There are places in Albania where you can meet a woman and have dinner in a bunker. This is just one of the many features of this amazing country, which is not yet widely popular among foreign tourists, but is certainly worth a visit. Here are a few interesting facts about the most mysterious of all the Balkan countries.
1. Pearl of Two Seas
Albania is home to two seas: the Adriatic, which borders Montenegro, and the Ionian, which borders the Greek island of Corfu. The former washes the northern and central regions of the country, the latter its southern regions. The resort town of Vlore stretches along the coast, where beaches bathe in the waters of both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. This offers a unique opportunity to enjoy swimming in both seas in one day.
2. Teleport to the Maldives
There’s a corner of Albania that resembles the Maldives – the village of Ksamil. The views here are truly spectacular, and the azure waters and sandy beaches create a paradise-like atmosphere. Here you can hear the singing of canaries and enjoy fresh mussels. However, there are some drawbacks to consider: the beaches can be crowded during peak season.
3. Bunkerization
During the reign of Enver Hoxha, known as the “irreconcilable Stalinist,” more than 700,000 bunkers were built in Albania. Today, most of these shelters still exist, but many are in a state of disrepair. Some have been converted into cafes, warehouses, country houses, or even swimming pools.
4. Religion in Albania
In modern Albania, Muslim and Christian traditions coexist harmoniously. The majority of residents practice Islam, but the country is generally secular.
5. From female to male without gender reassignment
In rural areas of Albania, you can encounter unusual women known as burnesh. They prefer men’s clothing, smoke pipes, and behave like men in public. This stems from an ancient tradition: if there were no men in the family, one of the daughters could take on the man’s role, fulfilling his responsibilities. Currently, there are only about a hundred burneshes left worldwide.
