National Parks:




- Mount Dajti National Park
Situated at the eastern part of the capital it covers an area of about 3.300 hectares.
The fauna here is abundant in varieties and impressive features. The park is the most important zone for such big mammals as wild pig, wolf, fox, rabbit, brown bear, wild cat etc.
One-day visitors in particular frequent the Park. However, it offers a number of possible accommodation for the visitors. The types of activities to experience here are excursions, skiing, air sports, mountain climbing etc.

- National Park of “Thethi”
Situated in the Albanian Alps, near Bjeshket e Namuna, 70 km far from Shkodra it has an area of about 2.630 hectares. Through this park flows the River of Thethi, which has an outpouring of about 1000-1300 l/sec. A very interesting natural monument is the waterfall of Grunasi, very charming and picturesque with its water falling from an altitude higher than 30 m. The park is known for its variety of habitats and vegetation.
It is important because it represents the most populated area of lynx-lynx with about 50 principals specie this liable.
There is a tendency of its inhabitants to move towards urbane areas, but during the summer season they return for their holidays, highlighting in this way their efforts for developing the familiar tourism.

- National Park of “Lura”
With a surface of 1.280 hectares it is situated in the eastern side of the mountain massive of “ Kunora e Lures”. Its 14 icy lakes offer picturesque and attractive environments at an altitude of 1.350-1.720 m. Among the many lakes the one that stand out are the Big Lake 32 hectares, Lake of Pines 13 hectares, Black Lake 8 hectares and Lake of Flowers 4 hectares. In winter these lakes freeze. In the southern part of the park there is a meadow called “Field of Mares” which offers a relaxing view, since its vegetation is miscellaneous with multi-color flowers and full of coniferous trees. This park offers various possibilities for developing eco-tourism, winter sports, equitation, horse riding etc.

- National Park of “Pisha e Divjakes”
- (The pine of Divjaka)
With a surface of about 1.250 hectares is situated 5 km far from Divjaka and about 40 km from the center of the city of Lushnja. At the same time this park is a part of the complex called Lagoon of Karavastaja, an area since 1994 under the protection of the International Convention of Ramsar. The park is one of the most important ecosystems of the entire Albania.
A typical representative of the ecosystem is the curl pelican (pelicanus crispus), and about 6,4% of its entire population nests in the Lagoon. Karavastaja is the furthest western point of nesting of this sort of bird in Europe.
In this Park there are a lot of possibilities for developing eco-tourism, blue- tourism, sportive hunting, bird watching, fishing etc.

- National Park of “Llogara”
Is situated about 40 km in south- east of Vlora on the border between Adriatic and Jon seas. It’s altitude ranges from 470 to 2018m. Near the Pass of Llogara are met trees and interesting crown shapes, resulting from the tides of wind. An astonishing example of it is “ Pisha Flamur” (Flag Pine), a rare monument of nature with scientific and tourist values.
This park offers a fine and attractive landscape and characteristic areas with dominant points. Its vegetation consists mainly of such conifers as the black pine and ash-tree. The park of Llogara has a significant importance both as a tourist destination and as a transit bridge to the Ionian coast. It has great potential for the development of eco-tourism, air sports, excursions and trekking. It is a climatic place because here are lively mixed both mountain and marine fresh air. For the air sports fans this park offers accommodation possibilities.

- National Park of “Bredhi Drenoves”
- (The fir of Drenova)
Is situated 10 km far from the city of Korca on the back of the mountain of Morava. Its total area is about 1.380 hectares. The entire park area is rich in water springs which appeal mostly to the visitors.
The flora and fauna of this park is rich and various. The most dominant plants are the ash wood, which gives to this park tourists and environmental values. Here, also there is black pine, maple of mountain and the extremely rare taxus baccata. The Park is mostly inhabited by big mammals.
This park has incomparable values for developing the eco-tourism, winter sports, mountain climbing, excursions etc.

