A total of 1,062,067 visitors were recorded at cultural sites between January and August, up 65% from the same period in 2023, Gonxhja said.

Visitor numbers were 21.3% higher than in 2024 and 5% above the figure recorded in 2025, he added.

Archaeological parks attracted 448,711 visitors during the period, while castles and cultural monuments recorded 312,220 and national museums 301,136.

Gjirokaster Castle topped the list of individual attractions, drawing 223,280 visitors, followed by the Butrint National Park with 204,867.

The Archaeological Park of Shkoder recorded 135,293 visitors, while the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu” Museum in Kruje welcomed 104,128.

The Archaeological Park of Apollonia attracted 91,764 visitors, while the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum in Berat recorded 70,143.

Albania has increasingly positioned its cultural and historical heritage alongside its coastal and mountain attractions as part of its tourism offering. The rise in visitor numbers highlights growing interest in the country’s cultural heritage, including its history, monuments and archaeological sites, the ministry said.

/m.m/a.f/u.sh/

Gonxhja said the historic citadel continued to attract growing numbers of visitors thanks to its distinctive historical, cultural and architectural heritage.

Built above the southern city of Gjirokastra, the castle is one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites and a major stop on tourist itineraries in the south of the country.

The centuries-old fortress offers visitors a combination of history and scenery, including panoramic views over Gjirokastra and the Drin valley.

The increase in visitor numbers in the first seven months of the year reflects growing interest in Gjirokastra and its heritage assets, as the city strengthens its position among Albania’s leading destinations for domestic and international tourists.

The figures come as cultural tourism gains a growing role in Albania’s tourism offering, promoting the country’s history, traditions and cultural identity.

/e.xh/r.e/u.sh/

The number of foreign visitors staying in accommodation facilities reached 445,846, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), while total visitor numbers rose 17%.

Overnight stays increased 9.8% year-on-year. Stays by foreign visitors rose 9.2%, while those by Albanian residents increased 11.8%.

Coastal areas recorded the strongest growth, with 323,426 foreign visitors in June, up 27.4% from 253,867 a year earlier. Visitor numbers in non-coastal areas rose 5.7% to 122,420.

Hotels and similar accommodation facilities hosted 401,836 foreign visitors, compared with 336,226 in June 2025. Visitors staying in holiday and other short-term accommodation rose to 39,457 from 27,227.

Hotel room occupancy also increased, reaching 41.3%, up 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier.

Kosova remained Albania’s largest source market, accounting for 15% of foreign visitors, followed by Italy with 14% and Poland with 13%. France and Germany each accounted for 7%, while visitors from other countries made up the remaining 44%.

The latest figures underline the continued expansion of Albania’s tourism sector, with demand from foreign visitors strengthening as the peak summer season gets under way.

/e.xh/j.p/u.sh/

A total of 16,466 visitors explored the Karaburun-Sazan Marine National Park in June and July, with operators carrying out 270 tourist boat trips, according to Lorenc Rexhepaj, captain of the Port of Vlora, southern Albania.

“In June alone, the park welcomed 7,801 visitors and 148 tourist boat trips were conducted,” Rexhepaj told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA).

Renowned for its rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters and rich marine biodiversity, the protected area has become one of Albania’s most sought-after summer destinations, attracting hundreds of visitors each day. Most arrive aboard sightseeing boats and other recreational vessels departing from the nearby port of Vlora.

Certified tourist vessels carrying more than 12 passengers now operate under stricter safety standards overseen by the Port Authority, allowing larger groups and families to visit the park with greater confidence.

The biggest change this season, however, has been the shift away from traditional fixed-itinerary cruises. Operators of smaller vessels are increasingly offering tailor-made tours and flexible departure schedules, enabling visitors to customize their itineraries and explore areas of exceptional natural and historical value more quickly and with greater flexibility.

Popular stops include the Karaburun Peninsula, Sazan Island, Grama Bay, Dafina Bay, Haxhi Ali Cave and Dafina Cave.

Declared a marine national park in 2010, Karaburun-Sazan is Albania’s only protected marine park. It encompasses a wealth of natural and cultural landmarks, including Haxhi Ali Cave, the park’s most visited attraction, the historic Bay of Grama and Sazan Island, which has emerged as its principal draw since being opened to the public.

Beyond its scenic beaches and secluded coves, the park provides critical habitat for a range of protected marine species, including sea turtles, Mediterranean monk seals, dolphins and sharks, reinforcing its importance as one of the country’s most valuable marine conservation areas.

1 of 7

/k.s/j.p/r.e/u.sh/

Speaking at a meeting of the Socialist Party assembly in Municipal Unit 14 in Tirana, Rama said the country now has “something to show” on the global stage, reflecting tangible economic progress.

“Earning respect internationally is not just about how you dress or speak, but also about who you represent and what you represent. I believe our improved position internationally is the result of having something to show, not just knowing how to present it,” Rama said.

He highlighted strong growth in tourism and foreign direct investment, which he said have contributed to economic development.

“When we took office, Albania had just over 2 million tourists, and that figure included all entries into the country, regardless of whether they held Albanian or foreign passports,” Rama said.

