Byzantines, Ottomans, Greeks, Romans, Illyrians … All the great civilizations have ever desired Albania , a country little frequented by tourists but which hides many wonderful corners, among other things thanks to the preservation of its heritage.
Located between Greece and the former Yugoslavia, this Balkan and Mediterranean country hides beautiful natural landscapes, spectacular beaches along its coastline, numerous archaeological sites and great natural wealth. In addition, we must highlight its gastronomy and its folklore. In short, we can speak of a very rich and diverse panorama. Of course, since it does not receive many visitors, it does not have too many infrastructures to accommodate them. Today we move to this unknown corner of Europe to discover some of its most important cities , based on the number of inhabitants. Would you like to join us?
Tirana
How could it be otherwise, let’s start by talking about Tirana, the capital of Albania, which is also the most populated city in the country. Most of Tirana’s points of interest are located around Skanderberg Square. For example, here is the impressive National Museum of History, which is surprising for the mosaic that adorns the façade.
Durrës
The second most populous city in Albania is Durrës, founded by the Greeks. In fact, it is considered the oldest city in this country. Thanks to its beaches , it is one of the main tourist destinations in Albania, as well as being an important junction with Western Europe.
Vlorë
The port city of Vlorë ranks third on our list. Located in the bay of the same name, it is one of the main ports in the country. Among the places in Vlorë that are worth visiting, we want to highlight the Muradije Mosque, the Museum of Independence, the Historical Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Orthodox monastery of Zvernec. Also, you should know that the famous island of Sazan is very close.
Elbasan
In the central area of Albania we find Elbasan, the fourth most populous city. It is located on the banks of the Shkumbin River and, like many other Albanian cities, it houses different monumental sculptures . Its Castle, the Orthodox Church of Santa María and the Ethnographic Museum are worth visiting.
Shkodër
The fifth most populous city in Albania is Shkodër, which is located next to the lake of the same name, in the northwest of the country, next to the border with Montenegro. It is considered one of the oldest cities in the country, as well as being an important cultural and economic center. In fact, until 1920 it was the capital.
Korçë
We also have to talk about Korçë, the sixth most populous city, which is located in the southeastern part of Albania. Capital of the district of the same name, it is surrounded by the Morava Mountains, which give it a charming air and offer beautiful landscapes. In fact, one of the most recommended activities is hiking in the surroundings, in addition to visiting its main park, Parku Rinia.
Fier
The seventh most populous city in Albania is Fier, which is located in the southeast of the country. It is one of the main industrial centers and stands out for being only 12 kilometers from the ancient Corinthian city of Apollonia , which was initially occupied by Illyrian tribes. It is possibly the most important of the classical cities known as Apollonia.
Berat
Finally, we want to talk about Berat, the eighth most populous city in Albania. Known as "the city of a thousand windows" or as "the museum city" during the communist regime, it has three old quarters, as well as many churches and mosques. It is important to note that the historic center of Berat was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.