The arrival highlights the continued growth of cruise tourism in Albania, with Saranda remaining a key entry point for foreign visitors beyond the summer season.

During their stop, passengers will have the opportunity to explore the coastal city and nearby tourist destinations, including the area’s natural attractions and cultural heritage.

The ship’s arrival is expected to bring additional visitors and business opportunities for local enterprises, adding to Saranda’s maritime tourism activity.

In recent years, the southernmost town of Saranda has become one of Albania’s leading cruise destinations, supported by its strategic location, proximity to the Greek island of Corfu and rich natural and cultural attractions.

/e.i/j.p/u.sh/

Among the landmarks reflecting this rich heritage are the two churches in Gorica, Berat’s historic Orthodox quarter.

Nestled among narrow lanes in the heart of the historic neighbourhood, St. Spyridon Church is an important example of 19th-century architecture. It also holds a special place in Albania’s religious history as the first Orthodox church to reopen after the fall of Albania’s communist rule.

The imposing building, with cypress trees in its courtyard, resembles a monastery when viewed from a distance. Visitors pass through its wooden doors, climb the stone steps and enter an interior where, alongside newer religious objects, faded frescoes remain on the walls, bearing traces of age and past damage.

Historical accounts describe the church’s extensive repurposing under communism. It was used first for silkworm cultivation, then as a botanical and zoological museum, before being turned into a construction-materials warehouse.

Older residents of Berat remember Nov. 20, 1990, when the first public Orthodox Mass in decades was held there. Worshippers dared to open the church doors and hurriedly clean the building, even though the communist regime had not yet officially fallen and religious practice remained banned.

Now restored, the church welcomes visitors and preserves memories of that period. Services previously held there now take place in the large cathedral built in the city centre. Visitors are particularly drawn to the surviving frescoes on the church’s northern wall, while its iconostasis features valuable icons.

“Whoever comes here, I will welcome with great love,” reads an inscription above the arched entrance.

Back in Gorica’s winding lanes, a steady stream of visitors leads towards the neighbourhood’s other historic church, dedicated to St. Thomas. The lane continues towards the large bridge over the Osum River, making the church an important stop for tourists exploring this part of the city.

The church has a long history, dating back to an earlier sanctuary on whose foundations the present building was erected around the 18th century. Local legends and beliefs also surround the site, including stories of a spirit said to have lived there before the church was built.

Petraq, one of the caretakers of Berat’s Orthodox churches, recounts a local legend in which a woman dreamed of a spirit seeking a home at the very spot where the church now stands, then little more than bare rock. Residents are said to have witnessed miracles after lighting candles near the sacred site.

To this day, several natural hollows can be seen in the rock beside the church. According to local belief, they are the footprints of St. Thomas. The rock remains a place of prayer where people light candles.

During communist rule, the church was altered but not completely demolished. A new stone church, built over the old structure, now forms part of Gorica’s historic architectural ensemble. Inside, a simple iconostasis features newer icons.

From the church and the large cross in its courtyard, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Berat, the Osum River and its bridges, extending up to the castle, where people can be seen standing on the ramparts.

Berat, renowned for its Ottoman architecture, is currently home to 20 Orthodox churches, both within the castle and across its historic neighbourhoods. Many are listed as first-category cultural monuments because of their Byzantine and post-Byzantine architecture and unique frescoes associated with the era of Onufri, the celebrated Albanian icon painter.

Berat’s Orthodox heritage is distinctive for having developed in close harmony with the city’s Muslim community. Each church tells a story of a difficult journey through time and of the sacrifices made by residents to preserve and rebuild these places of worship.

Today, as visitors arrive in Berat from around the world, the city offers an example of how two faiths can coexist in harmony. The Muslim neighbourhood of Mangalem and the Orthodox quarter of Gorica share the same civic traditions and have even protected one another’s religious sites during times of crisis.

