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Socialist Realism, with its epic frescoes singing the glory of the people’s worker, survived here for over ten years and has influenced by the Soviet visual arts. But its force is becoming more and more artful for any art lovers and remains an amusing curiosity for others in 21st century. Its reproductions are most representative in the streets, such as in the Historical Museum on Skanderberg Square.

The ancient site of Butrint
15 km from Saranda, Butrint, close to the sea and an inland lake, the sun bleaches, which its remains recount the episodes Illyrian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine in a glorious series that linked to Virgil’s Trojan war. The theatre, the Temple of Asclepios, the baptistery Byzantine mosaics and the walls speak of the past with great eloquence.

The ancient site of Apollonia
12 km from the town of Fier, at Apollonia stands the temple of Artemis, supported by five Corinthian columns in front of the obelisk of Apollo, the theatre, the Odeum colonnade and shops. Its influenced by Greek, Roman the then flourishing arts. Later, in the thirteenth century, a monastery, stood on the site.

Even if Albania is no longer a communist country, its economic backwardness added to the degradation of its landscapes.

The flora
The coastal regions have all varieties of the Mediterranean flora, while house interior species evoke a more Central Europe style.

The fauna
The animal life is rich in reserves, brown bears, wolves, lynx and wild boar are protected. The herons, swans and pelicans have their nests at the lagoons along the coast. The most beautiful is that of Karavasta, near the town of Dijvaka. The most accessible parks is that of Llagora, on the Riviera.

Albanian cities each worth a detour between monuments, old stones and medieval cities. You’ll come across ports and seaside cities. From the mountains to the sea, here are Tirana, Durres, Kruja, Vlora, Saranda and Gjirokastra.

Tirana

Tirana, the capital (240,000 inhabitants), located around the square of Skanderberg and long and wide boulevard of Deshmoret e Kombit,, the rangelands ritual of Grand Paseo Vespéral between the equestrian statue of national hero and the three arches of the university. Most buildings are inherited in styles of Mussolini and Stalin. This gives a certain unity to the whole. Around the statue of Skanderberg, stand the hotel Tirana, the National Museum of History, the Palace of Culture hosted by the USSR, but whose construction was completed after the break, and Ethem Bey Mosque, the only old building in the neighbourhood (1793) with the Clock Tower (1830) that match with the minaret. The boulevard along the Art Gallery Tirana, the hotel Dajti built by the Italians and, after the bridge over the river Lana, the former museum Enver Hoxha, now International Centre of Culture. A little farther on the right, in the street Ismail Qemali, is the museum Enver Hoxha. Finally, beyond the university, the walk leads to a large park. Tirana is also the city of kiosks, small bars, bars that led everywhere to celebrate “softness” of the new times.

Durres
Port and industrial seaside town, Durres, the second largest city of Albania (110 000 inhabitants), is only 39 km from Tirana. Linked with Rome to Bysance. Durres Beachis at Southern district, which commences after the city has six major hotels on the waterfront. The oldest and most chic in the Adriatic. The beach is wild and never-ending.

Kruja
Located north of Tirana, Kruja is a medieval city which has preserved memories of the ninth century. Its castle and its History Museum are interesting, but the main attraction comes mainly for its beautiful bazaar.

Vlora
Vlora is the main port in the centre of the country, where the Adriatic Sea becomes Ionian. This is the area of scafi, (smugglers. The atmosphere prevailing on the docks contrast to the beaches of the Riviera

Saranda
At the south end of the Riviera, Saranda looks at the Greek island of Corfu. It is a small modern city, bordered by palm trees, where Albanians like to come to spend their honeymoon.

Gjirokastra
Against the backdrop of a medieval castle and mountains, Gjirokastra is a swarming legends. Its houses are very well restored, consisting of stones and fortified telling old stories of honor which is inspired by the “Chronicle of the city of Pierre” written by Ismail Kadare. The Museum of Arms brings an extra touch to the smell of vendetta. But it is the sweetness that prevails in small restaurants and guest rooms.

The Albanian coastline east side of the most beautiful and wild sandy beaches of the Adriatic Sea (300 km) and the Ionian Sea (150 km).

The Adriatic Coast The beaches of the Adriatic Sea, located at the outlet of plain, are the longest and may even reach 5 km. The beach’s most famous and most frequented is that of Durres which concentrates with many hotels.

The Ionian coast The beaches of the Ionian Sea, follow the foot of mountains covered with pine trees, and behind every course, a sumptuous surprise awaits you. In Vlora and Saranda, south-west, this region of the Riviera Albanian “: the beach is littered both sides with the stations Dhermiu, which is well equipped, and small villages that defy time. The road climbs to the neck Llogara offers magnificent views. As the beaches, feeling is unique.

The country is an inexhaustible source of happiness for lovers of trekking whatsoever in the mountains or around lakes.

Central mountains
Three quarters of Albania is covered by mountains which rise to 2,751 m at Mount Korabi, in the centre of the country, and offer a rare diversity. The reliefs are split by deep gorges in Keleyra, Doberçani, Çorovode, Shkopeti.

The great lakes of Northern Alps
The borders North-East and East through the three major lakes of Shkodra in the Northern Alps, Ohrid and Prespa in the chain in the South. On their shores, Mediterranean mingle with the fresh air of altitude.

The seven lakes Lura
The seven Lura lakes in the mountains of central, are nicknamed the “pearls of Albania”. They occupy glacial circles at an altitude of 1 200 to 1 500 m and can be reached from the city of Peshkopi.

Lake Butrint
Just south of the country, Lake Butrint is connected to the sea by a natural channel. Some observers claimed, the Maoist era, that submarines are visible in the deep emerald of this channel. At the beauty of its landscape, added that the archaeological site which occupies a portion of its shoreline.