Albania is increasingly attracting visitors through its natural heritage, with protected areas becoming key destinations for tourists.
Diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity and outdoor activities are drawing more visitors and adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offer.
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said more than 4.5 million visitors explored Albania’s protected areas from January to August 2026, an 11.8% increase from the same period last year.
Shkodra, Vlora and Korça were the most visited destinations from June to August. Protected areas welcomed more than 3 million visitors during the summer months, up 9.3% year-on-year.
Jaupaj said the growing numbers highlight Albania’s potential to develop nature-based tourism throughout the year, beyond traditional coastal destinations. He also stressed the need to protect these areas as visitor numbers rise.
Protected areas are becoming increasingly popular for adventure tourism, ecotourism and outdoor activities.
In 2025, Albania had 777 protected areas covering 625,551 hectares, or 21.7% of the country’s territory. According to INSTAT, they account for 36.1% of Albania’s forest and pasture fund.
The country also has 724 natural monuments, while two areas are classified as Managed Resource Protected Areas.
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