Mountain life
Hidden villages of Albania
Remote stone villages of Albania — from the Zagoria valley to the Kelmend highlands — where traditional life still happens.
Theth and Voskopojë have discovered guesthouses and Instagram. These villages haven't — yet. Go before they do.
Where to go
Our picks
Alps
Curraj i Epërm
Abandoned stone village deep in Nikaj-Mërtur, reached only on foot.
Alps
Vermosh
Northernmost village in Albania, on the Montenegro border.
Alps
Lëpushë
Alpine meadow village near Kelmend, guesthouses and hiking.
South
Sheper (Zagoria)
One of many stone villages of the Zagoria valley.
East
Rehovë
Old Vlach village high above Ersekë, near Mount Gramoz.
Riviera
Kudhës
Riviera hillside village above Vuno — sea views without the crowds.
Travel tips
- · Book guesthouse (bujtinë) directly by phone — most aren't on Booking.
- · Bring cash — no ATMs in most of these villages.
- · A little Albanian goes a long way in remote areas.
Keep exploring