Tour Guide, Sarande, Albania
| 3 mins read
Albania is a small country, only 28.748 km2, but with a very rich history, beautiful places, and very welcoming people (Our house belongs to God and the guest).
Breathtaking Alps: Albania's territory is more than 70% mountains, perfect for those who love skiing, hiking, and trekking. The highest peak is Korabi, 2764 m above sea level.
In terms of water, the second country in Europe, Albania, has an exit to the Mediterranean Sea through the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, with a coastline of 450 km.
Many rivers and gorgeous canyons are perfect for rafting and kayaking.
The last wild river in Europe is the Vjosa River.
Among many lakes, two of them, Ohrid and Scadar, are the largest and deepest in the Balkan.
The natural resources of Albania include coal, bauxite, petroleum, natural gas, copper, iron ore, chromite, and nickel.
Albania has a rich and ancient history dating from the middle Paleolithic ages.
Many important archaeological sites, like Butrint, are protected by UNESCO.
Apolonia, where the Roman emperor Augustus studied philosophy and oratory.
Antigonea, Adrianopoli, Bylys, Foinike, Amantia, Dyrahium Epidamus, etc.
A unique language spoken only by Albanians, a rare branch of Indo-European language with two strong dialects, geg and tosk, and more.
The amphitheatre of Durres, built in the second century AD, has a maximum capacity of 20 thousand spectators and was the second largest in the Balkans.
A country where the harmony of religions is perfect. Five of them are official in Albania. The country that counts the highest number of Byzantium churches in the world.
Two rare codexes among 7 in the world dating back from the 6th and 9th centuries A.D., protected by UNESCO. "Codex Purpureus Beratinus"; "Codex Aureus Anthimi".
Butrint-Gjirokaster-Berat-Ohrid Lake is protected by UNESCO.
Isopolifonik music is protected by UNESCO too.
Xhubleta is an undulating, bell-shaped folk skirt worn by Albanian women, which is protected by UNESCO too.
Çiftelia is a plucked string instrument with only two strings, played mainly by the Albanians of the north.
In Albania, you will taste amazing traditional foods (fergesa, byrek, speca te mbushur, tave kosi, patellxhane imambajalldi, qengj ne hell, sarma, buke misri, bakllava, etc.). You should absolutely try before you leave the country.
The cities you absolutely should visit when you are for the first time are Berat, Gjirokster, Butrint, Komani Lake, Valbona Valley, Korça, and Shkodra.
Albania has more than 100 castles, but among them, the largest are the castles of Gjirokastra and Shkodra.
Albania has beautiful sand and rocky beaches.
In the Albanian Riviera, there are many authentic small villages full of history, traditions, art, culture, good food, and very beautiful beaches. You might visit Dhermi, Jale, Vuno, Qeparo, Lukove, etc.
For those who love nature, Albania is rich in natural parks. Highlights are Llogara, Divjake, Valbona, Thethi, Dajti, Karavasta, etc.
Mother Theresa was of Albanian heritage.
6 of the Vatican Popes were of Albanian heritage.
The national hero of Albania is Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeg.
Some very important figures with Albanian heritage made contributions all around the world in different fields and different periods. King Faruk and Muhammad Ali (founders of modern Egypt), the Durazzo families, Alexander the Great (Ilirian heritage), Aleksander Moisi, etc.
Well-known famous people nowadays include Murat Ferit (a Nobel laureate in medicine), Fadil Berisha (a photographer), Inva Mula, Ermonela Jaho (sopranos), Klejdi Kadiu, Ambeta Toromani (ballet dancers), and James Belushi (an actor). Lorik Cana (football player), Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha (singers), Nik Xhelili (actor), and many others.
Come to discover more and more!