Albania is a country with a difficult destiny and a strong character. Despite its occupational past, it was able to preserve its rich heritage, centuries-old culture and picturesque nature. Albania is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. And we will devote our material today to this beautiful country, we will find out where it is located, the most striking sights of Albania, and what you need to see if you are on vacation in this republic.

Where is

Located in the west of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania occupies its coastal territory, washed by the Adriatic Sea. Its neighbors are Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Italy, separated from Albania by the Strait of Otranto. Albanian Republic (that's what it sounds like) official name country) covers an area of ​​28,000 km2, where about 3.4 million people live. The capital of Albania, Tirana, is the largest city in the entire republic.

Brief description of the country

For a long time, Albania was under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, and only shortly before its fall was it able to achieve its independence in 1912. But, unfortunately, its occupation did not end there. From 1939 to 1944, Albania was subject to Italian invaders. Then, for almost half a century from 1944 to 1992, the republic was ruled by the Communist Albanian Party, which completely isolated the state from external influence.

Albania is practically a one-national state, the territory of which is inhabited mainly by Albanians. 80% of them preach Islam, being Sunnis, the rest of the population adheres to the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Albania is particularly attractive for its natural beauty. There is everything here: a picturesque plain, majestic mountains, and cleanest lakes, and large rivers. Lakes Ohrid, Shkoder and Prespa, the rivers Drin and Mati, as well as Mount Korabi (2764) are part of Albania's uniqueness. The Mediterranean climate enjoys mild winters and hot, but not sultry summers.

The entire territory of Albania is rich in ancient Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultural monuments and attractions. Most of them are located in the most major cities republics: Tirana, Shkodra, Durres, Elbasan, Korça and Vlora.

Sights of Albania

In every town in Albania you can find interesting sights. Rich story has awarded this region with a huge number of cultural and historical monuments. Let's look at some of the attractions and what you can see in Aobanija.

Berat Castle

It can rightfully be considered a museum city. This citadel dates back to the 13th century, representing an example of ancient architecture and history. Berat is located 123 km from the capital of Albania and is one of the most popular places among tourists. The castle rises above the city, offering a stunning panorama of the surrounding areas. Inside the citadel there are buildings of ancient temples and exhibitions of historical artifacts.

Skadar Lake

Is the most big lake on the Balkan Peninsula. It is simultaneously located on the territory of Albania and Montenegro. A very picturesque place that attracts tourists with its flora and fauna, virgin places protected by the state, and clean water. Well developed here water transport, which makes it possible to enjoy boat trips. The reservoir became especially famous thanks to its churches and tombs built on the islands of the lake.

Rozafa Fortress

The next attraction of Albania is the Rozafa Fortress - located in the vicinity of the city of Shkoder. This is very a nice place, which is a picturesque hill surrounded by two rivers - Drin and Bryan. The fortress dates back to the 3rd century BC. Since its construction, it was able to survive the occupation by the Romans, the capture by the Ottomans, and the confrontation with the Montenegrins.

Rozafa is especially popular among women and is considered a sacred place for those who dream of motherhood. Despite the fact that the fortress has been partially preserved, it is known far beyond the borders of Albania. Tourists are attracted here by the centuries-old history and the museum opened in one of the surviving buildings.

Archaeological Museum-Reserve of Butrint

Located in the southern part of Albania near the city of Saranada. Almost bordering Greece, this reserve is particularly famous for its excavations and medieval Venetian fortress. The remains of public and residential buildings and structures, the walls of the acropolis, baths decorated with mosaics and the sanctuary of Asclepius were discovered here. Butrint is also popular among tourists due to its proximity to the beaches, being located 2 kilometers from the coast.

Resort Ksamil

The most famous in Albania. Its peculiarity lies not only in its clear water, but also in its amazing beaches. The seemingly incredibly white sand at first glance is actually rocks crushed to tiny sizes. This resort attracts tourists not only with its blue water, but also with its uninhabited islands, which are easily accessible by swimming.

Ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia

They are located 100 km south of the city of Durres. In 855 BC, this city was founded by the Greeks as one of the most important Mediterranean city-states. Monuments that have survived to this day include the Monastery of St. Mary, dating back to the 12th century AD, the Bouleuterion (administrative building of ancient times), dating back to the 3rd century AD, the Odeon (building for musical performances), built around the 2nd century AD, and the ancient Amphitheater etc. Not far from Apollonia there is the majestic monastery of Ardenika.

