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Moreover thrilling cities in Albania like Tirana, Dürres, and Saranda, there are additionally many pure locations on this comparatively undiscovered nation within the western Balkans.
As is the case in most different international locations worldwide, the nationwide parks in Albania demand and deserve the highlight.
A few of these Albania nationwide parks are recognized effectively past the nation’s borders, attracting adventurers from close to and much. Good examples are Llogara, Theth, and Butrint, the latter of which can be a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. There are, nevertheless, a dozen extra nationwide parks to discover in Albania.
Albania is an outdoorsy vacation spot, the place mountaineering, biking, wildlife watching, panorama pictures, and mountain climbing are extraordinarily common actions. Getting outside is without doubt one of the must-do issues to do in Albania. Its sheer pure magnificence—and selection—will undoubtedly shock you and make you rave about it to your family and friends again residence.
Though it’s a comparatively small nation, Albania is nestled on the shores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas; Albania is crossed by a number of completely different mountain ranges, such because the Albanian Alps, the Pindus Mountains, and the Skanderbeg Mountains. Moreover, you’ll additionally discover extraordinary lakes, wild rivers, expansive wetlands, and forested valleys.
Should you’re questioning what to do in Albania after exploring Tirana and the Albanian Riviera, a go to to at least one (or extra) of Albania’s nationwide parks is completely a good suggestion.
Under, you’ll discover a complete overview of all 15 Albania nationwide parks. You’ll discover that they’re cut up up between the 10 prime parks and 5 less-known alternate options. Learn on and decide a pair to make your Albania vacation a bit extra adventurous.
10 Biggest Albania National Parks: Superior Albania Points of interest For Out of doors Fans
Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park
A spread in elevation—from 300 to 2,200 meters above sea degree—in addition to in vegetation sorts, paired with a really distant location, makes Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park an outstanding park for wildlife watching.
In jap Albania’s distant mountains, close to the border with Macedonia, you may nonetheless discover many massive mammals that battle elsewhere. These embrace brown bears, Balkan lynx, grey wolves, and European otters. This park is a hiker’s paradise, that includes quite a few mountaineering trails of assorted difficulties. It’s significantly scenic within the fall when colourful foliage dominates the slopes and fringes of glacial lakes.
How To Get To Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park
Although it’s actually distant and rugged, the park lies solely about 90 kilometers east of Tirana. Due to gradual mountain roads towards the top, the drive does take about 2.5 hours, although.
For severe exploration, higher locations to base your self are the small villages that encompass the park. You’ll discover a number of of them on the SH3 freeway, which parallels the Shkumbin River.
Lodging Close to Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park Albania
- Resort & Espresso Bardhoshi – this 3-star lodge providing lodging close to the park supplies room service, free parking, and free WiFi.
Dajti National Park
In central Albania lies certainly one of Europe’s most accessible nationwide parks. Dajti National Park, typically additionally referred to as Dajti Mountain National Park, lies simply east of Tirana, Albania’s capital. In truth, it’s so near the town which you could get there by cable automobile, the Dajti Ekspress. This scenic experience takes about 15 minutes and covers 1 kilometer, the longest cable automobile experience within the Balkans.
Whereas the terminus of the cable automobile is a vacationer complicated full of eating places, some (un)fascinating actions, and even a few motels, the true treasure lies past. After having fun with the view of Tirana beneath, hit one of many trails that lead into the forest and hills.
How To Get To Dajti National Park
Essentially the most enjoyable method to get to Dajti is clearly the cable automobile. From the well-known Clock Tower at Skanderbeg Sq., there’s a bus to Teleferiku, after which it’s one other 5-minute stroll uphill. You too can take a taxi to the Dajti Ekspres drop-off level.
Alternatively, in the event you’d slightly maintain your toes firmly on the bottom, you may drive or cycle up Dajti Mountain, too.
