The best day trip I took in Albania was to the town of Berat. Old Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It consists of a village built into a medieval castle, and two lower towns, Mangalemi and Gorica, separated by a river. I was only able to visit the castle district due to a small detour involving coffee, but it was well worth it.
The castle district of the city of Berat, Albania, is known for its white stone homes and Byzantine churches. I was able to visit most of the churches, some of them with the help of my new Albanian friend, Dino.
Berat was the highlight of my trip to Albania. It’s a beautiful old city with three main districts – Mangalemi, Gorica, and a castle district above Mangalemi. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Because of unexpectedIy making some new friends, I was only able to visit the castle. The main draw of the castle is the Byzantine churches and white stone homes.
While the city of Shkodër, Albania, itself is a nice place to visit, there are plenty of things to do nearby. They include Rozafa Castle, Mes Bridge, and Lake Shkodër.
While the city of Shkodër, Albania, itself is a nice place to visit, there are plenty of things to do nearby. They include Rozafa Castle, Mes Bridge, and Lake Shkodër.
I found Shkodër, Albania, to be a nice surprise. I was expecting a smaller version of Tirana, but instead this city near the border of Montenegro was clean and relaxed with a pedestrian street lined with pubs, cafes and shops. It had a few interesting places to see, both in the city center and just outside the city.
Set strikingly on the side of a tall mountain is Krujë, the scene of Albania’s national moment of glory. It was here that the legend of Albanian hero Gjergj Kastrioti, aka Skënderbej, was born.
After wandering around the city center and seeing some of the Ottoman and modern sights in Tirana, it was time to head south of the Lanë River and check out Enver Hoxha’s old haunts and the once-forbidden Blloku area.