We first visited Qeparo in 2021, driven by our curiosity – we spotted a cluster of stone houses from a distance and couldn’t resist. That strangely-looking formation simply “got” us. We climbed up on foot along the old gravel road full of hairpin turns and ruts, because our campervan wouldn’t make it. Today, the access to the […]
Old Village of Qeparo, a Place Where You Happily Forget the Present Read More »
If Lalëzit Beach is a place for lazy relaxation in the sand, then Cape Rodon (Kepi i Rodonit) is a place for those seeking drama, solitude, and a touch of history. Rodon is a narrow, nearly ten-kilometre-long rocky promontory that cuts into the Adriatic Sea like a dagger. Here, Albania sets aside its tourist-friendly charm and reveals a raw landscape where emerald hills and ochre clay cliffs meet history head-on. According to Illyrian mythology, Redon, after whom the peninsula is named, was the god of the sea, much like Poseidon for the Greeks or Neptune for the Romans.
The place where Skanderbeg’s fortress watches over the sea horizon Read More »
If you’re entering Albania from the north via the Montenegrin border, Shkodër will greet you in the finest way possible. This is a city with the pride of the ancient Illyrians in its DNA, the elegance of Venetian Italy in its architecture, and an endless, unhurried ease in its streets — carried along by cyclists who have nowhere to be in a hurry. Shkodër will soothe your soul with its refinement and deep roots stretching back to antiquity. It’s the gateway to the Albanian Alps, and rather than rushing through with your foot on the gas, you should switch off the engine for a while and let the city’s unique, gently nostalgic atmosphere wash over you — the atmosphere of one of the oldest cities in the country.
Shkodër – Gateway to the Mountains, Where the Balkan Soul Meets Italian Elegance Read More »
Two cities under UNESCO protection, two stone historical gems that miraculously survived the urban cleansing of the communist era. While Tirana races toward the future through modern architecture, here time has stood still in Ottoman stone alleyways.
If you’re looking for a place where the Albanian Riviera has preserved its natural character, leave the main beaches behind and discover this hidden gem. Tucked between the popular Livadhi beach and the bay of Jalë lies Gjiri i Akuariumit (the Aquarium Bay). It’s a small, circular indent carved into the limestone coastline of volcanic origin, and its name is no coincidence. The water here is so incredibly clear and calm that you feel as though you’re not gazing into the sea at all, but into a giant glass aquarium. This turquoise paradise will enchant you with its unspoiled beauty and offer an unforgettable escape from the crowds. Along the Albanian coast, where resorts and hotels are springing up left and right, places like this are becoming increasingly rare.
Gjiri i Akuariumit – Albania’s Natural Coastline Read More »
Tirana may not be love at first sight. While the mountains of the north embraced you with silence and raw nature, here your first impressions will be shaped by endless traffic, the aroma of strong espresso, and the dust of construction sites where buildings are shooting up like mushrooms after rain. Balkan laid-back charm mingles with Italian elegance. Modernization is relentlessly reshaping the face of the city. But if you spend some time wandering Tirana’s streets, you will hear the voices of the Albanian soul.
Tirana – a pulsing heart that never sleeps Read More »
The Albanian Alps, also known as the Accursed Mountains, are incredibly beautiful and wild. They can indeed be “accursed” for you too, if you’re not in the best shape. You can put your fitness to the test on the moderately challenging hike from Theth to the Valbonë Pass. This trek will take your breath away — both figuratively and, at times, quite literally.
Hike to the Valbonë Pass Read More »
If there’s a place that has fallen victim to its own Instagram success, it’s Ksamil. Just ten years ago, it was a sleepy village within sight of Corfu, where old wooden boats hid among the reeds. Today, Ksamil is a shock to anyone who knew it before – turquoise waters locked in the relentless embrace of sun loungers and parasols, with music blaring all around. In 2026, the real challenge will be figuring out how to make the most of a holiday in this glitzy fairground, where prices wouldn’t raise an eyebrow even in Saint-Tropez, and still come away feeling like it all meant something.
Ksamil 2026: How to Survive the “Maldives of Europe” at the Peak of the Season Read More »
