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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania
Albanian World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Albania map · historical landmarks in Albania
Albania has 5 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 2 cultural, 2 natural and 1 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2007. This map of UNESCO sites in Albania covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Albanian World Heritage Sites range from Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe onwards; Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe is the most recent, listed in 2007; recurring threads across the list include ancient civilizations.
One inscription is transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. Start with Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe and Butrint, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 5
- Cultural
- 2
- Natural
- 2
- Mixed
- 1
- First inscribed
- 1979
Sites on the map
Inscriptions Albania shares with other countries are not plotted here — you will find them in the list below.
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- CFUKerkyra (Corfu)2 sites
- SOBSármellék1 site
- REGReggio Calabria1 site
- OHDOhrid1 site
Keep exploring
All 5 sites in Albania
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| ButrintInhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. | 1992 | Cultural | Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. |
| Historic Centres of Berat and GjirokastraBerat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. | 2005 | Cultural | Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. |
| Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid regionA superlative natural phenomenon, Lake Ohrid provides a refuge for numerous endemic species of freshwater fauna and… | 1979 | Mixed | A superlative natural phenomenon, Lake Ohrid provides a refuge for numerous endemic species of freshwater fauna and flora dating from the Te. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Albania
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Albania?
- Albania has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 cultural, 2 natural and 1 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Albania?
- Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region was inscribed in 1979. A superlative natural phenomenon, Lake Ohrid provides a refuge for numerous endemic species of freshwater fauna and flora dating from the Te.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Albania?
- Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, inscribed in 2007. This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. Since the end of the last Ice Age, European Beech spread from a few isolated refuge are.
- Which sites in Albania are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 5 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe and Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.
- Which UNESCO sites in Albania are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Albania.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Albania?
- The 5 UNESCO-listed sites above are Albania's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Albanian World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 5 Albanian UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.