Customs and traditions

Those who visit Albania for the first time are usually struck by the differences in the same rituals and traditions in different regions of the country. National costumes, wedding rituals and other customs can be very different in two nearby villages or cities. Perhaps this is why there is never a dull moment in Albania, and every new place brings an unforgettable experience. In everyday life, the following customs can be distinguished, which are characteristic of Albanians.

When addressing local residents, Albanians use the polite form “zoti” (master) for men and “zonya” (madam) for women. In some provincial areas one can still find echoes of communism in addressing each other in the form of the greeting “shoku” - comrade.

A special theme for Albanians is receiving guests and visiting. If an Albanian has invited guests, it means that he must host the reception at the highest level and spend a lot of money to maintain his status. Guests, in turn, must also show respect to the hosts and bring gifts with them. The art of having a conversation over a cup of coffee is the main sign that you are a well-mannered and worthy person.

Social life in Albania mainly takes place in a form called "jiro". At its core, it is an evening walk along a square or boulevard in a city or village. During the Giro local residents exchange news and gossip. Appearance matters a lot here. As a rule, people wear the richest outfits for such a walk to show their wealth and status.

After being isolated for so long, Albania is only now beginning to reveal its uniqueness and beauty to all visitors and tourists. Stunning nature, architectural attractions, pristine beaches, hospitable locals and inexpensive living make this republic a potential leader among other European countries.

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Basic moments

Albania is located off the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. The Strait of Otranto, 75 km wide, separates Albania from Italy. Albania borders Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece. Area - 28.7 thousand km². The population of Albania is about 3.4 million people. The capital is the city of Tirana.

Albania gained its independence in 1912, before which it was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. During World War II, from 1939 to 1944, the country was occupied by Italy. From 1944 to 1992, Albania was ruled by the communist Albanian Party of Labor, which pursued a policy of artificially isolating the country from the outside world. The consequences of this are still felt today: the standard of living in Albania is one of the lowest in Europe.

Albania is a single-ethnic country, Albanians make up 97% of the population. They are descendants of the ancient population of the Balkans - the Illyrians and Thracians. The country's official language, Albanian, is unlike any other European language. Most Albanians are Sunni Muslims.

Along the Albanian coast of the Adriatic stretches a narrow, hilly plain. In the south, east and north it is framed by high peaked mountain ranges covered with forest. The most high point countries - Mount Corabi (2764 m). In the north of Albania, on the border with Yugoslavia, rises the North Albanian Alps. Albania partially owns three large lakes- Ohrid, Shkoder (Skadar) and Prespa. The largest rivers in the country are Drin and Mati.

The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, with dry, hot summers (24-25 °C) and mild, rainy winters (8-9 °C). There is snow in the mountains for several months in winter. The main natural attractions of Albania are mountains cut through by deep narrow valleys and picturesque lakes, primarily Ohrid. Monuments of ancient Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman architecture, and fragments of Byzantine fresco painting have been preserved in Albania. The largest cities in the country include Tirana, Durres, Shkodra, Vlora, Korca, Elbasan.

Geographical data

Except coastline, then it should be recognized that all the borders of Albania were drawn artificially. They were mainly determined at the conference of ambassadors of the great powers in London (1912-1913). During the First World War, Albania was occupied by Italian, Serbian, Greek and French troops, but in 1921 the victorious states largely confirmed the previously established borders. The borders were drawn in such a way as to separate the territories of compact residence of Albanians from neighboring peoples - Serbs, Montenegrins and Greeks, while trying to take into account the interests of all parties as much as possible and, if possible, to use the most noticeable elements of the relief when drawing borders. At the same time, the lake region of western Macedonia was divided between three states - Albania, Greece and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

The division of the lake region between the three states was carried out in such a way that each side received its share of the lowlands adjacent to the lakes. Such an artificial division, of course, influenced the passage of borders in the northern and southern directions from the lakes. The northward boundary follows the ridge line to the east, but is approximately 16 to 32 km from the watershed. Albania's border in the far north and northeast - where it passes through mountainous regions - is drawn in such a way that it connects the highest points of the relief and follows the line of mountain ridges through the almost impassable Northern Albanian Alps (locally called Bjeshkët e Namunës) . Along the section of the northwestern border between the highlands and the Adriatic, natural boundaries are largely absent, with the exception of Lake Shkoder and a section of the Buna River to the south of it.

