Nature of Albania

nature is one of the powerful reasons to choose Albania for a holiday trip. Its interesting landscapes resemble a rainbow range of colours, with hues representing beaches, canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, mountains and lakes.

Nature of AlbaniaAlbanian Mountains

Other destinations such as Slovenia , Ireland , Italy or Romania are better known but at the same time tourism has exposed them to too much attention. Albania remains one of the last “undiscovered countries of Europe” and the perfect place to visit natural landscapes barely touched by humans.

Outdoor activities

Albania welcomes lovers of ornithology, camping, stargazing, climbing, caving, mountain biking, diving, fishing, paragliding, rafting , kayaking or sailing

The best time to visit Albania’s national parks is usually in summer. Although it can be quite hot during the day, this is the time of year with the most sunshine and the least rainfall. If you want to visit some of Albania’s amazing hiking trails, it’s best to do so in the morning to avoid the heat and to do so in less crowded conditions. Some of the mountain parks such as Theth and the Valbonë Valley are great options in both spring and autumn. Spring and the thaw bring water-filled waterfalls, wild rivers and wildflowers. Autumn, on the other hand, is an explosion of colour that attracts photographers from all over the world.

COAST

Albania’s coastline is divided into a strip washed by the Adriatic Sea and another by the Ionian Sea. The coastline is …km long, with a large concentration of beaches in the south in what is known as the Albanian Riviera.

ALBANESE RIVIERA ALBANESA – BEACHES

The most picturesque natural place to see in Albania is the beautiful Albanian Riviera . True, it is the most famous and crowded part of the country, but it has many secret spots barely touched by tourism. This beach resort area starts after the Llogara mountain pass and ends at Ksamil , a fabulous beach near the town of Saranda . The Riviera not only offers bathing spots such as Drymades, Borsh, Jale, Gjipe , but we can also combine it with a visit to villages such as Dhermi, Qeparo or Vuno

Nature of AlbaniaDhermi beach in Albania

MOUNTAINS – ALBANIAN ALPS

Although it is a rather small country, Albania is crossed by several different mountain ranges, such as the Albanian Alps , the Pindus Mountains and the Skanderbeg Mountains. In addition, you will also find extraordinary lakes, wild rivers, extensive wetlands and forested valleys.

Albania is home to some of the highest peaks of the Balkan Mountains. The Alpine range extends here with the so-called Albanian Alps, whose peaks exceed two thousand metres. The villages in picturesque valleys and the traditional atmosphere make the Albanian mountains a must for all nature lovers. Many mountaineers, mountaineers and climbers find Albania one of the best destinations for trekking.

LAKES, WATERFALLS AND RIVERS

Albania does not live by salt water alone; the lakes are another attraction for bathing in calm and tranquil waters. In the north, Lake Skadar is shared with Montenegro (the largest lake in southern Europe), while to the east the lakes of Ohrid and Prespa mark the border with the neighbouring Republic of North Macedonia.Both holidaymakers and different species of birds flock to the lakes, making it a perfect option to combine with the mountain trails in the Albanian hinterland. The ferry trip on the Koman lake is one of the best activities to enjoy the Albanian nature.

Albania is known for its rich water resources. Here you will find beautiful crystal clear rivers flowing between impressive mountains, turquoise blue waters such as the Vjosa River, or mesmerising waterfalls in spring, such as Grunas . The contrast to the cold waters of the springs known as Blue Eye, are the Banjat Hot Springs in the area of Benjë Novoselë .

Blue Eye

Blue eyes” are springs from which fresh water flows. Although there are several in Albania, the most famous one is near the village of Theth . It is so deep and with such a powerful jet of water that no one has ever been able to measure the exact depth.

Nature of AlbaniaBlue Eye of Theth

Natural Parks

Some of Albania’s national parks are known far beyond the country’s borders, attracting adventurers who have heard of Llogara, Theth and Butrint (UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Albania’s network of national parks currently consists of fifteen protected areas that are home to lakes, waterfalls, mountains, lagoons and other natural treasures.

1.Butrint National Park

2. Dajti National Park

3. Divjaka National Park

4. Gjocaj Grit National Park

5. Drenova Fir National Park

6. Llogara National Park

7. Lura National Park

8. Hethi National Park

9. Shebenik National Park – Jabllica

10. Prespa National Park

11. Shtama Pass National Park

12. The Fir of Hotova National Park

13. Tomori Mountains National Park

14. Valbona Valley National Park

15. Karaburun-Sazan Maritime National Park

NAME PARK AREA DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park

Parku Kombëtar Detar Karaburun-Sazan 12,570.82 hectares2010Butrint National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Butrintit 9,424.4 hectares1966Llogara National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Llogarasë 1,010 hectares1966Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park

Parku Kombëtar Shebenik-Jabllanicë 33,927.7 hectares2008Prespa National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Prespës 27,750 hectares1999Divjakë-Karavasta National Park

Parku Kombëtar Divjakë-Karavasta 22,230 ha2007Theth National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Thethit 2,630 ha1966Valbonë Valley National Park

Parku Kombëtar Lugina e Valbonës 8,000 ha1996Tomorr National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Tomorrit 26,106 ha1996Montaña Lurë-Dejës National Park

Parku Kombëtar Lurë-Mali i Dejës 20,242 ha1966Dajti National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Dajtit 29,384.18 hectares1966Fir of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park

Parku Kombërar Bredhi i Hotovës 34,361.1 hectares2008Shtamë Pass National Park

Parku Kombëtar i Qafë Shtamës 2,000 ha1996Fir of Drenovë National Park

Parku Kombëtar Bredhi i Drenovës 1,380 hectares1966

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