albanian alps where to stay

Where to stay in Shkoder: Wanderers Hostel, Hotel Carmen (mid-range), or Hotel Colosseo & Spa (luxury). The mountain view already makes you excited to leave. Himara offers great kayaking opportunities along the coast as well as direct access to the beautiful, and hidden, Gjiri Filikuri Beach. After the hike you can spend the afternoon chilling in Theth or you can walk to the old church in the village. The beaches here are stunning. If youre visiting the alps in summer you dont need much! Tirana is the capital city and its the best place in Albania for travel purposes; Tirana is home to the countrys only international airport and the regional bus station here will take you anywhere you need to go within the country. They will prepare around 5 - 6 local dishes where you can eat as much as you want. You can find the location for Grunas waterfall here. This is one of those local trails you wont find much information about online, but WOW is it bucket list worthy! You can take a ride up the Dajti Ekspress and hike into Dajti National Park, visit one of the many museums (there are toooons here), go on a free walking tour, and/or go on a food tour; Tirana has delicious restaurants! For accommodation in Theth and Valbona, you might be able to get by without booking during the shoulder seasons but if you are there in the mid-summer months, I highly recommend you book them before you embark on the journey. Youre visiting Valbona for an extended period of time. Seriously. Here are some resources to help you get your trip going: Are you planning to travel to Shkodra, Albania independently? These guesthouses are a great option if youre looking for easy access to the Blue Eye. These are some of the prettiest structures you will find in Shkodra. There are a few ways you can get to Tirana: From the US, you can fly into Tirana via Turkish Airlines through Istanbul, KLM Airlines through Amsterdam, Alitalia Airlines through Rome, and a few other routes that go through Europe. Excllent article! From the 5-days itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you can expect to spend in the Albanian Alps as follows: Tips: There is no ATM in Theth and Valbona so be sure to take out enough cash in Shkodra before you start your journey. After around 3 hours, you should arrive at the Blue Eye where you can stop for lunch, swim in the dreaded cold water of the Blue Eye, or sit at the small cafe they have there. The locals trails are more intense and technical whereas the tourist hikes are easy and well marked. Transportation: to enter the country you can find 1 international airport in Tirana, 1 port in Saranda (daily ferry arrivals/departures to Corfu, Greece), and a bus line from Montenegro. Valbona Theth Hike: 26 Essential Tips for the Albanian Alps - Wander-Lush Plan your trip while prices & tourism levels are low! The Albanian Alps are a truly spectacular destination in the Balkans. Seriously, this is one to put firmly on your itinerary. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, below is how you can get a local sim card in Shkodra, Albania: In Shkodra, there is fast WIFI available in most places so you should have no trouble finding one but that is another story in Theth and Valbona since they are both in the mountains. If you only have a day or two to explore the Albanian Alps, Theth is easily accessible and its therefore the easiest park to visit. My suggestion is to go whichever way you find yourself going. The Alps were the thing that *caught my eye* about Albania. The mountains here are absolutely phenomenal and the hiking trails vary in terrain, technicality, and length making this a great hiking destination for newbie and experienced hikers alike. Please let me know. I just wnt to give you a big thums up for the great info o have got here on this post. 2 Week Albania Itinerary - Alps, Riviera & UNESCO - Moon & Honey Travel In fact, visiting a lot of the beaches along the riviera is very difficult unless youre travelling via car which most backpacks arent. Inspiring a life of outdoor adventure, eco-mindedness, natural living & holistic wellness. A 30 - 40 minute hike will bring you to Theth waterfall, also called Grunas. Once you arrive in Theth, you can ask your driver to drop you off at your accommodation so you do not have to walk. Hike across the Valbona Pass (1800 m) Stay in the remote, mountain villages of Theth and Valbona. In this guide to the 17 best places in Albania, Im going start with the north and work my way down to keep things more organized. Hotels in Theth - Welcome to Albanian Alps Interested in discovering more of Albanias nature? Heres What You Should do in Tirana, A Hikers Guide to the Albanian Alps: Trails, Planning, Itineraries, +, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpo_OUpQ6M&t=14s. Food: Food in Shkodra cost around 500 LEK whereas, in both Theth and Valbona, you can expect to pay 500 LEK for lunch and 1,000 for dinner. A: Its what you make it! DAY: DHERMI SARANDA KSAMIL Where To Stay In Ksamil: My TOP TIPS for Accommodation 4. Shkoder is situated next to Skadar Lake and Rozafa Castle which you can explore via bike. After a night in Shkodra, you will be departing for Theth in the early morning where the bus you book yesterday should come and pick you up at your hostel/hotel around 7 - 8 AM. This i eally ntrsting, Yure very skilled blogger. It is quite crowded for my liking though but it was still quite a nice view to see. From Shkodra, you will first have to travel by bus on a winding road for 3 hours before you arrive in Theth. The stretch of Komani Lake that leads to the Shala River somehow has even bigger and more scenic mountains and greener water. From multi day hiking trips to single day adventures, you can find a littleeee bit of everything listed on this site. Now, tours for the Albanian Alps! I'd recommend doing it this way because this is the one that I can give you the details for, and the route that can be organized entirely by The Wanderer's Hostel in Shkoder. Instead I hiked to a pass that actually ended up in Montenegro! It is only a 15-minutes walk from one another but the view is so much better in Fushe Thethi hence why I recommend Shpella Guesthouse. 