South and southwest of the lake district towards Ionian Sea Albania's southeastern border does not follow landforms, but directly intersects several mountain ranges.

As a result of such drawing of borders, a fairly significant part of the Albanian population found itself outside the borders of the national state, which subsequently led to numerous conflicts between the large Albanian diaspora and the authorities of the states of residence.

Attractions

The capital of Albania - Tirana - beckons you to take a leisurely stroll along the central streets and get acquainted with its sights. You should start with Skenderberg Square, where the monument with the same name is located.

Also in Tirana it is worth visiting the Museum of National Culture of Albania. Also, be sure to visit the Museum natural history and the Art Gallery.

The best views of Tirana can be seen, oddly enough, from the Cemetery of Martyrs.

When traveling around Albania, you should go to ancient city Shkoder. Here you definitely need to pay attention to the Sheikh Zamil Abdullah Al-Zamil Mosque. Not far from it is the Public Museum, which houses an excellent collection of archaeological finds and unique photographs.

The city of Shkoder itself is located on the coast of Lake Skadar, so there are a lot of restaurants with fish cuisine.

In the vicinity of Shkoder, visit the Lead Mosque and Rozafa Fortress.

In the south of the country, in the valley of the Drin River, is the city of Gjirokastra. Here it is worth getting acquainted with the Bazaar Mosque, as well as visiting the citadel, dating back to the 14th century, which towers over the city. Now it functions as a Weapons Museum. In the lower part of the city you can visit the ancient Turkish baths.

Durres is also rich in attractions. It was founded by the Greeks, and now the city is the second largest in the country. The heart of the city and its business card is an impressive amphitheater. In addition, it is worth visiting the Roman ruins and fortifications, as well as visiting the Archaeological Museum.

In Durres, the Venetian Towers and the Ahmet Zog Palace also deserve attention.

Another Albanian city that attracts travelers is Korca. It is located on a high plateau, surrounded by picturesque vegetation. This area is considered one of the most clean places in the country.

There are no historical sights here, but tourists are offered to visit several museums. For example, the Museum of Medieval Art, as well as the Museum of Education.

In addition, Korça is home to a brewery famous for its beer festival, which it organizes annually in August.

Well, another city popular with tourists is Berat. It is famous for the fortress that was built here in the 14th century. Travelers will also be interested in the Muslim quarter of Mangalem with its unique architecture. In the city there are very interesting churches of the Holy Trinity and Evangelists to explore.

Berat will be remembered for a long time by one more detail: on its narrow streets there are many old houses with many windows. Because of this, it has long been called the “city of a thousand windows.” Maybe you will be lucky enough to see the sun reflecting in these many windows. A sight of indescribable beauty!

Kitchen

The national cuisine of Albania is very diverse. Traditional dishes here are a mixture of Balkan traditions and European cooking features. A good climate creates the most favorable conditions for growing a variety of vegetables and fruits, without which, naturally, local cuisine cannot do.

In all regions of the country, lamb or lamb is very popular, which is baked with lemon, spices and olive oil.

Here are a few Albanian meat dishes that you should definitely try if you come here: tav elbuasani - meat baked with yogurt; Fergesa Tirane - liver with tomatoes and eggs, which is cooked in a pot; burek - puff pastry pie filled with meat, spinach and cheese.

Local cuisine also includes seafood. Try Ohrid trout cooked with walnuts. This fish is found exclusively in Lake Ohrid.

Local residents also prepare tarator. This is a cold soup made from kefir or yogurt. You won't try anything like this anywhere else.

They prefer honey and nut sweets and fruits as desserts. Baklava and pudding are often prepared using figs and sheep's milk. Albanian ice cream akullore is also served for dessert.

The drink they drink here is coffee, which is distinguished by its strength. Among alcohols, local rakia and herbal tuning “Fernet” are especially held in high esteem.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Albania is not yet as good as we would like. Local hotels in last years do not reach the European level, the service leaves much to be desired.

Prices for a night's stay here start from 30 € per person. At the same time, when checking in, you should definitely make sure that everything in the room works properly.

In each of the cities there are hotels of different star levels, but the largest selection is in Tirana, Durres, Berat, Shkoder.

There is one more nuance associated with local hotels: booking hotels here is very problematic, because they are not part of international booking systems. Tourists can only hope for luck, and this is especially true in the summer, which is the peak tourist season.

