FRANCESCA VERONESI

NotFound

Noi siamo stati a Valona solo per un giorno, ma non ci è piaciuta molto. E' una città grandissima, il porto assomiglia un po' a quello di Riccione e per questo non ci abbiamo trovato nulla di particolare. Sono di gran lunga molto più belli i posti piccoli come Saranda. Se ci passate vicino o avete occasione fate un salto a Valona per giudicarla voi stessi, altrimenti lasciate stare!
Ci tengo a precisare che noi ci siamo stati troppo poco per giudicarla nella dovuta maniera, ma a quanto ci hanno riferito è una città che offre molto più divertimento e vida loca rispetto al relax che invece cercavamo noi. La cosa positiva è che da qui partono molti tour come la gita alle Isole Sazan e la penisola di Karaburun. 

Spectacular scenery...looking at the spectacular sea from the top of the mountain!!!

Decent town, but a lot of history but good beaches all around.

Le spiagge più belle dell'Albania

Valona, Albania

Il villaggio di Argirocastro è molto carino, ideale se volete fare qualcosa di alternativo dalle spiagge. SI trova a un'oretta da Saranda. Il castello è sicuramente suggestivo visto dall'alto, ma suggerisco di visitarlo solo se avete tempo. L'entrata costa 4€ e, ad eccezione delle parti di storia con carrarmati e cannoni (c'è persino un aereo militare risalente alla seconda guerra mondiale), si tratta di un castello spoglio con una visuale panoramica in alto. 
E' carino, ma nulla di che. 

A beautifully maintained and enormous Byzantine 12th century fortress, which also contains a great little museum.

I was deeply impressed by the sheer size of the fortress, which is even more impressive on the inside. The site is filled with impressive arches and high ceilings.

Another wonderful aspect is that the vast majority of the fortress rooms and areas are fully accessible to the public. We wandered around for about two hours to cover the full building.

There's also a decent sized museum on the upper floors. One half covers the history of the valley, and the other half is filled with hundreds of firearms from various periods. It was absolutely worth the small additional entry fee.

The fortress also affords many amazing vantage points and views of the beautiful surrounding town.

We paid €4 each for the fortress and €2 each for the museum.

This was one of the many highlights of my visit to Albania.

Well maintained castle with beautiful views overlooking mountains and the town itself. There are some historical facts provided as you walk around. Entry is the same price for all tourists even if you are a student.
The great thing about the castle is it is partly shaded in places. There are some nooks and crannies worth daring into. In addition to the main entrance fee, you have to pay 200 lek if you want to visit the museum.
You can walk on the terraces but please be extra careful if you have children with you as the terraces have no railings.
Parking is free along the castle wall and in front of the castle itself.
Ensure you take enough fluids with you. There are toilet facilities on site.
Great place to visit.

The castle is the biggest attraction in the city and here you will learn everything you need to know about the history of the castle and the city. The entrance fee is 400 Lek per person and it is worth it. At the beginning is the military gallery, then there is a museum which is charged 200 lek, but that is optional, you are not forced to enter. From the courtyard of the castle there is a beautiful view of the city and the valley. There is a tour guide in the castle who works as an intern and can explain to you about the castle.

Castle of Gjirokastra

Principotes è una spiaggia tribale a Ksamil, conosciuta per essere molto "instagrammabile", se avete tempo vi consiglio di farci un salto. I lettini costano 10€ a lettino, quindi una persona pagherebbe 10€ invece che i soliti 20€ il che non è male, essendo una spiaggia attrezzata piuttosto famosa.  
Quando ci siamo andati noi era brutto tempo, perciò c'era poca gente, ma scommetto che solitamente sia pieno. L'acqua è bella, anche se io preferisco le calette. 
I drink costano una follia, così come il cibo, perciò suggerisco il pranzo al sacco. 
A 10 minuti a piedi si trova la mano di Ksamil, famoso punto fotografico, molto suggestivo soprattutto al tramonto. 