1 of 18

/u.sh/

A total of 257,134 visitors were recorded from January through September, excluding free entries for official delegations and ICOMOS representatives. Foreign visitors accounted for the largest share, at 181,251, while 25,404 were Albanian visitors.

Online ticket sales reached 50,479. Individual visitors accounted for 136,799 entries, followed by groups with 86,231 and children aged up to 12 with 15,350.

Children under 12 enter free, while visitors aged 12-18, pensioners and people with disabilities are eligible for a 50% discount.

A total of 2,811 people also benefited from free admission on the last Sunday of each month during the January-September period.

Ticket revenue exceeded 212 million leks. The park said all ticket income is reinvested in its maintenance, conservation and integrated management.

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

The Port of Saranda said the vessel was the 27th cruise ship to call at the port this season. It arrived from Brindisi, Italy, and was due to depart Wednesday afternoon for Zakynthos, Greece.

Passengers from countries including Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Peru, Zimbabwe, Serbia and South Africa visited Saranda and were scheduled to tour the nearby Butrint National Park and Blue Eye spring.

The arrival brought the total number of tourist vessels calling at Saranda this season to 62, including 27 cruise ships.

The southernmost coastal city of Saranda has become one of Albania’s leading cruise tourism destinations in recent years, supported by its location, proximity to Corfu and its natural and cultural attractions.

The arrival of Seabourn Quest in early October highlights continued cruise tourism beyond the peak summer months, extending the season into autumn.

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

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Saturday shared images on social media showing the historic site crowded with tourists.

Perched on a rocky hill west of Shkodra and surrounded by the Drin, Buna and Kiri rivers, Rozafa Castle is one of Albania’s most visited historic heritage sites.

The fortress bears traces of several historical periods, including the Balsha dynasty in the 14th century, Venetian rule in the 15th century, Ottoman rule in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Bushati dynasty in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Built on the site of an ancient Illyrian stronghold, the castle is also associated with the legend of Rozafa, which centres on the traditional Albanian concept of besa, or a solemn pledge.

The fortified settlement is first mentioned during the reign of Illyrian King Gentius. The fortress became known as Rozafa in the medieval period, when the area came under alternating Slavic and Byzantine rule.

The complex contains former garrisons, storage facilities and administrative buildings, with its interior divided into three courtyards by defensive walls and gates.

Other notable features include 15th-century water cisterns and a 13th-century cathedral, which was converted into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest. The Rozafa Museum documents the castle’s different historical periods and its archaeological heritage.

1 of 11

/m.m/j.p/u.sh/

The visitors explored the coastal town of Saranda and nearby destinations, taking in the area’s natural and cultural attractions, the port said.

The arrival adds to cruise traffic in the Albanian Riviera, supporting activity among local businesses and tourism-related services.

The Brilliance of the Seas will remain in port, giving passengers time to explore the city and surrounding tourist destinations.

Last week, Saranda welcomed the Seven Seas Navigator, carrying 457 tourists from different countries.

Cruise arrivals have become an increasingly important part of Saranda’s tourism and local economy, bringing additional visitors to businesses, tourism services and accommodation providers.

Further cruise ship arrivals are expected during the season as Saranda seeks to strengthen its position on international cruise itineraries.

1 of 6

/r.e/u.sh/

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the guesthouse on social media on Sunday, highlighting its traditional hospitality and setting among the surrounding mountains.

The property, located in the village of Dushaj in the Fushë-Bulqizë area, welcomes hundreds of visitors and has helped put the village on Albania’s tourism map.

The development of agritourism has become part of efforts to diversify rural economies by combining local entrepreneurship with government support, while promoting traditional heritage and rural tourism.

A government programme to revive traditional tower houses across Albania and integrate them into the tourism sector is currently being implemented in four northern regions and 14 municipalities, linking cultural heritage with tourism and sustainable rural development.

