10 הפארקים הלאומיים היפים ביותר באלבניה

טיולים רגליים › 10 הפארקים הלאומיים היפים ביותר באלבניה

Snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes and fantastic views: Albania’s nature is still undiscovered and beautiful. Several national parks have been established to protect the landscapes and are perfect for hiking, swimming and enjoying. In this article, I reveal the 6 most beautiful national parks in Albania and what you can experience there.

The most beautiful national parks in Albania at a glance

Unspoiled landscapes ו-א paradise for hikers and explorers await you on your trip to Albania. Travel to the most beautiful פארקים לאומיים באלבניה and explore the gigantic mountain world of the Balkan country. The numerous national parks are home to many wild animals, diverse plant species and magnificent hiking trails for your next adventure.

Llogara National Park – Spectacular Views

Between the Ionian Sea and the Ceraunian Mountains lies the home of numerous animal and plant species. The 1010-hectare national park primarily serves to protect the mountain forest, which consists of centuries-old pine trees and pines, for example. It is also home to wolves, foxes and even wild cats as well as numerous birds. Many visitors only pass the Llogara National Park when they drive from Vlora towards Saranda over the מעבר לוגרה. However, it is definitely worth planning a longer stop here or a stay of several days to explore the beautiful hiking trails with views of the Albanian coast.

שִׂיא: High mountains with a view of the sea

• מִקוּם: Southern Albania, 40 km from Vlora

My tips:

• Observe various bird species, such as golden eagles, rock partridges and eagle owls.
• Enjoy the sunset at Caesar Pass, which Julius Caesar once passed through with his troops.
• Hike to one of the small bays with secluded beaches on the Riviera (for example to Gjipe beach).
• At an altitude of over 1,000 meters, temperatures are mild in summer – so cool off from your beach stays here.

הפארק הלאומי עמק ואלבונה – A Hiking Paradise

In the far north-east of Albania lies the village of ואלבונה and the national park of the same name. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and offers numerous hiking opportunities and secluded peaks. Numerous wild animal species live here away from civilization and in complete peace and quiet: brown bears, wolves and lynx call the Valbona Valley home, as do deer and wild goats. Those who visit the Valbona National Park for hiking will spend the night in typical Albanian guesthouses or camp in the midst of nature.

שִׂיא: Untouched high mountains

• מִקוּם: Northern Albania, 180 km from Shkoder

My tips:

• ה summer months of June – September are best for an outdoor adventure in the Valbona Valley.
• Hike along the מעבר ואלבונה to Theth.
• Experience the hospitality of the locals in the village of Valbona.
• Try home-made Albanian dishes in one of the inns – usually prepared by grandma herself.
• Visit the numerous waterfalls.

Travel tip: Experience the Valbona Valley as one of the highlights of the Balkans and get to know the country and its people with special Insight experiences:

Butrint National Park – Ruins, Archaeology & Nature

The area around the Butrint archaeological site is one of the most popular excursion destinations in Albania. It is located on a peninsula and is home to finds dating back to the 10th century B.C. Today, you can visit the ruins of numerous buildings that were shaped by the Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Ottomans. In addition to the ancient city, the national park also includes Lake Butrinte, the coastal area on the Ionian Sea וה- surrounding wetlands. It is home to a wide variety of animal species, some of which are endangered, such as the Epirius water frog, the Taurus lizard, the Mediterranean monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle.

שִׂיא: The ancient site of Butrint (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• מִקוּם: Southern Albania, 25 km from Saranda

My tips:

• It is best to visit the excavation site early in the morning, before the big tourist rush.
• Follow in the footsteps of Albanian history and explore the ruins. Only 15% have been excavated.
• Cycle through the national park and discover the local flora.
• Hike along empty paths through nature and encounter more ruins along the way.

Theth National Park – Untouched Albania

ה Theth הפארק הלאומי is located in the heart of the האלפים האלבניים. Many of the inhabitants have left the region for the city, making nature even more isolated. Those who venture into the silence will be rewarded with rugged peaks, green forests and idyllic villages. At its heart is the village of Theth, which itself consists of little more than a church, a few guesthouses and campsites. Even the journey there is beautiful, but very rough in places, so an off-road vehicle may be necessary.

שִׂיא: Wild mountain world + hiking opportunities

• מִקוּם: Northern Albania, around the village of Theth

My tips:

• Visit the מפל גרונאס, which consists of meltwater.
• Explore the village of Theth with its church, the old watermill and the historic Blutracheturm tower.
• Discover the numerous hiking trails, for example to the “Blue Eye” Syri i Kalter
• You can reach the Valbona Valley on foot via the מעבר ואלבונה.
• Climbing paradise for experts on the Maja e Arapit cliff face.

טיפ לטיולים: Hike through Albania’s most beautiful national parks with a stop in Theth.

Vjosa National Park – Rafting and Kayaking

Everything here revolves around a river! Namely the Vjosa, the last great wild river in Europe, which also gives the park its name. This makes it the first European Wild River National Park. And what a park it is! Nature and hiking fans’ eyes will light up: the Vjosa meanders through narrow gorges, past alluvial forests and gravel islands through the breathtaking landscape. From its source in the Greek mountains to its mouth in the Mediterranean, it covers over 270 kilometers. The national park was only established in 2022. Its aim: to protect and preserve this unique ecosystem. As part of gentle eco-tourism, visitors can immerse themselves in this unique landscape by canoe or kayak, swimming or hiking.

