July, 02 2024 ( Updated July, 12 2024)
In the heart of the Mediterranean, Albania is blessed with a mild climate and stunning landscapes. The coastal plains give way to rolling hills and then dramatic mountains. It is packed with historical sites, charming villages and towns with their origins in Ancient Greece and Rome, or later from the Ottoman period.
Indeed, Albania is Europe’s undiscovered treasure and if you want to know what Vacations in Albania are like, then it means beautiful beaches, clear sea, fascinating history and delicious food. Below, we have rounded up the best of Northern Albania, from relaxing in Lalzit Bay to exploring history in the capital of Tirana and partying till the break of dawn, this is the Albania travel guide you have been looking for!
Enjoy the wide sandy beach of Lalzit Bay
Located north of Durres and reaching till the Cape of Rodon, Lalzit Bay, (also known as Lalzi Bay) is 10 kilometres of pure holiday vibes with wide sandy beach, a backdrop of pine trees and the mountains on the horizon.
Lalzit Bay is made up of several beaches. Plazhi San Pietro is particularly beautiful, with super affordable stays just a stone’s throw away. It is uncrowded and an excellent spot for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. It is in a protected area, so away from the coast you can enjoy hiking in the pine forest and birdwatching. On the beach, visitors can hire cool cabanas, sun beds and parasols, and enjoy good food at the vibrant seaside cafés and bars. Lalzi Beach stretches from San Pietro down to Rrushkull Beach. These lively beaches have a range of activities including volleyball and other sports to keep visitors busy.
Have an aperitivo in one of the numerous beach bars
Editor’s tip: Looking for nightlife in Albania? Lazli Bay is also home to many lively beach bars, such as Summer Depo and Aqua Beach Bar, about 30 minutes from Durres. Both are known for their vibrant atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks.
Aerial spring view of Rodoni Castle
The Cape of Rodon (€1 entrance fee), to the north of Lalzit Bay, appeals to nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. This unspoiled peninsula has stunning views out over the Adriatic and is popular with hikers who want to enjoy the beautiful landscape. At the entrance to the Cape, by the ticket kiosk, there are 3 clearly marked trails of varying levels of difficulty.
The Mediterranean Trail is 4km and is easy for walkers of all levels offering stunning views over the cape and islands. The Panoramic Trail is 3km and takes in the highest point of Cape Rodon. This has some steep parts so is unsuitable for young children. The last one is the Coastal Trail (4km) which hugs the coast. This too has some steeper parts so is not for inexperienced walkers.
If this is too energetic then relax on Rodon Beach. The clear waters are usually calm and shallow so ideal for families.
Editor’s tip: Just 40 minutes from Tirana airport, the entire area, which is called the Gijri Lalzit area, is ideal for families and offers the perfect summer getaways to relax with your loved ones near the Cape of Rodon.
To the north of the cape, the ruins of the 14th-century Rodoni Castle (sometimes called Skanderbeg Castle) offer a glimpse into the past. The peninsula is also home to the church of St Anthony, which dates from the 14th century. The church was partly destroyed by an earthquake in the 1800’s but has been restored and its interiors include frescoes and stuccowork. For an alternative view of the cape, hire a kayak and explore the coastline from the sea. This gives you a particularly impressive angle of the castle from an invader’s point of view
The capital city of Tirana is only 45 minutes away and makes a fascinating day trip from Lalzit Bay. Tirana’s history spans millennia and the city has everything from the Byzantine ruins of Tirana Castle (now a buzzing tourist destination) to the fascist architecture of the Pyramid of Tirana in Skanderbeg Square and the biggest mosque. For authentic Albanian food and locally made gifts, the city’s New Bazaar (Pazar I Ri) is not to be missed. The city is known for its vibrant bar scene and nightlife. The Blloku neighbourhood is the main place to go to check this out.
The lovely Durresi pier during the sunset
In the town of Durres (only 40 minutes from Lazlit Bay), visitors can find the ancient and the modern side by side. The town is home to the largest Roman amphitheatre in the Balkans, as well as the ruins of a Byzantine forum. The 4th-century Venetian Tower, on the seafront, is now a restaurant and is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Adriatic Sea. If you are travelling to Albania by car then Durres is your landing point by ferry from Ancona or Bari in Italy. Since it is reasonably close, just 40 minutes from Tirana, it gets lively at weekends with people coming from the capital to enjoy the beaches and great nightlife as the town bursts into life after sunset. Durres Summer Fest every June features international DJ’s and live performances.
Skenderbeg castle and museum in Kruje
Away from the coast, the medieval town, Kruje is another great day trip from Lalzit Bay. Perched on a hillside it is a 1-hour drive through unspoiled countryside, with rolling hills and vineyards. Kruje is an important historical site in Albania as it was home to the national hero Skanderbeg (after whom the square in Tirana is named).
Kruje Castle is mainly in ruins but still worth a visit, particularly for the panoramic views across the valley to the mountains. Skanderbeg Museum, a seven-level museum inside the castle, gives visitors an interesting overview of Albanian history and Skanderbeg’s struggle.
Souvenir stands at bazaar in center of Kruja, Albania
The town also has an Old Bazaar which is a 500-year-old market. It has a wide variety of antiques, Albanian handicrafts and souvenirs, as well as handwoven fabrics and carpets. It also has some beautiful cafés and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. However, the charm of this market lies in its cobblestone streets with a middle eastern feel.
Don't miss the delicious Byrek, typical Balkan food
In between Gijri Lalzit and Kruje is the Duka Winery which is a lovely day out for adults. In the hills of Ishmi, the vineyard produces both red and white wines. They offer tours and wine tastings plus there is an excellent restaurant where they serve traditional Albanian cuisine. Not to be missed is the national dish of Tave Kosi - lamb which has been baked with rice and a mixture of yoghurt and eggs, and Byrek, a filo pastry pie usually stuffed with spinach and feta or tomato and onions.
Try the sweet petullas to conclude your meal
Albanian cuisine is a combination of the finest food in the Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish, Italian and Eastern European. There are plenty of vegetarian options using baked bell peppers, tomatoes and aubergines, and some delicious breakfast options, including Petulla, small doughnuts served with local honey or jam.
After a chilly winter, spring arrives in Albania in March. May to late September are the ideal months to visit if you want to spend some time on the beach and swim. July and August are high season and the weather is very warm and sunny, perfect for a Mediterranean vacation.
With friendly local people, uncrowded beaches, delicious food and low prices, Albania is an excellent holiday destination. These beach rental on Lalzit Bay are perfect to spend the summer, without shaking your budget!
Public transport in Albania is fairly limited so the best way to ensure that you do not miss anything is to hire a car. The roads are good, not too busy and the driving is straightforward.
So, what are you waiting for? Lalzit Bay and Albania have it all - uncrowded beaches, sparkling sea, fascinating history and unspoiled nature.
Come and experience it for yourself and book one of our comfortable apartments just a short walk from the sparkling Adriatic Sea. We have a range of apartments which are just a short walk from the beach and suitable for children and families.
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Have a stroll in front of the Skanderbeg memorial and Ethem Bey mosque in Tirana, Albania 
