Visit Sarandë

Visit Vlorë, a coastal city in Albania known for its historical significance and Mediterranean charm. Explore the Independence Monument (commemorating Albania's 1912 declaration of independence), stroll along the promenade with views of the Adriatic Sea, and visit the Ethnographic Museum (showcasing traditional Albanian culture and artifacts). Nearby, discover the ancient ruins of Apollonia (an archaeological site with a well-preserved theater and monastery) and enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants along the waterfront.

Visit Durrës, Albania's second-largest city and main port on the Adriatic Sea. Explore the Roman Amphitheatre (one of the largest in the Balkans, dating back to the 2nd century AD), see the Venetian Tower and Byzantine walls in the historic center, stroll along the Durrës Beach promenade, and visit the Archaeological Museum (housing artifacts from Illyrian, Greek, and Roman periods).

The town of a thousand windows: Ottoman houses stacked up a hillside below a still-inhabited castle.

Rozafa castle above the largest lake in the Balkans, the bicycle city and the gateway to the Albanian Alps.

The "museum without walls": grassy royal burial mounds, the Cheomseongdae observatory and Silla-dynasty treasures across the town.

Visit Tirana, the capital of Albania. Explore Skanderbeg Square (central hub with the National History Museum and Et'hem Bey Mosque), take the Dajti Ekspres cable car to Mount Dajti (offering panoramic views of the city and Adriatic Sea), and see the Pyramid of Tirana (former museum turned into a cultural center).

Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins in a lagoon-side forest: a theatre, baptistery mosaics and city walls.

Turquoise coves like Ksamil and Gjipe below the Llogara Pass — Mediterranean beaches at a fraction of the price.