Albania is one of the most interesting and historical countries, filled with amazing and rich history and tradition. During your visit, you’ll find countless ruins and archaeological sites, including the magnificent castles in Albania, that will take you on a beautiful journey through time.

It’s one of the less explored countries in Europe and has a very unique culture, dating back to the Illyrian people, who inhabited the Balkans in 12 BC. Albania’s food, art, and music are also deeply connected with the nation’s past. 

Albania is home to many interesting tourist attractions, bringing in more and more tourists every year. In this article, we’ll be focusing on 15 castles in Albania that hold significant historical value. 

15 Albania's Hidden Castle Gems

There are many interesting sites in Albania, from ancient fortresses to medieval castles. 

Albania has 158 castles in total, so it’s safe to assume you won’t get the chance to visit them all. That’s why we created this article, in which we’ll be listing all the castles you absolutely must see when you visit Albania, and we’ll share maps of castles in Albania. 

#1. Gjirokastra Castle

One of the largest and most significant castles in Albania, Gjirokastër Castle, is located in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokastër, also called the “City of Stone.” The castle sits atop a hill and offers amazing views of the city. 

Most of the castle has been very well preserved, including the Gjirokastër Museum in the castle, five towers, and a clock tower. 

The castle is famous across Albania for the legend of Princess Argjiro, who supposedly jumped off the castle with her child to avoid being captured by the Ottomans. Legend says that she died, but her son survived the fall. 

This has turned the castle and the princess into symbols of Albania’s resistance against its invaders. 

#2. Berat Castle

Known as “the city of a thousand windows,’’ Berat is a beautiful historical town steeped in history. It’s also another one of the UNESCO castles in Albania. 



Berat Castle dates back to the 4th century and is located on rocky terrain surrounded by lush mountains. It’s situated along the Osum River and offers panoramic views of Berat. The Castle has witnessed many historical periods over the years, such as the rise and fall of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires.

This castle, home to more than 20 watch towers and great stone walls, is the prime attraction of the town of Berat. 

#3. Porto Palermo Castle

Porto Palermo Castle is among the castles in Albania that are located along the Albanian Riviera. It stands on the bay of Porto Palermo, around 45 kilometers from Saranda, in southern Albania. The castle was built a bit later than the others, around the 19th century.

The castle has a triangular shape with three towers, and it’s built out of limestone. 

The castle is properly maintained and in pretty good shape. If you’d like, you can find a tour guide to get a better understanding of the castle’s history. From the terrace, you’ll get the chance to admire some amazing views of the Ionian Sea coastline. 

#4. Rozafa Castle

Rozafa Castle is a limestone structure in the famous city of Shkodër, located on a rocky hill overlooking the rivers Drin and Buna. The castle was an Illyrian fortress until it was captured by the Romans in 167 BC. 

There’s a very interesting story about the castle, which revolves around the three brothers who are said to have built it. 

The story goes something like this: No matter how hard the brothers tried, the castle walls kept falling down every day, until a mysterious man told them that they had to bury one of their wives inside the walls if they wanted them to keep standing. 

So they buried one of the wives named Rozafa, which is where the castle got its name from. Inside the castle, there is also a sculpture of Rozafa in the museum.

#5. Ali Pasha Castle

Ali Pasha Castle is one of the most known castles in Albania, contributing to its rich history. Built in the 15th century by Venetians, this castle has unique historical importance for Albania.

It’s located close to the entrance of Butrint National Park, and you can only reach it by boat, making it a hidden gem of Albania. 

The Ottoman ruler Ali Pasha started rebuilding the castle and making improvements, and he used it as his residence until 1820. He was later declared a traitor and killed in 1822, but the castles still carry his legacy and name to this day. 

#6. Himara Castle

Himara Castle dates back 3,500 years and is located about 2.5 kilometers away from the coastal town of Himara. This structure became fortified in the 8th century BC and was even mentioned by the Roman author Pliny, who wrote: “On the coast of Epirus, on the Ceraunian Mountains, is the Castle of Himara.’’

The Castle consists of cobbled streets between walls and towers. It’s mostly in ruins, but you can spot two beautiful churches there: the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus and the Church of St. Mary Kasopitra. 

To get to the castle, you’ll have to take a hike from the town of Himara, or you can save your energy for exploring the castle and just drive there. There’s a spot for parking very close to the castle.

#7. Borsh Castle

Borsh Castle is a fortification next to Borsh village. It has a total area of 5 hectares of land, although large parts of the castle are in ruins. However, the gate and some parts of the walls are still standing, along with a mosque next to them.

