Albanian Riviera

With Albanian Riviera (Albanian Riviera shqiptare ) is a steep stretch of coast in the southwest of Albania respectively. The Riviera is located on the Ionian Sea north of Saranda and ends on Llogara Pass ( 1027 m above sea level. A. ) south of Vlora, where the Adriatic begins. The northern part of the Riviera belongs to the district of Vlora, Saranda, the southern to the circle. Of the Albanians, the Riviera is often simply, "The Coast" also referred to as Bregu. The Ceraunische Mountains separates the Riviera from the hinterland.

The capital of the Riviera is Himara. To Bashkia Himara also include nine villages. Palasa is the northernmost, located at the foot of Llogara Pass. This is followed by the south Dhërmi, Gjileka, Iliad and Vuno. Pilor and Kudhës are located east of Himara in the mountains. To the south on the coast comes Qeparo - Fusha and about on the hillside Qeparo. To the south of subsequent Komuna Lukova include lying in the mountain villages Fterra and Çorraj as well as on the coast borsh, Qazim Pali, Piqeras, Sasaj, Lukova, Holy Evangelist Vasil - the Nivica and that but already behind - this was during the communist dictatorship Përparim pass of the Holy Evangelist Vasil is.

The area is very remote and can only be reached along narrow, winding roads. After the collapse of communism in 1990/91, the Riviera has been greatly depopulated. In particular, the young residents sought work in Greece, as has been documented example for the site Fterra. In some villages, only old people live.

Tourism

By 2000, the region began gradually to develop tourism. It originated several hotels, apartments and restaurants. The largest and most modern hotel is the Rapos Resort Hotel in Himara. The coastal road is newly built since the fall of 2008. The access road on the Llogara Pass ( National Road SH 8) is either newly built or in good passable condition. By 2011, all branch roads have been expanded to the beaches of Dhërmi to the cave of Lukova.

Most tourists are Albanians from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as emigrants on home leave. However, outside of the main town and the village of Himara Dhërmi the landscape is still largely free from hotels and restaurants. The French tour operator Club Méditerranée planned at Holy Evangelist Vasil first Western investor to build a hotel complex. The construction came to 2009 for years little progress because the local population protested because of disputes over land ownership. Club Méditerranée then withdrew temporarily from Albania back.