Principotes & Tulum Resto Lounge is an exceptionally well-designed luxury venue, serving as both a beach club and a restaurant. It boasts stunning decoration and ambiance, making it a must-visit for anyone who appreciates high-end design. While the prices are on the higher side, the luxurious setting and top-notch service make it worth every penny. We stopped by for cocktails in the late afternoon and were treated to impressive dance shows and a live DJ. Whether you're looking for a vibrant nightlife scene or a sophisticated beach club experience, this is undoubtedly the best spot in town.

★★★★★
I had the pleasure of visiting the Beach Club Principotes Tulum in Ksamil, and I can only rave about it! The service team is incredibly cool and attentive, making you feel welcome and well taken care of right away. The atmosphere is simply dreamy – a perfect spot to relax and enjoy.

The view is breathtaking and makes the stay unforgettable. I can't understand the negative reviews at all. You are paying for an extraordinary location and an all-around perfect experience here. Highly recommended!

The atmosphere is fantastic, the view and decorations is wow. We didn't eat there but the drinks were good, a little pricey but worth the view and location. Do recommend it for sunbathing and drinks.

Principotes & Tulum Resto Lounge

E' una delle spiagge più belle di Ksamil. Si trova a una quindicina di minuti da Saranda e per raggiungerla si deve fare una strada un po' tortuosa con la macchina. I parcheggi sono gratuiti, non fatevi fregare dagli albanesi che si appostano nei pressi per chiedervi dei soldi. Se insistono cambiate spot. Due lettini più ombrellone costano 20€ per un giorno. C'è un bar-ristorante dove si può bere e mangiare, ma suggerisco di portare il pranzo al sacco. L'acqua è meravigliosa e la sera si vede il tramonto sul mare. 
Di fianco a Shpella e Pëllumbasit si trova la spiaggia dello specchio, Plazhi Pasqyra, raggiungibile facilmente a nuoto. Il mare è lo stesso, però dateci un'occhiata per vedere un panorama diverso. 

It's a beautiful trail toward the cave with some amazing views. Keep in mind that you need good walking shoes and bring enough water.
The cave itself has a very slippery muddy floor and is a lot bigger than you would expect from the outside.
From the cave you can follow a very steep path towards the small river at the bottom of the cliff. Don't try this route unless you are well prepared and able to follow the narrow, steep pathway down and up again. It takes about 1,5 hour to get to the cave. 1 hour downward, 1 hour back up again. The route from the cave back to the hotels and restaurants is about an hour.

From Black Cave restaurant it's 1 hour walk - steep , narrow and very rocky path - we had a guide from the restaurant for €10.

The cave it's very deep and dark - the torch can be rentes from the restaurant for €4

Interesting experience but very difficult to get to.

It's a nice escape out of Tirana, can be done in half a day if that's all you wanna visit.
Difficulty is medium, but you'll need some strong flashlights.
Be careful, when you enter on the left there's a small pit. Inside is slippery so careful where you put your steps. Don't adventure of you don't feel safe since you can hurt yourself.
Overall is a nice visit but put safety first.

Shpella e Pëllumbasit e la spiaggia dello specchio

Porto Palermo è una bella zona con diverse calette di spiaggia sabbiosa o rocciosa. Si trova a un'oretta da Saranda, perciò consiglio di venirci se avete tempo. 

Amazing beach, there is a restaurant called “Nemo” that has little snacks like ice cream as well, a dog that is amazingly friendly, had a great time with him. The water is clear and there is fish to be seen when diving. There are no umbrellas and sunbeds, only free zone. Strongly recommend! ☀️☀️☀️

Doesn’t seem to be the correct place. There is a small road but not sure where it leads as it’s forbidden to access by car

Porto Palermo

Cercate un posto dove osservare il tramonto? 
Il castello di Lëkurësit offre una splendida view per vedere il sole tramontare e osservare la città. La prima volta noi siamo andati a fare aperitivo (10€ uno spritz), mentre la seconda ci siamo portati noi da bere e ci siamo seduti su un masso. 
Lo spazio dedicato agli aperitivi è molto carino, ma costa troppo secondo me, tanto vale comprare qualcosa al supermercato e sedersi sul prato. 
C'è anche un ristorante, ma noi non ci siamo stati per evitare di spendere una follia.
Io viaggio spesso e proprio per questo motivo cerco sempre di trovare ottimi posti ma con soluzioni low-cost. 
Il tramonto è davvero bellissimo, perciò vi consiglio davvero di venirci a fare un salto!

