Officially visa-free! This secret place in Eastern Europe listed in "Best in Travel 2023" must go~

Sith; ©Lonely Planet

Albania is officially visa-free! According to Xinhuanet reported on January 16, China and Albania formally signed an agreement on the 16th, regardless of the type of passport, Chinese and Albanian citizens can enter each other's countries without visas. Although Albania also implemented a visa-free policy in the peak season before the epidemic, this time the mutual visa exemption between the two countries can be described as another big step forward, which means that it can really be said to go, let us look forward to the early opening of direct flights~ You may still be a little unfamiliar with this ancient Eastern European country? This year it was named to Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2023" list of the World's Best Travel Destinations! Albania's wonderful, LP will show you right away!

Albania

The natural beauty here is breathtaking, and the cultural atmosphere is more intense than in Greece. —Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2023" Best Local Experience list

©Andrii Marushchynets/shutterstock

Albania is located in southeastern Europe and southwest of the Balkan Peninsula. Development began in 1991 and today it is a dark horse in the Balkans.

Shkodra; ©RilindH/Gettyimages

Albania offers many striking and unique landscapes, including ancient mountains, forgotten archaeological sites and villages that seem to stand still in time, in large part because of the country's posthumous independence.

the ancient city of Apollonia; ©Justinas Galinis/shutterstock

The bustling capital city of Tirana has amazing mountain views and beaches that rival anywhere along the Mediterranean coast. But if you want to go, hurry early, because more and more people will go to admire it.

performances at the Berat festival; ©Daniel Reiner/shutterstock

Classic tour routes

See the best of Albania in 7 days, starting with a day exploring busy Tirana. On the second day, spend 3 hours arriving in the Ottoman-era town of Berat. Stay one night in Berat and then head to the sandy beaches of the Albanian Rivera for two days by the sea. Then return for the final night in charming Girocaste.

Turkish coffee in Albania; ©Alla Simacheva/shutterstock

If you have more time, head north to Albania's stunning "Cursed Mountains". From Shkodra, there are transport facilities to Lake Koman. Head to the charming mountain village of Walbona and spend the night there, then hike to Sith to spend the rest of the day in the beautiful Sith National Park.

the mountains on the border between Albania and Montenegro; ©Lonely Planet

Tirana

TIRANA

Enjoy a feast for the eyes in the wild and colorful capital

©milosk50/shutterstock

The vivid and colorful Tirana is like the beating heart of Albania. Since the early 90s of the 20th century, the city has been transformed, all the buildings have been painted in bright colors, and the trendy Blloku neighborhood is full of well-dressed men and women. In addition, there are great museums to visit.

©Ozbalci/Gettyimages

| National History Museum |

National Historical Museum

museum facades; ©John Copland/shutterstock

The largest museum in Albania with a collection of many of the country's archaeological treasures. The outstanding exhibits are almost entirely in English and chronological, from ancient Illyria to the most recent period. A highlight of the museum is the exhibition of portraits by Onufri, a famous 16th-century Albanian painter.

博物馆内部；©Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

| Huge nuclear bunker |

Bunk’ Art

©Poztos/Shutterstock

Transformed from a "cold war" bunker on the outskirts of Tirana, this museum of history and modern art is Albania's most exciting new attraction and soon became a highlight of Tirana.

Bunk'art 2 入口；©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Covering an area of about 3,000 square meters and stretching from the ground up to several floors high, the bunker was built for Albania's political elite in the 70s of the 20th century and remained secret for a long time. Today it exhibits a fusion of modern Albanian history and contemporary art. In 2016, Bunk'art 2 also opened, also a museum converted from a nuclear bunker.

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

| Skanderbeg Square | Skanderbeg Sq

©Alla Simacheva/Gettyimages

To get to know the local life in Tirana, Skanderbeg Square is the best place to start. A 10-meter-tall bronze statue of Enver Hoxha stood over the square with hardly a car until it was toppled by angry populace in 1991.

©Andrii Lutsyk/shutterstock

This square has been Tirana's most famous meeting place for decades, and now there is only one statue of national hero Skanderbeg. He led the war against the Ottoman rulers and became famous throughout Europe.

Berrat

HEAVY

Explore the World Heritage Site "City of a Thousand Windows"

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Berat, the tourist center of Albania, is best characterized by the white Ottoman architecture that stretches all the way to the hilltop castle, which earned it the title of "City of a Thousand Windows" and was inscribed on the United Nations World Heritage List in 2008.

©Rumours Atletic/shutterstock

Berat has its own unique magic. The undulating mountains are especially impressive when clouds swirl around the spires of minarets or spread out to reveal the snow-capped peaks of Mt Tomorri.

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Kala neighborhood within the city walls still exists alive today; If you wander around this busy ancient neighborhood long enough, you're bound to crash into someone's yard and mistake it for a church or monument.

