The Blue Eye is one of the most beautiful places you’ll come across on your travels. Tucked away in Muzinë in southern Albania, the Blue Eye is a natural water spring that provides water for the 15-mile-long Bistricë River. The water here is almost too clear to believe. You can see all the way down to the bottom and admire the tiny light blue bubbles as they quickly rise to the surface and pop. The bubbles create waves on the water that can be quite mesmerizing.

One of the most interesting things about the Blue Eye is its depth – no one knows how deep it is. The furthest anyone has managed to dive is 164 feet, but they didn’t go all the way to the bottom. Although there are signs saying that swimming is forbidden, you will see some people take a dip. If you want to risk it, keep in mind that the water is only around 50°F (10°C) – even in the middle of summer!

The Albanian Riviera is where you'll find some of the most enjoyable things to do in Albania. One of the most well-liked and beautiful regions of the nation is this one. Whether you want to unwind, explore, or have a good time, it's the ideal location. Saranda, the region's liveliest town, is a great place to explore first thing in the morning. Before ascending the hill to the Forty Saints Monastery, where you can enjoy stunning views of the city, you can pause here for a coffee and some baklava.

In the afternoon, head to Ksamil, home to some of the most stunning beaches in Albania. Ksamil is made up of three small islands which are within sailing distance of each other. You’ll also find loads of great seafood restaurants in this area. When you’ve had enough of sun, sea, and seafood, check out Butrint, the biggest archaeological site in Albania. Although it’s relatively small, Ksamil is home to three incredible lounge bars that always have a buzzing atmosphere. Here you can spend your evening drinking freshly-made cocktails and listening to live music.

Krujë Castle is one of the best-preserved and unusual castles in Albania. Built between the 5th and 6th centuries, the castle is perched on Krujë hill and remained beyond the reach of the powerful Ottoman Empire that was taking over Europe in the 15th century. The castle was where Georg Kastriot (also known as Skanderbeg in English), an Albanian feudal lord and military commander, was based. With just 3,000 men, he managed to put a halt to a number of attacks and make a significant dent in the Ottoman Empire’s expansion. He played such an important role in the country’s history that you can see a statue of Kastriot in Skanderbeg Square today.

The castle no longer serves as a stronghold, although it does house a Kastriot museum. The displays depict the tale of Kastriot's life and military prowess and are presented chronologically. The Skanderbeg Arms replica is one of the museum's most intriguing items. It stands out from other coats of arms because it has a helmet, a sword, and a goat head on top.

Byrek is one of the traditional Albanian foods that you’ve absolutely got to try. They became so popular throughout the country because not only are they delicious and versatile, but they’re the perfect thing to eat on the go when you’re rushing to work. Similar to the spanakopita you get in Greece, byrek is made with layers of super-thin filo pastry that encase a rich filling. Spinach and feta cheese is the most popular and traditional filling combo, but you’ll also find byrek stuffed with onion and tomato, cottage cheese, beef ragout, or mushrooms and Greek yogurt.

This dish is so popular that you’ll find it available in restaurants, cafes, bakeries, grocery stores, and street food stalls throughout the country. If you’re in Tirana, you might consider dropping by Te Eda. This tiny bakery makes an amazing byrek stuffed with shredded chicken. It’s served warm and tastes incredible!

One of the best things to do in Albania is to drive across the Llogara Pass if you're going to be hiring a car. Unquestionably one of the most stunning drives in the world is this well-known one. The trail ascends to a height of 3,280 feet in the midst of the Llogara National Park. You can see kilometers away over the breathtaking Albanian landscape and out to sea from this vantage point.

When you reach the top of the pass, you should get out to really take in the view. You’ll find a number of restaurants up here. If you can snag a table by the window, you’ll be able to admire the stunning panorama while also enjoying traditional Albanian food. The Llogara National Park is home to a number of animal species, including fallow deer, European wildcats, and golden eagles. If you keep on the lookout, you may just spot them during your drive!

The South Outdoor Festival is something you’ve got to check out if you’re planning to be in Borsh at the end of April or the beginning of May. This dynamic festival is a celebration of Albanian culture, tradition, food, music, sports, and nature in one of the most fabulous settings along the Albania Riviera. People from all over the world travel to Borsch to show off their amazing talents and to witness the astounding skills of the performers. The program changes each year, but you can expect around 40 different outdoor activities targeted at people of all ages, nationalities, and abilities.

From paragliding, kayaking, and SUP yoga to trail running races, cultural tours, and fun games for little ones, there’s absolutely loads going on. Throw into the mix interactive art exhibitions, street food stalls, an open-air cinema, dance classes, and local product fairs, and you’ll find plenty to see and do here.

The ancient city of Berat is one of the most popular and charming Albania attractions. It’s believed to be one of the oldest cities in the country and has been given the nickname “City of a Thousand Windows” because of its mesmerizing architecture. The fitting nickname was given because the buildings of the city are stacked on top of each other, making it look like countless windows are all piled up high. The result is gorgeous and looks like something you’d see in a painting, not in real life!

While you could have a wonderful time just wandering around the winding cobblestone alleyways, there are loads of landmarks to see in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can check out the 13th-century Kala Castle, the Iconography Museum set inside an 18th-century church, and the Bogove Waterfall, which is surrounded by untouched nature.

There are many Orthodox Autocephalous Churches throughout Albania, but none of them can compete with the one in Tirana. Located in the heart of the city, this one-of-a-kind church is spellbinding from the inside out and looks nothing like you’d expect a typical church to look like. Strikingly modern, despite its long history, the church boasts a Byzantine and Orthodox design with many curved arches, shining gold doors, and navy blue accents. It almost looks like a church from the future, even though it was built decades ago.

The church looks truly remarkable from the outside, but if you step through the entrance, you’ll be even more amazed. Full of bright light streaming in from the numerous windows, the inside features a dramatic dome ceiling, a traditional candle chandelier, and colorful murals on the walls. It’s completely free to enter and guests are always welcome, even during services.

Apollonia is an interesting destination to visit because it formerly rank among the most significant cities in the world. Gylakeia was the original name of the ancient town, which the Greeks founded on the central coast in 588 BCE. Later, the name was changed to Apollonia in honor of the Greek deity Apollo. The city previously housed significant temples, magnificent theaters, enormous libraries, and even a school of philosophy. Even if the buildings aren't visible in their full splendor now, you can glimpse the ruins and envision what they were like in their prime.

Some of the ruins, such as the theater and the spectacular columns of an important administration center, are still in great shape today. The area is surrounded by rolling green hills and olive groves – it’s easy to imagine why the Greeks wanted to settle here. There are even more ruins hidden underground that have yet to be excavated. But until work begins, the ruins that are there today provide a great insight into Albania’s past.

Another great museum that you should visit in Albania is the National History Museum, located right in the middle of Skanderbeg Square. The museum exterior is decorated with a colorful soviet-propaganda-style mural that is hard to miss. This museum goes even beyond the communist era all the way to when the Albanian spirit and identity were born. The collection in the museum will take you from ancient Illyria to the post-communist era with each room and item labeled in English and aligned in chronological order.

You will also learn about the great Albanian hero, Skanderbeg, an Albanian nobleman and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, and how he became the founding father of Albania. The museum entry is 200 LEK per person. The museum opens every day from 9 AM - 7 PM and you can expect to spend around 2 hours if you want to read and understand Albanian history thoroughly.