If you’re halfway there, I recommend stopping here. It’s a beautiful spot with stunning views . When we visited, there was a wedding setup that looked very picturesque. The wrought iron tables and chairs add a charming touch that feels like a step back in time. Enter and parking are free

The fortress is now a restaurant but wasn't open when we visited the place. The view is really nice to both the city and the southern area. The surrounding is full of rubbish. Some bunkers are around and waiting to be explored.

Entry to castle is free. I came with friends just to take drinks and enjoy sunset. It was beautiful, and the only thing that I didn't like was that we weren't able to order drinks at the bar, and the waiter told us to sit and wait for him to come. We waited for 20-30 minutes for him. It got crowded, to be honest, and I believe there were only 2 waiter on the floor. On the upper floor there is a restaurant and I noticed that there was a band getting ready, so I believe there is more to experience there. We didn't eat, so I can't say anything about the restaurant, but it sure is worth visiting because of the studding sunset view.

Lëkurësit Castle 

Filikuri beach è una spiaggia molto bella che si trova a Himare, circa un'ora da Saranda. Come vi preannunciavo nei tips è una spiaggia non attrezzata molto difficile da raggiungere. Siamo arrivati fin dove potevamo con la macchina, poi abbiamo proseguito a piedi per una ventina di minuti fino ad arrivare sulle scogliere. Da lì abbiamo iniziato a scendere aiutandoci con una fune piantata nel terreno. Il sentiero è molto ripido e pericoloso, bisogna davvero stare attenti perchè ci si rischia di ammazzare se si scivola. 
Una volta giù ci siamo accampati sui sassi (non molto comodi) e siamo rimasti fino a pranzo. Subito dopo abbiamo raggiunto Gjiri i akuariumit, un'altra spiaggia di Himare molto carina. Anche in questo caso siamo arrivati con la macchina fin dove abbiamo potuto, le strade sono orrende e fatte male, il mio ragazzo è stato bravissimo a guidare, ma se non siete esperti proseguite a piedi. Abbiamo lasciato la macchina in uno spiazzo e dopo 15 minuti circa siamo arrivati alla spiaggia. 
Consiglio sempre il pranzo al sacco. Anche questa è una spiaggia di sassi e c'è solo un bar con bibite. 

Breathtaking beach with crystal clear water. It takes around 30 minutes to walk there from the town. In the end you have to climb over some rocks on a steep decline (there's a rope that can help if needed) but it's totally doable if you are half way sporty and wear hiking shoes or solid sneakers.

I'd recommend bringing flip flops to the beach as it's a stone beach and it's more comfortable with them.

Until around noon there is some shadow after it is full sun.

Absolutely beautiful and super worthwhile. The hike down the cliff to the beach has some tricky bits though, definitely requires appropriate footwear. Do not attempt in flip flops, bring proper shoes. Saw many people in flip flops almost slide down the cliff.

This beach is really beautiful. Not the easiest to get to, mind.

There is a free car park at the bottom of a hill that you then walk up. There is then a windy path that takes you too a fairly steep cliff face/rocks that you must descend with the aid of a rope.

The walk took about 20 mins from the car park, but I must mention two things:

1. Please wear proper footwear. Trainers are needed to get down safely. We saw people almost slipping in flip flops and you could really injure yourself badly.

2. If you are not physically active/in half decent shape, I wouldn’t bother. You do need to stretch between parts of rocks that don’t offer as much support, and a bit of strength is required to haul yourself up and down. If you train at all, it will be easy enough for you.

Once the tricky path is navigated, this beach is beautiful.

Filikuri Beach e Gjiri i akuariumit

Premetto, noi questi posti non abbiamo avuto tempo di visitarli, ma mi hanno detto essere molto belli, perciò ve li consiglio. 
- Lost Seaside (Saranda)
- Dhermi (gita alla Pirate Cave)
- Tour per l'Isola di Sazan e penisola di Karaburun (Valona)
- Guvat, spiaggia con ristorante sul mare (Ksamil)
- Qefal
- Lukova 

Cos'altro fare o vedere in Albania?

