"In The Land of the Eagles" Top 5 Page for this destination Albania by illumina

Albania Travel Guide: 2,068 reviews and 5,883 photos

Ksamili

One of the smallest countries in Europe, Albania is also very mountainous and little known to outsiders. Albania is known as Eagle's Country, Shqipëri in Albanian.

I went to Albania in September and October 2002, as a volunteer archaeologist. We were digging at the World Heritage site of Butrint, just south of Sarande.

The steps that can be seen in this postcard actually run down to the shore from the hotel I was staying in, the Sea Eagle in Ksamili.

Butrint

This is a view out over Lake Butrint from the peninsula, looking towards Diaporit and the Greek border at the top of Mt. Mile.

Diaporit was the area I was working in, excavating a late Roman villa and bathhouse, and the overlying 7th century church.

As well as Sarande, Ksamili and Butrint, I also visited Gjirokastra and the Blue Eye while I was there (see below).

Albanian World Heritage Sites

As of 2012 Albania has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and I'm lucky enough to have seen them both (well one and a half!).

Butrint
Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra

One of these days I'll get to go back and visit Berat too.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful scenery, friendly people.
Cons:Ugly concrete buildings springing up in hope of tourism; no rubbish collection (so ends up being dumped on the beaches)
In a nutshell:A beautiful, mysterious land

Last visit to Albania: Sep 2002
Intro Updated Sep 20, 2012
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Reviews (49)

Guidebooks What to Pack (2)

The guidebooks which I took with me were the Blue Guide to Albania and Kosovo, a very informative book with plenty of... more travel advice

Tell everyone where you've been! - Albania

Tell everyone where you've been! Shopping (1)

You will probably see these T-shirts everywhere in Albania - as far as tourist souvenirs go, they and the Albanian... more travel advice

Spinning Local Customs (11)

On one of the bumpy landrover journeys back from site, driving between the villages of Xarra and Vrina, we saw an old... more travel advice

Music Favorites (12)

Traditional Albanian music is a mix of diverse rhythms and melodies. The songs of Albanian music are an oral tradition... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (8)
See All Amusing language tip!
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Children
Transportation (2)
See All Roads
Hotels (1)
The Sea Eagle

Tourist Traps (1)
Changing Money
Things to Do (7)
See All Butrint National Park
Restaurants (1)
Snacks
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Travelogues (1)

Written Apr 21, 2006

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Ksamili

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Comments (23)

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CatherineReichardt Apr 2, 2012 at 5:25 AM

Hi Joss
Thanks for the fascinating 'virtual tour' - yet another place that is on the (very long) To Do List!
Did you see any evidence of the much-related Albanian fascination with Norman Wisdom, or is that just a myth?
Regards
Cathy
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Nemorino Jul 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Great that you were able to work as a volunteer archaeologist in Albania!
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xaver Dec 9, 2010 at 12:29 PM

interesting useful tips, hope to be able to go next summer.
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Arkeolog Apr 27, 2010 at 6:03 AM

I visited your Albania page once again. Greta page... to be volunteer archaeologist in Albania sounds cool. Also liked your local custom tips. Bora
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omidamini Dec 3, 2008 at 6:00 AM

Dear, You have nice Albania Page, Thanks, I hope see you in my country Iran, I am sure you will enjoy from here.
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sourbugger Sep 28, 2008 at 11:46 AM

great albanian pages - better than mine that come from a trip afew years before your visit (and it shows) .Bravo.
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sachara Mar 26, 2008 at 3:12 PM

Joss, thanks for dropping by my HP. Nice page of Albania, one of the countries which is on my wishlist allready for a long time.
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nepalgoods Mar 18, 2008 at 11:25 PM

To be a voluntary archareologist in Albania sounds like a big adventure! Happy birthday!
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hunterV Mar 9, 2008 at 8:48 AM

Great! Albania should be discovered too!
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FruitLover May 12, 2007 at 6:08 AM

Very helpful & sensitive page, Joss! Thanx. Do you have more 'old stuff'? Any pic of Albanian Raki? FL