He added that Albania now attracts around 12 million visitors holding foreign passports.

Rama also said foreign direct investment has risen sharply, from an average of 300–400 million euros in earlier years to more than 1.5 billion euros currently.

“All of this is money flowing into the economy,” he said.

/a.f/u.sh/

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Saturday that “1,492,656 domestic and international visitors chose to visit our cultural sites during the January-November 2025 period.”

“From national museums, which welcomed 455,872 visitors, to archaeological parks with 615,047 visitors, and castles and cultural monuments with 421,737 visitors, this year has shown increased interest in the country’s cultural heritage,” Gonxhja said.

The rise in visitor numbers has also been supported by free entry on the last weekend of each month.

“The last Sunday of every month remains a free-entry day for local visitors, an invitation to return, discover more, and be inspired by the treasures that unite and represent us,” Gonxhja added.

Domestic and international tourists visited a wide range of cultural and historical attractions, including the archaeological parks of Amantia, Orikum, Finiq, Apollonia, Bylis, Antigonea, and Butrint.

Tourists also explored several castles, including those in Shkodër, Berat, Lezhë, Krujë, Kaninë, Himara, and Porto Palermo.

/k.s/a.f/u.sh/

Fotjon Prençe, head of the National Agency for Protected Areas, told Albanian Telegraphic Agency  (ATA) that the park welcomed 305,620 domestic and 117,780 foreign visitors between January and October. July recorded the highest influx with 52,100 visitors, while 22,800 visited in October.

“Foreign tourists come mainly from Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Croatia and Italy, while this year we also saw a rise in visitors from Israel,” Prençe said.

Besides its sandy beach and wetlands, the park offers activities such as birdwatching, hiking, kayaking, cycling and wildlife observation. Visitors are often accompanied by local guides who introduce them to the park’s ecological diversity.

Tour guide Altin Hila said Divjaka-Karavasta could become one of Albania’s leading tourism destinations with stronger marketing and management infrastructure.

The park is home to Dalmatian pelicans, flamingos and other migratory birds, as well as golden jackals and water buffalo. It also features endemic plant species, sand dunes and a panoramic observation tower along its coastal forest and lagoons.

/r.e/a.f/u.sh/

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) showed on Friday that a total of 1,965,601 Albanian and foreign citizens entered Albania in September, marking a 9.5% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

Of these, 1,259,684 were foreign citizens, up 9.9% from a year earlier. The positive trend reflects not only the extension of the tourist season beyond the summer months but also the strengthening of Albania’s tourism offer in international markets.

A total of 2,127,386 people left the country during the same period, including 1,354,731 foreign tourists, up 10.2% year-on-year.

Statistics show that 95% of foreign arrivals come from Europe, with Southern Europe accounting for 69%, followed by Western Europe (12%) and Central/Eastern Europe (11%).

In 98% of cases, foreigners entered the country for personal purposes. In September 2025, this indicator increased by 9.8% compared to September 2024, while entries for business and professional purposes rose by 15.3% in the same period.

The data indicate that Albania is consolidating its position as a year-round tourist destination, supported by expanded accommodation capacity, improved infrastructure and a more diverse tourism offer.

/e.xh/a.f/u.sh/

Anyone who has not yet visited the site is encouraged to include it on their list of must-see Albanian attractions this summer, to experience its rich history, stunning monuments, and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Covering an area of approximately 92 hectares, the ancient city of Antigonea was founded in 295 BC by Pyrrhus, King of the Molossians, and named after his wife, Antigone. As the second most important city of the Kaonia province in Epirus – after Phoenice – Antigonea held strategic significance, overseeing the historic Via Egnatia trade route that connected Dyrrachium (modern-day Durrës) with Apollonia, Orikum, and the highlands of Ioannina and southern Epirus.

Antigonea bears traces of all major historical periods, from prehistory to the modern era. Notable landmarks include the Spile Monastery, the Church of Saint Nicholas in Saraqinisht, and the Early Christian mosaic within Antigonea – clear evidence of the early spread of Christianity throughout the Drino Valley. The Ottoman period also left its mark, with traditional 17th and 18th-century houses showcasing characteristic architectural styles of the era.

1 of 5

/j.p/u.sh/

INSTAT said in its latest report that number of resident visitors rose 2.8%, while number of non-resident visitors surged 52.1% in November 2024.

Data show that the number of overnight stays of non-resident visitors who have been accommodated in the central region has increased by 56.7%.

The overnight stays in the non-coastal areas rose 53.4% year-on-year.

The number of overnight stays of non-resident visitors accommodated in “hotels and similar accommodations” increased by 49.1%.

According to INSTAT, the number of overnight stays rose 35.83 % compared to the same period of 2023.

Visitors from Kosovo account for the largest number of non-resident holidaymakers in Albania, followed by Italian, German and British tourists.

According to INSTAT, the number of visitors increased 13.8%, number of Italian visitors rose 10.4 %, followed by German tourists with 5.6 %, British visitors with 4%.

/r.e/a.f//u.sh/