A Renaissance in the Balkans: Exploring Albania’s Recovery
After years of deep economic and social crisis, Albania seems finally on the road to recovery, driven by a climate of optimism, dynamism, and modernity that aims to leave behind the difficult period of transition that followed the communist regime. The local economy has been in full recovery since the beginning of the new century, and the country has managed to shake off its reputation as the poorest nation in Europe. However, some believe that this rapid development has brought inconveniences to visitors, with construction sites in all cities, incomplete infrastructure, and delays in services that are not entirely perfected. In reality, the pleasure of traveling in Albania remains intact, with the beauties of Tirana, the fabulous southern Ionian coast, and historical remains attracting an ever-increasing number of tourists from all over Europe.
Geographical Overview
Geographically, Albania borders Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south, while its beautiful coasts are bathed by the waters of the Adriatic Sea, at the height of the Strait of Otranto, and the Ionian Sea.
A Rich and Ancient History
Albanians call their country Shqiperia and trace their roots back to the ancient Illyrian peoples, who occupied the Western Balkans from the 2nd millennium BC until the 7th century BC, when they were replaced by the Greeks. From 228 BC, the region came under the control of the Romans, who allowed the population to experience a long period of peace and prosperity. After the division of the Roman Empire, Illyria, which we can roughly refer to as today’s Albania, remained under the Eastern Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire. It was during this period that the spread of Christianity took place. In 1344, Albania was annexed by Serbia, but from the end of the century, the area faced Ottoman attacks, with the Ottomans remaining the undisputed rulers of the Balkans until 1912, when the Vlora riots led to the proclamation of independence, undermined several times during the 20th century by the rise of communism, which was finally eradicated by the elections of March 1992.
Tirana: The Capital in Transformation
The capital is Tirana, a metropolis of over 700,000 inhabitants located in the central part of the country. Since the end of communism, Tirana has undergone rapid development, with the construction of new residential neighborhoods, improved services and infrastructure, and the redevelopment of the center, heavily damaged during the mid-20th century. The Albanian capital is still an open-air construction site, with many works causing some inconvenience to road traffic, inviting visitors to explore it on foot. The ideal place to begin a visit to the city is Sheshi Skenderbej, where the equestrian statue of Skanderbeg stands. Nearby, you will see the minaret of the Et’hem Bey Mosque, built between 1789 and 1823, while behind the mosque is the Clock Tower. As for museums, it’s recommended to visit the National Museum of History, the Archaeological Museum, the Palace of Culture, and the National Art Gallery. The ruins of the Justinian Fortress, once a fantastic Byzantine castle with 6-meter-high walls, also add a touch of class.
Exploring the Surrounding Areas
Continuing about twenty kilometers east, you come across Mount Dajti National Park, a hill reaching 1,611 meters in height. This natural oasis, popular among residents of the capital on weekends for relaxation, is particularly charming, though it is not reachable by public transport. Another attraction near Tirana is Kruja, a small town where you can admire the fantastic Castle and the Skanderbeg Museum, designed by the daughter and son-in-law of Enver Hoxha, featuring reproductions of armor and paintings that depict Skanderbeg’s fight against the Turks.
In the central part of Albania, a few dozen kilometers away from Tirana, stands Durres, which was the capital from 1913 to 1920, and today is a tourist city par excellence with a beach more than 10 kilometers long. Despite efforts by the authorities, the city’s coastline has become an example of uncontrolled urban development, with concrete covering much of the seafront. Moving away from the sea, however, the city becomes quieter and more charming, with elegant early 20th-century buildings, evocative ruins, the interesting Archaeological Museum, and a series of excellent bars and restaurants. Atop the hill overlooking the town stands the former palace of King Ahmed Zogu, an architectural complex unfortunately closed to the public as it is located within a military area.
The Ionian Coast and the South
The largest center of southern Albania is Vlora, the ancient Aulon, which today has about 75,000 inhabitants. The city, overlooking a pleasant bay, is characterized by a frenetic pace, with a long avenue full of people that crosses the center and reaches the seafront and beaches. However, the coast is much more pleasant after leaving Vlora and moving towards the rocky coves of Uji i Ftohte. The Ionian coast is, in fact, the added value of maritime Albania, with the stretch between the Llogaraja Pass and Saranda containing some of the most spectacular views, such as Palasa, Dhermiu, Drymades, and Jal, just three kilometers from the village of Vuno.
The Natural Landscape of Northern Albania
From a naturalistic point of view, the landscape of northern Albania is second to none in the Balkans. The great variety of fauna, the vast marshes, the lagoons around Shkodra and Lezha, and the Bjeshket e Namuna Mountains, also called the Accursed Mountains, are unique attractions capable of winning over even the most skeptical of visitors. Adding to this are the ancient remains of the Rozafa Fortress, founded by the Illyrians and later rebuilt by the Venetians and Turks, and the city of Shkodra, a traditional center of Gheg culture, making this part of Albania a must-see for tourists.
Traditions and Celebrations
Albania observes the holidays of four different religions, resulting in a packed calendar of religious and secular celebrations. The dates of the Muslim holidays of Bajram i Madh, at the end of Ramadan, and Bajram i Vogel, which commemorates Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, fall 11 or 12 days earlier each year than the previous one. In addition, Catholic and Orthodox Easter, known as Pashket, are celebrated, although they rarely coincide.
Climate and Best Time to Visit Albania
The climate is maritime near the coast and becomes more severe inland, with cold peaks in the highlands on the borders with Macedonia and Kosovo. In winter, Tirana and other inland cities experience abundant rainfall, but temperatures rarely fall below zero. Between November and March, snowfall is frequent at high altitudes and in cities like Korca, which often freezes. In summer, temperatures rise significantly, sometimes exceeding 40 degrees in inland locations, while the coastal area remains cooler. The best times to visit Albania are spring and autumn, especially May and September when the days are pleasantly sunny.
Getting Around Albania
The only international airport in Albania is Nene Tereza Airport, also known as Mother Teresa Airport, located 26 kilometers northwest of Tirana. Internal transportation is not particularly convenient yet, given the inefficiency of many roads, the inadequacy of infrastructure, and the absence of domestic flights. Therefore, renting your own vehicle is the best option to avoid having to rely on the few buses or trains that cross the country.
