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Rama: Bënja Baths to become a modern tourism destination in nature

Renovation works at Bënja Baths are continuing. The site is located about 14 kilometers from the city of Përmet. It lies in the Petran administrative unit, near the meeting point of the Vjosa River and the Lengarica stream. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the transformation will be completed soon. He …

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Tirana hosts elite padel tournament, free entry at Skanderbeg Square from 26–30 May

TIRANA, May 25 – Tirana will become an international centre for elite padel sport. The city will host a major tournament from 26 to 30 May at Skanderbeg Square, with free entry for the public. Top international players will compete in the event. They will play for key ranking points …

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Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors, Gonxhja says

Gjirokastër Castle remains one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said today. He noted that the monument is enjoying another successful tourist season, with growing interest in cultural tourism in southern Albania. Gonxhja shared images from the site showing the castle …

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Over 5,000 farmers apply for national support scheme, minister says

TIRANA, May 25 – Farmers across the country can apply from today for the National Support Scheme 2026. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the programme with 12 support measures. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Andis Salla said farmers now have full access to apply and benefit from …

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Ancient olive groves of Ndroq, Varosh Castle and warm hospitality near Tirana

Visitors travel to Ndroq and explore its ancient olive groves and rural trails. First, they follow walking paths through green hills and traditional village landscapes.Then, they pass through old orchards and stone terraces. As they move forward, they discover the olive groves of Ndroq. Locals cultivate these groves and maintain …

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France awards soprano Ermonela Jaho with Knight of Arts and Letters title

TIRANA, May 25 – France has awarded Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho the title “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (Knight of Arts and Letters). France grants the distinction to individuals with outstanding contributions to the arts. Jaho reacted online after receiving the award. She said the title represents a great …

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Shëngjin opens 2026 tourism season, Nufi says city is ready for more visitors

Shëngjin officially opened the summer tourism season last night with a series of activities. The event gathered residents of Lezhë and tourists from different countries. The opening ceremony, “Shëngjin 2026”, was attended by Minister of Defence Ermal Nufi, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla, and Lezhë Mayor Pjerin …

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Albania reports 11.7 percent revenue increase in January–April 2026

TIRANA, May 25 – The Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj said economic indicators for January–April 2026 show positive growth. He presented data on revenues and public expenditure for the four-month period. Total revenues reached about 275.7 billion ALL in January–April 2026. The figure equals 105.2 percent of the planned target. …

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Acrimony and Accusations Hold up Construction of Albanian Port

Albania wants to develop a new commercial port in Durres, but the public tender for its construction has fallen apart in acrimony and accusation. Original post Here

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Western Balkans Stability Monitor: Elections in the Air

The new edition of BIRN’s Western Balkans Stability Monitor looks at election fever in the region. Some countries are heading towards elections; in others, parties are using possible polls as a PR tool. Original post Here

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Seabourn Quest Cruise Ship Arrives in Saranda with 467 Tourists

Albania continues to attract growing numbers of visitors through cruise tourism, with the Port of Saranda remaining one of the country’s main gateways for foreign tourists during the summer season. The Port of Saranda welcomed the cruise ship Seabourn Quest today, carrying 467 passengers who chose to explore the Albanian …

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Construction Work in Tourist Areas Suspended Until September 15

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Albanian government has decided to temporarily suspend construction work and related activities in tourist areas during the summer season. The measure takes effect immediately and will remain in force until September 15, 2026. The announcement was made by Tourism Minister …

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Rama Shares Progress on Elbasan–Qafë Thanë Road Project, Calls It Key to “Albania 2030” Vision

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”1b47f020-c5ab-4529-8422-350d4c117adb” data-turn-id-container=”1b47f020-c5ab-4529-8422-350d4c117adb” data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared new footage on social media showing the progress of construction works on the Elbasan–Qafë Thanë road, describing it as one of Albania’s most important infrastructure investments. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> …

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Kurti Visits Zubin Potok Excavation Site, Says Dig May Last for Months and Urges Serbia to Open War Archives

Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Saturday that excavations at a site where human remains believed to belong to people missing from the 1998–99 Kosovo war have been discovered could continue for months due to the difficult terrain and the scattered nature of the remains. Speaking to reporters …

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Extreme Heat to Grip Albania in August, Temperatures Expected to Reach 41°C

MeteoAlb meteorologist Hakil Osmani has forecast another spell of extreme heat for Albania, warning that temperatures could climb as high as 41°C in several parts of the country during the first half of August. Speaking to Euronews Albania, Osmani said the first two weeks of the month are expected to …

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Eurostat: 53% of Albanian Households Cannot Afford a One-Week Holiday Each Year

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> More than half of Albanians cannot afford to spend one week on holiday away from home due to financial constraints. According to Eurostat data, which refers to 2025 for Europe and 2023 for Albania, around 53% of households in Albania are …

