Albanian Coast


Albanian coast is one of the most attractive parts of tourism and sport in Albania. It has an extension of about 450 km and is generally clean.

The largest part of the coast is bathed by the Adriatic Sea. Along the entire coast, shallow beaches offer relaxation to the people and are well preferred by the community. In the northern part of Adriatic, the main beaches are those of Velipoja and Shen Gjini, which are targets especially by people of northern Albania.
The biggest, most important and frequented beach is that of Durres and Golem lying adjacent to one other.

Other beaches are those of Karpen and Spillenja in the area of Kavaja which are at the first steps of tourism developing processes: Divjaka in Lushnja area known for its eco- system, Seman in Fier, Old Beach of Vlora, which are well-known for the high quality of the sand.

Here there is a range of lagoons, the most important is Karavasta, declared a National Park. It is the furthest point of western nesting of Curl Pelican (pelicanus crispus). This lagoon is under the RAMSAR protection.

From the Bay of Vlora to the cape of Stillo at the border with Greece extends the Ionian coast, a rocky coast dotted with inspiring landscapes and small gritty beaches.

The Ionian coast provides a range of possibilities for diving activities. Its main beaches are Palasa, Dhermi, Jali, Spilea , Qeparoi, Himara, Saranda, Ksamili etc.

The Albanian coast offers possibilities for exercising a wide range of sport activities such as swimming, sailing by boats, strolls by motor - boats, diving etc.
One of the most remarkable is beach volley. The Adriatic beach of Durres, Divjaka, Ionian coast and generally the entire Albanian coast offers all the possibilities for organizing international activities as Beach Volley.

Numerous possibilities for under-water diving exist also. Areas worth mentioning are the Cape of Rodon, Cape of Lagji around the Peninsula of Karaburun, the island of Sazan, beach of Dhermi etc, which have a rich flora and fauna, wrecked ships, corals as well as objects of archeological values.

The seaside offers numerous possibilities for fishing too which can be experienced at the: mouth of river Vjosa, Shkumbin, Drin, Mat, Buna and entire Albanian coast, Ionian and Adriatic. The fishing season in Albania lasts around the year.

Lakes


A great number of small and big lakes are widespread in the territory of Albania.
1. The most important center of tourism is the Lake of Ohrid, situated in the southeast part of the country. This is the deepest lake of the country and of the whole Balkan Peninsula, with a maximum depth of about 300m. The lake is home to a fish, called Alcoran (a kind of trout, unique in this lake).
Here is a range of tourism destinations such as Lin, Pojska and the city of Pogradec, Tushemisht as well as the karstic springs of Drilon. Lake Ohrid is a natural destination frequented not only by domestic tourists, who usually rent houses for their accommodation in the area of Tushemisht.

2. The lake of Shkodra is the biggest lake of the country and the Balkan Peninsula. From its total area of about 368km.2 only 149km.2 belong to Albania. In its tourism centers, such as Shiroka and Zogaj there are small restaurants that offer various specialties of lake’s fish (carp, luce, cod and eel)

3. The Lake of Prespa is situated in the southeastern part of the country. It is the highest tectonic lake of Balkan Peninsula and simultaneously the largest National Park of country with a surface of about 27.700 hectares. From its total surface of about 285 km2 only 38,8 km2 belong to Albania. Its coast is remarkable for the quiet and peaceful landscapes. The main beach is that of Zaroshka in the south of the Lake. In a small island called Mali Gradit there is an eremitic church. Many tourists who come in an organized way through different agencies specialized in tourism and eco-tours, visit this area.

4. In the inner party of the country there is a range of small icy lakes and karstic, from which worth mentioning are the 12 glacial lakes of Lura in the district of Dibra. They form a National Park famous for its attractive nature among numerous woodlands.
The lakeside areas offer possibilities to exercise sports like swimming, traveling by boat, fishing etc.
Also in the area of Lura, horse racing is a well-known activity as well. This activity is carried out in the traditional way at the Field of Mares.


Mountains


Albanian territory is abundant in mountains and hills, which constitute 2/3 of the country area. The most important destinations are Dajti, Llogaraja, Dardha, Bozdoveci, Voskopoja, Valbona and Thethi. These destinations offer natural possibilities to exercise numerous activities such as skiing, mountain climbing, trekking, cave exploration, mountain bikes etc.

Skiing is especially developed in the area of Korca, which is well known for its resort of skiing.
Worth mentioning are Shishtaveci in the area of Kukes, Dajti in Tirana, Gjinari in Elbasan, Tomori in Berat, Albanian Alps with Razma, Boga, Thethi etc.
The most significant places for developing mountain climbing and trekking are: the chains of Korabi and Lura in the area of Dibra, Maja e Hekurave and Kollata in the area of Tropoja, Vermoshi, Boga, Thethi and Razma in the area of Shkodra and Malesia e Madhe, Alps of Terbuni in the area of Puka, pass of Llogaraja in the area of Vlora etc.

All over the Albanian territory, from north to south you can visit different natural monuments of values, created by the calcareous strata and karstic processes like: stalactites, stalagmites, rural vellum etc.

Of interest to the tourist can be the many caves that are to be found in the mountainous areas such as: the cave of Jubani (area of Shkodra), the cave of Puci in the Albanian Alps, Pellumbasi in gorge of Skorana, Vali in Biza and the cave of Pirrogoshi in the area of Skrapari the largest in Albania etc.

A specific activity that can be exercised in the mountains is Mountain Bike. Mountain Bike “Tours” are carried out in the Albanian Alps such as Thethi, Boga etc.

Albanian nature offers possibilities for other sports and active holidays like aeronautics, which is connected with the very suitable topographic and natural conditions of Albania.

The most convenient point for practicing such a sport is Qafe Llogaraja in the area of Vlora where the wind direction is very favorable.

Horse racing is a further attraction that Albanian nature offers. This old traditional activity can be enjoyed by everybody in all such resorts spread through Albania.