Krorez Bay è una baia stupenda che comprende due spiagge: Kakoma beach e Kroreza beach. Ci sono molti tour che arrivano in questa baia, ma io, se siete avventurieri come noi, vi consiglio di arrivarci a piedi.
Ve lo consiglio per due motivi: il primo è che potrete godere di questa baia per tutto il giorno (il tour si ferma solo per 20/30 minuti) e il secondo perchè risparmierete un sacco di soldi (i tour essendo molto turistici partono da almeno 30/35€). 
Seguite molto attentamente le mie indicazioni perchè è facile perdersi. Ora vi condurrò a Kakoma beach, la spiaggia più bella che abbia visto in tutti i miei giorni in Albania. E' una spiaggia paradisiaca, se arrivate alla mattina presto non c'è anima viva e regna un silenzio assoluto. Il mare è calmo, immobile e sarete gli unici a immergervi dentro quest'acqua stupenda.
Dovete impostare Krorez Bay sul navigatore. Con la macchina arriverete davanti a una stradina e il navigatore indicherà il vostro arrivo. Ignorate il navigatore e continuate a seguire la stradina fino ad arrivare davanti a un cancello. Parcheggiate la macchina e seguite il percorso indicato su un cartello per "Kakome 90m". 
Io e il mio ragazzo (non chiedetemi perchè ma dobbiamo aver fatto casino) ci siamo persi e siamo arrivati a un punto cieco, perciò siamo tornati indietro e abbiamo pregato i due uomini di guardia al cancello di farci entrare da lì. 
Dopo averli implorati per dieci minuti ci hanno fatti passare, ma siamo stati molto fortunati. 
20 minuti circa di strada e siamo arrivati a Kakoma beach. Erano già le 8:30, ma solo perchè avevamo perso tempo se no saremmo arrivati molto prima. 
Non c'era nessuno e abbiamo creato un accampamento sui sassolini con degli sdrai che abbiamo trovato lì. L'acqua era meravigliosa, abbiamo girato tantissimi video con il nostro drone e ci siamo tuffati da un lungo ponte che arriva sull'acqua. 
Fino alle 11:00 non si è vista anima viva, dopo di che hanno cominciato ad arrivare i tour con le navi e allora la quiete si è un po' spenta. 
Credo sia stata la giornata più bella di tutte perchè sulla spiaggia non c'era quasi nessuno, le barche si fermavano in acqua ed eravamo completamente soli (portate il pranzo al sacco perchè non ci sono bar).
Al rientro abbiamo percorso la strada a ritroso, speravamo ci facessero ripassare dal cancello e siamo stati quasi arrestati per questo. Abbiamo scoperto che i due uomini fossero della polizia e quel cammino era zona privata, perciò non dovevamo passarci. Li abbiamo pregati ancora di farci uscire perchè se no avremmo dovuto rifare la strada a ritroso e prendere il sentiero, ci avremmo messo quasi un'ora e stavamo sudando tantissimo a causa del sole. 
Alla fine ci hanno fatti passare, ma ascoltate il mio consiglio: FATE IL SENTIERO! 


Krorez Bay

Troverete tantissimi tour per l'Occhio blu, ma io vi sconsiglio di farli perchè non ne vale la pena. Se siete vicini a Saranda come noi si tratta di una mezz'oretta di macchina. Parcheggiate lungo la strada per evitare il parcheggio e se non c'è posto entrate nel parcheggio ma dite che tratterrete solo un'ora. Non controllano se state di più e non ha senso pagare per vedere una cosa che si vede in mezz'ora. 
Vi chiederanno anche 1€ per entrare, mischiatevi alla folla e superate i controlli. Il problema non è tanto l'euro che vi chiedono, il fatto è che non sarebbero autorizzati a farlo. In molti posti dell'Albania troverete gente che si apposta decidendo di far pagare, ma non hanno le autorizzazioni necessarie, sono degli approfitta-turisti. 
A me queste cose non piacciono perciò cerco sempre di evitarle.
Una volta entrati ci vorranno circa 30 minuti per raggiungere l'occhio blu, a meno che non vogliate affittare un motorino o monopattino. 
L'occhio blu è davvero bello e in generale il panorama che si vede è meraviglioso, ma è davvero pieno di turisti e si fa fatica a muoversi. Credo sia uno di quei tour sopravvalutati, certo se avete la possibilità come noi di andarci da soli fatelo, ma non vale la pena spendere 30€ per un tour. 
In alcuni punti ci si può immergere e se siete temerari come me vi consiglio di farlo. L'acqua è a 11 gradi, infatti resistere solo pochi minuti, però è davvero piacevole!

