2025 Tropoje District Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

1. Beautiful nature, known as "Europe's last unexplored region" Albania is still developing as a tourist destination, so there is a lot of untouched nature. In particular, the Albanian Riviera is also known as the "second Amalfi Coast" and is a spectacular spot with crystal clear emerald green sea and white sand beaches. There are also secluded beaches with few tourists, such as Durres and Himara, where you can spend a quiet and relaxing time. In addition, in mountainous areas such as the Tito Valley and Valbona Valley, you can enjoy trekking and panoramic views of the natural scenery. 2. A European travel destination with low prices and the best value for money Albania has surprisingly low prices even in Europe, and accommodation and food costs are very reasonable. It is not uncommon to stay in a beautiful seaside resort hotel for less than 50 euros (about 8,000 yen) per night. In addition, you can enjoy fresh seafood and local cuisine at local restaurants for less than 1,000 yen. The unique charm of Albania is that you can experience the luxury atmosphere of Europe at an affordable price. 3. Ancient ruins and fortresses that history lovers will love Albania has many ruins from the Greek and Roman eras, as well as medieval fortress cities. The ruins of Butrint in particular are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and theaters, baths, and mosaics from the ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras are still well preserved. Also not to be missed are the medieval fortress cities of Berat and Gjirokastra, also known as the "Stone Towns." Both are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Ottoman-era houses and beautiful cobblestone streets remain. 4. Albanian cuisine is surprisingly delicious! Albanian cuisine is characterized by its unique flavors influenced by Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Recommended dishes include **Byrek**, a pie dish (filled with cheese and spinach), and grilled meat or fish with a yogurt-based sauce. Fresh seafood and locally produced wine and raki (strong distilled alcohol) are also popular. The food is homely and simple, and the portions are filling yet cheap. 5. Albanian "FIS" culture - warm hospitality like family In Albania, the family ties, called "FIS", are very important. For this reason, the charm of Albania is that they treat tourists warmly like family. If you ask for directions, not only will they kindly tell you, but they will often invite you to have tea. The hospitality of Albanians is said to be the "friendliest in Europe". When you get tired of the crowds at tourist spots, the heartwarming exchanges with the local people will be a great memory of your trip. —— Emerald green beaches, untouched nature, historical ruins, and reasonable prices. Furthermore, Albania, with its friendly people, is truly a "hidden gem of Europe". Now that there are fewer tourists, it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the true charm of Albania! #Albania #solotravel #overseastravel #Europe #overseastravelstrategy

The trekking starts from the town of Shkodër. The course is 2 nights and 3 days in total. We board a minivan that departs from Shkodër at 8:00. The fare is 10 euros. Advance reservations are required for the minivan, so please ask your hotel to make a reservation the day before. After that, we spend one night in Tes village. Hotels start from about 40 euros per night. Reservations fill up quickly, so make sure to make a reservation early. The owners of each hotel are famous for their traditional Albanian home-cooked meals made with locally produced ingredients, so be sure to order them. The next morning, we start hiking to the Cursed Mountain. It takes about 8 hours of trekking to cross the Cursed Mountain and reach Valbona village. There are springs along the way, so bring only a water bottle. Once you arrive at Valbona village, spend the night in a hotel. Hotels start from 10 euros per night. The hotel will arrange a minivan from the hotel to Lake Komani, so make a reservation the day before. The fare is 10 euros. The ferry ride on Lake Komanj takes about 2 hours. The fare is 10 euros. The scenery is amazing! After that, it takes about 1 hour by minivan from the ferry drop-off point to Shkodër. The fare is 10 euros. This is the whole trip. The village of Tes is rich in nature, so please enjoy it! #overseastraveltip #albania #tesvillage #valbona

Trekking from the summit of the Cursed Mountain to Valbona Village. It's a continuous descent and takes about 4 hours. The scenery on the descent to Valbona Village is overwhelmingly more beautiful than the ascent from Theth Village to the Cursed Mountain. When you arrive in Valbona Village, there are several hotels available, with cheap hostels starting from 10 euros. However, reservations fill up quickly, so it's best to book as early as possible. Also, don't forget to arrange your return trip to Shkoder by the day before. Reservations are required, but the hotel staff can make them for you. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zAUMP4bYwaUcd21L7

I went trekking from Tes Village to Valbona Village. The whole course is about 15km long and takes about 8 hours including breaks along the way. This time, the route is from Tes Village to the top of the Cursed Mountain. It takes about 4 hours to reach the top of the Cursed Mountain. The mountains here are beautiful and the scenery is amazing. You have to climb the rocks to get to the top, but there are no safety ropes such as fences, so be careful not to slip off. 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W1EViGMTGx41u1w87 #0yentripFebruary2025#TesVillage #Albania