The fifteen nationwide parks in Albania are unbelievable areas for mountaineering, boating, fishing, wildlife watching, nature images, and extra. For people who plan to spend a day, 2 hours, or weeks contained in the parks – this information has the entire stuff you want. 

Moreover thrilling cities in Albania like Tirana, Dürres, and Saranda, there are furthermore many pure areas on this comparatively undiscovered nation contained in the western Balkans.

As is the case in most completely totally different nations worldwide, the nationwide parks in Albania demand and deserve the highlight.

Some of these Albania nationwide parks are acknowledged correctly earlier the nation’s borders, attracting adventurers from close to and much. Good examples are Llogara, Theth, and Butrint, the latter of which usually is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site on-line, wealthy in historic earlier and cultural significance. There are, nonetheless, a dozen extra nationwide parks to uncover in Albania.

Albania is an outdoorsy journey spot the place mountaineering, biking, wildlife watching, panorama images, and mountaineering are terribly well-liked actions. Getting exterior is probably one in all many must-do factors to do in Albania. Its sheer pure magnificence—and selection—will undoubtedly shock you and make you rave about it to your family members and mates as soon as extra 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 wide range of fully completely totally different mountain ranges, such on account of the Albanian Alps, the Pindus Mountains, and the Skanderbeg Mountains. Moreover, you’ll furthermore uncover extraordinary lakes, wild rivers, expansive wetlands, and forested valleys.

For people who’re questioning what to do in Albania after exploring Tirana and the Albanian Riviera, a go to to 1 (or extra) of Albania’s nationwide parks is totally an excellent suggestion.

Beneath, you’ll uncover a complete overview of all 15 Albania nationwide parks. You’ll uncover that they’re scale back up up between the ten prime parks and 5 less-known selections. Be taught on and choose a pair to make your Albania journey a bit extra adventurous.

10 Fairly Nationwide Parks In Albania

1. Shebenik-Jabblanicë Nationwide Park

A range in elevation—from 300 to 2,200 meters above sea diploma—together with in vegetation varieties, paired with a extraordinarily distant location, makes Shebenik-Jabblanicë Nationwide Park a superb park for wildlife watching.

In japanese Albania’s distant mountains, close to the border with Macedonia, you’ll be able to nonetheless uncover many big mammals that wrestle elsewhere. These embody brown bears, Balkan lynx, grey wolves, and European otters. This park is a hiker’s paradise, that options pretty a few mountaineering trails of various difficulties. It’s significantly scenic inside the autumn when vibrant foliage dominates the slopes and fringes of glacial lakes.

How To Get To Shebenik-Jabblanicë Nationwide Park

Although it’s actually distant and rugged, the park lies solely about 90 kilometers east of Tirana. Due to the sluggish mountain roads within the course of the best, the drive does take about 2.5 hours, although.

For essential exploration, higher areas to base your self are the small villages that embody the park. You’ll uncover a wide range of of them on the SH3 freeway, which parallels the Shkumbin River.

Lodging Close to Shebenik-Jabblanicë Nationwide Park Albania

• Resort & Espresso Bardhoshi – this 3-star lodge providing lodging close to the park presents room service, free parking, and free WiFi.

2. Mount Dajti Nationwide Park

In central Albania lies thought-about one amongst Europe’s most accessible nationwide parks. Dajti Nationwide Park, often furthermore often called Dajti Mountain Nationwide Park, lies merely east of Tirana, Albania’s capital. In exact reality, it’s so near town that you’d get there by cable automobile, the Dajti Ekspress. This scenic journey takes about quarter-hour and covers 1 kilometer, the longest cable automobile journey contained in the Balkans.

Whereas the terminus of the cable automobile is a vacationer tough crammed with consuming areas, some (un)attention-grabbing actions, and even a few inns, the exact treasure lies earlier. After having fulfilling with the view of Tirana beneath, hit one amongst many trails that lead into the forest and hills.

How To Get To Dajti Nationwide Park

Primarily basically essentially the most gratifying 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 totally different 5-minute stroll uphill. You too can take a taxi to the Dajti Ekspres drop-off diploma.

Alternatively, do you must’d moderately shield your toes firmly on the underside, you’ll be able to drive or cycle up Dajti Mountain, too.