The site is about a 40 minute drive from Sarande, much of it through pleasant mountain roads.

The main car park is 300 leke for three hours and is about a 25 minute walk to the Blue Eye. There's also some limited free parking on the approach roads.

There's a few vendors that rent two-seated electric scooters. They're only €5 per hour, but you can only drive them so far before you need to park. Beware, if you rent a scooter, they'll charge you 400 leke to enter instead of 50.

We travelled here in mid-September and found the area to be busy with other tourists, but not overly so. Occasionally, it was difficult to take scenic photos with many people nearby.

If you want to explore the lake beyond the blue eye, then there's a high path above the platform. It's quite steep in places, but safe enough. The view along the path is quite beautiful and with the effort.

As other reviewers have noted, you're not permitted to enter the water (as intended to preserve the area), but many people ignore this. This natural beauty may not last forever.

Definitely worth a trip. This is a natural wonder where the clear blue water wells up from underground. The river and lake are both very blue but unfortunately it is not possible to swim.

We walked up the main road way and then continued to walk on the trails on the other side (continue on from the blue eye and you will see the trail). This takes you back round to the car park and means you can do a circular walk without having to retrace your steps.

We were there at around 09:45 in the morning. I have to say, the time was ideal. Because after we got back, there was a lot going on, really a lot. Several buses, lots of cars and crowds of people.

We walked a whole lap around the lake and it took us a comfortable 1:15 hours (we do a lot of hiking though). 50 LEK is the entrance fee, 300 LEK is the parking lot for 3 hours and you could also take the train for 300 LEK in one direction. However, we walked everything, with good shoes it was okay.

It was a pity how crowded it was, but unfortunately it couldn't be avoided. We didn't notice much of the Blue Eye because there was simply a lot going on on this terrace where you can look.

All in all, a nice walk around and some nice photo spots from time to time. 😊

The Blue Eye

Plazhi Pulebardha è una spiaggia a Ksamil molto bella. L'acqua è davvero stupenda così come il panorama. Noi siamo rimasti fino al tramonto e abbiamo goduto di uno spettacolo fantastico. 
La spiaggia è attrezzata e costa 10€ al giorno, ci sono due gestioni differenti, vi consiglio quella con gli ombrelloni colorati perchè sono più lontani dai ristoranti dove mettono la musica. Noi ci siamo portati il pranzo al sacco, ma potete anche mangiare lì essendoci appunto bar e ristoranti. 

Plazhi Pulebardha

Lo consiglio
Costo: 25 euro a notte

Pro:
- camera pulita
- posizione a 15 minuti a piedi dal centro (al ritorno ci sono un po' di salite, ma è fattibile)
- wifi gratuito
- aria condizionata
- parcheggio gratuito
- zona silenziosa 
- host molto disponibile e gentile
- ci sono gli scuri 
- balcone 
- phon e frigo

Cons:
- non c'era la colazione
- pochi asciugamani e carta igienica (se chiedete, però l'host li porta)


Vanesa rooms 

We only spent one day in Vlora, but we didn't like it very much. It's a huge city, and the port is a bit like Riccione's, so we didn't find anything special. Smaller places like Saranda are much nicer. If you're passing by or have the chance, pop into Vlora to judge for yourself; otherwise, forget it!
I'd like to point out that we weren't there long enough to properly judge it, but from what we've been told, it's a city that offers much more fun and local life than the relaxation we were looking for. The good thing is that many tours depart from here, such as the trip to the Sazan Islands and the Karaburun Peninsula.

The most beautiful beaches in Albania

Vlora, Albania

The village of Gjirokastër is very pretty, ideal if you want something different from the beaches. It's located about an hour from Saranda. The castle is certainly impressive from above, but I recommend visiting only if you have time. Entrance costs €4, and except for the historical parts with tanks and cannons (there's even a military plane from World War II), it's a bare castle with a panoramic view from above.
It's nice, but nothing special.