/m.m/r.e/u.sh/

According to Orges Feimi, Director of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage (DRTK) Vlora, a total of 51,104 visitors toured seven monuments and archaeological parks under the institution’s administration between January and August 2026, compared with 46,167 visitors during the same period last year.

The increase was recorded despite the temporary closure of Kanina Castle, which has remained inaccessible to the public due to ongoing restoration works.

Visitors have shown strong interest in the region’s rich history, architecture and cultural heritage.

“Historical monuments represent an important component of Vlora’s tourism offer, complementing the region’s well-known coastal attractions. The highest visitor numbers are recorded during the summer season, particularly in July and August, while September continues to show strong interest in heritage sites,” Feimi said.

At the top of the list of the most visited monuments stands Porto Palermo Castle, which welcomed 34,717 visitors between January and August 31, 2026, making it one of the most frequented cultural heritage sites in southern Albania.

The growing number of visitors to monuments and archaeological parks also reflects a broader diversification of tourism in the region, where cultural and historical heritage is increasingly complementing the appeal of beaches and natural landscapes.

The sites managed by DRTK Vlora include the Amantia Archaeological Park, Finiq Archaeological Park, Orikum Archaeological Park, the Monastery of the Forty Saints in Saranda, the Church of St. Nicholas Monastery in Mesopotam, Kanina Castle, and Ali Pasha Castle in Porto Palermo.

These sites continue to play a significant role in the region’s tourism itineraries, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the history and cultural legacy of southern Albania while enriching the area’s overall tourism product.

1 of 9

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

This growth was driven by an integrated program of investments and upgrades at Butrint National Park. These efforts focused on improving infrastructure, advancing technical projects, and strengthening cultural heritage preservation.

During the meeting of the Butrint Management Board, chaired by Minister Gonxhja, it was highlighted that the new management model—based on cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, the Butrint Management Foundation and the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF)—has prioritized the visitor experience, safety, and accessibility. The interventions and investments have also aimed to create better conditions for the sustainable development of the surrounding community and to strengthen cultural and historical tourism.

Preservation, promotion, and sustainable development form the core of a new management model designed for one of Albania’s most vital global cultural assets.

/p.s./

The lake’s clear waters, surrounded by alpine meadows, forests and dramatic mountain terrain, offer opportunities for hiking, exploration and photography, as well as outdoor activities such as kayaking.

The area is also home to the “Trail of Colours”, a nature route starting near the lake that allows visitors to explore the area’s landscape, flora and fauna.

Lefter Gjana, head of Albania’s Protected Areas Administration, told ATSH that about 8,750 domestic and foreign visitors had visited the Korab-Koritnik Natural Park from January through the end of August 2026.

“Kallabak Lake is one of the park’s main visitor destinations, accounting for around 65% of the total visitor flow recorded across the park,” Gjana said.

He said the figures highlighted the area’s potential for further development of nature tourism, particularly hiking, trekking, nature photography, biodiversity observation and other adventure activities.

The growing interest also underscored the importance of investment in basic tourism infrastructure, trail signage and maintenance, information points and promotion of the area’s natural and cultural assets, Gjana said.

Beyond its tourism and landscape value, the lake area is also important for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management. Its natural habitats and distinctive mountain landscape provide opportunities for environmental education and raising visitors’ awareness of nature conservation, he said.

The Kukës Regional Administration of Protected Areas, working with local authorities and communities, is continuing to promote the natural assets of the Korab-Koritnik Natural Park, maintain and promote hiking trails, improve the visitor experience and encourage environmental awareness, Gjana said.

Kallabak Lake, the “Trail of Colours” and other natural attractions in the park offer significant potential for sustainable tourism in the Kukës region, while supporting the local economy and raising the area’s profile among domestic and international visitors.

Authorities say preserving the area’s natural character, managing visitor numbers and ensuring tourism development follows conservation principles will be essential to maintaining Kallabak Lake as one of the park’s key destinations in the years ahead.

1 of 8

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