Lodging Close to Dajti Nationwide Park Albania

• Resort Victoria Tirana is positioned on the primary highway between the Tirana metropolis heart and the Dajti Ekspress. This well-rated lodge has a preferred restaurant that provides free WiFi and incorporates a 70-seat convention heart. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳
• Resort Boutique Vila Verde is a well-liked lodge contained in the Tirana metropolis heart with views of Dajti Mountain, a bar with a terrace, free WiFi and parking, and well-equipped guestrooms. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

3. Divjakë-Karavasta Nationwide Park

A really highly effective lagoon in Albania and one amongst many largest contained in the Mediterranean, the Karavasta Lagoon in western Albania is a vital wetland designated beneath the Ramsar Conference and the primary attribute of Divjakë-Karavasta Nationwide Park.

Its salt marshes, floodplains, estuaries, sand dunes, and coastal meadows host many wildlife. It’s an essential refuge for waterbirds like pelicans and egrets, undoubtedly a sight to behold.

How To Get To Divjakë-Karavasta Nationwide Park

From Tirana, it’s a 100-kilometer or 1.5-hour drive to Divjakë-Karavasta Nationwide Park, which lies on the Adriatic Seaside merely south of Dürres. From Dürres, it’s a fairly straightforward drive on the SH85 and SH57 highways. It could very properly be greatest do you must obtained there in spherical an hour.

Lodging Close to Divjakë-Karavasta Nationwide Park Albania

• Guesthouse Anila – a terribly rated lodge in Divjakë, this guesthouse affords each free parking and WiFi and a yard with a terrace. It’s a stone’s throw from the nationwide park and its mountaineering and kayaking choices. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

4. Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli Nationwide Park

The park is positioned in Gjirokastër County contained in the nation’s southeastern nook. Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli Nationwide Park is a crucial nationwide park in Albania. The park takes its title from the hotova fir, a typical tree species defending most of its flooring home. It’s a number of of the underrated pure areas contained in the nation, providing one issue to do for everybody in each season.

Though the fir dominates these forests, you’ll furthermore uncover completely totally different bushes like maples, oaks, and black juniper correct proper right here. Whereas comparatively accessible, it nonetheless encompasses some terribly wild landscapes inhabited by wildlife identical to wild boars, badgers, purple foxes, gray wolves, and even brown bears.

Widespread actions embody mountaineering, backpacking, and whitewater rafting in Langarica Canyon.

How To Get To Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli Nationwide Park

The closest metropolis is Përmet, which lies alongside the SH75 freeway, which connects to completely totally different highways. The closest elementary cities are on the coast—Vlore and Saranda—each a few 2.5-hour drive away.

Lodging Close to Fir Of Hotovë-Dangelli Nationwide Park Albania

• Resort Permeti – positioned contained in the metropolis of Përmet, this 3-star lodge incorporates a bar, free WiFi, air-conditioned rooms with a private rest room, and mountain views. Chances are you’ll begin your day with a continental breakfast. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

5. Butrint Nationwide Park

Positioned lower than 20 kilometers south of Saranda in southern Albania, Butrint Nationwide Park is arguably the star of the present contained in the Albania nationwide parks system. A UNESCO World Heritage Web site on-line, it’s residence to a couple of the essential archaeological internet sites in Albania—contained in the Balkans even, for that matter.

The scenario incorporates ruins, constructions, and artifacts from the Iron Age to the Coronary heart Ages. A wide range of buildings survive correct proper right here, albeit often in ruins, together with a Roman amphitheater, an historic baptistery, an unlimited basilica, town partitions, and two separate castles. Moreover, the conventional metropolis of Butrint lies in an atmosphere of woodlands, waterways, and lakes of monumental ecological significance.

Butrint Nationwide Park encompasses Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel that connects the lake with the Ionian Sea. This method of channels, rivers, lagoons, and lakes makes this an essential home for birds. In exact reality, the wetland is an internationally protected home beneath the Ramsar Conference, an exact paradise for birds and birders alike.

One totally different a part of Butrint Nationwide Park is the rocky Ksamil Islands, which might be solely reachable by boat. You probably have a ship at your disposal, a go to there is also terribly advisable. Likelihood is you may even spot dolphins!

How To Get To Butrint Nationwide Park

Butrint Nationwide Park is definitely accessible from the coastal metropolis of  Saranda. It’s a 30-minute drive if in case you have gotten your explicit individual automobile. Alternatively, additionally it is doable to get a taxi from Saranda to Butrint. For people who do this, you’re suggested to rearrange your return journey with the an equivalent driver, as discovering a taxi on the park could very properly be a problem.

