National Parks/Forests

Butrint National Park is a special area for tourism in Albania, notable not only for its great scientific, archaeological, social, and recreational values but also for its extraordinary biodiversity. It is primarily distinguished for cultural tourism in the ancient city of Butrint, blue tourism in the Ksamil area, and ecotourism in Lake Butrint. The park is bordered by high hills and mountains in the southwest, east, and southeast, which contribute to the feeding and breeding of predatory bird populations such as the white-tailed eagle and globally threatened species like the sea eagle and yellow-legged gull; brackish and fresh water marshes on the northern shore of Butrint provide an excellent feeding base for waterfowl. Components of Butrint National Park also include lakes such as Lake Butrint, covering an area of 16 km², connected to the Corfu Channel through the Vivari Channel. The lake is rich in fish species like grey mullet, eel, sardine, and the family engraulidae. Mussels are the dominant mollusks and have been cultivated since 1968. Bufi Lake, also known as Rrëza Lake, covers an area of 83 hectares. It is fed by several freshwater sources, providing a habitat for various fish, amphibians, and reptilian species, such as grey mullet, carp, eel, Epirus frog, striped neck turtle, marsh frog, and small water snake. A fantastic combination of marine, lagoon, coastal, and hilly environments, along with historical elements, makes Butrint National Park an unmissable destination.”