Principotes is a tribal beach in Ksamil, known for being very Instagrammable. If you have time, I recommend stopping by. Sun loungers cost €10 per sun lounger, so a person would pay €10 instead of the usual €20, which isn't bad considering it's a fairly popular beach with amenities.
When we went, the weather was bad, so there were few people, but I bet it's usually crowded. The water is beautiful, although I prefer the coves.
Drinks are ridiculously expensive, as is food, so I recommend packing a packed lunch.
A 10-minute walk away is the Hand of Ksamil, a famous photo spot, very picturesque, especially at sunset.

It's one of Ksamil's most beautiful beaches. It's about fifteen minutes from Saranda, and to get there, you have to drive along a somewhat winding road. Parking is free; don't be scammed by the Albanians who lurk nearby asking for money. If they insist, change locations. Two sun loungers and an umbrella cost €20 for the day. There's a bar-restaurant where you can eat and drink, but I recommend bringing a packed lunch. The water is wonderful, and in the evening, you can watch the sunset over the sea.
Next to Shpella and Pëllumbasit is the mirror beach, Plazhi Pasqyra, easily accessible by swimming. The sea is the same, but take a look for a different view.

Shpella and Pëllumbasit and the Mirror Beach

Porto Palermo is a beautiful area with several sandy and rocky coves. It's about an hour from Saranda, so I recommend visiting if you have time.

Port Palermo

Looking for a place to watch the sunset?
Lëkurësit Castle offers a splendid view of the sun setting and the city. The first time we went for an aperitivo (€10 for a spritz), while the second time we brought our own drinks and sat on a rock.
The aperitivo area is very nice, but it's too expensive in my opinion; you might as well buy something from the supermarket and sit on the grass.
There's also a restaurant, but we didn't go there to avoid spending a fortune.
I travel often, so I always try to find great places at a low cost.
The sunset is truly beautiful, so I highly recommend stopping by!

Castle Leatherworkers

Filikuri Beach is a very beautiful beach located in Himare, about an hour from Saranda. As I mentioned in the tips, it's a beach with no facilities and very difficult to reach. We drove as far as we could, then continued on foot for about twenty minutes until we reached the cliffs. From there, we began to descend, aided by a rope planted in the ground. The path is very steep and dangerous; you really have to be careful because you risk killing yourself if you slip.
Once down, we camped on the rocks (not very comfortable) and stayed until lunch. Soon after, we reached Gjiri i akuariumit, another very pretty beach in Himare. Again, we drove as far as we could; the roads are terrible and poorly maintained. My boyfriend was a great driver, but if you're not an expert, continue on foot. We left the car in a clearing and after about 15 minutes we reached the beach.
I always recommend bringing a packed lunch. This is also a pebble beach and there is only one bar selling drinks.

Filikuri Beach and Aquarium Bay

Let me start by saying that we didn't have time to visit these places, but I've heard they're very beautiful, so I recommend them.
- Lost Seaside (Saranda)
- Dhermi (trip to the Pirate Cave)
- Tour to Sazan Island and the Karaburun Peninsula (Vlora)
- Guvat, beach with a seaside restaurant (Ksamil)
- Qefal
- Lukova

What else to do or see in Albania?

Plazhi Pulebardha is a very beautiful beach in Ksamil. The water is truly stunning, as is the view. We stayed until sunset and enjoyed a fantastic spectacle.
The beach is fully equipped and costs €10 per day. There are two different beach managements. I recommend the one with the colorful umbrellas because they're further away from the restaurants where they play music. We brought a packed lunch, but you can also eat there, as there are bars and restaurants nearby.

Pulebardha Beach

I recommend it
Cost: €25 per night

Pros:
- Clean room
- Location, a 15-minute walk from the center (there's a bit of a climb on the way back, but it's manageable)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- Free parking
- Quiet area
- Very helpful and friendly host
- Shutters
- Balcony
- Hairdryer and refrigerator

Cons:
- No breakfast
- Limited towels and toilet paper (if you ask, the host will bring them)


Vlora, Albania

stiratiintrip

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