Natural Wonders in Albania: 7 Must-See Places

Do you love discovering nature? Paddling through a gorge? Hiking through a pine-scented forest? Then Albania could be the dream destination for your next vacation.

In addition to great beaches and exciting cities, you can discover unique national parks and natural beauties all over the country on the Balkan Peninsula. There are countless destinations for hiking - we've selected the seven most beautiful and spectacular natural wonders that Albania has to offer.

They are scattered throughout the south, north, and almost all parts of the country. Depending on exactly where you want to spend your vacation, it makes sense to pick out your favorite natural beauty ahead of time and plan a tour there. After all, Albania is vast and you may need to plan for some travel time.

They are also known as the Prokletije, which translates to 'cursed mountains': The Albanian Alps are the most famous natural wonder and the largest mountain range in the country. The mountains stretch along the border between Albania and Montenegro and are part of the Dinaric Alps.

There you can discover a dreamlike landscape of peaks, valleys, lakes, and rivers. The highest mountain on the Albanian side is Jezerca at 2,694 meters. However, a hike on the rocky Jezerca is only recommended for experienced climbers. Especially in the summer months, the Albanian Alps are a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. But also numerous other activities draw travelers to the mountains every year: rafting, kayaking, and horseback riding, for example.

Large parts of the Prokletije are still very untouched by civilization, there are no big cities, but some villages where you can find restaurants and small hotels - and thus accommodations.

Popular excursion and hiking destinations are the villages of Theth and Valbona, Hrid Lake, the caves of Boga, and the 30-meter-high Grunas waterfall. In the Montenegrin area of the Alps and in Kosovo, there are also great destinations, such as the impressive Rugova Canyon, which you can explore on foot or by car.

Caesar is said to have once led his troops through this unique nature: Llogara National Park in the south of the country is a highlight for hikers. Large parts of the park, which lies in the Ceraunian Mountains, consist of pines, spruces, ashes, and firs. The wildlife is also diverse: wolves, foxes, martens, wildcats, deer, wild goats, and many bird species live there.

The hiking trails lead partly through shady forests. However, the park offers a lot of variety: You can go on short hikes as well as day tours there.

The trails offer views of the Albanian Riviera. From the so-called Caesar Pass, you can enjoy beautiful sunsets and descend to small bays and secluded sandy beaches such as Gjip Beach. So, if the weather is good, you should bring your swimwear. You can get an overview of the different tours at the park's visitor center.

The Llogara National Park is particularly easy to reach from the coastal city of Vlora, but there are also some hotels on site, such as Llogora Tourist Village, Hotel Restorant Alberti, or Llogara Hotel Uji i Panjes. If you like hiking, you can spend a few days in Llogara National Park, enjoy nature, and do several tours.

The Koman Reservoir can also be counted among Albania's natural wonders, even though it is man-made because the nature around it is a dream: The lake landscape with its high rock walls and narrow gorges - sometimes only 50 meters wide - is reminiscent of Norwegian fjords and is very popular with travelers.

The reservoir was created in the 1980s under the regime of dictator Enver Hoxha and served for power generation: A hydroelectric power plant was connected there, but its production has often been reduced in recent years due to water shortages.

Many people use the car ferries to explore the area. Smaller passenger boats also travel to villages that are further away and sometimes high above the lake. They can only be reached by boat. The landscape around the reservoir with its turquoise water and picturesque gorges is impressive.

One of Albania's most fascinating natural wonders is undoubtedly the mountain lake Syri i Kaltër, also called the 'Blue Eye'. Beneath the shimmering mountain lake, in all shades of blue and turquoise, an underground karst spring gushes unceasingly with great pressure crystal-clear and ice-cold water.

From a viewing platform, you have a stunning view of the 'Blue Eye'. If you're brave, try bathing in the mountain lake - but be careful, as the water is very cold. However, bathing in the spring bowl of the lake was banned in 2022.

The 'Blue Eye' is located in a protected landscape area in southern Albania, about an hour away from the port city of Sarande. You can combine a trip to the mountain lake with a visit to the old town of Gjirokastra, one of the country's most important sights and one of the most popular excursion destinations. A good time to visit Syri i Kaltër is in the spring or fall, as far fewer visitors come then.

Also worth a visit is Lake Ohrid, which lies on the border between Albania and North Macedonia. It is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, the second-largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula, and a natural World Heritage site.

Lake Ohrid is known for its crystal-clear water, diverse flora and fauna, and the pretty villages and towns nearby. You can enjoy nature and tranquility there and take a boat ride.

There are also some sightseeing highlights, such as Ohrid with its beautiful old town and an ancient amphitheater. The historic Radožda, the Monastery of St. Naum, and the so-called Bone Bay of Ohrid are also worth seeing.

From Albania's capital Tirana, you can take a bus to Lake Ohrid. The trip takes up to three hours. Keep in mind that you will likely cross the border into North Macedonia on your tour.

Another natural wonder can be found in southern Albania: the Vjosa River (also known as Aoos) is one of the last wild rivers in Europe and was designated a National Park in 2023. It originates in Greece and flows into the Adriatic in Albania.

What is so fascinating about the Vjosa? Apart from its immense significance as a unique ecosystem with rich wildlife, the river landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and a great area for a road trip, for example, on a tour from Greece to Albania. But you can also view the Vjosa Valley well from the city of Gjirokastra.

Again and again, you look into the mountains, the river valley, and at the river, which meanders wildly through the landscape. It is also fascinating to visit the Vjosa at different times of the year: Sometimes the river carries little water, sometimes it rushes as a roaring stream through the valley. The Vjosa Valley is also a great excursion destination for hiking, climbing, and rafting.

In the south of the country lies the imposing Osum Gorge, our seventh Albanian natural wonder. The 13-kilometer-long canyon with its cliffs up to 80 meters high invites you to go rafting and hiking. Since the rapids are not particularly turbulent, you can explore the gorge with a canoe without special prior knowledge and discover caves and waterfalls.

Canoeing and rafting are especially possible in spring when there is enough water in the riverbed. In summer, when the water level is low, you can hike right through the gorge. You may still have to swim through some narrow points. An alternative is a hike around the gorge.

The Osum Gorge is located near the town of Çorovodë in the Skrapar region. If you want to enjoy the view of the gorge and take spectacular photos, you can head to one of the viewing platforms. Some bridges near the gorge also offer a great view of the landscape.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations at bettercities.net.