The 10 Best Agroturizem in Albania – Farm to Table

Travel Resources › The 10 Best Agroturizem in Albania – Farm to Table

A number of farms in Albania have recently dedicated themselves to agro-tourism (Agroturizëm) and are making the hearts of many gourmets beat faster. Some of them now also have attached guest houses and offer the opportunity to take a holiday on a farm in Albania. My overview presents you the most popular ones.

A country house is always the ideal place to relax and enjoy nature. A large number of tourists have shifted their attention from the traditional populated places to the rural environment. This means that the history of a country is still important when visiting a place, but so is tradition. Where better to get to know the traditions of a country than on the farms of agrotourism in Albania? Agrotourism boasts rural, local, ethnographic and traditional heritage. This article is intended to shed light on this aspect of tourism in Albania.

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Agrotourism gives visitors a glimpse into the way of life in a country and gives them the opportunity to participate in it. This is the kind of experience you want when visiting a country. You can also breathe fresh air, learn more about nature, flora and fauna, and take part in agricultural work.

When you visit an agritourism farm in Albania, you can have a variety of experiences:

• Wine tasting.
• Raki tasting (Raki is a type of grape brandy).
• Food tastings.
• Harvesting your own vegetables and fruit.

Tirana – Blerina’s Agroturizem Concept

Blerina Farm is a mini-farm and restaurant that is part of a genuine agro-tourism offering local, seasonal and traditionally prepared food. The aim of the farm is to bring customers closer to nature and natural and healthy food, local, seasonal products and all the elements of an Albanian village, such as planting, living things and artisanal processing. The farm’s special feature is the children’s room, where they can take part in activities that bring them closer to nature and foster their creativity.

The kitchen is run by chef Erid Kara, who has been involved in healthy cuisine for years. Erid Kara: a graduate of the Hoteleri Turizem Technology School in 2005 and the College of Business Management near Logos University. He initially practised his profession in various restaurants in the capital. In close collaboration with Blerina, he has succeeded in creating dishes with the healthiest ingredients in the most delicate and delicious way! The dishes are served in the restaurant as a daily menu, with a focus on quality, freshness, taste and the preservation of nutritional values.

You can also stay overnight in the agritourism. A small hotel that opened this year (2023) offers 20 rooms of various sizes, all furnished with great attention to detail. ☑ Click here to check prices and availability of guest rooms.

• Where: approx. 20-minute taxi ride from the centre of Tirana
• Contact: +355 68 333 3155 / blerinadiet@gmail.com

Durres – Agroturizëm Gjepali

The story of Agrotourism Gjepali began 23 years ago, when Fundim Gjepali, then only 14 years old, left his village and emigrated to Italy in search of a better life. There he worked in a restaurant in Rome for many years, eventually becoming a successful chef.

Ultimately, however, he wanted to create something for himself that would reconnect him with his roots in Albania. This idea led to the creation of Agroturizëm Gjepali in 2019. The village of Gjepalaj is located south of Shijak, a small town near Durres, characterised by communist-era blocks, brick buildings and traditional small single-family houses.

While the rest of Gjepalaj village is situated at the top of a small hill, Gjepali Agroturizëm is located to the east of the village, in a river bend, surrounded by nothing but nature, with no other houses nearby. The Italian influence on the owner’s former life is evident in the architecture of the restaurant and newly built guest house – in the style of a beautiful typical Tuscan villa. The journey time from the centre of Durres is about 20 minutes.

The close cooperation with the region’s farmers ensures that everything on your plate has travelled less than 10 km. At the moment, the restaurant offers a set menu with fresh local specialities such as various salads and vegetables, olives in combination, byrek, fresh white cheese, qofte, grilled and slow-cooked meat from local farms, and various cake specialities.

The recipes are personally refined by Fundim Gjepali. A selection of mainly Albanian wines and a few selected Italian wines are available to accompany the dishes perfectly. In addition to the culinary delights of the place, the villa, in the midst of peace and nature, also invites you to stay overnight in its lovingly designed rooms. However, as there are only 8 rooms, they are quickly booked out. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Where:

• Shijak (Durres)

Contact:

• +355 68 905 8888
• info@agroturizemgjepali.com

Durres – Kodra e Kuajve Agrotourism & Horse Farm Albania

One of the main attractions is the Horse Hill or Kodra e Kuajve. A resort and restaurant dominated by a large equestrian centre, around which are a hotel, restaurant, horse stables and a seating area for the outdoor restaurant.

