Southeastern Albania

Southeastern Albania is a region of Albania.

Cities

 * – Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Berat has long been known as the "city of 1001 windows" because of its unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture.  It has a well preserved castle with residents still living inside its protective walls. Nearby is located the world famous Osum Canyon.
 * – a municipality in Elbasan County,
 * – Another UNESCO city, located in the south is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations. A Military Museum and Art Gallery are now located inside. Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of former communist Leader, Enver Hoxha, as well as Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare, their homes now serve as museums.
 * – several miles from the Greek border, this city is Albania's cultural capital. It is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape.  Don't miss the Korca Brewery (famous throughout Albania) which sponsors a week long Beer Festival every August!
 * – A small city located in the east of Albania, perched atop the river Shkumbin.
 * – Nicknamed “The City of Roses,” Përmet is located in the Vjosa River Valley, approximately 30 km from the Greek border. The city is known for its clean environment and tradition of wine and raki making. Old Permet is worth a look. It is also famous for its nearby thermal springs, located in a beautiful river valley.
 * – Overshadowed by its glitzy neighbors on the Macedonian side of the lake, the town of Pogradec has been experiencing a revival.
 * — municipality including the Albanian part of Lake Prespa.
 * — municipality including the Albanian part of Lake Prespa.



Other destinations

 * – A national park inhabited by rare plant and animal species
 * – A region, including Prespa National Park, within Pustec.
 * – Mountain ridge and national park in the southern part of Albania, not far from Berat. This part of the country is formed by parallel mountain ridges (up to around 2000-2500 m) separated by valleys. Although the ridges are not very long, they offer few days of hiking with enormous scenic beauty and fantastic panoramic views. Tomorri is one of the most known ridges with a Bektash monastery and chapel on the very top.
 * near Gramsh
 * – North of Permet
 * – East of Korçë


 * Historic Moscopole (Voskopoja), alpine Dardha, Boboshticë, and Vithkuq villages near Korçë, and Benjë, and Leusë villages near Përmet

Understand
This is the inland region of Albania to the south of the Shkumbin River. It borders North Macedonia and Greece and includes the great border lakes, Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.

Talk
The native tongue of much of the region is the southern, namely Tosk, dialect of Albanian. The official standard of Albanian is based on this dialect.

You will also encounter native Greek speakers in the southern reaches of the region, although the use of Greek is discouraged by the government. In the Prespa region, Macedonian is also spoken by a minority.

Get in

 * From North Macedonia – Qafe Thanë at SH9 road, Tushemisht, or Goricë border crossings.
 * From Greece – Kapshticë at SH3 road, Tre Urat, or Kakavia at SH4 road.

Get around
Getting around by car or bus is probably the only available means of transportation. Lack of paving is not uncommon especially inland.

Do

 * Rafting in the Osum and Langarica Canyons of the region
 * Hike the surrounding mountains of Dardhe alpine village and skiing at a modest local ski resort
 * Horseback or walking tours along the footsteps of Lord Byron's visit of 1809
 * Visit Old Permet and examine the architecture of Benje and Leusa villages

Thermal springs and baths

 * Elbasan – Has two main spa centers about 12 km south of the city, Llixhat and Tregan, with proper hotels and curative centers.
 * Banjat e Benjës – Near Përmet, one of the most popular hot springs and thermal pools in Albania, although free for everyone to enjoy in a picturesque river valley with an old Ottoman bridge.

Eat

 * Traditional Gliko sweets
 * Libohove village has been considered by Lord Byron as having the best food he had ever tasted during his stay in Ottoman Albania.
 * Byrek me dy peta, a pizza like pie
 * Beans, Tave Peshku, and Pastrama dish in Prespa region
 * Kernacka and baked Ohrid Trout (koran)

Drink

 * Raki of Përmet made from wild plums

Go next

 * Albanian Riviera
 * Kastoria, Greece
 * Ioannina, Greece
 * Ohrid, North Macedonia