Must-See Places in Albania! Recommended Tourist Spots & 8 World Heritage Sites

The Republic of Albania is a republic with a population of about 2.7 million, and located somewhere between Italy and Greece. Facing the Adriatic Sea, the Republic of Albania is rich in nature and has a unique culture, and there are many wonderful tourist destinations, including a World Heritage Site!

The best season to visit Albania is said to be from April to October, but it doesn't get too cold in the winter and is warm all year round, so it's great to visit at any time of the year.
In this article, we would like to introduce 8 must-see tourist destinations in Albania.

1. Skanderbeg Square

When you arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania, head to Skanderbeg Square first! This square was named after the Albanian hero Skanderbeg, and there is a statue of Skanderbeg in the center.

Skanderbeg Square can be said to be the center of tourism in Albania, and the surrounding area is home to many Albanian tourist sites, including the History Museum and the Clock Tower.

Next to the statue are the Albanian flags with double-headed eagles, making it a great place to take cool photos. It is also a place lined with commercial facilities, making it a great place for shopping. There are also many restaurants, so it is recommended to have a meal. If you get tired of sightseeing, it is nice to relax at a cafe near the Opera House!

2. Jame'a Ethem Be'ut Mosque

Near Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, the capital of Albania, there is the Jame Ethem Beuto Mosque. A mosque is a place of worship for the Muslim faith. The Jame Ethem Beuto Mosque is small in size, but the frescoes on its walls and ceilings are very beautiful, allowing visitors to experience Islamic art. The frescoes depict vegetal patterns and the city in the early 19th century, and the beautiful colors make it worth visiting.

Right next to it is a clock tower about 30 meters high, which, together with the Jame Ethem Beuto Mosque, creates a beautiful exterior that makes for great photos. The opening hours are short, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 16:30, so if you want to go inside, be sure to keep an eye on the time when sightseeing. Please take off your shoes when entering the mosque, and women should cover their heads with the scarves provided.

3. The ruins of Britonde

The ruins of Britond, a city in Saranda in southern Albania, contain Roman ruins such as a Greek-Roman theater, a baptistery, and a chapel. It is a tourist spot where you can stroll around the emerald-green lake surrounded by trees, and enjoy the changing scenery with the seasons as it is full of nature.

There is a small museum at the top of the hill, and the view from there is spectacular! The lake wetlands are also registered under the Ramsar Convention because there are no people living in the surrounding area and the beautiful nature is preserved. In 1997, it was once designated as a World Heritage Site in Danger during the unrest, but it was safely removed and is now designated as a World Heritage Site. The ruins are very large, so we recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes when sightseeing. It is also a beautiful place where you will want to spend your time leisurely, so please take your time to enjoy sightseeing.

4. Blue Eye

The Blue Eye is a beautiful and mysterious spring in the tourist city of Saranda in southern Albania. Many tourists recommend this as a must-see, and you can experience the feeling of being in a hidden place. In Albania, it has long been said that this deep spring resembles the blue eye of a dragon sunk to the bottom, and the bubbles that bubble up from the spring are likened to the dragon's last breath.

The water is simply blue, just like a blue eye. It's so beautiful that you can't stop looking at it, and some people jump into it as if they are drawn in. Swimming in such a beautiful place is sure to create memories that you will never forget. Although it is not easily accessible, it is a recommended tourist spot where you can feel the mystery of nature, so if you visit Albania, be sure to stop by!

5. Kruja Castle

There is a statue of Skanderbeg in Tirana, the capital of Albania, but in Kruja, northwest of Tirana, there is Kruja Castle, where Skanderbeg, the national hero who won independence, fought. The castle, made of cobblestone walls and white stone, is very cool. This is the castle where Skanderbeg fought during the time when Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, and inside is the Skanderbeg Museum, making it a tourist destination where you can feel the history. You can also look down on the city from the castle's high ground, and enjoy a beautiful view overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

There is also a bazaar nearby that sells souvenirs, so you can enjoy shopping while sightseeing. It seems that you can also negotiate prices when shopping, so be sure to get some cheap souvenirs!

6. Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra

The old towns of Berat and Gjirokastra, cities in southern Albania, are designated World Heritage sites and are tourist destinations that exude a sense of history. The quaint, beautiful sight of Ottoman Empire era (15th century) houses lined up along the slopes is a sight to behold. In addition to the houses, there are many other buildings with distinctive Ottoman era features, such as 18th-century mosques and castles, so it may be difficult to see the whole area in one day.

From the castle in Gjirokastra, you can get a panoramic view of this historic townscape. There is also a bazaar where you can buy souvenirs! There is a lot to see here, such as a house with many cats, so please take your time to enjoy sightseeing while taking in the history of Albania.

7. National Museum of History

The National Museum of History is located right next to Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is a three-story tourist spot where you can learn about Albanian history in detail, but there are no explanations in English, so if you want to know more, it may be a good idea to hire a guide.

It is so large that it takes 2-3 hours to see it properly, and you can learn about Albania's history from the pre-Christian period to its independence. There is a huge mosaic painting on the front of the building, which makes it easy to understand.

There are many exhibits related to war, some of which are quite stimulating, so if you are not good with that, please be careful when visiting. There are also religious paintings that you won't see in other countries, so you may enjoy them.

8. Saranda Beach

Saranda, a tourist city in southern Albania, is located on the coast and you can enjoy the clear and beautiful sea at the beach. Saranda, where you can enjoy the Mediterranean Sea, is famous as a resort destination, and in the summer many tourists come to relax on the beach or by the pool.

The sunsets seen from the beach in Saranda are magnificent, truly beautiful, and deeply moving. You cannot enter the beach during the off-season, but there are few people and you can spend a relaxing and luxurious time. The city with the lights on after dusk as seen from the beach is also very beautiful! It takes about 7 hours by bus from Tirana, the capital of Albania, to Saranda, but we recommend visiting Saranda when sightseeing in Albania!

◎ Summary

What did you think of the recommended tourist spots and world heritage sites in Albania? Albania has relatively good public safety and low prices compared to other European countries, so it is a particularly recommended tourist destination for those who want to go somewhere a little different! Albania

has many tourist spots, including retro and stylish buildings that evoke history, ruins, abundant nature, and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea! Why not create special memories in Albania with your family, friends, or partner?

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Must-See Places in Albania! Recommended Tourist Spots & 8 World Heritage Sites