You too can hop on the bus. There’s a direct bus route between town and Butrint. A bus journey takes about 45 minutes.

For people who occur to be vacationing in Corfu, Greece, you’ll be able to hop on the ferry to Saranda and get a bus or taxi to Butrint Nationwide Park. When touring between Greece and Albania, it’s essential to know that you just merely’ll cross right into a particular time zone. Albania is GMT+1, whereas Greece is GMT+2.

Lodging Close to Butrint Nationwide Park Albania

• Resort Livia is housed in a lovely Albanian-style dwelling. That is the closest lodge to the primary archaeological internet web page in Butrint. It has a restaurant, free WiFi entry, air-conditioned rooms, and a lush yard with panoramic views. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳
• Villa Supreme – positioned merely steps from the seashore in Ksamil, Villa Supreme is a superb base to seek out Butrint Nationwide Park and its Ksamil Islands. Taxi boats wait merely down the highway to take you to the islands and their seafood consuming areas, whereas rooms embody a flat-screen TV, a fridge, air-conditioning, and complimentary WiFi. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

6. Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park

The one marine nationwide park in Albania, Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, protects an home of nearly 2 kilometers into the ocean. You’ll uncover this stunning shoreline park close to Vlore contained in the southwest of the nation. It encompasses each the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, which is Albania’s largest island.

This distinctive park’s essential selections are underwater ruins of a wide range of ships relationship from Greek and Roman occasions and World Battle II. There’s furthermore ample marine life correct proper right here, together with corrals, three sea turtle species, and dolphins. Snorkeling and scuba diving are clearly well-liked factors to do correct proper right here. On the peninsula, chances are you’ll come all by means of 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 town of Vlore, merely reached by automobile by the use of the SH8 and SH95 highways. The small metropolis of Orikum lies merely north of the park’s border, appropriate on the coast.

Lodging Close to Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park Albania

• Resort Alba-Gert, with its beachfront location in Orikum, is a superb base for journeys into the unbelievable nationwide park. The lodge boasts a restaurant, a shared lounge home, a yard with a terrace, and free WiFi. Non-public boat excursions to the Karaburun Peninsula could very properly be organized. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

7. Llogara Nationwide Park

A park boasting a strong number of atmosphere, from the sun-soaked Ionian Seaside to the peaks of the Ceraunian Mountains, Llogara Nationwide Park is an unimaginable mountaineering journey spot in Albania. Whereas exploring the park’s trails, you’ll see vertical cliffs, pristine forests, and beautiful alpine meadows which might be part of the park’s big hectares. It’s a genuinely sensational getaway from the busy Albanian Riviera beneath.

Named after the Llogara Go, which splits the mountains correct proper right into a western and japanese fluctuate, the park affords beautiful coastal views. From the switch itself, you’ll be able to look down onto the white seashores of the Ionian coast and city of Dhermi. The switch has a parking space and some consuming areas,

One totally different thrilling attribute of Llogara Nationwide Park is Caesar’s Go, a mountain switch utilized by Julius Caesar himself to pursue his enemy Pompeii.

How To Get To Llogara Nationwide Park

Positioned between the essential factor coastal cities of Vlora and Sarandë, Llogara Nationwide Park is reached by the use of the SH8 coastal freeway. Llogara Go lies on this highway, making it beautifully accessible from Dhermi, a seashore metropolis barely beneath the mountains.

The advisable method to uncover this house and drive thought-about one amongst Albania’s most scenic roads is self-drive. Lease a automobile in a serious metropolis and uncover the park at your explicit individual tempo.

Lodging Close to Llogara Nationwide Park Albania

• Llogara Vacationer Village – positioned inside Llogara Nationwide Park, is good for exploring this superb pure atmosphere. It’s advisable to make use of the free WiFi contained in the foyer, swim contained in the indoor pool, loosen up in saunas or Turkish baths, and chill on the on-site restaurant and bar. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳
• Resort Hamiti Llogara is an reasonably priced Llogara lodge contained in the nationwide park with balconies, private bogs, a bar, and an in-house restaurant. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

8. Lurë Nationwide Park

Comprising {{the japanese}} slope of Lura Mountain contained in the Albanian northeast, the extended and slender Lurë Nationwide Park boasts a big selection in elevation. This ends in a wide range of fully completely totally different ecosystems and wealthy biodiversity.