Entertainment and relaxation

Most Albanian beaches are sandy, but occasionally you can find pebble beaches. As a rule, the most comfortable beaches belong to large hotels. But the length of the beaches is pleasantly pleasing - more than 300 km! So there is enough space for all vacationers.

An excellent resort is the Riviera of Flowers. This is part of the Ionian Sea coast from Vlore to Saranda. The resort is a combination of small and very clean beaches and old mansions converted into hotels. There is also the freshest mountain air and a light sea breeze constantly blowing.

The most popular beaches of the Ionian coast among tourists are Velipoja, Durres, Golemi, Lezha and Divyaka.

For family vacation The beaches on the Adriatic coast are great. Most best resort Albanian Adriatic - Dhermi. It is famous for its crystal clear water, golden sandy beaches, picturesque nature and clean mountain air.

Not far from Dhermi there is a small secluded beach of incredible beauty. Finding the road to it is not so easy, but if you try hard, you can find a narrow path that leads to this amazing beach.

Two more beautiful beaches on this coast are Durres (one of the largest Albanian beaches) and St. John (ideal for young couples).

Fans of active recreation can go mountaineering in the mountains of Albania, and people interested in speleology can explore the numerous caves.

Opera fans can visit the annual Mary Krai festival, which is held in the capital of Albania.

There are not many nightclubs here. Most of them are located in Durres and Saranda.

Shopping

You always want to bring something back from a trip as a souvenir. And a trip to Albania, of course, will not be an exception. Souvenirs can be bought here in specialized stores or in city markets. What do tourists most often buy as a souvenir of this country? Usually these are various kinds of copper items, wooden pipes, colorful embroidery, and national musical instruments handmade by local artisans. Rakia, the local vodka, is often brought from Albania.

Prices for all goods for foreigners are higher than for locals, but you can bargain almost everywhere.

Transport

Urban public transport in Albania, these are buses and minibuses with low fares, for which you need to pay directly to the driver.

As for intercity transport, there are buses and minibuses. True, there are certain nuances: you won’t find a bus station here. There is no schedule here. In such a situation, only local residents can help you out.

The situation with by rail in Albania leaves much to be desired. The country's trains are in poor condition, they travel extremely slowly, and there are no restrooms. It is also worth considering that there are only a few lines, and the intervals between trains are very long.

Since the country has access to two seas, many coastal cities have ports. The main one is in Durres: ferries to Italy go from here.

Cities also have taxis, which are easiest to find at hotels. It’s extremely difficult to hail a car in the middle of the street in the city: they don’t take an outstretched arm here. It is better to agree on the cost of the trip right away.

Another option for getting around the cities of Albania is renting a car. Renting a car is quite easy: to do this you need to have a driver's license and credit card. True, rental is only possible in large cities, and it will cost you from $25 per day.

Connection

Albania has two mobile operators: Albanian Mobile Communications and Vodafone Albania. Mobile connection is sufficient here good quality. There are problems with landline telephone connections and Internet access. Telephone sets from which you can call outside the country are only available on the streets of large cities. You can also make an international call from your hotel or post office.

There are internet cafes in big cities and tourist centers.

Major Russian mobile operators offer roaming in Albania.

Safety

Today in Albania a tourist can feel completely safe. Still, as in any other country that is popular with tourists, caution is a good idea.

Firstly, you should avoid buying expensive things (phones, watches) from street vendors, as most often they are stolen.

Secondly, remember that the water here is quite clean, but it is still recommended to drink bottled water.

Before entering the country, you must be vaccinated against typhoid and polio.

To visit the country, medical insurance is required, since tourists here are provided with only first aid free of charge.

Business

The Albanian real estate market has become a profitable area for investment today. Construction is very cheap here, and housing prices are gradually starting to rise due to increased demand for it.

It is also profitable to start a tourism business or service industry here. The country is just beginning to gain popularity among tourists, so there are all the opportunities here, and most importantly, there is a need for the development of tourism infrastructure.

Real estate

The Albanian real estate market is very promising. And in recent years, Russians have begun to pay more and more attention to it.

Perhaps one of the most important advantages of the Albanian real estate market is low prices. They are much lower here than in neighboring countries. This also applies to those facilities located in resort towns.

Low prices are explained by the low price of land. In addition, there are quite a lot of agencies here that sell real estate directly from developers.

Albania - a hidden gem Mediterranean Sea. Rest on clean beaches The Adriatic, the tiny capital of Tirana, beautiful nature and cultural attractions, and also generous cuisine. Everything about Albania from the Subtleties of Tourism: maps, tours, photos and reviews of tourists.

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Climate

Albania has a mild Mediterranean climate with fairly hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average temperature in July on the coast is +28...+32 °C, in January - +8...+10 °C. High summer temperatures on the coast are easily tolerated due to the constantly blowing Mediterranean breeze. Tourist season lasts from May to September, but it is also comfortable to be outdoors in April and October. There are about 300 sunny days a year. It rains in early spring and late autumn. In the mountains of Albania the climate is much colder - in winter the temperature can drop to −20 ° C, and above 1000 m there is snow for most of the year.

Maps of Albania

Visa and customs

Every year during the summer, citizens of the Russian Federation can enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days. During the rest of the year, a visa and medical insurance are required for the entire duration of the trip.

You are allowed to import any items for personal use into Albania, including jewelry, photographic and video equipment. The import of local currency is strictly prohibited, but foreign currency can be taken with you without restrictions. Tobacco, alcoholic beverages and perfumes are allowed across the border in reasonable quantities: up to 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco), up to 1 liter of strong alcohol, up to 2 liters of wine, from perfumery - a maximum of 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml of eau de toilette.

Pets will not be allowed in without a veterinary passport, a microchip and a certificate of vaccination against rabies.

It is prohibited to import weapons and explosives, drugs, pornography and any materials that offend national dignity. To export items made of precious metals, ancient coins and scrolls, antiques and art objects, you must present a document confirming the purchase. Antiquities - even stones with archaeological excavations- they cannot leave the country: they will have to be content with copies of ancient artifacts sold everywhere.

How to get to Albania

There are 5 airports in Albania, but international flights accepts only one - them. Mother Teresa 11 km northwest of Tirana. There are no direct flights from Russia, but you can get there without any problems with transfers. The cheapest tickets from Moscow are offered by Aegean Airlines: departure from Domodedovo, connection in Athens, travel time - from 5 hours 45 minutes. The same carrier has routes with two transfers in tandem with Olympic Air: almost a day on the road with stops in Thessaloniki and Athens.

Police - 19, fire service - 18, ambulance - 17.

Beaches of Albania

The climate of Albania is subtropical Mediterranean, ideal for beach holiday. Summer is dry, hot, sunny - you just need to stock up on SPF products and choose a beach to your liking: on the Ionian Sea the beaches are mostly rocky, popular with athletes and party-goers, on the Adriatic they are sandy, suitable for families with children. Almost all of them are free, well-groomed, not too crowded and very picturesque.

One of the most famous resorts Ionian coast - Saranda, the beginning of the "flower Riviera". There are several pebble beaches within the city, the water in the bay is clean, there is a pedestrian promenade with cafes and souvenir shops nearby, the infrastructure is developed - there are amenities, sun loungers, and scooter rentals.

Nearby is the town of Ksamil with an embankment sandy beach and the dazzling blue sea - many wealthy Albanians build summer houses here. Of the amenities, however, there are only sun loungers and umbrellas, but the coast is surrounded by a necklace of tiny uninhabited islands, which are easy to swim to by yourself or on a catamaran.

Dhermi is an elite resort in the middle of a 5-kilometer beach, located between the Karaburun Peninsula and the Monastery of St. Theodore. During the day you can ride catamarans and jet skis, and in the evening you can dance at beach parties. Vlora is a resort border between two seas: there are sandy, pebble and rocky areas, noisy and quiet, equipped and untouched by civilization.

A set of umbrella and sun lounger costs an average of 300 ALL per day.

Largest locality on the Adriatic coast - Durres, boiling sea ​​port. It’s better not to swim within the city, but in the suburbs, for example, in Cerrete, the water is clean, the sand is well-groomed, there are no crowds, the air is saturated with the aromas of pine trees. The coast of Shengjin is also well-maintained, framed by coniferous forests.

Not far from Tirana, the Lalzit Bay splashes - warm, clear waters wash the soft coastline white sand. And Pogradec stands on Lake Ohrid, which in all respects resembles the sea: the shore is sandy, the water is clean, the bottom is flat - a haven for children and their parents.

