Coastal Albania

Coastal Albania is a region of Albania along the western lowland and the southern coast bordering both the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea.

Cities

From north to south:

• 1 Shkodër — the biggest town in Northern Albania along Skadar Lake. The Rozafa Castle is a major tourist attraction here.
• 2 Koplik — mountainous landscapes over Lake Skadar
• 3 Velipoja — coastal village with a curative sand shore and excellent bathing waters. The beach is long and wide, and a lot of hotels offer nice rooms.
• 4 Shengjin — seaside resort and port town northwest of Lezhe, known for its curative beach sands, and "Rana e Hedhun" beach dune. The area also includes Kune-Vain-Tale Lagoon area and its beaches.
• 5 Lezhe — a small city home to Skanderbeg's Tomb, panoramic Lezhe Castle, historic Mirdita and Zadrima regions, and several renovated churches
• 6 Shijak — it is well known for its Bosnian restaurants where you can enjoy a mix of the Albanian cuisine with the Bosnian and Mediterranean ones.
• 7 Durrës — one of the oldest cities in Albania. It has the largest amphitheater in the Balkans. It is the largest port of Albania and has the longest shoreline. Newly explored beaches include Bishti i Pallës, Gjiri i Lalzit, Spille, and Plazhi i Gjeneralit
• 8 Golem — coastal town in Tirana County about 20 km south of Durrës that is nevertheless a well-known ski area
• 9 Kavaje — Kavaje was established as a fortress town by the Illyrian tribe of Taulantii in the first centuries BCE, and later would establish itself as a transit route for Via Egnatia. Ruins of Via Egnatia are still visible in the eastern part of Kavajë.
• 10 Fier — about eight miles outside the modern city of Fier are the early Greek and Roman ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia. Much of this ancient city still remains buried under the hills.
• 11 Vlorë — lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here.
• 12 Sarandë — a city in southern Albania passed the Albanian Riviera known for its unforgettable beaches, and colorful spring blooms.
• 13 Milot - Milot is a town and a former municipality in the Lezhë County of northwestern Albania.
• 14 Vau i Dejës - Vau i Dejës has just about everything, calming lake panoramas, idyllic bucolic landscapes reminiscent of another time, fascinating culture, history, places of worship as well as contemporary and delicious food.

Other destinations

From north to south:

• Skadar Lake — shared between Albania and Montenegro featuring small fishing villages such as Zogaj and Shiroke
• Divjaka-Karavasta Lagoon National Park — (a detour toward west about halfway on Durres-Fier highway, right at Divjaka village) incorporating the Ramsar List protected Karavasta Lagoon and the Divjaka Pines.
• Llogara National Park — amid rich fauna in the area of Llogara Pass, it can be used for hiking and as an alpine retreat.
• Narta Lagoon — (NW 5 km from Vlore) along the picturesque A2 motorway linking Fier with Vlore, and nearby Pishe Poro region along the Vjosa River flow towards the Adriatic Sea
• Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park — (W 10 km from Vlore) the only marine park in the country, the park encompasses the surrounding coastal area of Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island. From mountain drops to the sea, ruins of ancient ships, secluded beaches, caves to spectacular coral reefs, this park is worth a sail or dive.
• Bylis — second largest archaeological site from Roman era in Albania
• Bregu — also known as the 1 Albanian Riviera along the Ionian Sea
  • Dhërmi — in the Albanian Riviera is one of the finest of many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, perfect for camping
  • Vuno — small village a few kilometres north to the town of Himarë and part of the Albanian Riviera
  • Lukove — part of the Albanian Riviera
• Butrint — Largest archaeological site from Greek and Roman era in Albania. It lies on the coast in the southernmost tip of the country, near the Greek border. Minibuses are available from Saranda.

Understand

The coast between Velipoje and Shengjin in the north is characterized by curative sand beaches, and a few lagoons near Lezhe perfect for bird-watching. Between Durres and Vlore in Central Albania, the coast is characterized by long stretches of sandy beaches and several lagoons. Along the Albanian Riviera in the south, the coast is mostly rocky with either long or secluded shingle and sandy beaches, with the presence of several islands like Sazan, Zvernec, Ksamil, and Tongo. The total coastline of Albania is about 476 km long.

Get in

From Tirana, many furgons (private minibuses) a day depart to Shkodër, Durres, Fier and other coastal towns.

Get around

The roadways along the beach are mostly new and in good condition. Velipoja, Shengjin, Durres, Golem, Vlora, Divjaka, "Bregu" and Saranda, all are connected very well with the national roadway.

"Rruga e Bregut" or SH8 is the roadway from Fier to Saranda. Alternatively, you can avoid the old SH8 stretch between Fier and Vlore by taking the A2 motorway featuring olive groves and the protected Narta Lagoon. Towards Llogora Pass the view is amazing, and this is one of the most picturesque roads in the Balkans. To avoid the coastal road altogether, you can take the SH4 between Fier, Tepelene and Gjirokaster on to Saranda through the SH78 or Muzina Pass.

The SH4 road between Durres and Kavaja has been widened to dual carriageway and it's up to par with the rest of the motorway. It is a bit crowded in summer, so be careful.

See

• Golem Beach. One of the biggest beaches in Albania. The touristic center for the tourists from Kosovo and Macedonia. Full of hotels and bars, but the cleanliness of the beach and water is lower than in the southern beaches like Vlora, Dhermi, Qeparo or Saranda, or northern beaches like Velipoje and Shengjin. 
• Velipoja. The touristic center of Shkodër and Northern Albania in general. The beach is long and wide, and a lot of hotels offer nice rooms. However, the beaches are crowded in August. If you prefer quiter beaches, you should go to Southern Albania 
• Vlora. The biggest touristic city in Southern Albania. The beaches after "Uji i Ftohte" south of the city are the most preferred, as the water and beach are cleaner. Vlora is full of hotels and restaurants, where you can find great sea products. Very preferred from families as well as young people, even teenagers. 
• Lushnje. Visit the Historical Museum of Lushnje showcasing various exhibits including those on the famous Congress of Lushnje that proclaimed Tirana capital of Albania. 
• Lezhe Castle
• Zvernec Monastery in Zvernec Island near Vlore
• Bashtova Castle near Kavaja
• Franz Joseph Island near Velipoja
• Scanderbeg Castle, Ishem Castle and Shen Ndout Church near Lalzi Bay north of Durres.

Do

• Camping. All along the Albanian coast, there exist camping facilities at or nearby the coast.
• If you prefer active holidays, there is a great way to discover the Albanian coastline; try to paddle along the beautiful Ionian sea. This tour will let you explore some secluded beaches and caves that you can access only through water Paddling along the Ionian sea.
• You can also choose a day sea-kayaking trip in the Adriatic sea from Gjiri i Lalsit to Kepi Rodonit.
• Of course, bird-watching along lagoons and tasting delicious seafood goes without saying

Eat

• Local specialties such as fresh fish, wild birds, roasted lamb, burek, and delicious dairy products.

Go next

• Bari, Italy
• Ancona, Italy