16 Pro-Grade Lightroom Presets Now Available! One of the most popular hiking trails in the Albanian Alps is the Theth-Valbona trail, which will take you from Theth to Valbona mountain towns or vice versa via the Valbona Pass that overlooks both valleys. Our 3-day hiking trip package which included transportation, a local guide, accommodation in guesthouses for two nights and all (giantly enormous) meals cost a total of . You most likely wont begin your Albanian Alps adventures from Tirana, however if you do you can check out this post for all my Tirana-based activity and accommodation recommendations. I spent 1.5 months travelling in Albania and I can confidently say I've seen all the country's highlights. From your guesthouse, a bus will come and pick you up at 10:30 AM (sometimes a bit earlier) and they will drive you to Fierze, a town where you will have to catch the ferry across the Komani Lake. The fresh water sources in the Albanian Alps are drinkable. The combined cost for the ferry and buses will be approximately 2000LEK / 20 euros. Budget an extra night on your Albanian Alps itinerary to visit the. Withdraw enough cash before you leave for the alps. Not too much to worry about here! I dont een know th way I ended up here, I am happy Getting to Theth via public transportation is super easy, especially if you stay with Wanderers Hostel they book the bus for you! Albania travel destinations - Lonely Planet After trying ice cream everywhere I went in Albania, I can confirm that this place was the best! If youre wanting to complete more hikes in Valbona and are worried about the distance to the trailheads, dont be. The journey will take 3 hours and cost around 1,200 LEK (10 EUR). But mountains arent the only beautiful natural feature youll find in Albania. Thanks a bunch fr sharing tis ith all people you actually recognis what youre Secondly, the Theth-Valbona hike levels are not evenly distributed. Also, I hae sared your wb site in my social networks! If youre searching for a quieter beach experience, you can try some of the more secluded beaches just up the coast: Mirror Beach (aka Shpella e Pellumbave) or Edon Bina, for starters. I am also an advocate for the environment and do as much as I can to take care of our planet. Top Things to do in Albania: Mountains, Beaches & Ruins - World Nomads If youre looking for great hiking trails and outdoor adventure, youll have to make a quick stop in Shkoder first. On day 2 your hosts from the Shala River will take you back to the Lake Komani ferry port where youll board the big ferry that goes to Fierza. Albania offers you a rare opportunity to travel off the beaten path in Europe and shape your own adventure without the heavy influence of social media. From the trailhead, it is a 3-hours steep climb that goes straight-up to Valbona Pass, the highest point of the trail. Turn every which way and you've got yourself a postcard picture. Albanian Alps Hikes Grunas Waterfall. Best places to stay in Albania . The only way to access this area is via personal car or boat. For more information about Albania local sim card: Albania Prepaid Data Sim Card. This is a closed currency so youll need to wait until youre in Albania to exchange $. Albania has relatively little in the way of high-end accommodation communist-era behemoth hotels are still prevalent but things are changing. The good ones (the ones I recommended in this guide) get booked out really fast. Hiking Time: 5 hours One of the top sites to see here is the Rozafa Castle, which is said to be founded by the Illyrians and rebuilt by Romans, Ottomans, and Venetians. us up to date like this. A: Ill get into all the nitty gritty details for how to plan a trip to the Albanian Alps in this post. From Theth, you will have to make your way up north heading towards Theth Center but instead of crossing the river and follow the road, you stick to the right bank of the river until you have to cross it on foot and then follow the trail until you are at the intersection. The Unspoiled Albanian Alps - Into Albania Albania travel guide: all you need to know - Times Travel Make sure you still have the tickets you bought earlier with you. Having a car will allow you to drive to the trailheads, pack more gear, and bring extra food. Where to stay in Theth: Shpella Guesthouse (best), or Guesthouse Rrashkadoli (budget). Day 6 will conclude your time in the Albanian Alps. Ask in the comment section below! Im sure if this is your first time visiting the Albanian Alps you have TONS of questions. If you organize your trip with your hostel/hotel in Shkodra, the bus should come pick you up and your accommodation at around 7:20 AM. Essentially, when youre in the alps youll need to stay at a guesthouse or at a campsite. UNDP-Solar panels. Solar Energy! A story from