The best photos of Albania

Diving

Albania is not as popular a diving destination as, for example, neighboring Italy and Greece, but this is a plus: there are few people, the water is clean and transparent, and the prices are quite reasonable. The most suitable time for diving is from May to September, but if you wish, you can dive throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

Water temperature in summer is +23...+26 °C, visibility in most locations is 10-15 m, the main beauty lies at a depth of 20-30 m, some wrecks are even at 50 m. There are no strong currents, there are some along the coast areas for both experienced divers and beginners. For the latter, by the way, there are several schools that teach in all popular areas and issue official certificates.

Albania's underwater treasures include numerous caves, reefs and rivers. Picturesque Cape Kepi ​​Rhodonite near Shengjin, the sparkling waters of Himara in the sun, tiny islands off the coast of Ksamil - everywhere you can observe marine life, study the details of the sandy or rocky bottom.

The most popular place among fans of snorkeling, scuba diving and freediving is the coast of Saranda: it is there that an Italian cargo ship that sank during World War II and a 70-meter Albanian minesweeper rest. The Antonio car ferry was sunk off the coast of Vlora, and an impressive Chinese frigate was sunk near Ksamil. And in the national marine park"Karaburun-Sazan" is home to sharks, sea turtles, dolphins and monk seals.

Shopping

Albania cannot be called a shopaholic's paradise, but you can definitely find a couple of nice souvenirs. Just look at the local markets and colorful shops, bursting with all kinds of ethnic goods. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the products of artisans: wooden and bone figurines, woven and knitted napkins, dishes, jewelry made of copper and silver.

The most original trinket is an ashtray in the form of a bunker: throughout the country, concrete structures similar to mushrooms and designed for one person are dug into the ground - dictator Hoxha was obsessed with the threat from the outside and built 700 thousand mini-fortresses for his citizens.

The home collection of alcohol should be replenished with prestigious award-winning Korca beer, Skanderbeg cognac and rakia vodka, reminiscent of either Georgian chacha or Arabic arak. For edible souvenirs, we recommend olives from Vlora, olive oil and aromatic spices from the south.

In Albania they sell truly high-quality Christmas tree decorations: handmade from thin glass, painted with traditional patterns, costing 120-4000 ALL. Even more status gifts are luxurious carpets produced since the 16th century (real ones - 16,000-30,000 ALL), national costumes (similar price) and exquisite Jewelry. But copies of ancient works, sold everywhere, are inexpensive - from 3500 ALL.

Most Albanian shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00, but tourist-oriented outlets are open longer and receive visitors even on weekends.

Tirana has full-fledged shopping malls with clothing from international brands: for example, Tirana East Gate is one of the largest shopping centers Balkan. Kruje is famous for its old market with perhaps the lowest prices in the country. And the end of February is the time of grand sales: discounts reach 70-85%!

Cuisine and restaurants of Albania

400 years of Ottoman rule were not in vain: Albanian cuisine is based on Turkish traditions. Rewritten in a new way, combined with Italian and Greek plots into a very unusual gastronomic mix. In the north they prefer fish and vegetables, in central regions- meat, in the south - seafood and plant products. All this is generously seasoned with aromatic spices.

A favorite breakfast is wheat or corn bread with butter, cheese or jam, accompanied by yogurt, tea or coffee. For lunch, try the tave kozi lamb, braised until tender and baked in a mixture of eggs and Greek yoghurt, or the homemade chebapi sausages made from ground beef and lamb. Seafood dishes are good for dinner: sea bass with tomatoes, brodetto soup with crabs, risotto with all sorts of additives that recently roamed the coastal waters.

Albania has cozy family restaurants with authentic cuisine and numerous eateries with European, Italian, and South American menus. A fast food snack costs 500-750 ALL per person, a 3-course lunch in a mid-level establishment costs 1100-1800 ALL for two, dinner in a good restaurant with wine costs from 2500 ALL for two.

Boiled and canned corn is popular among vegetables, cold “tarator” with kefir is popular among soups, and sheep’s milk and the basis for soft cheese are among farm products. The best snack to go with beer is fried kefte meatballs. For dessert, you can take puff pastry cannoli from Sicily, caramel cream, cabuni rice pudding with sugar syrup, cinnamon and cloves, or the famous baklava. And among the drinks, a must-taste is “bose” made from water, sugar and flour, wheat and corn.

Guides in Albania

Entertainment and attractions of Albania

A succession of rulers, wars and truces, thaws and revolutions have left traces on Albanian soil that are timeless. More precisely, attractions: ancient amphitheaters and forums, medieval castles and fortresses, solemn mosques and monumental bridges.

