Albania's Shkodra protected zones and Gjirokastër Castle draw record tourist numbers

The protected areas of Shkodra in northern Albania recorded 356,105 visitors between January and June 2024, according to Agim Dardha of the Regional Administration of Protected Areas. Domestic tourists accounted for 235,200 visits while 120,905 were foreign guests. Theth valley within the Albanian Alps was the most visited spot, with 142,350 visitors in the same period. Dardha warned that some hikers use unmarked, difficult trails without local guides, raising safety concerns and urging tourists to respect nature and waste disposal.

In southern Albania, Gjirokastër Castle attracted over 100,000 visitors this year, 75‑80% of whom are foreign tourists from about 65 countries. French visitors represent roughly 10% of the foreign share, followed by Germans, Americans, Poles, Greeks and Italians. Ardis Duka, director of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Gjirokastër, noted a 10‑15% increase compared with the same period last year. The castle’s management continues restoration work to preserve its historic and architectural value.