Three cosy agro-tourisms in Albania to visit this summer
Making guests feel welcome is such an innate part of Albanian culture, and now a new generation is figuring out how to harness that in their businesses. If you are looking for places where to relax, eat great food and have fun this summer, these three cosy agro-tourisms in Northern, Central and Southern Albania are the right places for you.
MRIZI I ZANAVE, NORTHERN ALBANIA
Mrizi i Zanave is a place of immense charme within the splendid countryside of Zadrima where tradition, authenticity and innovation meet. The renewed kulla -distinctive stone house of Northern Albania- is a building whose grandiose is highlighted not only from the elegant glass facade but also through every minute detail indoors. A refreshing style in which each room has its own identity -handmade fabrics, wood, local stones. The restaurant is a member of the international Slow Food Convivium. The menu is rich and focuses on regional dishes and seasonal variations, so it is continuously adapted throughout the year. Expect high-quality ingredients that are ethically sourced. And then there are a cellar, former village prisons turned into food laboratories, courtyards surrounded by luscious vegetation, a boutique with selected products from the farm and local artisans. These are just a few of the many elements that combined, have created this iconic, forward thinking agroturizëm.
Find out more about Mrizi I Zanave here.
AGROTURIZËM GJEPALI, CENTRAL ALBANIA
Hidden away in the countryside between Tirana and the coastal city of Durrës, Agroturizëm Gjepali is a little gem of design nestled in the natural countryside of central Albania with a contemporary twist. This is an off-the-beaten-track Albanian secret that unveils a world of authenticity, traditions and wellness. It is a Tuscan-style villa with a veranda and big windows overlooking the countryside, which made it the perfect location for relax. The hallways and rooms, which feature original artwork by aspiring Albanian painters, perfectly evoke the tranquility and beauty of the countryside in all its shades and colors. is an idyllic situation for families who come to visit Albania and wish to live with the comforts of their own home. Agroturizëm Gjepali is more than just a restaurant: it’s one of the very few places in central Albania that offers a seasonal menu almost entirely made of own production. Menu is made of traditional dishes and local ingredients from the garden or bought directly from farmers of nearby villages: everything that lands on your plate has travelled less than 10 km. This sophisticated spot will make you realize that Albanian food can be a whole experience.
Find out more about Agroturizëm Gjepali here.
MAX MAVRUD, SOUTHERN ALBANIA
Situated between Shelegur Germenj and Piskal Shqeri natural reserves, in the very south of Albania, with private vineyards, farmland, forests, and an idyllic 19th century little church, once used from believers asking for blessings. Max Mavrud is a family run winery-agrotourism surrounded by hills and woods. This country house retreat features three cozy and comfortable rooms with mountain views. The agroturizëm offers a range of immersive experiences and activities, including wine tastings available year-round. The most common cultivars you can find here are Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pearl -used for raki and brandy- and the indigenous cultivars Debinë and Mavrud. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste their Rosé, one of the best in Albania, or Mavrud, a red wine that won several local prizes. The menu also includes interesting combinations prepared with the freshest seasonal products. Escape here from the city for long, scenic walks, wildlife spotting and sampling the region’s mavrud.
Find out more about Max Mavrud here.