Its premier landscapes are twelve glacial lakes and dense forests, the latter consisting of European beech, silver fir, and fairly a number of pines. All lakes are named after their most attribute attribute. Good examples are the Large Lake, Lake of Pines, Black Lake, and Lake of Flowers, which might be coated with mainly basically essentially the most stunning of flowers -the white water lilies in summer season season.

How To Get To Lurë Nationwide Park

Its location contained in the distant northeast of Albania makes this a number of of the robust nationwide parks in Albania to get to. It’s away from any elementary metropolis, requiring a wide range of hours of driving, usually on small roads.

The closest large metropolis is Shkoder, a 4.5-hour drive away. Getting there from Tirana metropolis entails a equally extended drive. The closest village with inns and completely totally different suppliers is Fushë Lurë, merely north of the park.

Lodging Close to Lurë Nationwide Park Albania

• LURA Resort – a superb base to seek out Lurë Nationwide Park; this lodge incorporates a shared lounge, bar, and restaurant, whereas all rooms have a balcony, some with mountain views. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

9. Theth Nationwide Park

One among many essential well-known and nice nationwide parks in Albania, Theth Nationwide Park, lies contained in the coronary coronary coronary heart of the Albanian Alps, a veritable open air lover’s paradise. It lies in northern Albania, encompassing a great deal of the unimaginable Shala Valley, and likewise selections waterfalls, dense woodlands, jagged mountain peaks, rivers, and fascinating rock formations. The park borders Valbona Valley Nationwide Park (see beneath) to the east.

Quite a few villages dot the luxurious Shala Valley, offering totally superb bases to seek out this pure wonderland. Actions are completely totally different and thrilling, starting from mountain biking and mountaineering to mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching.

Theth Nationwide Park is taken under consideration one amongst Albania’s premier areas to see iconic animals contained in the wild. Cease by the park, which is residence to golden eagles, wild goats, and an essential lynx inhabitants in Albania, for an unforgettable expertise. Moreover, large mammals like brown bears and grey wolves furthermore inhabit these mountains and forests, though they’re not usually seen.

How To Get To Theth Nationwide Park

There is just one essential highway into Theth Nationwide Park, the SH21, a aspect highway of the SH1 from Shkoder. So, that primarily means you’ll ought to get to Shkoder first. Utilizing public transportation, you’ll be able to 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, nonetheless it is best to know that the final word part of the SH21 from Qafe e Terthores to Theth is exceptionally winding and bumpy and runs alongside a deep ravine. Guarantee you have obtained an honest rental automobile for this journey, and shield your eyes on the highway.

Exact adventurers would possibly hike into Theth Nationwide Park from Valbona Valley Nationwide Park. The opening from Valbona to Theth is barely 13 kilometers. The rugged terrain, nonetheless, makes it a hike of 6 to eight hours. This hike between two nationwide parks is probably one of many essential epic Albania mountaineering trails you’ll uncover.

Lodging Close to Theth Nationwide Park Albania

• Velezrit Guri – one amongst many many inns close to Theth Nationwide Park, Velezrit Guri has a substantial amount of facilities to make your go to snug, together with a sauna, an on-site American restaurant, a small bar, and even ski storage suppliers.
• Guesthouse Bujtina Kometa, a elementary nevertheless reasonably priced choice, is positioned just some hectares away from the central a part of the park. place to remain close to Theth Nationwide Park, serving a continental breakfast and providing free WiFi and parking. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

10. Valbonë Valley Nationwide Park – Valbona Valley Nationwide Park

Positioned contained in the far north of Albania, bordering Montenegro to the north and Theth Nationwide Park to the west, Valbonë (or Valbona) Valley Nationwide Park is one totally different sensational journey spot for Albanian Alps mountaineering journeys.

With its dramatic, barren summits and forested vales, glacial springs, and waterfalls, it’s a heavenly and express 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 on-line, which encompasses internet sites all by means of Europe. Along with floral differ, Valbonë Valley could also be residence to a great deal of wildlife and affords ample particulars regarding the native ecosystem. This contains brown bears, lynx, chamois, gray wolves, wild goats, and fairly a number of rooster species.

