Southeastern Albania is a region of Albania.
Cities
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Map of Southeastern Albania
- 1 Berat – Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Berat has long been known as the "city of 1001 windows" because of its unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture. It has a well preserved castle with residents still living inside its protective walls. Nearby is located the world famous Osum Canyon.
- 2 Belsh – surrounded by 84 natural lakes, where you can go boating, fishing, rowing, or camping
- 3 Elbasan – a key city for visitors to Korca, Pogradec and North Macedonia.
- 4 Gjirokastër – Another UNESCO city, located in the south is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations. A Military Museum and Art Gallery are now located inside. Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of former communist Leader, Enver Hoxha, as well as Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare, their homes now serve as museums.
- 5 Jorgucat – a Greek village in
- 6 Korçë – several miles from the Greek border, this city is Albania's cultural capital. It is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korca Brewery (famous throughout Albania) which sponsors a week long Beer Festival every August!
- 7 Librazhd – A small city in the east of Albania, perched atop the river Shkumbin.
- 8 Përmet – Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Përmet is located in the Vjosa River Valley, approximately 30 km from the Greek border. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. It is also famous for its nearby thermal springs, located in a beautiful river valley.
- 9 Pogradec – overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival
- 10 Pustec – municipality including the Albanian part of Lake Prespa.
- 11 Tepelene – the Bylis Archeological Park protects the remains of an ancient Illyrian city
- 12 Gramsh – a town that lies between picturesque valleys, hills and mountains
- 13 Voskopoja – (or Moscopole) is a quiet rural community with significant historical heritage
- 14 Ersekë – it is a small alpine town that is one of the highest towns in Albania
- 15 Bilisht – an economic centre for the local agriculture, mining, food and textile industries
- 16 Leskovik – a small city close to the Greek–Albanian border
Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park – A national park inhabited by rare plant and animal species
- 2 Lake Prespa – A region, including Prespa National Park, within Pustec.
- 3 Tomorr National Park
– Mountain ridge and national park in the southern part of Albania, not far from Berat. This part of the country is formed by parallel mountain ridges (up to around 2000-2500 m) separated by valleys. Although the ridges are not very long, they offer few days of hiking with enormous scenic beauty and fantastic panoramic views. Tomorri is one of the most known ridges with a Bektash monastery and chapel on the very top. - 4 Fir of Hotova National Park – North of Permet
- 5 Fir of Drenova National Park – East of Korçë
- Historic Moscopole (Voskopoja), alpine Dardha, Boboshticë, and Vithkuq villages near Korçë, and Benjë, and Leusë villages near Përmet
Understand
[edit]This is the inland region of Albania to the south of the Shkumbin River. It borders North Macedonia and Greece and includes the great border lakes, Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
Talk
[edit]The native tongue of much of the region is the southern, namely Tosk, dialect of Albanian. The official standard of Albanian is based on this dialect.
You will also encounter native Greek speakers in the southern reaches of the region, although the use of Greek is discouraged by the government. In the Prespa region, Macedonian is also spoken by a minority.
Get in
[edit]- From North Macedonia – Qafe Thanë at SH9 road, Tushemisht, or Goricë border crossings.
- From Greece – Kapshticë at SH3 road, Tre Urat, or Kakavia at SH4 road.
Get around
[edit]Getting around by car or bus is probably the only available means of transportation. Lack of paving is not uncommon especially inland.
See
[edit]- Këlcyrë Gorge, near Tepelene, is a 13-km-long gorge along the Vjosa River. Small waterfalls sprout along its walls while a number of tourist areas exist in the region with the main being at Rrepët e Grykës. Further down are Langarica and Carhova River Canyons.
- Benjë Thermal Waters and Katiu Bridge, 8 km from Përmet: small thermal water lakes have been formed from the many water sources with varying temperatures. Nearby is the Katiu or Ali Pasha Ottoman Bridge built by the latter in 19th century.
- Cold Water of Tepelena, south of Tepelenë is a natural fresh water source found along the Gjirokastër-Tepelenë highway (SH4).
- Frashër village, inside Fir of Hotova National Park boundaries. Frashëri Brothers Museum House and Tombs. The brothers are the leading figures of Albanian National Renaissance movement (Rilindja Kombetare) initiating Albania's break from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. There is also found Bektashi Tekke of Frasheri.
- Church of Leusa, near Përmet, features outstanding iconography paintings. One of the most spectacular churches in Albania.
- Bogova waterfalls, south of Berat.
- Sotira Waterfalls near Gramsh
- Libohove village, southeast of Gjirokastër, is home to Myfit Bey Sarajet and Castle, and the Tombs of Ali Pashe Tepelena's Sister and Nephew.
- Dardhe village, near Korçë, is home to the Shen Pjeter and Shen Gjergji Churches.
- Church of Mali Grad Island, near Pustec.
Do
[edit]- Rafting in the Osum and Langarica Canyons of the region
- Hike the surrounding mountains of Dardhe alpine village and skiing at a modest local ski resort
- Horseback or walking tours along the footsteps of Lord Byron's visit of 1809
- Visit Old Permet and examine the architecture of Benje and Leusa villages
- Hike along Via Egnatia, an ancient road constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BCE that passes near Librazhd and Elbasan en route from Istanbul to Durrës.
- Shelegur Lake, near Leskovik, is a managed nature reserve.
Thermal springs and baths
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- Elbasan has two main spa centers about 12 km south of the city, Llixhat and Tregan, with proper hotels and curative centers.
- Banjat e Benjës – Near Përmet, one of the most popular hot springs and thermal pools in Albania, although free for everyone to enjoy in a picturesque river valley with an old Ottoman bridge.
- Holta Springs, near Gramsh are semi-warm hot springs at the picturesque entrance to a canyon in the river valley.
- Viroit Park and Lake, near Gjirokastër, is a park encompassing the Viroi Lake and surrounding hills.
- Postenan spring, near Leskovik: halfway up the cliff, reached by a narrow path hacked in the rock-face, all wet and slippery, with a sheer precipice below, the last pieces very bad, but they drag invalids up it. More a hiking trip than a hot spring tour.
- Burimet e Leskovikut, near Sarandoporo, has several semi-warm hot springs (26.7°C) in a beautiful river valley right at the Greek border.
Eat
[edit]- Traditional Gliko sweets
- Libohove village has been considered by Lord Byron as having the best food he had ever tasted during his stay in Ottoman Albania.
- Byrek me dy peta, a pizza like pie
- Beans, Tave Peshku, and Pastrama dish in Prespa region
- Kernacka and baked Ohrid Trout (koran)
Drink
[edit]- Raki of Përmet made from wild plums
Go next
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