Elbasan County: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Elbasan lies in the Shkumbin Valley and was historically an important connection point between northern and southern Albania. The Via Egnatia ran through the present-day area of Bashkia e Elbasanit, connecting strategic and commercial points that visitors can explore.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Elbasan County can focus their accommodation search on this destination area.

History

The Basilica of Bezistanit dates from the late fifth to early sixth century and contains wall paintings and floor mosaics. The Basilica of Tepes lies in the olive groves near Elbasan and is connected to the ancient cemetery of Scampis. It served as a cemetery church for Roman soldiers before collapsing in an earthquake in the sixth century.

The Ancient Station Ad Quintum in Bradashesh was a Roman rest and horse-changing station on the Via Egnatia. Ad Quintum includes the ruins of a Roman thermal complex with cold, warm, and hot rooms, a changing room, underfloor heating, and a nymphaeum.

Culture

Elbasan Castle has been declared a museum area and is used as a tourist space for cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals connected with the local cultural identity. Within Elbasan Castle are the King Mosque, the Orthodox Church of St. Mary, the Clock Tower, and the Sinan Pasha hammam.

The Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan is housed in the 18th-century Sejdin House. The house is a Category I cultural monument near the Bezistan plain; the museum displays around 80 types of traditional crafts from Elbasan.

West of Elbasan, the Church and Monastery of Saint John Vladimir form a three-aisled basilica with partially preserved late frescoes. The Church of Saint Kolli in Shelcan is considered a representative example of 16th-century Albanian iconography associated with the Onufri tradition.

The Paleochristian Basilica in Elbasan is designated as a cultural monument and is a protected archaeological site. It contains masonry foundations, columns, and fragments of floor mosaics attributed to the first centuries of Christianity.

Nature

In Funar, four lakes or reservoirs lie amid pine and oak forests; fishing is one of the activities available to visitors there. The four lakes around Funar offer kayaking and canoeing.

The Elbasan thermal baths are natural hot springs in Tregan, whose use dates back to Roman times. Visitors can use the thermal baths there and also take advantage of mineral mud treatments, physiotherapy, and wellness resort services.

Festivals and Cuisine

Dita e Verës is Elbasan's most important traditional festival and has ancient pagan roots; the program includes concerts as well as cultural, craft, and fair activities. Ballokum is a traditional dish from Elbasan that is particularly associated with Summer Day.

Funar Fest is considered a recurring festival in Funar that promotes active nature tourism and local hospitality. The Funar Fest program has included a fair for organic products and kayaking on Lake Funar.

Activities

The routes of the Via Egnatia can be covered on foot, on horseback, or by mountain bike. Mountain biking is one of the outdoor sports in Gjinar. Bukaniku Mountain in Gjinar is listed as a hiking destination. Gjinar can be reached via the Elbasan–Gjinar national road.

To the main travel overview: Elbasan County.

Further Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Peqin District, Librazhd District.