the Albanian Alps The dramatic canyon walls + the milky blue water of the canyon makes for the perfect swimming location on a scorching Albanian summer day. Youll have to wait until you are physically in the alps in order to talk to the locals who know about the trails in the area. I got so confused when I was in Shkodra planning the trip as there was a lot of mixed information out there. Speaking of Berat Berat is also the best city in Albania to access the Osumi Canyon from. The Albanians Alps are reached via minibus and ferry. The trail at the beginning is mostly exposed but 30 minutes in and you should be in a forest which should help you with the heat. In the south youll find vibrant coastal cities and lovely beaches along the Albanian Riviera. Theres a hiking trail and a road from the village of Theth to the Blue Eye. Its just a few kilometres walk depending where your guesthouse is followed up by a quick jaunt through the woods. Hiking The Spectacular Theth To Valbona Trail In The Albanian Alps ood da! Saranda is a touristy destination which means youll find plenty of travellers who are looking to socialize and party. The hike ends in Denelle, a giant plain surrounded by mountains and in the midst of that, you will find a warm welcoming family of 5 and their settlement where you can refill your water enjoy the view with their lovely daughters. Once you are done with the preparation, you can spend the rest of the day exploring the city. But Ill get into more details about that later. The Blue Eye of Theth is fed by melting snow which gives it an icy cold temperature and a vibrant blue/green colour. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for a few of the 170,000 bunkers that scattered throughout the country in Valbona. Looking for a great place to watch the sunset? The quietness, open sky for star gazing, kayaking spots, and hiking opportunities make this place an absolute paradise. When it is crowded up there, people have the habit of trying to squeeze themselves in to get that epic view of the Valbona valley, and so watch your step and watch out for other people's swinging backpack. From the other side of the river bed, the trail is a 3-hours straight-up hike through a thick forest where you will able to occasionally take a break and admire the view of Theth and all the surrounding valleys from above. However, if you stay at the guesthouses I recommended, they do have reliable WIFI in the common area that you can stay connected. Heres my 2 day guide to Berat & the Osumi Canyon. Now I want to get more specific about the canyon and hot springs in Permet I just mentioned Lengarica Canyon and the Benja hot springs are located NEAR Permet. After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring. There are some hikes in the alps I wouldnt do without a guide (or at least a local), but you wont have to worry about those trails because you wont find any information about them online. The hiking season peaks in August (there is a chance there will be a Jazz Festival in Theth during August as well), and so if you want to avoid the crowds, go for May - June or September instead. Theth To Valbona Hike In The Albanian Alps ), you can check out my post 10 Reasons You Need to Visit the Shala River.. If you are looking to buy a local sim card anyway, you can buy one in Shkodra. The bus costs 300 LEK and will take around 2 hours to reach Shkodra. The Albanian Alps offer swaggering . Pack a pair of gloves as well as a warm hat. How about you see it for yourself with my Albania travel video? There are wonderful views en-route, little rock pools and beautiful butterflies. Congratulations! Here is a collection of articles about Albania that will help you with your trip planning: Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. The Alps resemble a dome with the highest peak of Jezerca 2694 m, from which appear in the form of rays the mountain ranges with sharp peaks and steep slopes. This is why I always carry a tripod! With its mystical beauty nature has made a compromise with itself and with men. Albanian Alps - Theth To Valbona Hike Full Travel Guide - TravelTrained You can buy an eSIM prior to your arrival and you are good to go. So, I thought itd be best to start this post out with a quick FAQ section. The Osumi Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Albania. Early in the season you can go rafting through this canyon, whereas in mid summer it becomes a hiking/canyoning excursion. The Blue Eye is a natural phenomenon that no one can quite explain. Albanian Alps Travel Guide - Tourism in Albania Id love to explain what that something is, but its more of a feeling and something that cant be put into words. Albania has SO much to offer its visitors. After the bus picks you up youll have around a 3 hour drive up and down a beautiful, windy mountain road until you reach the tiny village of Theth. The . Driving is chaotic, Id recommend sticking to buses. I spent 1.5 months travelling in Albania and I can confidently say Ive seen all the countrys highlights. Its easy to plan a trip to the Albanian Alps without a car trust me, I did it myself! If you stay at the Wanderers Hostel the staff will book transportation for you. Albanian Alps Valbona The Valbona River Valley lies in the eastern part of the Albanian Alps. 1) Albanian people dont like putting stuff on the internet and 2) Albania is an up & coming travel destination. Planning a trip to Albania? There are 13 buses running every day between the 2 cities from 7 AM