The stable was built in 2011/2012 and was actually supposed to be a quiet place to enjoy a weekend with friends or family, but soon it became a resort. A small restaurant was opened and grew through word of mouth. The horse hill is still the centre of the business and is home to 15 horses and 3 ponies.

The site offers beautiful views of the coastal city of Durres. This is not your typical agritourism in Albania. The restaurant prepares fresh products that it buys from local villagers. The restaurant offers meat, fish and seafood, as well as traditional Albanian dishes and a wide selection of pasta and soups.

My personal experience: I was last there in June 2024 and highly recommend the restaurant. A fantastic place to escape the hustle and bustle of Durres. Note: It can get very crowded here at the weekend.

Where:

• Kodra e Kuajve, Durres

Contact:

• +355 69 609 0080
• info@kodrakuajve.com
• http://www.kodrakuajve.com

Durres – Agroturizëm Huqi

Agrotourismus Huqi is an agrotourism farm in Lalez Bay, Albania. It is located right on the lake and has detached wooden cabins that invite you to stay overnight.

This agrotourism farm is a great destination for everyone. The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional Albanian dishes. The dishes are accompanied by the house wine, which is produced in Albania. The main speciality is lamb or kid goat, prepared in such an exquisite way that it melts in your mouth. It is a Slow Food cooking tradition. The restaurant has a capacity of 250 people. The farm provides jobs for people in the surrounding villages. The wooden benches and long tables provide seating for all those who want to eat lunch or dinner here.

There is a place for children to let off steam while they wait for their order. The vegetables are grown directly behind the restaurant, and the property is surrounded by vines.

Where: Lalez Bay

Contact:

• +355 67 509 9909
• info@agritourismhuqi.com
• http://www.agritourismhuqi.com/

Berat – Alpeta Agroturizem

The Alpeta winery is located in the village of Roshnik. Roshnik is located on the hills of Mount Tomorr and is home to 120 families. Surrounded by orchards, olive trees and vineyards, it is a beautiful place. Kantina Alpeta is a family business that consists of a winery, a guest house and a restaurant. The winery produces a Merlot-Cabernet blend, aged in barrels, and also makes white wine and raki. In 2018, the winery produced more than 50,000 bottles of wine and supplied many restaurants in Tirana.

My personal experience: a truly magnificent place, surrounded by greenery and with stunning views of the surrounding hills. You should book here at the weekend, as the availability of rooms seems to be very limited.

The winery was later converted into an agritourism, however, when guest rooms and a rustic restaurant were opened with natural stone and wood. To get the full experience, you have to stay at the farm, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the magnificent view of Tomorr. The farm also grows other fruits such as figs, olives, nut trees, pomegranates, citrus fruits, walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds. ☑ Click here to check prices and availability of guest rooms.

Contact:

• +355 69 748 4361
• +355 69 766 7302
• alpetawinery@gmail.com

Where: Roshnik near Berat

Berat – Kantina Nurellari

In the village of Fushe Peshtan, southeast of Berat, framed by the river Osum and Mount Tomorr, the Nurellary winery stands out. The winery is a well-kept and beautiful brick building with modern elements. The family-run winery was formerly a communist warehouse. It produces more than 30,000 bottles of wine per year, two-thirds of which are reds and one-third of which are whites. The winery supplies supermarkets and restaurants in the region and beyond.

The range extends from the international grape varieties Montepulciano, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to Pulsi and Debina e Bardhe for the white wines and Debina e Zeze and Serina e Zeze for the reds.

The winery has 5.5 hectares of vineyards. The family also produces raki and olive oil. All products can be tasted at a degustation, which includes not only wine and raki but also small dishes to go with the drinks.

In 2019, 6 new rooms were opened where guests can stay overnight and breakfast is included. However, other meals can be ordered on request as the winery does not have its own kitchen. ☑ Click here to check prices and availability of the guest rooms.