- National Park of “Lugina e Valbones”
- (The valley of Valbona)
It has a surface of about 8.000 hectares and is situated 25-30 km in northwest of the city of Bajram Curri. It expands among high mountains and shows off a fantastic complexion of colors in every season, thus giving the image of a valley full of labyrinths and surprises. Its scientific, tourist and health recovering values are combined with a bio-diversity of national and international importance. Its rocky and attractive peaks, the sides covered with wood, the flow of brooks and river Valbona, viewed from above, create the image of a giant and marvelous crater as a small panorama of natural beauty.
The nature of this park is full of varieties suitable for tourism, fishing, relaxation, amusing and mountain climbing as well as winter sports. In the inner part of the Park there are a lot of grottos and caves. The most eminent is the Cave of Dragobia, where lay the remains of Bajram Curri, a national hero.

- National Park of “Mali Tomorit”
- (Mount Tomorri)
With a surface of 4.000 hectares is situated in the east of the city- museum of Berati. With its peak of 2415,7m above the sea level, the Mountain of Tomori gives the impression of a giant natural castle. The natural beauties of the park are evident in every season of the year.
The kind of activities to carry out here is winter sports, climbing, trekking and pilgrimage. Every year at the end of August, thousands of ‘pilgrims’ climb at the Masjid of Kulmak, housing the grave of the religious leader Abaz Aliu, to carry out the religious rites of Bektashian Sect.

- National Park of “Bredhi Hotoves”
- (The fir of Hotova)
With a surface of about 1.200 hectares, is situated in the region of Frasheri, about 35 km in northeast of the town of Permeti. This park forms a giant green crown with apparent contrasts that cause to be very attractive for the visitors.
The animal world is very attractive for its variety of species ranging from the brown bear, wolf, fox, marten, hind and wild pig etc.
Due to beautiful and picturesque nature, healthy climate, pure air and nearness to the urban areas, this Park gains tourists, recuperative and sportive values at every season of the year. The sorts of tourism to carry out are echo-tourism, champing, excursions etc.

- National Park of “Qafe Shtama”
- (The pass of Shtama)
Has a surface of about 2.000 hectares and is situated at about 2 km in northeast of the town of Kruja. In general the view of this Park is 360 degree and picturesque. Here we can mention the fountain of “Mother Queen” with pure, cold and curative water. Many people frequent this area for its high curative values as well as the landscape it offers. On the north border there is a recreation center. Attention is paid to the development of tourism where attractive are the lakes situated near the Park, at its northern part.
There are possibilities here for developing the echo-tourism, curative tourism (for diseases of respiratory ways), climbing etc.

- National Park of “Zall Gjocaj”
It has a surface of about 140 hectares and is situated approximately 40 km in northeast of the city of Burrel. It offers a very picturesque view and good possibilities for developing the echo-tourism. The presence of numerous sources and system of ravines make it more beautiful.
Therefore there is a typical plant kingdom of mountain areas: lack pine and beech. Very attractive are the old woods of 150-200 years old with giant shape and view dressed with ivy plants, moss and mushrooms. Among the animals here, we can mention the brown bear, wolf, fox, wild pig etc.

- National Park of “Prespa”
It has a surface of about 27.750 hectares and is situated at the cross border of Albania, Greece and Macedonia. It consists of both lakes Big Prespa and Small Prespa as well their reservoirs of water.
This area is very rich in cultural values. Worth mentioning is the eremitic churches of Byzantine Age and the cave of Treni, located in the lake of Small Prespa. Here are discovered settlements of the early age of bronze, where the castle of Trajan is among the largest prehistoric place of this district, build up in the 8th century BC and the church of Saint Mary built up in the island of Maligrad in 14th century.
This region is considered of significant echo-tourism potential.
The Lake of Big Prespa and the Lake of Small Prespa are part of the Balkan Park of Prespa, by an agreement signed by the respective Prime Ministers. There is potential for development of echo-tourism, recreation, sportive fishing, gathering and trading of medicinal plants, familiar tourism, bird watching, blue tourism, aquatic sports etc.

