Albania is one of those countries whose tourist potential is very real: overlooking the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, this small country of 3.5 million inhabitants with a strong rural majority conceals many archaeological riches and is subjected to a Mediterranean climate that ensures mild temperatures throughout the year and particularly hot and sunny summers, flirting with 40 degrees.

However, Albania, isolated between Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro still continues to suffer from the bad image left by fifty years of communist dictatorship and the state of autarky imposed by its former president Enver Hodja from his rise to power in 1944 until the early 1990s. While this country should be part of the prosperous states, it has so far only reached the stage of a developing country. Like its embryonic tourism, which is only waiting to grow.

Nevertheless, natural resources are a solid foundation: during your stay in a hotel in Albania, you will discover that this country covers a profusion of archaeological parks in the image of that of the city of Finiq, which constantly recalls the prosperity and wealth of Albania during Roman civilization. Above all, the Apollonia archaeological park, the largest in the country, has uncovered a monumental centre dating back to Roman times, but also a large portico with 17 niches. The research missions, which had been interrupted during the great communist parenthesis of the country, resumed in the 90s, allowing the unveiling of other precious vestiges of the past.

Besides its parks, Albania can also boast a profusion of historical sites: the fortified mountain of Peshtan, the fortifications of Gorica, the fortress of Vokopole but also the ancient city of Durrës, which is the second city of the country after Tirana and its main port. This city, formerly called Epidamme, has been renamed several times in its history, following episodes of successive occupation.

And as if it were still necessary to prove the potential for cultural tourism inherent in Albania, this country also conceals a number of religious monuments: the monastery of Pojan, near the site of Apollonia, is particularly famous for its chapel of St Mary. In the centre of Tirana, you can also admire the mosque of Ethem Bey, built in 1789. We will also admire the beautiful Albanian Riviera as we descend towards Saranda. Then we will return to the past, with the ancient city of Butrint, classified as a World Heritage site and occupied successively by a number of civilizations.

Before you rush to book a flight to Albania, be aware, however, that tourist infrastructures are unfortunately still quite precarious; although the opening of the country twenty years ago allowed the construction of a certain number of hotels to European standards, their capacity is still sketchy, as is the comfort of some of them, power outages being quite frequent there with the exception of very starry establishments.

Moving from one place of visit to another can also be a feat if you decide to use Albanian roads: although the main roads have been renovated in recent years, the secondary roads are very far from all being paved, making the journey very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the rail network cannot replace the road network because of the small number of lines and particularly old trains. The bus remains, which seems to be the best compromise solution in this country. But don't expect miracles: comfort is often rudimentary and schedules are variable. But Albania probably needs time to establish itself as a tourist destination in its own right.

Art and culture in Albania
Folklore is particularly important in Albanian culture, which is multiplying events in this sense. The National Folklore Festival, which takes place every four years in Gjirokastra Castle, is the largest folklore event in the country and brings together not only Albanian groups but also representatives of other nations. Every year in March, the national festival of urban folk songs takes place in Elbasan, about thirty kilometres southeast of Tirana.

What to visit in Albania
The visit of the first city of the country, Tirana, seems essential during your stay. You will be able to make a detour through its National History Museum which will give you an in-depth knowledge of the construction of this country during the past centuries. Visits to the archaeological sites of Apollonia and its Orthodox churches, Butrint, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Vlora, famous for its Independence Museum, also offer a different perspective of the country. Saranda, considered as the most tourist place of the country, it is also a destination for honeymoons, could also be the object of a small detour.

Gastronomic specialities in Albania
At the crossroads of East and West, Albanian gastronomy remains strongly influenced by these two cultures. It is a solid cuisine, based on a massive use of corn and polenta. Offal such as poultry are an important part of the country's gastronomic offer. From North to South, the main dishes are stuffed vine leaves or cabbage as well as dried meat. Albanians also have a predilection for mutton, prepared in different ways, in skewers but also in meatballs and also chopped. For dessert, you can also try baklava or sheep's milk yoghurt, which looks more like cheese.