Albania Tour second part

Korçë – Përmet – Gjirokastër – Blue Eye – Butrint – Tirana

In this second stage of our journey through Albania, after spending two relaxing nights at the 5-star Hotel Colombo in Berat, we set off towards Korçë.

Also known as Korça, this charming city is located in southeastern Albania, at an altitude of around 850 metres, surrounded by the Morava Mountains. Korçë is famous for its artistic heritage, fascinating history and vibrant atmosphere. The city was founded in the 15th century by Iljaz Bey Mirahori, a commander in the Ottoman army.

During our visit, we explored the National Museum of Medieval Art, home to an extensive collection of icons and religious artefacts. We also visited the Gjon Mili Museum, dedicated to the renowned Albanian-American photographer Gjon Mili.

That evening, we stayed at the Grand Hotel Palace, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner. Before calling it a night, however, we headed to the pedestrian area to enjoy a refreshing beer bearing the city's name.

From Korçë to Përmet

The following morning, after enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, we set off towards Përmet along a beautiful scenic route through the mountains. Along the way, we stopped several times to take photographs and capture the stunning landscapes.

During our brief visit to this city in southeastern Albania, we had the opportunity to see the picturesque Vjosa River. We had lunch beside the river at a local restaurant.

Here, we noticed a change in the local cuisine—not because of its quality, but because there were no longer quite as many dishes featuring vegetables as we had enjoyed earlier in our journey. In this region, we were beginning to see more of the Mediterranean diet, with salads and fish taking centre stage at the table.

Gjirokastër, the stone city

We continued our journey towards Gjirokastër, also known as Gjirokastra, a fascinating city in southern Albania renowned for its beautifully preserved architecture and rich history.

The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and during our visit we explored its impressive castle, learning more about the city's fascinating past.

This remarkable fortress dates back to the 3rd century, and from the upper part of the castle we were able to enjoy and photograph spectacular views across the Drino Valley.

We stayed at the 4-star Argjiro Hotel in Gjirokastër, wonderfully located at the foot of the pedestrian area. This is where visitors will find shops selling souvenirs and local handicrafts, as well as places to enjoy the city's nightlife and soak up its unique atmosphere.

We stayed here for two nights and enjoyed a wonderful buffet breakfast each morning.

The fascinating Blue Eye

The following day, we visited the fascinating Blue Eye, a natural spring famous for its extraordinary blue colour.

Located in southern Albania, near the city of Sarandë, this natural wonder is renowned for its crystal-clear, intensely blue waters, which resemble a human eye—hence its name.

The exact depth of the spring remains unknown, although divers have reached around 50 metres without finding the bottom. The water emerges with impressive force, forming a lake and a river that eventually flows into the Ionian Sea.

It is important to note that swimming in the spring is prohibited.

Butrint: a journey through ancient history

We continued our journey to Butrint, an ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we explored its fascinating archaeological park.

Located close to the Ionian Sea, Butrint is remarkable for both its rich history and its natural surroundings. The site has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has been influenced by numerous civilizations, including the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman civilizations.

Butrint was once an important port and religious centre, particularly famous for its sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of medicine.

Together with our guide, we explored some of the site's most remarkable monuments, including the Theatre of Butrint, dating back to the 3rd century BC; the Baptistery, with its impressive floor mosaic partially covered by sand; the Great Basilica, dating from the 6th century AD; and the Roman Baths.

Although we did not get the opportunity to enjoy the baths ourselves, the Romans certainly did many centuries ago!

After the excursion, we had lunch and were rewarded with some well-deserved relaxation on the beaches of Ksamil.

These sandy beaches are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, while those looking simply to relax can enjoy the beach loungers and take in the beautiful surroundings.

After our time at the coast, we returned to the Argjiro Hotel in Gjirokastër.

Our final stop: Tirana

Unfortunately, every good thing must come to an end. After enjoying our delicious breakfast at the hotel, we set off towards Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Located in the central-western part of the country, Tirana is surrounded by hills, with Mount Dajti rising to the east and the Adriatic coast extending towards the west. It is the country's political, economic and cultural centre and is also well known for its lively nightlife.

After checking into our hotel, we visited Bunk'Art 2, an interactive museum housed in a Cold War-era bunker. Built during Albania's communist period, the museum reveals many of the secrets and darker aspects of the regime of Enver Hoxha.

Its numerous rooms tell the story of persecution, surveillance and state control during the communist era.

After leaving Bunk'Art 2, we visited the House of Leaves, a museum dedicated to surveillance and espionage during Albania's communist period.

The building originally opened as a maternity clinic in 1931 and was later used as the headquarters of the Gestapo during the Second World War. From 1944 to 1991, it served as the headquarters of Albania's secret police, known as Sigurimi.

Today, this fascinating museum, spread across 31 rooms, displays various surveillance and espionage tools and explains the methods used by the secret police, including hidden cameras and microphones.

After our visit, we had lunch at a local restaurant before checking into the 4-star Hotel Austria.

The hotel is spacious, with wide carpeted corridors and bright rooms featuring large windows that allow plenty of natural light to flood in. The bathrooms are also spacious and modern, making it a comfortable place to spend our final night in Albania.

And our last breakfast in Albania was certainly worthy of a grand farewell. It was the perfect way to end our journey, leaving us with wonderful memories—and an excellent taste of this fascinating country.

From the mountains of Korçë and Përmet to the historic streets of Gjirokastër, the extraordinary waters of the Blue Eye, the ancient ruins of Butrint, the beaches of Ksamil and the vibrant capital of Tirana, this stage of our Albanian adventure allowed us to discover yet another side of a country full of history, nature, culture and unforgettable landscapes.