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After Years of Emigration, Mountain Tourism Revives the Village of Strelcë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”72f69213-2f23-4414-8091-864f914f4def” data-turn-id-container=”72f69213-2f23-4414-8091-864f914f4def” data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Just 25 kilometers from the town of Maliq lies Strelcë, one of the best-known villages in the Gora region, which has experienced a revival in recent years thanks to the growth of mountain tourism. Once home to more than 300 houses …

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Katy Perry Lights Up Sunny Hill Festival, Waves Kosovo Flag During Spectacular Pristina Performance

The latest edition of the Sunny Hill Festival has kicked off in Bërnicë, Pristina, attracting thousands of music fans from Kosovo and abroad. The high turnout caused long traffic queues on roads leading to the festival grounds on the opening night. The highlight of the evening was the performance by …

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August Begins with Scorching Heat as Vlora’s Beaches Fill with Holidaymakers

The first weekend of August has brought a surge of visitors to Vlora, with the city’s beaches packed with both domestic and international tourists enjoying the peak of the summer season. The start of the month has seen a significant influx of holidaymakers, many of whom have chosen the Albanian …

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Week in Review: Cocaine Busts, Changing Goals, Tourism Woes

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at Washington’s shifting foreign policy priorities in the Balkans, a suspicious drug trawl, surging property prices and more. Original post Here

News

Seabourn Quest Cruise Ship Arrives in Saranda with 467 Tourists

Albania continues to attract growing numbers of visitors through cruise tourism, with the Port of Saranda remaining one of the country’s main gateways for foreign tourists during the summer season. The Port of Saranda welcomed the cruise ship Seabourn Quest today, carrying 467 passengers who chose to explore the Albanian …

News

Construction Work in Tourist Areas Suspended Until September 15

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Albanian government has decided to temporarily suspend construction work and related activities in tourist areas during the summer season. The measure takes effect immediately and will remain in force until September 15, 2026. The announcement was made by Tourism Minister …

News

Rama Shares Progress on Elbasan–Qafë Thanë Road Project, Calls It Key to “Albania 2030” Vision

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”1b47f020-c5ab-4529-8422-350d4c117adb” data-turn-id-container=”1b47f020-c5ab-4529-8422-350d4c117adb” data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared new footage on social media showing the progress of construction works on the Elbasan–Qafë Thanë road, describing it as one of Albania’s most important infrastructure investments. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> …

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Kurti Visits Zubin Potok Excavation Site, Says Dig May Last for Months and Urges Serbia to Open War Archives

Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Saturday that excavations at a site where human remains believed to belong to people missing from the 1998–99 Kosovo war have been discovered could continue for months due to the difficult terrain and the scattered nature of the remains. Speaking to reporters …

News

Extreme Heat to Grip Albania in August, Temperatures Expected to Reach 41°C

MeteoAlb meteorologist Hakil Osmani has forecast another spell of extreme heat for Albania, warning that temperatures could climb as high as 41°C in several parts of the country during the first half of August. Speaking to Euronews Albania, Osmani said the first two weeks of the month are expected to …

News

Eurostat: 53% of Albanian Households Cannot Afford a One-Week Holiday Each Year

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:51b31d08-45ab-4324-af85-ba141333aa2f-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> More than half of Albanians cannot afford to spend one week on holiday away from home due to financial constraints. According to Eurostat data, which refers to 2025 for Europe and 2023 for Albania, around 53% of households in Albania are …

News

After Years of Emigration, Mountain Tourism Revives the Village of Strelcë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”72f69213-2f23-4414-8091-864f914f4def” data-turn-id-container=”72f69213-2f23-4414-8091-864f914f4def” data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Just 25 kilometers from the town of Maliq lies Strelcë, one of the best-known villages in the Gora region, which has experienced a revival in recent years thanks to the growth of mountain tourism. Once home to more than 300 houses …

News

Katy Perry Lights Up Sunny Hill Festival, Waves Kosovo Flag During Spectacular Pristina Performance

The latest edition of the Sunny Hill Festival has kicked off in Bërnicë, Pristina, attracting thousands of music fans from Kosovo and abroad. The high turnout caused long traffic queues on roads leading to the festival grounds on the opening night. The highlight of the evening was the performance by …

News

August Begins with Scorching Heat as Vlora’s Beaches Fill with Holidaymakers

The first weekend of August has brought a surge of visitors to Vlora, with the city’s beaches packed with both domestic and international tourists enjoying the peak of the summer season. The start of the month has seen a significant influx of holidaymakers, many of whom have chosen the Albanian …

News

Week in Review: Cocaine Busts, Changing Goals, Tourism Woes

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at Washington’s shifting foreign policy priorities in the Balkans, a suspicious drug trawl, surging property prices and more. Original post Here