• מִקוּם: Central Albania between Tepelene and Gjirokastra

My tips:

• The best way to experience the river is by boat on a rafting or kayaking tour.
• Experience small mountain town of Tepelene offerering history and natural serenity in equal proportions along the banks of southern Albania’s winding Vjosë River.

Marine National Park Karaburun-Sazan

The national park around the Karaburun peninsula and the island of Sazan in southern Albania is the country’s only marine conservation park. Many parts of the region were military zones, so there is very little infrastructure here. However, there are plenty of sunken ships in the sea itself, some of which date back to the Roman Empire or the Second World War. It is also the habitat of many species of marine fauna and flora: Posidonia meadows, corals and reptiles are just some of the native species. The steep coastal sections are home to many caves and secluded beaches that are wonderful to explore on foot.

שִׂיא: Marine reserve with many wrecks and cliffs

• מִקוּם: Southern Albania, Karaburun peninsula + Sazan island

My tips:

• Due to its remote location, the national park can only be reached on foot or by boat.
• Take a boat trip to the largest sea cave in Albania: the Haxhi Ali Cave, which is 30 m long
• Read the inscriptions of seafarers on the rock walls of Grama Bay.

Divjake-Karavasta National Park

The spectacular Karavasta Lagoon is the largest lagoon in Albania and one of the largest wetlands in the Mediterranean. It is located in western Albania and is an important wetland and natural area that characterises the Divjakë-Karavasta National Park. Its salt pans, floodplains, estuaries, sand dunes and coastal meadows harbour a great variety of flora and fauna. It is an important refuge for water birds such as pelicans and herons.

The lagoon is situated on the Adriatic coast, 40 km west of Lushnje. From Tirana, take the highway to Durres and then, from there, take the one to Fier. Then, after about 38 kilometers, follow the signs for Cerma and Sipërme, and then those for Divjaka. There is a visitor center, a bird watching tower and there is are trails to explore the area on foot. 

Higlight: Over 200 different species of birds have been recorded here. The lagoon is renowned for Dalmatian Pelican. Other birds you can expect to see are Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Greenshank, Collared Pratincole, Little Tern, Pygmy Cormorant, European Bee-eater

Fir of Hotova-Dangëlli National Park

This is the הפארק הלאומי הגדול ביותר באלבניה. The park takes its name from the Hotove fir, a typical tree species that covers a large part of its area. It is one of the country’s most underrated nature destinations and offers something for everyone to do at any time of the year.

• מִקוּם: Fir of Hotova-Dangëlli National Park, Southeastern Albania

Although the fir dominates these forests, there are also other tree species such as maple, oak and black juniper. There is also some wildlife such as wild boar, badgers, red foxes, grey wolves and even brown bears. Popular activities include hiking, backpacking and rafting in the Langarica Gorge.

For trekking enthusiasts, it is possible to traverse five different itineraries marked with color charts (available with GPS maps). For more information, the forest staff is available and located near the forest station, from where the itineraries start. While here, you can visit some typical villages such as Ogreni, Hotova, Borocka, Pagria, Kreshova, and Sorropulli. In the village of Frashër, visit the museum dedicated to the three Frashëri brothers, who were the most important figures of the Albanian Renaissance, as well as the Tekke of Frashër.

Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park

The variety of altitudes – from 300 to 2,200 metres above sea level – and vegetation types, coupled with a very remote location, make Shebenik-Jabblanicë National Park an excellent park for wildlife watching.
In the remote mountains of eastern Albania, close to the border with Macedonia, many large mammals can still be found that have a hard time elsewhere. These include brown bears, Balkan lynxes, grey wolves and European otters. The park is a paradise for hikers with numerous hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. It is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the colourful foliage dominates the slopes and the edges of the glacial lakes.

הגעה לשם:

Although it is very remote and rugged, the park is only about 90 kilometres east of Tirana. However, due to the slow mountain roads towards the end, the journey takes around 2.5 hours.

The small villages surrounding the park are better suited for serious exploration. Several of them are located on the SH3 motorway, which runs parallel to the Shkumbin River.

Prespa National Park

Prespa National Park covers an area of 27,750 hectares and is the largest national park in the Balkans. It is located in south-east Albania, on the border with Macedonia and Greece. There are 12 villages in the area of the park.

Its wetlands, reed beds, meadows, salt marshes and lakes make it an important area for birds. It has been included in international conservation programmes such as the European Green Belt, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and the Ramsar Convention.

Prespa National Park is part of the district of Korçë. The entrance to the park is located in Zvezdë, 25 kilometres from the border with Macedonia.

Ready for your adventure in the national parks in Albania?

Hiking in the Valbona Valley, delicious food in the villages of Theth or warm bathing days in southern Albania. Albania’s national parks have a lot to offer. Do you want to make them your next travel destination? Then take a look through my travel offers and soon enjoy the most beautiful national parks in Albania for yourself.