- National Park of “Butrint”
Is situated nearly 25 km in south of the city of Saranda. Its scientific, tourists and health recovering values combine with a bio-diversity of national and international importance. Its surface is about 2.500 hectares.
The area “ Channel of Cuka-Gulf and Island of Ksamil” offer relax and recreation. Its islands form a real oasis for the wonderful coastal and terrestrial landscape. They are covered with typical Mediterranean vegetation. Suchlike is the wood near the ancient city of Butrint, which consists of a real subtropical jungle, where high trees and laurels are dominant. It’s an area of significant importance for the tourism in the country. First for the cultural tourism with the ancient city of Butrint that is under the protection of UNESCO, blue tourism in Ksamil, echo-tourism in Lake of Butrint, aquatic sports also in Lake of Butrint , fishing, etc.

Natural Resources :

• The island of Franc Joseph
Is located in the outlet of Buna river. It s created by the alluvions of delta of river. Franc Joseph is nearby Velipoja. There is a hunting reserve with an area of 4,5 ha. To go there a road with direction Shkoder – Velipoje – Grykederdhja e Bunes should be followed. This site is very attractive and also a very important habitat for water fowls. It is a sandy island covered by hydrofyle vegetation. There are also leafy woods , predominated by poplars, alders etc. The island is well protected and a good place to develop eco – tourism , bird watching etc.

• The islands of Ksamil
Belongs to the municipality of Ksamil, from 7 up to 15 metres above sea level. To go there an interear from the town of Saranda to Ksamil should be followed. The islands can be reached by boat , wich are very closed to the coast. They are small islands close to each other and covered by dense mediterranean vegetation. ( representet by laurel, alder, elm tree etc). The island are distinguished for underwater flora in particular with the presence of bivalor and fanegoram. The natural values of these islands are protected by European Conventions where Albania is part . The Ksamili islands are very frequented by tourists.

• The “Flag Pine” in Llogara
Belongs to the Comune of Dukat in Vlora district, 910 meters above sea level. It has a good access on the way from Vlora to Riviera. This natural monument is colled by that name because of its shape. Due to the directions of wind, blowing from the south this natural monument resembles with a “flutter flag“. This kind of pine belongs to Pinus Nigra family. It can reach the maximum of 20 meters high with a diameter of 75 cm . It can live 100 years. This area is a natural park and several activites can be organized ( air sports, trekking, excursions).

• The forest of “Blue Eye”
Is situated in the village of Muzina in the district of Delvina. To go at this place you should turn 2 km on the right of automobilistic road from Gjirokastera to Saranda at the section of Muzina. The forest has a mix character. Round the carstic sources there is a hydrofyle vegetation .There are also high woods. In some parts the forest has a high density of woods like a jungle with lianas. It is the only place in Albania where a kind of bat ( Myotis bechsteini )is found. This habitat is protected by international conventions.
The big sources of “Blue Eye” belongs to this natural complex. In springs the water has a diameter of 5 metres and is characterized by a deep blue colour.
This place is one of the most attractive one in all Albania.

• The island of Maligradi
Is located on Prespa Lake, in front of Liqenas village (Korea District). The island is 800 meters long and 200 meters wide. The island has steep slopes and is rich in fauna , especially in reptiles. There is an old eremite church with frescoes where religious ceremonies are organized. This area is developing “ rural tourism “ and represents the biggest National Park of Albania.

CAVES

• Black Cave
Is located near the village of Pellumbas wchi is in the district of Tirana. It is situated 650 meters above sea level on the gorge of Skorana (Erzeni river). To reach the cave you should walk 2 km in a pedestrian path. The cave has unikal values . There are found the bones of bear of caves (ursus spelaus). This kind of bear has lived from 10.000 to 400.000 years ago. In all european continent there are only five caves from this kind. The black cave is full with stalagtides and stalagmites. The entrance of the cave has a beautiful position , because the visitor can enjoy the open view of the gorge of Erzeni river.

• The cave of Puci
Is located in Boga village in Albanian Alps. The cave is 5 km long in form of a labyrinth with different stores. It is one of the most biggest and interesting caves in Europe. Near it there is another cave of Husi which makes almost a system of caves. Near the cave is the village of Boga.
A road from Shkodra to Koplik and further to the village of Boga shuold be followed. The cave is rich with carstic forms such as stalagtites , stalagmites etc.
This area is frequented by different speleologist and adventurous toursits.