Lodging Close to Dajti National Park Albania
- Resort Victoria Tirana is situated on the primary highway between the Tirana metropolis middle and the Dajti Ekspress. This well-rated lodge has a preferred restaurant and presents free WiFi, and incorporates a 70-seat convention middle.
- Resort Boutique Vila Verde – a preferred lodge within the Tirana metropolis middle with views of Dajti Mountain, a bar with terrace, free WiFi and parking, and well-equipped guestrooms.
Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
The biggest lagoon in Albania and one of many largest within the Mediterranean, the Karavasta Lagoon in western Albania is a crucial wetland, designated underneath the Ramsar Conference and the primary function of Divjakë-Karavasta National Park.
Its salt marshes, floodplains, estuaries, sand dunes, and coastal meadows host many wildlife. It’s an important refuge for waterbirds like pelicans and egrets.
How To Get To Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
From Tirana, it’s a 100-kilometer or 1.5-hour drive to Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, which lies on the Adriatic Coastline simply south of Dürres. From Dürres, it’s a fairly simple drive on the SH85 and SH57 highways. It could be greatest in the event you acquired there in round an hour.
Lodging Close to Divjakë-Karavasta National Park Albania
- Guesthouse Anila – a extremely rated lodge in Divjakë, this guesthouse presents each free parking and WiFi and a backyard with a terrace. It’s a stone’s throw from the nationwide park and its mountaineering and kayaking alternatives.
Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park
Positioned in Gjirokastër County within the nation’s southeastern nook, Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park is the most important nationwide park in Albania. The park’s identify is the hotova fir, a typical tree species overlaying most of its floor space. It’s one of the underrated pure locations within the nation, providing one thing to do for everybody in each season.
Though the fir dominates these forests, you’ll additionally discover different bushes like maples, oaks, and black juniper right here. Whereas comparatively accessible, it nonetheless encompasses some extremely wild landscapes inhabited by wildlife similar to wild boars, badgers, purple foxes, gray wolves, and even brown bears.
Well-liked actions embrace mountaineering and backpacking, and whitewater rafting in Langarica Canyon.
How To Get To Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park
The closest city is Përmet, which lies alongside the SH75 freeway, which connects to different highways. The closest main cities are on the coast—Vlore and Saranda—each a few 2.5-hour drive away.
Lodging Close to Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli National Park Albania
- Resort Permeti – situated within the city of Përmet, this 3-star lodge incorporates a bar, free WiFi, air-conditioned rooms with a non-public lavatory, and mountain views. You can begin your day with a continental breakfast.
Butrint National Park
Located lower than 20 kilometers south of Saranda in southern Albania, Butrint National Park is arguably the star of the present within the Albania nationwide parks system. A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, it’s residence to one of many biggest archaeological websites in Albania—within the Balkans even, for that matter.
The location accommodates ruins, buildings, and artifacts from the Iron Age to the Center Ages. A number of buildings survive right here, albeit often in ruins, together with a Roman theater, an historical baptistery, a big basilica, the town partitions, and two separate castles. Moreover, the traditional metropolis of Butrint lies in an surroundings of woodlands, waterways, and lakes of monumental ecological significance.
Butrint National Park encompasses Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel that connects the lake with the Ionian Sea. This technique of channels, rivers, lagoons, and lakes makes this an necessary space for birds. In truth, the wetland is internationally protected underneath the Ramsar Convection, an actual paradise for birds and birders alike.
One other a part of Butrint National Park is the rocky Ksamil Islands, that are solely reachable by boat. You probably have a ship at your disposal, a visit there may be extremely really helpful. You would possibly even spot dolphins!
How To Get To Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park is well accessible from the coastal metropolis of Saranda. It’s a 30-minute drive you probably have your personal car. Alternatively, you may as well get a taxi from Saranda to Butrint. Should you do this, you’re suggested to rearrange your return journey with the identical driver as discovering a taxi on the park generally is a problem.
