Albania end of July
Discussion
Hi Folks
I've searched PH and nothing came back too specific.
We are thinking
Cofu couple of days, then ferry to Saranda, and the 7 days later back out via Tirana.
A couple of questions
a) will it be madly hot?
b) will it be madly busy?
c) any recommendations for locations in the Riviera region
d) any recommendations for locations in the middle - historic etc
e) any recommendations for Tirana - hotels, bars, etc.
many thanks in advance.
FG
I've searched PH and nothing came back too specific.
We are thinking
Cofu couple of days, then ferry to Saranda, and the 7 days later back out via Tirana.
A couple of questions
a) will it be madly hot?
b) will it be madly busy?
c) any recommendations for locations in the Riviera region
d) any recommendations for locations in the middle - historic etc
e) any recommendations for Tirana - hotels, bars, etc.
many thanks in advance.
FG
I have been to Albania a few times now but not ventured south to the Riviera area yet, but I have done some homework on the area as we do intend to go there. It's some way behind your usual Spanish, Portuguese etc resorts but it is developing at a rapid pace due to a boom in tourism. The below is mainly based on research:
A) generally speaking yes, the Balkans is always hot the summer and Albania is one of the regions hottest countries. Not Southern Spain or Athens heatwave levels but still expect 35+.
B) Saranda and Ksamil will be yes, beaches are not very big and mostly private so everything is crammed in for maximum profit.
C)Vlore is the largest town and gets recommended the most once you leave Saranda, it's a handy point to stop before continuing onto Tirana. Dhermi & Himare are supposed to be nice little towns for an overnight chilled stop or day trip.
D) Berat
E) generally you want Blokku area as it's the most trendy and full of bars, restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars etc. your best bet is to have a few drinks and move on as the variety and quality is very good. Millennium garden in the very centre of Tirana is my favourite beer garden to sit and people watch, the setting is fantastic. Tirana castle area (just round the corner) is also good for a quick drink in a nice setting but the prices are slightly higher.
A) generally speaking yes, the Balkans is always hot the summer and Albania is one of the regions hottest countries. Not Southern Spain or Athens heatwave levels but still expect 35+.
B) Saranda and Ksamil will be yes, beaches are not very big and mostly private so everything is crammed in for maximum profit.
C)Vlore is the largest town and gets recommended the most once you leave Saranda, it's a handy point to stop before continuing onto Tirana. Dhermi & Himare are supposed to be nice little towns for an overnight chilled stop or day trip.
D) Berat
E) generally you want Blokku area as it's the most trendy and full of bars, restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars etc. your best bet is to have a few drinks and move on as the variety and quality is very good. Millennium garden in the very centre of Tirana is my favourite beer garden to sit and people watch, the setting is fantastic. Tirana castle area (just round the corner) is also good for a quick drink in a nice setting but the prices are slightly higher.
One of my favourite places to visit. Still a bit scruffy round the edges but as an accession nation, is getting a lot of EU investment evident in a couple of excellent new motorways and general beautification of many areas.
Rich has covered most of what I was going to mention but a couple of other recommendations:
In Saranda there's a fish restaurant. The English translation is 'Peters Fish' (I think). Hunt it out and go and eat there. By orders of magnitude the best fish I've ever eaten. No menu. No booking. Just turn up. He cooks what he catches that day and just keeps bringing these wonderful dishes until you say enough!
On the drive up north along the coast road, there's an old soviet-era submarine bunker at Palermo. Proper James Bond villain stuff. I think you can go in have a look round.
Tirana: I've stayed in the Hotel Sokrat and the Hotel Colosseo. I'd highly recommend either.
The Grand Park is well worth a visit. Easily found as it's just behind the new stadium and Marriot hotel. Great for a stroll or jog. Skanderberg Square is a large, er...square but there's some nice coffee shops and other shops in the Opera building. This is pretty much the City Centre and loads of interesting government buildings a monuments.
I've not been but I understand the National Historical Museum is very good (just off the square). Depending on who you're with you might fancy a a bit of shooting! There's a place called Polygon Action Target Tirana - round the back of the Marriot. Perfectly safe so don't worry but good fun.
Bars and Restaurants ... take your pick but a couple of my favourites are Meduza (irish bar: Rruga Mustafa Matohiti), Artigiano at Vila (Local and Italian - really nice: Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II 9) ...and there's a superb whiskey bar but I cannot remember where! I have no idea why (!) but it's rather famous so just ask and someone will know.
If you're with your wife/partner, wear blinkers or super dark sunglasses, particularly on the beaches!!
This is the outdoor seating area of a Motorway Service Station!:
Enjoy!
Rich has covered most of what I was going to mention but a couple of other recommendations:
In Saranda there's a fish restaurant. The English translation is 'Peters Fish' (I think). Hunt it out and go and eat there. By orders of magnitude the best fish I've ever eaten. No menu. No booking. Just turn up. He cooks what he catches that day and just keeps bringing these wonderful dishes until you say enough!
On the drive up north along the coast road, there's an old soviet-era submarine bunker at Palermo. Proper James Bond villain stuff. I think you can go in have a look round.
Tirana: I've stayed in the Hotel Sokrat and the Hotel Colosseo. I'd highly recommend either.
The Grand Park is well worth a visit. Easily found as it's just behind the new stadium and Marriot hotel. Great for a stroll or jog. Skanderberg Square is a large, er...square but there's some nice coffee shops and other shops in the Opera building. This is pretty much the City Centre and loads of interesting government buildings a monuments.
I've not been but I understand the National Historical Museum is very good (just off the square). Depending on who you're with you might fancy a a bit of shooting! There's a place called Polygon Action Target Tirana - round the back of the Marriot. Perfectly safe so don't worry but good fun.
Bars and Restaurants ... take your pick but a couple of my favourites are Meduza (irish bar: Rruga Mustafa Matohiti), Artigiano at Vila (Local and Italian - really nice: Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II 9) ...and there's a superb whiskey bar but I cannot remember where! I have no idea why (!) but it's rather famous so just ask and someone will know.
If you're with your wife/partner, wear blinkers or super dark sunglasses, particularly on the beaches!!
This is the outdoor seating area of a Motorway Service Station!:
Enjoy!
Completely forgot to mention but in Tirana I would visit bunkart 1 rather than the much busier bunkart 2, it's the countries largest nuclear bunker and has been converted into a museum about Albanias bleak past under its former dictator.
Just above the museum is a cable car that takes up to a mountain where you can eat in this huge log cabin restaurant that is literally on the edge of a mountain, it offers fantastic views of Tirana and the food is reasonable quality and price considering it's selling point. There are also hiking trails in the area and this can be a good way to escape the heat.
+1 on the big park by the new stadium, lovely area with a lake etc and only a short walk from the centre.
Just above the museum is a cable car that takes up to a mountain where you can eat in this huge log cabin restaurant that is literally on the edge of a mountain, it offers fantastic views of Tirana and the food is reasonable quality and price considering it's selling point. There are also hiking trails in the area and this can be a good way to escape the heat.
+1 on the big park by the new stadium, lovely area with a lake etc and only a short walk from the centre.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff