Tourism in Albania - Definition

Vlorë

Tourism in Albania is still in its infancy. Albania was under a communist regime which did not allow tourism to become established for a long time. It is a country of great natural beauty which includes sandy white Mediterranean beaches, rocky mountains, fertile plains, big and small lakes, natural monuments, and remote, pristine areas.

Albania has an old history dating to the Illyrian civilization and there are many old ruins and other treasures reflecting the old civilizations. Due to its history, Albania is home to many different styles of architectural, religious and cultural influence.

Syri i Kaltër (The Azure Eye) in Sarandë

Some of the most visited cities include:

• Berat - the Town of a Thousand Windows
• Butrint - a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Durrës - the old port city of Dyrrhachium
• Gjirokastër - Museum city
• Krujë - ("Heroes city") home of Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero, and his castle (now a museum dedicated to him)
• Sarandë - The wedding city
• Tiranë - the capital
• Vlorë

Some of the problems keeping tourism from flourishing in this beautiful country stem from the political instability. There may still be armed bandits in the remote areas and pollution from illegal construction is ruining some of the most popular areas. Its proximity to Kosovo in the northeast means that unexploded ordinance may be hazard for unguided tours about the countryside. At present the security situation in Albania is thought to be improving [1] (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/albania/).

See also

• Geography of Albania
• List of cities in Albania

External links

• Ministry of Territorial Planning and Tourism (official site) (http://www.albaniantourism.com)
• Article on Albanian tourism (http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1016058,00.html)
• A New York Times article on Albania (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/02/travel/02albania.html)
• Albania (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/albania/) at Lonely Planet
• Photo Albums: [2] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/berati.php) [3] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/butrinti1.php) [4] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/elbasani.php) [5] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/foto-gjeo.php) [6] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/jugu-leon.php) [7] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/riviera2001.php) [8] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/shkodra-lezha.php) [9] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/vlora.php) [10] (http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/vlora-lg.php) [11] (http://2ie.mpl.ird.fr/mm/albania/photos/tour) [12] (http://forumi.bisedoni.com/album_cat.php?cat_id=2)