to 5 PM, running almost every hour. Jezerca Guesthouse that I recommended is located right at the end of Valbona so you will have to walk for another 45 minutes to get there. Albanian Alps Vacation Rentals & Homes - Shkodr County, Albania - Airbnb Hiking Time: 0 Categories DestinationsEuropeEastern EuropeBalkansAlbaniaHiking. Not many people visit the alps during winter because activity options are limited, theres a mass amount of snow, and the temperatures are freezing. Sandals like, Something to carry water in I always bring my. Have more questions about the Albanian Alps? My favourite hike in the Albanian Alps is none other than Maja Rosit. Plav to Vusanje (Montenegro) Vusanje to Theth (Montenegro and Albania). Albania is one of the last undiscovered countries in Europe. The culture capital and ancient city of Albania is Shkoder. After you are done taking photos, make your way down the same way. Campsites are (obviously) the budget option for accommodations in the alps, however youll need to bring your own camping gear for this AND youll have to carry it with you when you hike from one park to the next Which is kind of a huge pain in the butt. If youre looking for the best place in Albania that offers both mountains AND beach, Himara is it. Outdoor adventure enthusiast and environmental devotee. When it comes to finding hiking trails for the alps online, youre not gonna find anything. Prokletije National Park, Montenegro - Moon & Honey Travel If youre looking for a beach party, Ksamil beach is the best place in Albania to visit. In fact, I spent 3 days hiking solo in the alps and felt perfectly safe. Although there isnt a ton going on in Berat, theres a really nice feeling to this place. At Butrint youll find ancient ruins, a museum full of old artifacts, and beautiful natural views into the National Park. Get to know me more here! Here is the. The final ascent to the waterfall is pretty steep, however its short-lived and this final steep section leads to the best place to view the waterfall from. When one thinks of Albania as a travel destination, it is hard to imagine that a place like the Albanian Alps existed. Note that during the hike youll pass by Grunas waterfall and Grunas canyon which are totally worth a detour to go see. This part of the journey will cost 800 LEK and takes around 2 hours before you arrive in Koman where you will have to get another bus back to Shkodra. A Hiker's Guide to the Albanian Alps: Trails, Planning, Itineraries, This is a great photo-op for all the photographers out there and it makes for an easy walk if youre looking for something to do in the village of Valbona. If you hike in summer, start early! Definitely pack a pair of pants and, if you have them, bring waterproof pants too. Ultimate Guide to the 17 Best Places in Albania Get Your Guide has the most extensive list of options for trips to the Albanian alps, so if youre interested in finding a tour, If youre looking for something a little more wild and extreme, check out this. Driving is chaotic, Id recommend sticking to buses. Warm & welcoming people, yummy food, beautiful beaches, cheap everything. Situated on the north-eastern Alps of Albania, these highlands are between 1600 and 2400 meters above sea level, making up the upper part of the Tropoja river valley. Temperatures will be quite high and Albania experiences minimal rain. It's possible to access Prokletije National Park from both Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Backpackers Guide to the Best Hostels in Albania. Hello! Bring an international travel adapter, and notify your bank before travelling. Along the way, be sure to look out to the breathtaking valleys towering over Theth and watch as the sun retreats away. Trekking & Walking in Albanian Alps for 5 days | Trek Balkan On day 4 youll hike from Valbona to Theth which takes anywhere from 4-9 hours (depending on experience, hiking abilities, and fitness level). Hiking from Valbona to Theth - Which Route to Take? Now you can buy me a virtual teahere. If youre looking in the direction of north you can visit the beautiful Borsh Beach (via car) and in the southern direction you can visit the beaches surrounding Ksamil. This is the most refreshing place in all of Theth to take a cold dip on a scorching summer day. Two hours before sunset, start making your way to the castle and when you are there, do not enter the castle (it is probably closed by then anyway) but climb up the hill to the side of the castle instead and watch the sunset from outside the castle wall. Located at 700 meters above sea level in the heart of Thethi National Park, it is one of the most pristine areas in the north. Continue walking a bit further into the plain and you will see a small camp where the warm-welcoming family of 5 awaits you. In general, Albania is a very safe country to travel in. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: Looking to travel the Balkans, check out all my articles about the region here: You can see all my Eastern Europe related articles on my. There are two hikes you must do while visiting Theth. Theres a quick day hike from the city to the Ali Pasha Bridge which is definitely worth checking out! Best 8 places to visit in Albania - Lonely Planet The Shala River is connected to Komani Lake, BUT its even more beautiful. **previously you had to take a 44 vehicle into Theth recently the road has been paved and you can now drive a regular vehicle to the park.**.
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