You too can hop on the bus. There’s a direct bus route between the town and Butrint. A bus experience takes about 45 minutes.
Should you occur to be vacationing in Corfu, Greece, you may hop on the ferry to Saranda and get a bus or taxi to Butrint National Park. When touring between Greece and Albania, it’s necessary to know that you simply’ll cross into a unique time zone. Albania is GMT+1, whereas Greece is GMT+2.
Lodging Close to Butrint National Park Albania
- Resort Livia – housed in a good looking Albanian-style home, that is the closest lodge to the primary archaeological website in Butrint. It has a restaurant and free WiFi entry and air-conditioned rooms, and a lush backyard with panoramic views.
- Villa Splendid – situated simply steps from the seashore in Ksamil, Villa Splendid is a good base to discover Butrint National Park and its Ksamil Islands. Taxi boats wait simply down the highway to take you to the islands and their seafood eating places, whereas rooms include a flat-screen TV, a fridge, air-conditioning, and complimentary WiFi.
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
The one marine nationwide park in Albania, Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, protects an space of just about 2 kilometers into the ocean. You’ll discover this stunning coastal park close to Vlore within the southwest of the nation. It encompasses each the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, which is Albania’s largest island.
This distinctive park’s foremost options are underwater ruins of quite a lot of ships, courting from Greek and Roman occasions and from World Conflict II. There’s additionally plentiful marine life right here, together with corrals, three sea turtle species, and dolphins. Snorkeling and scuba diving are clearly common issues to do right here. On the peninsula, you could come throughout chamois, roe deer, otters, and wild boar.
How To Get To Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
The center of the Karaburun Peninsula lies solely 37.5 kilometers south of the town of Vlore, simply reached by automobile by way of the SH8 and SH95 highways. The small city of Orikum lies simply north of the park’s border, proper on the coast.
Lodging Close to Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park Albania
- With its beachfront location in Orikum, Resort Alba-Gert is a wonderful base for journeys into the nationwide park. The lodge boasts a restaurant, shared lounge space, backyard with terrace, and free WiFi. Personal boat excursions to the Karaburun Peninsula could be organized.
Llogara National Park
A park boasting an excellent selection in surroundings, from the sun-soaked Ionian Coastline to the Ceraunian Mountains’ peaks, Llogara National Park is an outstanding vacation spot for mountaineering in Albania. Whereas exploring the park’s trails, you’ll see vertical cliffs, pristine forests, and lovely alpine meadows. It’s a really sensational getaway from the busy Albanian Riviera beneath.
Named after the Llogara Cross, which splits the mountains right into a western and jap vary, the park presents beautiful coastal views. From the cross itself, you may look down onto the white seashores of the Ionian coast and the city of Dhermi. The cross has a parking zone and some eating places,
One other fascinating function of Llogara National Park is Caesar’s Cross, a mountain cross utilized by Julius Caesar himself to pursue his enemy Pompeii.
How To Get To Llogara National Park
Positioned between the most important coastal cities of Vlora and Saranda, Llogara National Park is reached by way of the SH8 coastal freeway. Llogara Cross lies on this highway, making it fantastically accessible from Dhermi, a seashore city slightly below the mountains.
The really helpful method to discover this area and drive certainly one of Albania’s most scenic roads is self-drive. Lease a automobile in a significant city and uncover the park at your personal tempo.
Lodging Close to Llogara National Park Albania
- Llogara Vacationer Village – located inside Llogara National Park, is good for exploring this wonderful pure surroundings. You need to use the free WiFi within the foyer, swim within the indoor pool or calm down in saunas or Turkish baths, and chill on the on-site restaurant and bar.
- Resort Hamiti Llogara – reasonably priced Llogara lodge within the nationwide park, with balconies and personal loos, a bar, and an in-house restaurant.
Lurë National Park
Comprising of the jap slope of Lura Mountain within the Albanian northeast, lengthy and slim Lurë National Park boasts a big selection in elevation. This leads to a number of completely different ecosystems and enormous biodiversity.
