All of סתיו קגן's mapsAlbania 2 📍
65 stories · Oct 2025 · 32 places
The places from this trip
- Berat CastleEntrance is free and you can drive up instead of walking; worth seeing both before sunset and by day.
- Kruja CastleBeautiful at golden hour — sit on the fortress walls for sunset over the town and valley.
- Kepi i Rodonit (Rodoni Castle)Marked trail, ~15 min downhill from the parking; they had the place to themselves. Skip the rope descent to the lower beach.
- Ksamil BeachAmong the most beautiful beaches she's seen — but off season it's too cold to swim.
- Lëkursi CastleGreat sunset panorama over Sarandë and the Ionian coast — dress warm, it can be freezing.
- Drymades BeachStunning beach on the Albanian Riviera, recommended by @albania_travel_il.
- Festim Villa HotelVery simple rooms but amazing sea view, heated indoor pool and incredible sunsets; no elevator and not close to the promenade.
- Eja RestaurantRecommended Italian spot: burrata pappardelle and truffle-cream pasta; the starter and dessert were on the house. Ravioli 740 Lek.
- Llogara PassNice viewpoint and pretty views the whole way from Vlorë; she skipped the hiking trails as the marking wasn't clear.
- 1000 Smiles Fast FoodVegetarian gyros option was just okay, but it cost only ~$2.
- Koroni Boutique Hotel & RestaurantStone-walled rooms she loved; dinner there includes a full vegetarian platter — moussaka, veggie patties, phyllo pastry, stuffed eggplant and pepper.
- Mangalem QuarterThe white Ottoman houses stacked on the hillside — the classic Berat view.
- Hand of KsamilCame just for the photo — off season there's almost no line and no tourists, but it's freezing.
- Old Bazaar of KrujëCobbled bazaar of carpets and souvenirs you pass on the way up to the castle.
- Plazhi i PasqyraveStunning beach with insane water color, found via @albania_travel_il.
- Garden Organic RestaurantBruschetta with cheese and tomato, village salad with feta and pasta — the whole bill was about ~$16.
- Poda KsamilOne of the recommended Ksamil beaches — famous swing over the turquoise water.
- Principotes Blue DiamondGorgeous turquoise bay with floating docks — come in season, it was too cold to swim.
- Pizza NapoliNew place with no ratings yet, but the Neapolitan-style pizza really tastes like Naples.
- Berat View PointOne of the spots she found via @albania_travel_il for views over Berat.
- Gorica BridgeOld stone bridge over the Osum River with views of the Mangalem houses.
- Island RestaurantOrder the stretchy cheese pizza and the hot cheese pastry baked in a clay pot.
- Vlora Promenade (Lungomare)Lively in the evening with lots open; the restaurant they ate at was fine but nothing special.
- Bora Bora Beach KsamilOne of the recommended Ksamil beaches on her beach-hopping route.
- Sweet CornerTry the Kinder cake — a cute dessert.
- Zvërnec Monastery (St. Mary's Monastery)Reached by a long wooden footbridge over Narta Lagoon; pretty but not much to do — best at sunset.
- Skanderbeg MuseumInside the Kruja Castle complex with mountain views.
- Sunlight HotelSuite for 2 nights ~$245, cash only; good service, location and breakfast, but cold pool and one day without hot water.
- Aquarium BeachSmall and feels private but still crowded; the drive there is rough and there's a nudist cove just before it.
- Durrës BeachThey arrived only in the evening — plan extra time, drives in Albania are very long.
- Lost SeasideBeautiful seafront club with pool and cabanas — worth coming in season, it was stormy when she visited.
- Ice RollsThe chocolate-Lotus crepe was great, but after Facebook reports of antisemitic treatment she no longer recommends it.
