ALBANIA

There are still places in Europe that feel like discoveries. Albania was one of them. A country of rugged mountains, turquoise rivers, quiet beaches and winding roads, where the landscape changes around every corner. In 2026, I travelled through Albania on a road trip across the Balkans, discovering a country where wild nature and a slower way of life still shape the journey.

An aerial view of a narrow river flanked by lush green cliffs, with a boat speeding through the water creating a wake.
A mountain peak with rugged, rocky cliffs, partially obscured by dark green trees in the foreground, under a clear light blue sky.
A waterfall flowing into a dark pool of water surrounded by rocky cliffs and green vegetation.
A town by a river with a bridge and mountains in the background, lit by streetlights and buildings at dusk.
A hillside town with white buildings with black window frames and red-tiled roofs, set against a large rocky hill with sparse trees, during dusk, with signs of shops and hotels on the street level.
An aerial view of a natural swimming hole with a crowd of people gathered around the rocky shoreline, surrounded by lush green trees and a small waterfall cascading into the water.
Aerial view of a dense green forest surrounding a small river, with some buildings and pathways visible.
Aerial view of a lake surrounded by forested hills with a building and dock along the shoreline.
A river running through lush green mountains with a hazy sky.
Aerial view of a house with a large deck by a green lake, surrounded by dense forest.
Scenic view of rugged mountain terrain covered in dense green vegetation, with sunlight illuminating parts of the slopes.
Aerial view of a river winding through a deep valley surrounded by steep, forested mountains.
Aerial view of a hillside town at dusk with buildings and streets lit up, a river running through the town, and a small bridge crossing the river.
Mountain range at dusk with rugged, rocky peaks illuminated by setting sun, framed by dark trees in the foreground.
Aerial night view of a city with a river and a bridge, buildings lit up along the water, and a mountain with trees and structures illuminated on top.