Its premier landscapes are twelve glacial lakes and dense forests, the latter consisting of European beech, silver fir, and varied pines. All lakes are named after their most attribute function. Good examples are the Huge Lake, Lake of Pines, Black Lake, and Lake of Flowers, which is roofed with stunning white water lilies in summer season.
How To Get To Lurë National Park
Its location within the distant northeast of Albania makes this one of the troublesome nationwide parks in Albania to get to. It’s removed from any main metropolis, requiring a number of hours of driving, typically on small roads.
The closest massive metropolis is Shkoder, a 4.5-hour drive away. Getting there from Tirana metropolis includes a equally lengthy drive. The closest village with motels and different services is Fushë Lurë, simply north of the park.
Lodging Close to Lurë National Park Albania
- LURA Resort – a great base to discover Lurë National Park, this lodge incorporates a shared lounge, bar, and restaurant, whereas all rooms have a balcony, some with mountain views.
Theth National Park
One of the vital well-known and exquisite nationwide parks in Albania, Theth National Park, lies within the coronary heart of the Albanian Alps, a veritable outside lover’s paradise. It lies in northern Albania, encompassing a lot of the great Shala Valley, and likewise options waterfalls, dense woodlands, jagged mountain peaks, rivers, and interesting rock formations. The park borders Valbona Valley National Park (see beneath) to the east.
A few villages dot the luxurious Shala Valley, offering completely excellent bases to discover this pure wonderland. Actions are assorted and thrilling, starting from mountain biking and mountain climbing to mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching.
Theth National Park is certainly one of Albania’s premier locations to see iconic animals within the wild. The park is residence to golden eagles, wild goats, and the most important lynx inhabitants in Albania. Moreover, massive mammals like brown bears and grey wolves additionally inhabit these mountains and forests, though they’re not often seen.
How To Get To Theth National Park
There is just one foremost highway into Theth National Park, the SH21, a aspect highway of the SH1 from Shkoder. So, that principally means you’ll have to get to Shkoder first. Utilizing public transportation, you may take a bus to Shkoder from Tirana after which a mini-bus into the park from there.
It’s attainable to drive your self, too, however it is best to know that the final part of the SH21 from Qafe e Terthores to Theth is extraordinarily winding, bumpy, and runs alongside a deep ravine. Guarantee you will have an honest rental automobile for this journey, and maintain your eyes on the highway.
Actual adventurers also can hike into Theth National Park from Valbona Valley National Park. The space from Valbona to Theth is barely 13 kilometers. The rugged terrain, nevertheless, makes it a hike of 6 to eight hours. This hike between two nationwide parks is without doubt one of the most epic Albania mountaineering trails you’ll discover.
Lodging Close to Theth National Park Albania
- Velezrit Guri – one of many many motels close to Theth National Park, Velezrit Guri has loads of facilities to make your go to snug, together with a sauna, on-site American restaurant, a small bar, and even ski storage services.
- Guesthouse Bujtina Kometa – a fundamental however reasonably priced place to remain close to Theth National Park, serving a continental breakfast and providing free WiFi and parking.
Valbonë Valley National Park
Located within the far north of Albania, bordering Montenegro to the north and Theth National Park to the west, Valbonë (or Valbona) Valley National Park is one other sensational vacation spot for Albanian Alps mountaineering journeys.
With its dramatic, barren summits and forested vales, glacial springs, and waterfalls, it’s a heavenly place for each people and animals. The park’s Gashi River is a part of the multi-unit UNESCO Primeval Beech Forests World Heritage Web site, which encompasses websites throughout Europe. In addition to floral range, Valbonë Valley can be residence to plenty of wildlife. This contains brown bears, lynx, chamois, gray wolves, wild goats, and numerous chook species.
