TIRANA, Aug 12 /ATA/ - Albania, with its countless museums, castles and other historical and cultural heritage sites to be explored all over the country, is becoming an increasingly prominent destination on the global cultural tourism map, according to the Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja.

The minister on Tuesday highlighted a significant increase in visits to the country’s cultural heritage sites, with 773,542 visitors recorded from January to July 2025, marking a 69% rise compared to the same period in 2023.

In July alone, cultural sites across Albania welcomed 204,453 domestic and foreign visitors, marking a 56% increase year-on-year.

Top 5 most visited sites were Gjirokastër Castle, Butrint Archaeological Park, Gjergj Kastrioti Museum, Krujë, Shkodër Archaeological Park and Apollonia Archaeological Park.

Archaeological parks attracted 334,911 visitors - up 93% from 2023.

Museums received over 240,000 visitors, a 38% increase, while castles and monuments welcomed more than 198,000 people, a 78% rise compared to the same period two years ago.

Officials say the trend reflects growing international interest in Albania’s historical and cultural assets.

Albania is home to many archaeological and historical heritage sites dating back to Illyrian, Roman, Ottoman, and beyond, including Butrint, Apollonia, Orik and Amantia , as well as old castles, including the castle of Gjirokaster, Lekurs castle in Saranda, Kruja castle, Berat Castle, Petrela castle in Tirana, Ali Pasha castle in Tepelene, Rozafa castle in Shkoder etc.

Some of the must-see museums include the Iconography Onufri Museum and the Ethnography Museum in Berat, Archaeological Museums in Durres, Tirana, Korça, the Weapons and Ethnographic Museum in Gjirokaster, Ethnography Museum in Saranda, National History Museum in Tirana, Archaeological Museum in Tirana, History Museum in Shkoder etc.

/j.p/u.sh/