What to see in Albania: 10 must-sees

Stop at the theatre of Butrint, built 2,300 years ago, then walk the Venetian walls that still encircle this Greco-Roman city near Saranda. Cross the baptistery, the best preserved in the Balkans, and follow the national park trails among columns, mosaics and riverside vegetation. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site as an exceptional testament to a vanished civilization.

Follow the steep streets of Gjirokastër past 600 stone Ottoman houses, their slate roofs sloping down toward the Drino valley. Enter the largest castle in the Balkans, tour its weapons museum and visit the birthplace of Ismail Kadare, winner of the Prince of Asturias Award. If your dates align, the National Folk Festival fills the fortress with Albanian polyphony and dancing in traditional dress. Since 2008, this Museum City has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an exceptional testament to a vanished cultural tradition.

Swim through the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea to the three islets off the village of Ksamil, just a few minutes' swim from shore. Dive among the marine life of Butrint National Marine Park, snorkel over white sand seabeds and stroll the shore as evening falls. End the day on a terrace by the harbour savouring freshly caught seafood, with the sunset reflecting on the crystal-clear water.

Wander the city where the young Augustus studied. Columns, a 3rd-century BC theatre and a Byzantine monastery from 1330 emerge among olive groves. The school of philosophy still echoes among the ruins. Explore the archaeological site where remains, artifacts and history tell of civilizations that flourished millennia ago. Walk among the stones, admire the vestiges and discover the past.

Discover Tirana on foot, walking from Skanderbeg Square to the Et'hem Bey Mosque, whose interior frescoes survived decades of enforced closure under communism. Climb the clock tower for views over the downtown rooftops, visit the Bunk'Art bunker-museum, excavated for the regime's elite, and drop by the 1988 Pyramid, now converted into a technology hub. Finish at the Pazari i Ri market, amid stalls of cheese, olives and raki, where Ottoman-era cafés coexist with the colorful facades of the boulevard.

Take in Lura National Park, known as the Swiss Alps of Albania, where 12 glacial lakes lie scattered among fir and black pine forests. Hike trails between 1,350 and 1,720 meters above sea level, breathing clean mountain air. Birdwatching is a highlight here: the park shelters species such as the golden eagle and the western capercaillie. The most visited lakes are the Lake of Flowers and the Great Lake, surrounded by alpine meadows. Forest tracks link the viewpoints, and in autumn the woods blaze with intense ochres and reds.

Ascend to Skanderbeg Castle, a symbol of Albanian resistance. The social-realist museum and the 18th-century bazaar offer local crafts and sweeping mountain views. Take in the monument that recounts centuries of history and culture. Explore its structures, admire the architectural details and uncover the history kept within its stones.

Raft down the Osum River through Albania's largest canyon: a 13-km run and 350 meters deep near Çorovodë. In spring the flow reaches its peak and canoeing becomes the best way to explore its ancient caves. Walk the trails, watch for local wildlife, and discover geological formations carved by water over millions of years.