Contact:

• +355 69 5136326
• leventnuellari@yahoo.com
• fatosnuellari@yahoo.com
• https://www.nurellariwinery.com

Where:

• Fushe Peshtan, south of Berat

Lezhe – Agroturizem Hylli i Dritës

On the property inherited from their ancestors, a restaurant was initially run with fresh local products. Due to the high demand for products from the Zadrima region, the farm was then founded. Typical products here are: lamb on a spit, duck with cymlek, chicken with vegetables, rice, etc. In addition to the restaurant, you will also find a beautiful small guest house with six rooms on the farm, great views of the surrounding countryside, numerous leisure activities and plenty of peace and quiet.

Here you can try Jufka, a traditional dish of the Dibra region (on the right in the picture). Jufka is a type of tagliatelle that is often served with chicken and can be refined with truffles, for example. ☑ Click here to check prices and availability of guest rooms.

My personal experience: A small agritourism, with good food, very nice service and great views for miles into the countryside. The rooms are rather simple but to spend a day or two in complete tranquility, it is highly recommended.

Where: Troshan, Lezhe in Northern Albania

+355 698667615

Hyllidrites@yahoo.com

Lezhe – Kantina Arbëri Agriturizem (best wines)

Kantina Arberi has transformed itself from producing small batches of wine for its own needs to selling locally and internationally. Its wines have since won numerous awards and are now exported to Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, the United States, Hong Kong and Macau. The winery is currently completing the construction of a restaurant and guest house. The idea is to have a meal and stay overnight or to try a traditional meal.

The architecture is inspired by the traditional castle towers of the Lezhe area. The building is surrounded by the vines on the slopes of the hill. The plan is to breed animals in the surrounding area and produce fresh meat and dairy products for guests. Wine lovers will find plenty to satisfy their tastes here.

Where: Rubik

Contact:

• +355 69 205 7553
• +355 69 443 3773
• rigerskacorri@gmail.com
• http://www.kantina-arberi.com

Korce – Taverne Xhufka

The Xhufka tavern in the Korca district is everything you need on summer days, but also in winter. At an altitude of almost 1000m, the air is fresh and fresh and nature shows itself in its most beautiful floral dress. The simplicity of this property will amaze you.

Trees have been planted all over the grounds to provide shade for visitors today. This place resembles a natural environment and no chemical fertilisers are used on its meadows. The wooden tables are reminiscent of a picnic in nature and the food is traditional to the area, so you won’t get a menu, just what’s on offer. Everything is raised and grown on site, and everything is as fresh as it can be.

Where:

• Boboshtice, Korce

Contact:

• +355 69 2394269
• piroxhufka8@gmail.com

Korce – Agroturizem Farma Sotira

If you fancy breathing in some fresh air and escaping the city life, then we recommend taking a look at our blog about agritourism farms in Albania and learning more about Farma Sotira. This farm is located in the southeastern district of Kolonja. There are two ways to get there, one via Korca and the other via Permet. Here you can have a hot drink in winter and a cold drink in summer, but also eat traditional dishes that you will love.

As you walk around the property, you will see animals that will delight people like you, especially the younger ones. There are horse stables and cows to give you a taste of country life. During the summer months, the farm’s sheep graze further up in the mountains. There is also a vineyard there, where the owner of the farm buys grapes to make his own raki. The food is to die for: homemade, freshly cooked and traditionally prepared.

Where:

• Leskovik (Korca)

Contact:

• +355 69 23 42 529
• info@farmasotira.com
• http://farmasotira.com

Bujtina Dini

In the municipality of Mirdita, 5 km from Rubik, you will find the Dini guest house. In a small valley, in a rural setting and with stone walls, you will find this small, picturesque guest house and restaurant. A family-run business where big dreams have become a reality. Dini guest house was built with the stones of the owner’s ancestors and was named after the old family name.

The property is surrounded by fruit trees, including peaches, apples, cherries, figs, lemons, walnuts and grapes. And if you can’t find it here, you’re sure to find it in the neighbouring house. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a seating area behind the house in the middle of the forest. The menu offers a variety of fresh dishes, including meat, wine, dairy products and homemade cakes.

Where: Rubik

Contact

+355 68 46 52 952

ari_al_85@hotmail.com

Diber Region – Agroturizëm Zerja Peshkopi (Eastern Albania)

Peshkopi, this overlooked small town in Albania, should become a tourist destination as soon as possible. Just outside the town of Peshkopi is one of Albania’s agrotourism farms. A three-storey building in the traditional style near the main road. This agrotourism farm has a whitewashed façade, wooden balconies and a ground floor where the business is located.

