The neglected Balkan beauty of Albania
8.6.2021
Albania is a country that has long been unfairly neglected by tourists. Recently, however, the country has been experiencing a tourist boom and more and more foreign tourists are coming to the country, including those from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The attractions here are the beautiful beaches, the magnificent mountains, but also the excellent cuisine.
Buying a property in Albania, which we will be happy to help you arrange, is a bargain
investing in your future. In April 2009, an association agreement was signed between Albania and
European Union. Albania thus became an official candidate country for accession to the European Union and
in March 2020, the European Union decided to open an accession process with Albania (and neighbouring North Macedonia)
accession talks. Albania's accession to the European Union will lead to an increase in local prices
real estate and thus the value of your investment. Don't miss this opportunity to discover
beauty of Albania!
Albania is a small Balkan country, with an area of only 28,748 km 2 (approximately 36%
the area of the Czech Republic), with a population of less than 3 million. Around 98% of the population is made up of
Albanians, the most important minorities are Greeks, Wallachians, Montenegrins and Macedonians. The main
city is Tirana, with a population of around half a million. The official language is Albanian.
Administratively, the country is divided into 12 regions and 36 districts. The other major cities are
Elbasan, Skadar, Vlora, Korçë, Fier and the port city of Drac, which was the capital until 1920
.
city of the country.
The Albanian currency is the Albanian lek (you get approximately 5 lek for 1 krone). Prices in cities
are comparable to prices in the Czech Republic, with lower prices in the interior. For travel to
Albania you only need an ID card, which must be valid for at least 3 months after entering
country
Albania has a lot to offer its visitors. The western part of the country lies on the coast near the Czech
the Adriatic Sea, which is very popular with tourists, and the southwestern part on the Ionian Sea.
There are several interesting historical and natural monuments in the country and there are also some interesting places to visit
mountain and hiking enthusiasts.
Among the most beautiful beaches in Albania are the beaches around the village of Dhërmi, which is one of the
of the main settlements of the "Albanian Riviera". Thanks to significant investment and extensive renovation of the local
infrastructure, the Riviera has been transformed into a modern resort with many restaurants, bars and
nightlife. Other notable resorts are Himara, Sarandë, or Ksamil. The
riviera you can see many interesting rock formations and caves. Interestingly,
the terrain rises rapidly from the sea and reaches an altitude of around 2,000 metres.
Tourists here have ideal conditions for a combination of relaxation and active holidays.
History and archaeology lovers will also find a place in Albania. Near the village of Pojan there is
the remains of the ancient city of Apollonia, where you can see many monuments
dating back to the Roman period. In the town of Krujë you can visit the castle and Skanderbegovo
museum, which is dedicated to the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. In the city
Elbasan has the remains of a medieval fortress. Above the Skadar Lake there are
the Rozafa fortress towers majestically.
Among the major tourist attractions is the historic town of Berat, which is listed on the
Unesco World Heritage Site. The city has several nicknames, among which
the most famous include "Albanian Belgrade" or "City of a Thousand Windows". The oldest monuments here
date back to the 4th century BC. Here you can see traditional
Balkan houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, Byzantine churches, but also mosques dating back
from the Ottoman period.
The royal tombs of Selca e Poshtme are also part of the UNESCO list and can be found
near the town of Pogradec. At an altitude of 1040 metres, there are 5 Illyrian
royal tombs.
From the period of socialism, symbolized by the legendary Albanian ruler Enver Hoxha, who
headed the country from the end of World War II until his death in April 1985, the country
many military bunkers remain. They can be found all over Albania, as
both in the borderlands and in the interior.
Lake Skadar, which is 43 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide, is located in Albania
.
kilometres the largest Balkan lake. Other important natural sights include
The Theth National Park, Osum River Canyon, Llogara National Park, Lake Komani, Karavastska
Llaguna, Lurian Lakes, Valbonë River Valley or the famous Blue Eye Karst Spring
.
Many foreign tourists associate Albania mainly with the beautiful mountains here. Probably
Albania's most famous and beautiful mountains are the Cursed Mountains with their magnificent
mountain ridges, many valleys, mountain lakes, waterfalls and picturesque villages. The
the border between Albania and Northern Macedonia is the highest mountain in Albania, the Great Korab,
which lies in the Korab Mountains and reaches an altitude of 2,764 metres. Many Albanian
peaks are more than 2,000 metres high.
Don't miss out on traditional Albanian cuisine when visiting Albania. Albania's national dish
is tavë kosi, which is a baked meat with rice and yoghurt sauce. Other traditional
Albanian dishes such as vegetable mixture turli, pacë koke soup or savoury cake
byrek. The local cuisine is characterized by a large amount of vegetables, fresh fruit and especially
in coastal areas also fresh fish and seafood. Don't forget to try
Albanian wine.
Take the opportunity to buy a property in Albania at very reasonable prices and
embark on an exploration of this small but extremely beautiful Balkan country. Make your decision for sure
will not regret it.