"Tepelena" Tepelene by AlbaniaLover

Tepelene is a small town in the south of Albania inbetween Gjirokaster and Memaliaj. There is a main street that runs through the town with shops and cafe's and a little garage. Going up the hill there are a few supermarkets and little shops and this is where all the houses are going up the hill. Quite near to the top where the houses finish is a school and further up is a hospital and maternity building.

This is the river that runs right along the town of Tepelene called the 'Vjosa' river. Good for swimming in although the current is quite strong. Also the tree's down by the river give a really nice and cool area to sit if it's too hot.

Tepelene from up the mountain.

If you walk to the back of the town up the hills onto the mountain near to were there are some memorial stone's you can look down over the town to this great view.

If you spend a day here/or night you will find enough coffee bars and places to get a snack but not really any restaurants. You will get a feel of the 'real' Albania here and the locals will be interested to know why you are there! Don't worry if you get some looks....i am told it is because they don't see many foreigners. When i was in town i was the only foreigner around....i know this as everyone gossips here!

Ali Pasha

This is the monument of Ali Pasha. He was born in Tepelene in 1744. He was a military ruler of a large section of the Ottaman Empire's European territories.

If you want to find it it is down at the bottom of the town near the main road through to Gjirokaster or Memaliaj next to the hotel and near to where the taxi's and buses wait to pick people up.

• Pros:Nice traditional town, lovely river
• Cons:some bad road connections but they are re-doing them at the moment.
• In a nutshell:Traditional beauty