The business started out making and selling trahana, a product made from fermented flour and yoghurt dough, and jufka, a type of traditional pasta. It wasn’t long before the jufka it produced became famous throughout the region and beyond. The family started making jams, canned fruit, juices and pickles. Their business reached its peak in 2018 when the owner decided to expand his workshop into a restaurant and guest house.

The restaurant’s menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from lamb to baked veal, steak and liver, as well as homemade burek, fli and jufkas. The rooms above the restaurant can be booked all year round and have a cosy feel.

Where: Peshkopi

Contact:

+355 69 9377337

agro_zerja@yahoo.com

Tirana Airport – Kantina Enol Agrotourism

Kantina Enol is a winery not far from Tirana in the village of Preza. In Preza there is a castle that served as a strong and strategic point of communication for Skanderbeg. The castle is in some ways connected to the castles of Kruja and Petrela, as they would notify each other in the event of an enemy attack.

The Enol cantina is just a few minutes from the centre of the village. Enol is a winery and farm with a restaurant that invites you to taste the fresh local produce and a vineyard where the grapes for winemaking are harvested. The wines are Cabernet, Sauvignon and Merlot.

The restaurant has large wooden tables with red chequered tablecloths and bouquets of fresh wild flowers. The dishes are prepared with organic ingredients from the region. Some of these ingredients are grown on the farm, where olive, apple, plum, pomegranate, fig, cherry, chestnut and walnut trees, as well as vegetable patches, can be found. I visited Kantina Enol in October 2024. Unfortunately, I have to say that I felt that the kitchen lacked a bit of creativity. The service was rather mediocre, but maybe it was just the wrong day at the end of the summer. On the plus side, the ambience in the valley basin is very beautiful and quiet.

Where:

• Preze, near Tirana

Contact:

• +355 67 404 2711
• +355 68 203 6634
• alushiolsi87@gmail.com

Tepelene – Agroturizem Bujtina Xhebro

The Xhebro guest house is located on the slope of the Kendrevica hill in Tepelena. The first thing you see when you arrive is a small garden that looks inviting. Various dairy products from the farm animals are prepared in the guest house. The restaurant is located on the ground floor and offers freshly prepared meals.

Everything you have on your plate comes from the farm at this guesthouse. From the dairy products to the meat platters to the jams and desserts, everything is homemade. If you are looking for a place to unwind away from your phone, this is the perfect place to start.

Where:

• Tepelene, Central Albania

Contact:

• +355 69 341 8154
• bujtina.haderxhebro@yahoo.com

Mrizi i Zanave – Probably the best agrotourism farm in Albania

Where: Fishte, Lezhe

Contact:

• +355 69 210 8032
• info@mrizizanave.al
• www.mrizizanave.al

No list of the best agrotourism establishments in Albania would be complete without Mrizi I Zanave. This beautiful, extraordinary restaurant is located in the village of the Albanian poet Gjergj Fishta. Named after his famous story Mrizi I Zanave (Fairies’ Lair), the owner of this place, Altin, wanted to create something magical with the food he serves.

The restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere and it is rare to find a seat without booking a week in advance. All the food is freshly prepared and comes from local families, as well as from the restaurant’s own crops. There is no menu, and the army of waiting staff explain everything, bringing course after course of dishes that captivate you.

Dishes that are a feast for the eyes, imaginative plates that make your mouth water. The food is slow food and everything is based on seasonal variations, so the menu changes throughout the year depending on the season. Mrizi serves food based on the principle of ‘think globally, eat locally’.

My personal experience: the business has been around for a very long time. I met Altin for the first time in 2021 – he is a warm character who loves his job and is always coming up with new ideas for creations. The restaurant maintains a consistently high quality, offers a lot of variety in the dishes, good service and always promises a great experience. In my opinion, this level of performance is rather the exception in Albania – hats off!

The rooms in the adjoining Mrizi guesthouse are traditionally furnished and give you the feeling of waking up in a remote place, free of worries. So think global, eat local and sleep worry-free at Mrizi I Zanave. ☑ Click here to check prices and availability of the guest rooms.