Albania, Country in Southeast Europe
Description
Albania is a state in the Balkans between Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece with coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas across 28,748 square kilometers. The terrain consists of mountains and highlands with the Albanian Alps reaching above 2,500 meters, while rivers like Drin, Vjosa, and Shkumbin run through deep valleys toward the coast.
History
Illyrian tribes inhabited the territory before Roman conquest in the 2nd century BCE, followed by Byzantine rule from 395. The Ottoman Empire controlled the region from 1385 until independence in 1912, before King Zog I ruled from 1928 until Italian invasion in 1939 and Enver Hoxha established a communist system in 1944 that lasted until 1991.
Culture
The state emblem shows a black double-headed eagle on red, a symbol from the 15th century under Skanderbeg. Iso-polyphony from the south appears on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage since 2005, and in mountain areas the Kanun customary code operates alongside state law.
Practical
The official currency is the Albanian Lek (ALL), though euros are often accepted in tourist areas. Intercity buses run from the regional bus terminal in Tirana to all major cities with regular connections to Shkodra, Durrës, Berat, and southern destinations, while the international airport lies 17 kilometers northwest of the capital.
Did you know?
Over 750,000 bunkers from 1967 to 1986 shape the landscape and some have been converted into cafes, hostels, or art galleries. The Vjosa counts among Europe's last free-flowing rivers without dams across its entire length from source in Greece to mouth at the Adriatic Sea.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Albania).
This collection brings together around 30 travel destinations that sit outside the usual tourist routes. You will find cities, natural regions, and historical sites where tourism still operates on a human scale. What these places share: you can travel here without encountering the overcrowding that...
Albania offers a wide range of landscapes. From mountain peaks to rocky coasts, the country combines natural spaces with places full of stories. There are parks that protect valleys and high points, clear water sources, mountain villages where people still live as they did long ago, and coastal...
Air Albania Stadium
38.4 km
Mësonjëtorja
78.4 km
Butrint
139.6 km
Blue Eye
120.9 km
Rozafa Fortress
123.9 km
Lake Skadar
143.5 km
Pyramid of Tirana
38.9 km
Krujë Fortress
59 km
Korab
99.2 km
Berat Citadel
32.8 km
Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium
15 km
Valbonë Valley National Park
162 km
Cresta del Lago
161.3 km
Mount Tomorr
42.7 km
Butrint National Park
139.6 km
Elbasan Fortress
14.4 km
Llogara National Park
94.5 km
Saint Anthony Church, Laç
73.5 km
Great Mosque of Tirana
39.1 km
Lake Koman
135.9 km
Dajti
41.3 km
Gjirokastër Castle
103.8 km
Shpella e pirateve
101.3 km
Mausoleum of the Albanian Royal Family
37.7 km
Presidential Palace
37.4 km
National Historical Museum
39.8 km
Abbas Ali Türbe
42.7 km
Porto Palermo Castle
105.9 km
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes