14 Incredible Castles in Albania I Think Are Worth Visiting

1. Berat Castle

Lined with brick-roof houses, Berat is a 2400-year-old UNESCO town boasting significance in Albanian history.

Berat’s architecture is of a fortress with various sites displaying Albania’s cultural treasures. Surrounded by mountainous terrain, the Citadel of Berat dates back to the 4th century.

Situated on a rocky hill along the river Osum, the Castle offers a panoramic view of Berat. The Castle has withstood the rise and fall of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires.

There are two major sites: the Church of St.Mary of Blachernae and the King Mosque.

Berat is one of the few castles in Albania where people still live within the castle walls. You can reach Berat Castle by drive or walk (pack comfy shoes, see my Albania packing list).

Even though this Albania fortress is in ruins, it is still a fascinating viewpoint for gazing at the modern city of Berat.

2. Gjirokastra Castle

Another UNESCO town, Gjirokastra, is perfect for a two-night stay in Albania and fits well into a one week Albania itinerary. Also called the “city of stone” due to the magnificent stonework across the city.

The Gjirokastra Castle, one of the largest castles in Albania and the Balkans region, is built with grey cobblestone and holds its own against the most incredible castles in Europe. The Castle sits atop a hill and offers a bird’s-eye view of Gjirokastra.

Originally a fortress, Gjirokasta is a century older than Berat Castle. The Gjirokastra Castle is famous for the folklore of Princess Argjiro.

Legend says the Princess jumped from the Castle with her child to escape the Ottomans.

One of the most-visited castles in Albania, the Castle is home to the Gjirokaster Museum, a cistern, and a clock tower. It also hosts the National Folk Festival every five years.

3. Kruja Castle

The Kruja Castle is one of the most famous castles in Albania, primarily because of its history (the old bazaar below is also great for Albanian souvenirs).

The city of Kruja got its name from the national hero of Albania, Skanderbeg, who exonerated Albania from the Ottoman Empire.

Located in the Albanian Alps, Kruja is a quiet and peaceful mountainous getaway for backpackers (see my best hostels in Albania).

Like most castles in Albania, there are two museums next to the Castle: the Ethnographic Museum and the Skanderbeg Museum.

Although mainly in ruins, the Castle offers an expansive view of the city. Built in the 5th or 6th century, the Kruja Castle has a communist-themed interior, owing to Albania’s communist period.

4. Porto Palermo Castle

The Porto Palermo Castle is one of those castles in Albania that are along the Albanian Riviera. The Castle is on the bay of Porto Palermo, only a few miles from the town of Himare, Southern Albania.

Porto Palermo is one of the later built Albania castles, dating to the 19th century.

Like some other castles in Albania, Porto Palermo owes its significance to Ali Pasha of Tepelena. It was also a Soviet navy base during Albania’s communist regime.

The Porto Palermo Castle has heart-thrilling views of the Ionian Sea. Like most other fortresses in Albania, the Castle of Porto Palermo protected the city of Himare from external attacks.

The surroundings might not be well-maintained, but the Castle is in good shape, unlike other castles in Albania that are in ruins after years of destruction and poor maintenance.

It is a short walk from the beach, and you can hire a tour guide (or join one of these Albania tours and excursions) to get a glimpse of Albania’s history.

I have spent some time along the Albanian Riviera, which is home to some of the best luxury hotels in Albania. The people are so welcoming, and the coolness of the ocean breeze makes you feel at peace. So, definitely a must-visit!

5. Lekuresi Castle

Sarande is on the gulf of the Ionian Sea and has awe-inspiring views of the blue marine. The beaches in Saranda are some of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen.

But the sandy beaches and sea views are not the only things that Saranda is known for. The Castle in Saranda, Lekuresi Castle, is a must-visit!

While the city has transformed to suit the modern-day lifestyle, the Lekuresi Castle stands tall, boasting its architectural magnificence and history.

Similar to other castles in Albania, this 16th-century Castle is in ruins. It sits atop a hill with a great restaurant built within the castle walls (a good spot to try traditional Albanian food) and offers a landscape view of Saranda.

The Castle in Saranda offered strategic importance for the Lekures Village in the previous era. Ali Pasha of Telepana attacked it in the 18th century.

Like a few other castles in Albania, there’s a restaurant next to it. You can either drive up to the Castle (see my guide on how to hire a car in Albania) or take a 45-minute walk from the Saranda Centre to the Castle.

P.S. I actually rent out my apartment during the year, so if you’re looking for a trustworthy and large accommodation option with fast WiFi only a few minutes walk to the beach, you can check it out and book here.

6. Rozafa Castle

If you’ve been around for some time, you know how much I have talked about Shkoder. Among other exciting places to see in Shkoder, the Rozafa Castle is a must!

Also called the Shkoder Castle, the Rozafa Castle is a limestone structure that sits on a rocky hill overlooking the Buna and Drin rivers.

There’s also an ancient church inside the Castle, the Saint Stephens’ Church.

Though most of the Castle is in ruins, like all the other castles in Albania, you can visit the Minaret of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque.

Rozada is known for the legend of the three brothers building the Castle.

A wise old man suggested they sacrifice their wives by burying them alive inside the walls of the castles if they wanted to build long-lasting foundations.

Out of the three wives, only one was buried, named Rozafa.

There is also a life-sized sculpture of Rozafa, the youngest brother’s wife, and a child clinging on to her inside the Museum of Rozafa Castle.

7. Borsh Castle

Among castles in Albania along the coastline of the Ionian Sea, the Borsh Castle is monumental to Albanian ancient history during the Byzantine era and the Middle Ages.

Also called the Sopot Castle or Kalaja e Sopotit, it is on a rocky hill in the village of Borsh, Albania. It’s also one of if not the oldest castle in Albania.

The Castle of Borsh dates back to the Antiquity period and has hints of Greek settlement. In the 17th century, the Hajji Bendo Mosque was built inside it.

The dome and minaret of the mosque are in shackles, but the structure still exists.

The mosque suffered destruction during the communist era of Albania. The frescoes and cisterns inside the mosque are in shackles. Nonetheless, this Albania castle is unmissable.

8. Himare Castle

The Himare Castle may be completely in ruins, but is possibly the best castle Albania has to offer if you’re after a majestic viewpoint of the Ionian Sea and the town of Himare.

Like other castles in Albania, this one has a unique historical and strategic importance in Albania ancient history. Built in the 4th century, the Himare Castle became a fortress in the 8th century.

The small town of Himare, surrounding the Castle, held importance during the Middle Ages and Byzantine Empire.

Similar to other castles in Albania, Himare suffered severe destruction and frequent renovations.

The abandoned cobblestone structure offers stunning and majestic views of the town of Himare, the Ionian Sea and Livadhi Beach.

The Himare Castle is home to two beautiful churches: the Church of St. Mary Kasopitra and the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus.

There’s also the Church of All Saints near the foothills of Himare Castle.

You can take a long hike from Himare, about 2.5km, to reach the castle, or drive up (if you love walking, see my best hikes in Albania).

Unlike most other castles in Albania, there are still people living inside the castle walls along with some beautiful guest houses if you want to stay within the castle, easily one of the more unique things to do in Albania.

9. Ali Pasha Castle (butrint)

Out of all the castles in Albania, the Ali Pasha Castle in Butrint is one of the finest and best ones to see!

This historical place is near the Albanian coastline, in the historical town of Butrint, right next to Ksamil.

Butrint has been a Greek colony, a bishopric and a Roman city in its pre-modern days. It was abandoned in the Middle Ages and is now a UNESCO site.

The Ali Pasha Castle, in Butrint, sits near the coastline and is only accessible by boat. Unlike other castles in Albania under Ali Pasha’s reign, this one was his place of residence until the 19th century.

Primarily, the Castle functioned as close access to the sea from the city of Butrint.

The best part is that there is much to see around the castle. If you get overwhelmed by the history of this place, there are the beautiful beaches of Ksamil nearby.

10. Rodoni Castle

The Rodoni Castle also called Kalaja e Rodonit or the Skanderbeg Castle, is another one of the castles in Albania that held strategic importance from a military viewpoint.

In the early days, there were four defence towers around the Castle. The Castle functioned as a transportation hub for grain trade to Ishmi.

Built just 1 metre above the sea, the Rodoni Castle dated back to the reign of Skanderbeg and served as a defence point against the Ottoman invaders.

Destroyed in the 15th century by Ottoman invaders, the Republic of Venice rebuilt it in the 16th century.

Since it is above the sea, the abrasives from sea waves have ruined the exterior. I think the best time to visit Rodoni Castle is during sunse.

11. Kanina Castle

Kanina Castle or the Kalaja e Kanines is in the village of Kanine, in Vlore, southwestern Albania. It is barely 6km from Vlore city and slightly to the side of Shushica Mountain.

Historians suspect it was built between the 3rd and 4th century BC and later transfigured into a fortress. By the 6th century, Justinian I, a Roman emperor, ordered its reconstruction.

Lush green hills and a sporadic arrangement of trees and bushes border the Castle. Like most castles in Albania, this one is in ruins as the stonework is severely damaged.

You can drive up to the Castle or take a walk. The view from the top is quite stunning, especially at sunset on a clear day (my Albania weather guide covers the best months).

There’s an entrance fee of 300 Lek (worth reading my Albania travel tips before you go), and you can swing by the restaurants and cafes nearby once you have toured this structure of Albanian history.

12. Lezhe Castle

The Lezhe Castle or Kalaja e Lezhes is in the northern region of Albania, in the beautiful city of Lezhe, one of many cities in Albania with a castle. Like other Albanian castles, Lezhe has withstood renovations and reconstructions over time.

It dates back to the Illyrian era of Albania. Captured by the Venetians and the Ottomans, the Castle has remnants of the Roman, Ottoman, Illyrian and Byzantine empires in its structure and design.

Like other castles in Albania, Lezhe has a unique history, and some of the historical artefacts are on display in the old Ottoman buildings inside the Castle.

If you want to see some Roman ruins in Albania, there are also the remains of two Roman and Illyrian towers inside the Castle, as well as the ruins of a mosque.

Built entirely with stone, the Lezhe Castle gives an eagle’s eye view of the Drin River, the Adriatic Sea and the city of Lezhe.

A good castle tour may take up to an hour and a half, and you can visit it by car or make a small stop when travelling between Tirana and Shkoder (check my Albania bus timetables if you’re not driving).

13. Castle of Libohovës

Located in Libohovës, in southern Albania, the Castle of Libohoves is one of my most-recommended castles in Albania.

It was built around the 18th century by the Muslim Bonaparte, Ali Pasha of Tepelena.

Built in a quadrangular shape, Ali Pasha built this fort as a gift for his sister, Shanisha. Now abandoned, the Castle of Libohoves provided refuge to the feudal of that time.

The entire town of Libohovës is a must-visit for history enthusiasts as there is an Ottoman cemetery outside the Castle where Shanisha was buried.

The city of Libohovës is a monument of the culture and history about Albania, and the Castle bears testimony to that.

14. Fortress of Bashtovë

Out of all the castles in Albania, the Fortress of Bashtovë is slightly different. Unlike other Albanian castles on a hilltop, the Fortress of Bashtovë lies on flat ground.

Bashtovë Castle also hosts music festivals frequently.

Just a few kilometres from Kavaja, the Fortress of Bashtovë is five centuries old and pays homage to the civilizations that lived through Albania history.

The fort is on the periphery of Via Egnatia, which was of economic importance during the Roman Empire. Its architecture draws inspiration from the Ottomans and Venetians.

Fortress of Bashtovë was declared a UNESCO site like some of the other castles in Albania. It is the only one in the Balkans situated on a field.

However, its artefacts are in Tirana’s Museum. The two beaches, Spille and Grethi, are just a few miles from the Castle, and the Shkumbin River is pretty close too.

There are fishing, hiking, and swimming activities available as well, which makes it a good stop if you’re camping in Albania!

My Final Thoughts on Castles in Albania

These castles in Albania are great attraction sites (alongside the other best places to visit in Albania) for tourists and backpackers if you take zeal in exploring history and culture.

Even if you’re not the type to get impressed by the history, the castles of Albania are more than celebratory structures of Albanian history, and one of my reasons to visit Albania.

The nearby towns and cities, and the people who reside there, are so welcoming and hospitable that you would love every minute of your stay in Albania (if you’re wondering whether Albania is safe, I’ve written about that too).

There’s also something for everyone. If you love staying by the beach or near the waters, Porto Palermo and Borsh Castle are great for visiting, and both are close to some of the best Albania beaches.

If you enjoy scenic views from hilltops, the Fortress of Lezhe and the Rozafa Castle would be ideal.

These Albania historical sites depict cultural presence through their vivid architectural magnificence; you should check these out on your trip to Albania (my Albania travel guide will help you plan it)!