Albania is home to various religious communities such as Muslims, Christians and Jews and religious tolerance is among the most important values of the Albanian tradition. It is widely accepted, that Albanians are well known for those important values; the peaceful coexistence among the believers of different religions and beliefs in the country.^[1][2]

Albania is a very hospitable culture; hospitality is a fundamental custom of the local society and serving food is integral to the hosting of guests and visitors. It is not infrequent for visitors to be invited to eat and drink with locals. The medieval Albanian code of honor, called Besa, resulted to look after guests and strangers as an act of recognition and gratitude.

The Albanian Urban Lyric Song is a tradition that started in Albania in the 18th century but culminated in the 1930s.^[15] These songs are a major part of Albania's music heritage, but have been little-studied by ethnomusicologists, who prefer to focus on the rural folk music that they see as being more authentically Albanian. Out of this melting pot of local and imported styles came a kind of lyrical art song based in the cities of Shkodra, Elbasan, Berat and Korça. Though similar traditions existed in other places, they were little recorded and remain largely unknown.

Portrait of Tefta Tashko

By the end of the 19th century, Albanian nationalism was inspiring many to attempt to remove the elements of Turkish music from Albanian culture, a desire that was intensified following independence in 1912; bands that formed during this era like the Korçë-based Lira Chorus^[16] played a variety of European styles, including marches and waltzes. Urban song in the early 20th century could be divided into two styles: the historic or nationalistic style, and the lyrical style.^[8] The lyrical style included a wide array of lullabies and other forms, as well as love songs.

Rosela Gjylbegu performing the winning song at “Kënga Magjike” 2009

In the early decade of the 1930s, urban art song had been incorporated into classical music, while the singer Marie Kraja made a popular career out of art songs; she was one of Albania's first popular singers. The first recordings, however, of urban art song came as early as 1937, with the orchestral sounds of Tefta Tashko-Koço

Una delle caratteristiche principali dei villaggi tradizionali albanesi è che, di solito sono molto sparsi, sia che si trovino in pianura sia che si trovino in montagna. Infatti, ogni casa o masseria è circondata da campi coltivati o da zone alberate. Il luogo di ritrovo è la moschea, situata spesso nella zona centrale del villaggio e visibile anche da lontano.

Anche le caratteristiche principali delle case antiche albanesi possono variare da zona a zona. La costruzione più interessante è la “kulla”, un edificio alto e massiccio, a forma di torre, con mura molto spesse e finestre piccolissime.

The city of Berat is located at the river Osum in the middle of the country. In the past it was built as a castle and it is erected at a hill. At this hill there can be found the original castle, named Kalaja. The castle contains a district with numerous churches and mosques and is well worth seeing. Berat is also called the “city of thousand windows” because the typical houses have large window frontages. These windows design the skyline of the city. The white houses are listed buildings to keep the original appearance of the city. In 1961 Berat was elected “city of museums” and therefore is a great destination for those loving history and culture.

The surrounding of the city offers some small villages and typical countryside, that can also be visited on a trip.

Top 2: Albanian Riviera

In the southwest of the country there is a steep coastline, which can be compared to the Italian Riviera but is much quieter and less crowded. Beaches invite to go swimming or sunbathing. 

The countryside is mostly original and behind the beaches there can be found large and dramatic mountain settings. In the mountains numerous small romantic villages are hiding, perfect for small trips.

Top 3: Apollonia

Next to the city of Fier in the middle of Albania one can find the ruins of an ancient town, named after the god Apollon. Apollonia was the biggest and most important city in the ancient world. The ruins are still impressing and show a little piece of the original glory. Libraries, temples, theatres and other buildings can be visited, as well as a triumphal arch and rotted mansions.

The historical place is very impressing. The view from the hills to the country is worth it as well.

Top 4: Durres

The big city Durres at the coastline of Albania is the most important harbor city in the country. Not only from economic viewpoint but also culturally it is a capital. Cultural events and feastings take place all over the year. An important role in these events has the amphitheater, which is one of the most important attractions of the city. The impressive ancient building could provide place for about 20.000 people in the past and can be visited today.

Durres is one of the touristic centers of the country and besides culture and history it provides beaches and holiday fun.

Top 5: Gjirokastra

The city in the south of Albania was elected UNESCO world cultural heritage. Reason for this is the unique architectural style, most of the buildings show. The style is called Balkan architecture and contains small castle-like houses made of stone. The stones should control the temperature in ancient times and today form the town’s landmark. Therefore the city is also called “city of stones”. It is located at the side of a hill and the single quarters are connected with artistic roads.

Top 6: Kruja

Kruja is an Albanian town some 20 kilometers northeast of the capital. It is located at the side of the Skanderberg-mountains. The most important building in the town is the Kruja castle, which is a national sanctum for the Albanian people. It contains the Skanderberg museum, which is reminiscent of the war in this area. Further places next to the town are the tomb of Sari Saltiks and the national park Qafe Shtama. The small town has a large historical background and can also be visited as daytrip from the capital Tirana or from Durres.

Top 7: Shkodra

Shkodra is a city in the north of Albania and the fifth largest city of the country. It is located at the lake Skutari at the boarder to Montenegro. Shkodra is affected by many battles and conquests, from the romans as well as from different aristocratic families. After recovering from the hard battles the city rises to an important trading center and has a distinctive culture till today.