The castle is located on a hill, overlooking the town of Borsh. You can easily reach the castle by car, or you can just hike up from the village. 

The castle suffered destruction during the communist era, and as a result, the frescoes inside the mosque are in ruins. 

 #8. Lekurësi Castle

Saranda is most popular in the summertime, as it’s home to some of the best beaches in Albania. But the marvelous beaches are not all that Saranda has to offer. Lekurësi Castle is one of Saranda’s top attractions, beaming with history.

This castle in Albania was built in the 16th century and is now in ruins. It stands atop a hill, with a nice restaurant inside the castle serving delicious food. 

It was built by Sulejman the Magnificent, who wanted to control both the port of Saranda and the road to Butrint.

#9. Kruja Castle

If you’re a real history lover, visiting the amazing Kruja Castle is a must. The town of Kruja is known as the city of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero who helped free the country from the Ottomans. 

This elliptical castle was constructed in the 5th or 6th century, and inside it is the famous Skanderbeg museum. The castle used to serve as Skanderbeg’s headquarters during the Ottoman invasion, making it a very significant monument.

It’s the symbol of Albania's resistance and perseverance as a country. 

The castle stands at 608 meters above sea level, and from its viewpoints, you can enjoy amazing views of the city.

#10. Rodoni Castle

Located on the Cape of Rodon, Rodoni Castle is yet another castle in Albania that holds major historical significance. Built by the sea, the Rodoni Castle used to serve as a defense point against Ottoman invaders. 

It was destroyed in the 15th century and then rebuilt by the Republic of Venice in the 16th century. Parts of the foundations of the castle are actually ruined and not in very good shape. Time has done its job, and saltwater has too. The erosive force of the Adriatic has caused the walls and other parts of the castle some damage. 

The road to the castle is in proper shape and is easily navigable by car. Near the castle, there are the ruins of the Church of St. Peter, which is considered a holy place.

#11. Fortress of Bashtova

The castle of Bashtova is located just 30 kilometers away from Durrës, close to the river Shkumbin. It has a quadrangular structure with towers in each corner, but one of them is in ruins.

The castle is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania due to its historical and cultural significance. The village of Bashtova used to be the center of grain trade until the late 14th century, making it a very strategic location. 

The castle was invaded by the Turks in 1478, who later renovated the structure.

#12. Venetian Tower

The Venetian Tower, or Durrës Castle, is one of the oldest castles in Albania, dating back to the Byzantine Empire in the 5th century AD. That’s the time when Durrës was one of the most fortified cities in the Adriatic area.

In the present day, only the massive tower of the castle is wonderfully preserved, with its walls and foundations perfectly intact. It’s in the very center of Durrës, and it’s among the top destinations for tourists.

#13. Lezhë Castle

Lezhë Castle is located in the city of Lezhë, in northern Albania. Like most castles in Albania, the castle has gone through many renovations and reconstructions over time.

Through the years, the castle was captured by the Venetians, Ottomans, and Romans. Some very interesting historical artifacts are on display inside the Castle. It awaits visitors to come and explore the history of Albania and its famous heroes, who once resided on the castle’s grounds.



#14. Petrela Castle

This castle is located on the national street of Tirane—Elbasan, about 20 kilometers away from Tirana, the capital of Albania. It’s situated on rocky terrain above the village of Petrele and has two observation towers. The castle was once part of the protection system of Kruja Caste.

From the castle’s viewpoints, you can enjoy magnificent views of the village below. Inside the castle, you can take advantage of a nice restaurant serving delicious traditional Albanian food.



#15. Elbasan Castle

Last but not least, we have Elbasan Castle, one of the rare castles in Albania that is located in the heart of the city. Many years ago, there were 26 towers in the castle, whereas today only eight of them are still intact.

Beyond the castle’s walls, you can even sit at various restaurants and cafes built there. There’s also a hotel just by the castle. A walk around will allow you to see striking architectural structures, such as Ottoman-style houses, Italian-style flats, and communist-era buildings. 

Despite the many years that have passed, this castle has managed to preserve the important culture and significance inside its walls. 

Don’t Forget!

Albania is just the place to visit for a nice dose of tradition and culture, given its long history of war and numerous invasions. 

It’s home to many beautiful and significant castles, each holding significance to the locals. The journey through every castle in Albania is truly enchanting, being able to explore those ancient fortifications and imagine a whole other era.

FAQs About Castles in Albania