-era towns, and ancient Greek and Roman ruins dotted across the country.

Exploring places like Gjirokastër and Berat, with their cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses, feels like walking through a living museum.

And, unlike the famous sights of Greece or Italy, you can enjoy most places without being surrounded by crowds of other tourists.

And then there’s the food. From freshly baked byrek (crispy, flaky pastries stuffed with all sorts of tasty things) to slow-cooked stews and honey-sweet baklava, Albanian cuisine is delicious.

Pair it with a glass or two of local raki or wine, and you’re set.

Albania is a beautiful place that rewards curiosity and a sense of adventure.

The photos below capture just a few of the reasons why I love this underrated gem. I hope they inspire you to explore it for yourself.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

A cityscape view in central Tirana featuring a modern high-rise building with a glass facade, a building under yellow scaffolding, and a traditional pink building with arched windows. A tree in the center contrasts the urban surroundings. A lively outdoor cafe scene with people seated under large trees, enjoying their time in a shaded garden area. The setting feels relaxed, with greenery and outdoor furniture adding to the atmosphere. A mountain range in Albania bathed in soft, late-afternoon light. The valley below is crisscrossed by a winding river, with various shades of blue and green in the rolling landscape. A sweeping view of a mountain landscape, with layers of ridges fading into the distance. The foreground features a grassy hilltop, and the sky is a mix of blue and soft clouds. A serene sunset over the sea, with a silhouette of a distant island on the horizon. The sky transitions from orange near the horizon to deep blue higher up, creating a peaceful, tranquil scene. Boats docked at a marina in Saranda during sunset, with a calm sea reflecting the orange hues of the sky. In the background, city buildings and a distant mountain range are softly illuminated by the setting sun. A small concrete bunker with graffiti stands on a hillside overlooking a turquoise blue bay, with mountains in the distance and a beachside town below. A dirt road lined with tall, slim cypress trees leads to the coast, offering views of rolling green hills and the distant blue sea under a clear sky. A view of a coastal town nestled between the mountains and the sea, with a long sandy beach curving along the shoreline. The town is surrounded by greenery and hills. A woman walking down a rustic path in a small rural village, surrounded by a flock of sheep. In the background, there are vineyards, hills, and distant houses scattered across the landscape. A scenic view of a secluded beach with cliffs and dense greenery on one side. The clear blue waters stretch to the horizon, with a few small figures seen enjoying the sandy shore. A mesmerizing view of an underwater spring, showcasing vivid green and blue colors with aquatic plants. The crystal-clear water highlights the intricate patterns beneath the surface. A glimpse through several tall trees reveals a clear blue-green river below, with vibrant vegetation lining the banks. The hillside city of Gjirokaster nestled among lush greenery, with traditional stone houses scattered across the slope, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background. Two people walking through a long, arched stone tunnel lit by lanterns inside Gjirokaster castle. The stonework has a medieval feel, with cannons lining the walls. A large open area with a stone clock tower and the framework of an amphitheater. Behind, rugged mountains rise under a bright blue sky. A cobbled street in the Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster lined with small shops selling traditional crafts and textiles. People are seen walking and exploring the market, with vibrant red and white buildings in view. Inside a colorful cafe with cozy furniture, a prominent mural of the Statue of Liberty adds a striking visual to the room. The ceiling is decorated with various patterns and papers. A rural building in Himare, Albania with blue accents stands near the road, with an unfinished concrete building behind it and a backdrop of mountains. A dramatic landscape with jagged red rock formations standing out against a lush green valley. The sky above is dotted with white clouds. A wide view of a green, rocky mountain slope with sparse trees and a building near the top, under a cloudy sky. The distant peaks are partially obscured by mist. A view from a rocky hilltop looking out over a coastline. A paraglider soars through the sky above the distant beach and ocean, with mountains in the background. A panoramic shot of a mountain range with jagged cliffs and a view of a winding road along the coastline below. The sky is cloudy, with patches of sunlight on the landscape. A view through a small rectangular window in an Albanian bunker, showing a mountainous landscape with rugged peaks and green forests. Looking out from within a stone tunnel, framed by rough rocks, revealing a view of a steep, mountainous terrain under a bright, clear sky. A road winding through a mountainous landscape on the Albanian Riviera, with steep, rocky slopes on either side. The mountains appear barren, with minimal vegetation. An entrance to a bunker tunnel built into rocky terrain. Above the cave, a small building is perched with graffiti on its walls. The shoreline of a beach at dusk, with gentle waves lapping against the pebbly shore. The sky is tinged with soft pastel colors as the sun sets. A view from between two old stone walls, looking out over a beach and the ocean in the distance, framed by greenery and some red flowers. An Albanian coastal village nestled between green hills and the shoreline. Houses and buildings are visible, along with a curving coastline stretching into the distance. A person walking along a dirt path bordered by greenery, with rolling hills and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. A scenic view of a crescent-shaped beach with golden sand and turquoise waters, surrounded by green hills and a small seaside village. A peaceful beach at sunset, with a stack of balanced stones near the water’s edge, framed by overhanging tree branches and vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky. The small village of Dhermi nestled against rocky hills, with rustic houses and a white church tower visible under a cloudy sky. An ancient stone fortress with a red Albanian flag flying above, overlooking a valley with green hills and scattered villages. A view of a river winding through a lush green valley, with farmland and houses in the foreground, set against a backdrop of distant hills and clouds.

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