Climbing is probably one in all many hottest factors to do correct proper right here. Utterly totally different actions on current embody nature images, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and mountaineering. For households who love the pores and skin, it’s the proper place to ship kids for the afternoon.

How To Get To Valbonë Valley Nationwide Park

The village of Valbonë is the touristic point of interest on this beautiful park. Due to it lies deep contained in the Accursed Mountains, nonetheless, getting correct proper right here takes some effort. Your first choice is to drive your self, which can probably be an extended and winding journey on a wide range of SH roads. The underside line is to not rush it. Take your time and remember that getting there is also half the gratifying, notably amid such beautiful atmosphere.

Likelihood quantity two is touring by mini-bus, arguably Albania’s hottest technique of transportation. Outlining an itinerary or schedule on-line is sort of unattainable, although, as there may be not a official system for this. Your greatest wager is the ask-around.

Lastly, as talked about above, additionally it is doable to hike between Theth and Valbonë Valley Nationwide Parks. That extraordinary 13-kilometer mountain trek takes between 6 and eight hours.

Lodging Close to Valbona Valley Nationwide Park Albania

• Resort Margjeka is a 3-star lodge contained in the coronary coronary coronary heart of the nationwide park that options free WiFi, a shared lounge, a yard and terrace, and a private rest room. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳
• Guesthouse Kukaj – providing entry to numerous open air adventures, this guesthouse is well-liked for its free WiFi and parking and full English/Irish breakfast contained in the morning. Rooms have shared bogs. Take a look at the lodge & costs correct proper right here ↳

5 Utterly totally different Nationwide Parks In Albania: Quite a bit less-Acknowledged Alternate selections To Uncover

11. Fir Of Drenovë Nationwide Park

Actually one in all many smallest nationwide parks in Albania, Fir Of Drenovë Nationwide Park, consists of forests. Silver firs dominate these woodlands, subsequently the park’s title. Utterly totally different selections embody the Lenies Lakes, pretty a few pure springs, and rock formations, such on account of the Cave of Tren and the Stone of Capi.

12. Prespa Nationwide Park

Positioned on the border with Greece and Macedonia, Prespa Nationwide Park incorporates an infinite array of water selections. Its wetlands, reed beds, meadows, salt marshes, and lakes make it an unlimited home for birds. It’s included in worldwide preservation features much like the European Inexperienced Belt, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Ramsar Convection.

13. Shtamë Go Nationwide Park

Named after a shocking mountain switch, the highway between Kruja and Burrel, Shtamë Go Nationwide Park is primarily an undeveloped mountain panorama. Though there are some historic selections, the primary sights on this park are mountaineering and scenic driving.

14. Tomorr Nationwide Park

A critical mountain in southern Albania, towering 2,416 meters above sea diploma, Mount Tomorr has a deep historic earlier and is the centerpiece and namesake of Tomorr Nationwide Park. It’s residence to each an house Bektashi temple and winter sports activities actions actions suppliers. It lies solely 25 kilometers east of town of Berat, one amongst many essential Albania vacationer sights.

15. Zall-Gjoçaj Nationwide Park

Sharing a border with Lurë Nationwide Park, Zall-Gjoçaj Nationwide Park is a tiny nationwide park of fewer than 2 km². Nevertheless, it nonetheless properties alpine meadows, mountains, pristine forests, ravines, and lakes. Wildlife like lynx, wild boar, and wolves abound correct proper right here.

Greatest Time To Go to Albania’s Nationwide Parks

For nationwide park adventures in Albania, summer season season is often among the many finest time. Whereas it is perhaps fairly scorching by the use of the day, that is undoubtedly the time of 12 months with mainly basically essentially the most sunshine and least precipitation. Visiting a nationwide park in summer season season, notably do you must’d wish to hit among the many many implausible Albania mountaineering trails or be energetic in a single totally different technique, is greatest accomplished contained in the morning or late afternoon for 2 causes.

One, you’ll beat the day-trippers that arrive within the course of noon, which can very properly be a busy time in some parks. Two, it’s solely fairly a bit cooler then and way more good bodily (and presumably mentally as correctly).

Nonetheless, 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 as soon as extra, brings with it implausible foliage contained in the forest-covered valleys.

Phew, we did it; there are such a lot of unimaginable nationwide parks in Albania – which was your favourite? Inform us contained in the ideas beneath.