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National Geographic: Why the Albanian Riviera is perfect for a road trip

2025-07-06 18:45:00, Trending CNA

The renowned American magazine 'National Geographic', in its tourism section, has dedicated an article to the Albanian Riviera. The article focuses on a type of tourism that has become quite popular recently, that of the road trip.

Here's what National Geographic writes about Albania:

Stretching along the southwestern flank of the country, from the city of Vlora in the north to Ksamil, the Albanian Riviera has been billed as the Maldives of Europe. It’s true that countless white-sand beaches dot a coastline of dazzling blue waters, from crowded areas to modern resorts to secluded coves. But the Riviera is more than just the sea, there are traditional villages clinging to hillsides covered in centuries-old olive groves and ancient ruins, along with remnants of the country’s communist past.

Getting to the area is now easier than ever thanks to an ever-increasing number of direct flights connecting the UK with Albania’s capital, Tirana, a two-hour journey from Vlora. You can then head south along SH8, the Riviera’s main coastal road, keeping the sparkling Ionian Sea in your peripheral vision almost the entire way . The region’s highlights can be explored in a weekend, but stay longer to discover more of its archaeological treasures and spend quiet afternoons relaxing on its lesser-known beaches.

Day 1: History and hidden places on the hill

Breakfast: Start in Vlora, Albania’s third-largest city and the birthplace of the modern nation. In Flag Square, the Independence Monument stands next to the spot where the Albanian flag was first raised in 1912, marking the end of centuries of Ottoman rule. To learn more, head down Ismail Qemali Boulevard, named after Albania’s first prime minister, to the National Museum of Independence, which traces the events and key players behind the country’s self-rule.

Then, head five miles south along the coast, past the point where the seas change from Adriatic to Ionian, for lunch at the Fishing Center in the village of Radhimë. Choose from freshly caught fish at the market stall at the entrance to the shop and enjoy it overlooking the small harbor.

Afternoon: Hike after lunch in Llogara National Park, an hour’s drive south of Vlora. The Caesar’s Pass Trail starts outside the Sofo Llogara Hotel and follows the route Julius Caesar is said to have taken in pursuit of Pompey, a Roman general and Caesar’s sworn rival. The half-hour climb winds through pine forest, culminating in a platform with views over the Bay of Vlora.

The road that emerges from the mountains offers the first glimpse of the beaches, but resist their temptation and continue towards the bay of Porto Palermo. A fortress, built in 1804 by the Ottoman ruler Ali Pasha, guards the entrance to the bay’s natural harbor. Tours take you through dark passages and chambers, including a frighteningly dark prison.

Evening: Continue south for a stroll along the lamp-lit promenade between the bright bars and pebble beach of the village of Qeparo Fushë. The Sunset Boulevard cocktail bar mixes incredible mojitos with local lemonade and is a great place to watch the sun set over the Greek island of Corfu, which lies to the west of the Albanian coast.

A short drive through the hills takes you to the village of Qeparo Fshat, which represents a more traditional way of life. After the fall of communism, it shrank, but its heart remains intact.

Day 2: Head straight to the water

Breakfast: After a breakfast of fluffy pancakes and Turkish coffee, wander the steep alleys of Qeparo. Many of the dilapidated houses are being rebuilt using materials salvaged from other abandoned properties, to preserve the village’s original aesthetic. The alleys lead to panoramic views, overlooking the coast or mountain valleys.

Return to SH8, hugging the hillsides above the sea, before turning onto an unpaved path (just before the 'Lukove' road sign) that leads to Bunec Beach. The gentle waters here are ideal for diving from the stone pier, or exploring by kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

Afternoon: Follow the path along Bunec all the way south for a lunch of grilled sea bass under the thatched roof of Nikolas Tavern. Then, head away from the coast to the source of the Blue Eye. It rises from the depths below the Bistrica River, creating a dark, iris-like pool within the blue-green of the shallower surroundings. Once, only former dictator Enver Hoxha and high-ranking Communist Party officials were allowed to visit, but it is now one of Albania’s most popular sites. A 20-minute walk from the car park leads to an observation platform that offers the best views down into the abyss. Swimming in the Blue Eye is not permitted, but you can brave the cold river just a short walk downstream.

Mbrëmja: Kthehuni drejt bregdetit, duke u drejtuar për në Liqenin e Butrintit. Ujërat e tij të cekëta dhe të kripura janë perfekte për rritjen e midhjeve, dhe fermeri Soraldo Nebo organizon ture me varkë për të demonstruar se si janë mbledhur butakët këtu për shekuj. Më pas, shikojeni atë duke përgatitur molusqet, të ziera në avull në një lëng hudhre, ose të kripura dhe të pjekura në skarë , dhe duke i vënë disa në provë, të shoqëruara me një gotë verë të bardhë shqiptare.

Përjetojeni ditën, gjysmë ore larg me makinë, në plazhin privat të resortit Kep Merli, të fshehur në periferi të fshatit të zhurmshëm të Ksamilit. Lejohet vetëm një numër i kufizuar vizitorësh ditorë në barin e plazhit, rezervoni paraprakisht për të shijuar kokteje duke u relaksuar në rërën më të butë të Rivierës.

National Geographic: Why the Albanian Riviera is perfect for a road trip

Tre vende arkeologjike për t'u vizituar

Orikumi

Në rrugën për në Orikum, në skajin jugor të Gjirit të Vlorës, ka pak gjëra që sugjerojnë se një vend historik ndodhet pak përpara. Fragmente bunkerësh të epokës komuniste grumbullohen në anë të rrugës, të ripërdorur si mbrojtje bregdetare, kuajt kullosin pranë kazermave të braktisura. Por kjo harrohet shpejt ndërsa kthehesh në park, dikur një port i rëndësishëm tregtar, ku perandoritë e njëpasnjëshme kanë lënë gjurmët e tyre që nga shekulli i gjashtë. Blloqet e rrënuara të një porti helenistik zhyten në lagunë, të mbështetura nga mure perimetrale të përforcuara gjatë epokës bizantine. Shtigjet në kodër lidhin shtëpitë romake me një teatër grek. Edhe Jul Cezari ishte këtu në vitin 48 p.e.s., duke mbikëqyrur postin gjatë fushatës së tij të luftës civile kundër Pompeut.

Finiqi

Duke zënë një pozicion në majë të kodrës pranë qytetit të Sarandës, me pamje nga luginat dhe fushat përreth, Finiq ishte një qendër e madhe e mbretërisë së lashtë greke të Epirit. Ka më pak vizitorë sesa parqet e tjera arkeologjike në zonë, por është i bekuar me bukuri natyrore, me një shtresë lulesh të egra që çelin të verdhë, rozë, të bardhë dhe blu midis blloqeve të lashta. Një teatër helenistik i lakuar ndodhet brenda një palosjeje të kodrës, dikur i pozicionuar në mënyrë perfekte akustike; sot, ai bën jehonë tingullit të kambanave të dhive nëpër lugina. Në kontrast me mbetjet e antikitetit, një kompleks i vogël bunkerësh të epokës komuniste, të lidhur nga një rrjet tunelesh, krijon një përleshje interesante nëntokësore.

Butrinti

Over 2,500 years of history lie in this ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the southern end of the Riviera. As with Orikum, invading empires built on what had come before, creating a mix of cultures and styles. Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian buildings are all scattered within the great limestone enclosing walls, with more being discovered every year. At its height, up to 16,000 people lived here, using Roman baths, a forum and a nymphaeum. Most impressive are the remains of the Roman aqueduct, which once stretched far beyond Lake Butrint, bringing spring water from the distant hills.