The starting point is the main square of Tirana with government offices, a monument to the hero of the nation Skanderbeg (the square is named after him), the Ephem Bey mosque, symbolizing religious freedom, and the clock tower with observation deck. The largest Catholic church in the country - Cathedral St. Paul with stained glass windows depicting Mother Teresa and John Paul II.

You can see Tirana in all its glory from Mount Daiti, 26 km east of the capital.

The “Pyramid”, a witness to the era of dictator Hoxha, reminds of the sad past, and the ultra-modern Palace of Congress brings us back to the present day. Justinian's fortress dates back to the 14th century, the stone Tabak Bridge with three arches dates back to the 17th-18th centuries. You can scroll through the remaining pages of Albanian history at the National Historical (office site in English) and Archaeological Museums.

In Saranda, it is worth seeing the Butrint Museum-Reserve - an ancient city founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. e., with an amphitheater, baptistery, cathedral and other monuments of great empires. In Durres there is the oldest amphitheater in the Balkans: bloody battles raged there already in the 1st and 2nd centuries. The city itself began with a citadel founded in the 5th century by the Byzantine ruler Anastasius. The Fatih Mosque with its austere minaret was erected in honor of the conquering Turkish sultan, and only a few elegant columns remained from the Byzantine Forum and rotunda.

The Venetian Tower, overlooking the citadel of Durres, now houses a trendy bar.

Notable in Shkoder are the Rozafa fortress on an impregnable rock, the Lead Mosque (liquid lead as a binding solution, many domes and not a single minaret) and the Orthodox Church of the Nativity. Above Vlora rises the Muradiye Mosque, reminiscent of the temples of Istanbul, and in the surrounding area are the ruins of the ancient port of Apollonia. In Pogradec, the neo-Byzantine Church of the Resurrection, the snow-white mosque and the ruins of the citadel are worthy of attention, in Gjirokastra - a powerful fort with a weapons museum and the Palorto quarter with colorful buildings, and in Korça - the Museum of Education in the building of the first Albanian school.

Holidays and Events

Albanians celebrate the New Year with the whole world on January 1-2: textbook fireworks, parties and feasts - everything as it should be. On these same dates, Kalendra falls - the symbolic turn of winter: once in his honor round loaves were baked and all misfortunes were “burned” in ritual bonfires. Catholic Christmas on December 25th is also considered national holidays: kids are waiting for gifts, the air is filled with anticipation of a miracle.

January 11 is Republic Day, proclaimed after the expulsion of the Germans by the forces of the National Liberation Army. October 19 is Mother Teresa's Day: it was then that the legendary native of Albania was beatified. November 28 is Flag Day: red, like the blood of patriots, with a black double-headed eagle in the middle. And on November 29, the country celebrates liberation from fascist troops.

On December 5-6, St. Nicholas of the Winter is honored: during the day one must fast, so the feast with the obligatory roast lamb begins late at night.

Muslim and Christian holidays are celebrated in Albania: Navruz, Kurban Bayram, Eid al-Adha, Good Friday, Easter, Orthodox Christmas. Cultural and sporting events take place several times a year: in Tirana there are opera and jazz festivals, in Gjirokaster, once every five years, there is a folklore festival with concerts, fairs and dance shows, and in mountainous areas- a large-scale rock climbing festival.

Name of the Republic of Albania. country comes from the Illyrian olba - “village”.

Capital of the Republic of Albania. Tirana.

Republic of Albania Square. 28748 km2.

Population of Albania. 2.901 million people (

Albania GDP. $13.37 mlr. (

Location of the Republic of Albania

The state is located in the southeast, in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. In the north and north-west it borders with and, in the east - with, in the south - with. From the west it is washed by waters, from the southwest -.

Administrative division Republic of Albania. It is divided into 36 districts (reti) and the capital district.

Form of government of the Republic of Albania. Parliamentary republic.

Head of State of the Republic of Albania. The President is elected by the People's Assembly for a term of 5 years.
The highest legislative body. Kuvend (People's Assembly), term of office - 4 years.

The highest executive body of the Republic of Albania. Council of Ministers.

Major cities of the Republic of Albania. Durres, Elbasan, Korca.

Official language of the Republic of Albania. Albanian.

Religion of the Republic of Albania. 70% are Muslims, 20% are Orthodox, 10% are .

Ethnic composition of the Republic of Albania. 96% are Albanians, 3% are Greeks.