Mountain climbing is the preferred factor to do right here. Different actions on supply embrace nature pictures, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and mountaineering. For households who love the outside, it’s the right place to convey youngsters for the afternoon.
How To Get To Valbonë Valley National Park
The village of Valbonë is the touristic point of interest on this beautiful park. As a result of it lies deep within the Accursed Mountains, nevertheless, getting right here takes some effort. Your first choice is to drive your self, which will likely be an extended and winding journey on a number of SH roads. The bottom line is to not rush it. Take your time and keep in mind that getting there may be half the enjoyable, particularly amid such beautiful surroundings.
Possibility quantity two is touring by mini-bus, arguably Albania’s hottest technique of transportation. Outlining an itinerary or schedule on-line is just about unattainable, although, as there isn’t a official system to this. Your greatest guess is the ask-around.
Lastly, as talked about above, you may as well hike between Theth and Valbonë Valley National Parks. That extraordinary 13-kilometer mountain trek takes between 6 and eight hours.
Lodging Close to Valbona Valley National Park Albania
- Resort Margjeka – a 3-star lodge within the coronary heart of the nationwide park, that includes free WiFi, a shared lounge, a backyard and terrace, a non-public lavatory.
- Guesthouse Kukaj – providing entry to a great deal of outside adventures, this guesthouse is common for its free WiFi and parking, and full English/Irish breakfast within the morning. Rooms have shared loos.
5 Different National Parks In Albania: Much less-Identified Alternate options To Discover
Fir Of Drenovë National Park
One of many smallest nationwide parks in Albania, Fir Of Drenovë National Park, consists of forests. Silver firs dominate these woodlands, therefore the park’s identify. Different options embrace the Lenies Lakes, quite a few pure springs, and rock formations, such because the Cave of Tren and the Stone of Capi.
Prespa National Park
Positioned on the border with Greece and Macedonia, Prespa National Park accommodates an enormous array of water options. Its wetlands, reed beds, meadows, salt marshes, and lakes make it a big space for birds. It’s included in worldwide preservation packages just like the European Inexperienced Belt, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Ramsar Convection.
Shtamë Cross National Park
Named after a stunning mountain cross, the highway between Kruja and Burrel, Shtamë Cross National Park is usually an undeveloped mountain panorama. Though there are some historic options, the primary attraction on this park is mountaineering and scenic driving.
Tomorr National Park
An enormous mountain in southern Albania, towering 2,416 meters above sea degree, Mount Tomorr is the centerpiece and namesake of Tomorr National Park. It’s residence to each an area Bektashi temple and winter sports activities services. It lies solely 25 kilometers east of Berat, one of many foremost Albania vacationer points of interest.
Zall-Gjoçaj National Park
Sharing a border with Lurë National Park, Zall-Gjoçaj National Park is a tiny nationwide park of fewer than 2 km2. But, it nonetheless homes alpine meadows, mountains, pristine forests, ravines, and lakes. Wildlife like lynx, wild boar, and wolves abounds right here.
Best Time To Go to Albania’s National Parks
For nationwide park adventures in Albania, summer season is often the perfect time. Though it may be fairly scorching throughout the day, that is the time of the yr with probably the most sunshine and least precipitation. Visiting a nationwide park in summer season, particularly in the event you’d prefer to hit a number of the superb Albania mountaineering trails or be lively in one other approach, is greatest accomplished within the morning or late afternoon for 2 causes.
One, you’ll beat the day-trippers that arrive towards noon, which generally is a hectic time in some parks. Two; it’s only a lot cooler then and rather more nice bodily (and doubtless mentally as effectively).
Nevertheless, some mountain parks like Theth and Valbonë Valley are at their prime in each spring and fall. Spring comes with snowmelt and roaring waterfalls, wild rivers, and wildflowers. Fall, then again, brings with it superb foliage within the forest-covered valleys.
Phew, we did it, so many great nationwide parks in Albania – which was your favourite? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
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