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In spring and summer, the scent of chamomile wafts through the air and wildflowers bloom from every stone crevice, adding a magical feeling to the entire area.

©Ren Kul/shutterstock

Albanian Riviera

ALBANIAN RIVIERA

Enjoy views of the Ionian coast on a beautiful sandy beach

©wildman/Adobe Stock/Figureworm Creative

The Albanian Riviera was lifted about 10 years ago, when travelers gradually discovered this last virgin land on Europe's Mediterranean coast, flocking to set up makeshift campsites and explore hidden beaches. Famous beaches are Himara and Drymades.

| Saranda |

Saranda

©Joel Carillet/Gettyimages

Saranda is the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera and is best to come during the summer months. Once a deserted fishing village, it is now a bustling city.

Saranda Ksamil Beach; ©Leonid Tit/Adobe Stock/Figureworm Creative

Located 18 km south of Saranda, the ancient ruins of Butrint are known for their size, beauty and tranquility. The surrounding nature is very charming. The best-preserved sites in Albania are left over from different periods, spanning 2,500 years. Allow 2 hours to explore.

©Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Girocaster

GJIROKASTRA

Spectacular Ottoman architecture and an unforgettable hilltop castle

©Viktor Loki/Shutterstock

Girocastel features castles, thick limestone paths, spectacular slate roof houses and views of the Drina Valley in the distance. It has a 2,500-year-old settlement, but today the town attracts travelers with 600 Ottoman-era houses.

©ShkelzenRexha, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

For Albanians, the town is synonymous with the former leader, Enver Hoxha, who was born here and protected it during his reign so that it remained relatively intact. It's far less developed than Berat's tourism industry, but it's just as charming.

| Girocaster Castle |

Gjirokastra Castel

©dinosmichail/Shutterstock

The eerie hilltop castle of Girocaster is one of the largest castles in the Balkans and is definitely worth the climb from the steep uphill of the Old Town. Since the castle was used as a prison during the Soviet era, it is still not very famous. The castle houses a collection of eerie armor, as well as two nice museums, a downed US Air Force plane. The scenery in the opposite valley is extremely beautiful.

| Zekat Mansion |

Zekate House

©Malenki, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Dating back to 1811, the mansion has three floors, as well as twin towers and double-arched facades. Little has changed in the house since the Ottoman period, and the tour of its interior is very interesting, especially the corridor upstairs, which is most impressive.

The owner lives next door and charges for the entrance fee. To get here, follow the signs, pass Hotel Kalemi and climb the hill along the zigzag route.

Lake Koman

LAKE KOMAN

A ferry trip full of magic

One of the undisputed highlights of Albania is this amazing Lake Koman ferry project, which lasts 3 hours and connects the towns of Koman and Fierza. In 1978, a dam was built on the Drina River, which formed Lake Koman, and you can take a boat trip through the spectacular mountain scenery.

The best way to experience this journey is on a three-day, two-night tour through Koman, Fierza, Walborna and Sith that starts and ends in Shkod. More information and ticket reservations can be found komanilakeferry.com.

Shkodra

SHKODRA

One of the oldest cities in Europe

Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The ancient Rozafa Fortress is a spectacular sight to overlook nearby Lake Skadar. The buildings in the old town have been completely restored.

It is well worth staying here for an evening or two before heading to the mountains, the coast or the capital, and you can soak up the friendly atmosphere of the place.

Cursed mountains

THE ACCURSED MOUNTAINS

Experience the best of Albania on foot

The cursed mountains offer some of Albania's most memorable beauty, and in recent years the region has suddenly become a popular destination for backpackers. There's a completely different side to the country: bloody feuds, deep traditions, unusual scenery and a strong pride of the locals. It was definitely a highlight of your trip to Albania.

©Lonely Planet

| Walborna |

Valbona

The wide plains of Valbona are excellent, surrounded by towering peaks, and the summer tourist activities are well run. The village basically consists of inns and campsites, almost all of which offer restaurant services. Most travelers just spend the night here and then hike to Heat, which is a bit of a shame as there are plenty of other great hiking trails in the area.

©Lonely Planet

You can log in www.journeytovalbona.com and this site is great and provides all the information you need to explore the area on your own.

| Sith |

Theth

©Lonely Planet

From valley villages surrounded by mountains to a national park with excellent hiking trails, Sith is making a big bid to establish itself as Albania's next tourist hotspot. Hurry up and take advantage of the fact that Sith still retains its unparalleled romance and unique charm.

©Lonely Planet

Valbona is reached from Shkodra via the Koeman Lake ferry crossing, and Shkodra also has a new asphalt road to Sis.

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Officially visa-free! This secret place in Eastern Europe listed in "Best in Travel 2023" must go~

National Historical Museum