Currency of Albania. Lek = 100 kintaram.

Climate of the Republic of Albania. , with dry hot summers (+ 24-25°C) and mild rainy winters (+ 9°C). Snow falls in the mountains in winter. amount to over 1000 mm per year.

Flora of the Republic of Albania. Most of the country is forested and mountainous. Evergreen shrubs, oak, chestnut, beech, pine and spruce grow here. In the area above 2000 m - .

Fauna of the Republic of Albania. Animal world quite poor. In sparsely populated areas there are wolves, jackals, wild boars, and mountain eagles; There are many waterfowl in coastal areas.

There are countries that many people have heard of, but know little accurate information about them. However, this makes these states no less interesting for us. Among the list of similar countries where Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, etc. are located, you can choose a wonderful place to relax.

Albania is a small country, located not as far from us as it might seem. It attracts with its originality and lack of total popularization. I am glad that at least small parts of the map of the civilized world remain attractive from the educational side.

In our article we will look at where Albania is located, we will provide those geographical data that will become interesting and useful if you intend to spend your holiday there.

Geographical position

Let's start with what is small European state, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. Taking a more global view, this is the southeastern part of Europe. It will also help to more clearly imagine where Albania is located, a photo of a map of Europe.

The state borders on the eastern and northern sides with Montenegro and Serbia. Albania's neighbor to the east is Macedonia, and to the south and southeast is Greece.

The western outskirts of the country are the sea shores. So, Albania is washed in the west, and a little to the south by the Ionian. Together, the coastline of the state totals 472 km.

Italy is located across the strait called Otranto. The width of this strait is 75 km.

The area of ​​the country is 28 thousand km. sq. Looking at the map, we will see that Albania stretches from north to south. The length in this direction is 345 km. From west to east it extends over a distance of 145 (the widest part) to 80 (the narrowest part) km.

A little history

So, we already know exactly where Albania is. It continues to interest us, so let’s touch on the basic historical data.

The first peoples to inhabit the territory of the country were the Illyrians. Greek explorers in the 2nd century AD. e. they called them Albanians, and this became the prerequisite for the current name. At the same time, the local residents themselves called themselves differently - Arbers, and the country, accordingly, "Arber".

Conquests and surviving identity

The territories of Albania were conquered many times by both neighboring and distant countries. There were Romans, Turks, and Slavs here. However, even after numerous ups and downs, the indigenous people managed to preserve their ethnic identity.

The most important forced change was the adoption of Islam at a time when the conquerors, namely the Turks, dominated the territory of Albania. Today this religion remains predominant.

Albania became an independent state before the First World War. Previously it was a republic, then it switched to a monarchy. After these stages, political control changed several times. Now, as we know, the republican system has been re-established here.

Natural features

We already know where Albania is located and important stages in the country’s history. But there are also luxurious ones here. natural resources. We will talk about the natural features of the territory in this information block.

According to the predominant forms of relief, Albania is a mountainous country. The rest of the area is occupied by alluvial and marshy plains. Within the country there are four physical-geographical regions, three of which are mountainous.

Mountains stretch from the northwest to the southeast: the North Albanian Alps (the most difficult region of the country, called locally cursed), mountain areas of calmer relief (for example, the Mirdita mountain plateau).

Along the coastal part of Albania there are narrow flat areas. But they are not exclusively flat surfaces: in some places their relief is broken by mountain ranges and hills. Local climatic conditions continue to actively influence the formation of the country's coastline.

The highest point of the country, Mount Korabit, is located in the eastern part, bordering Yugoslavia. The height above sea level of its peak is 2764 m. This area belongs to the area of ​​the Drin River.

The nature of the country contributes to the development of agriculture. The soils of the flat part are suitable for crop growing; cattle breeding is common in all areas.

Conclusion

So, we found out where the country of Albania is located. The region where it is located on the map is in the southeastern part of Europe. The peculiarity of this state is its long history, consisting of many conquests. At the same time, the local population managed to preserve their traditions and recognizable Balkan identity. The global change affected only faith - after the seizure of territories by the Turks, Islam began to predominate.

Its favorable location (wide access to the sea, economically advantageous neighborhood) makes Albania a promising country. Beautiful nature pleases tourists, and favorable climatic conditions support local agriculture.

I would like to hope that after reading the article there will be no questions regarding basic information about the wonderful called Albania. You can easily find out where this state is located by studying the map of Europe.