The main promenade is the heart of any town, that one central street where the old city meets the new. Promenades are the introduction to the city, the safe bets, the popular choices, the places where you go to see and be seen, even if only for a stroll. The promenades in Albania are reminiscent of the cobble-stone walkways or beach strolls of bygone eras. Yet, they are very modern and quite distinct from one another. Read all about the best ones below.   

Tirana Promenade

It is fairly short but full of twists and turns: historical, cultural, and recreational. The promenade in Tirana veers off the main boulevard of town and takes the visitor into another world. Along the warmly lit and always vibrant promenade, you will run into the National Gallery of Arts, a cinema and huge garden restaurant, one of the most popular dance clubs in the city, delicious street food stands as well as bustling cafes and pubs. Towards its end, there are the 300-year-old ruins of the Castle of Tirana and the miniature walkway of boutiques and gourmet shops inside its walls.

Shkodra Promenade

The promenade in Shkodra has become one of the most alluring touristic attractions in the country in recent years. With the feel of old European towns and 21^st century renovations, here the old and the new seamlessly align. Locals and tourists alike love this cultural walk among music and art. The bustling avenue has always been one of the city’s most populated, since its construction during the 20^th century. It owes its peculiar beauty to Kolë Idromeno, the most renowned painter from the city, and creative force behind its design. Idromeno is responsible for the Venetian-inspired aesthetic which adds that pleasant flair to the promenade.

Korça Promenade

Lined with trees, traditional houses, modern cafes and restaurants, the promenade in Korça is all that a promenade should be. Korça’s vibrant local life and atmosphere gives the street its particular authentic appeal. A walk along the famous promenade will acquaint you with Korça’s contemporary life as well as its significant history. The monument of the unknown soldier, the museum of the very first Albanian school, the new cathedral, and the panoramic tower are all worth discovering.

Vlora Promenade

The seaside promenades offer a completely different experience than the urban ones. Lined with palm trees and typical Mediterranean plants, the promenade in Vlora is perfect for relaxing evening strolls and socializing. This 5 km-long paved road stretches along the very last part of the Adriatic and the beginning of the Ionian, so you get the best of both worlds! Perfect for sports lovers, with basketball and volleyball courts, the end of the promenade also features the “glass balcony of the city,” from where you get the best view of Vlora’s epic sunsets.

Durrës Promenade

Traditionally known as “Vollga,” this seaside walkway is the modernized version of the nostalgic road. While many contemporary elements, like the Sphinx monument, have been added lately, the characteristic nostalgic beach town feel is very much still there. This long stretch of restaurants, ice-cream parlors, and games is peppered with street artists, musicians, as well as craftsmen and women. It is here that you will find one of the most legendary ice cream parlors in the country.