As more and more people search for locally sourced, farm-fresh food, the concept of farm-to-table is growing in popularity around the world, Albania included! There are a few different definitions of farm-to-table, one of the most common being that your food came directly to your home from the farm without having to go through any distributor or store.
But the most honest definition of farm-to-table is when you eat directly on the farm and in Albania. This concept is part of an exciting slow food movement with support from the Albanian government and international leaders to prevent local food cultures and traditions from disappearing. It is also providing an opportunity to support local Albanian farming families.
What this means for you is that you have an incredible opportunity to go on an unforgettable agritourism adventure! We’ll explain exactly what agritourism means, why this concept is an important strategy for the Albanian economy and the top nine farm-to-table locations in the country.
What Is Agritourism and Why Albania?
Agritourism, also known as agroturizëm in Albanian, is a hybrid of agriculture and tourism, where farms can attract visitors to feed them and educate them about their livelihood. It’s an up-and-coming form of business that especially helps local farmers bring in more revenue for production and expansion.
According to USAID, roughly a quarter of Albania’s population only makes about $2 a day. The northern part of Albania, in particular, is where you can find the highest poverty levels. However, this part of the country is also home to amazing farms and beautiful countryside and where agritourism is giving farming families the opportunity to grow their businesses.
Agritourism farms in Albania produce a variety of mouth-watering products, from organic vegetables, fresh meats, and sometimes even hand-pressed wine and the country’s traditional drink, raki.
If you’re obsessed with farm-fresh food and pure, high-quality ingredients, the farm-to-table experience in Albania is unlike anything else in this world. Here are the nine best agritourism farms to visit in Albania.
Mrizi i Zanave—Fishte
Mrizi I Zanave is located in the town of Fishte, a place named after Albania’s national poet, Gjergj Fishta. Fishte is in Lezhe County, in the northern part of the country. It’s about an hour and 30 minute drive from the country’s capital Tirana and only a 30-minute drive from Shkoder.
After you taste the food at Mrizi i Zanave, you will not want to leave. All the food is organic, from the melt-in-your-mouth cheese, warm breadbaskets, and roasted vegetables. The meat from lamb, beef, and fish is all fresh and prepared right on site.
Signature dishes include oven-roasted goat with thyme, grilled lamb steak shish kebab, and crispy chicken and rice. There is a variety of pijet (drinks), including grape, plum, and cranberry raki.
The restaurant overlooks the panoramic view of the farm, so no matter what you decide to try, you’ll always have a mesmerizing view of the countryside. To view some of the incredible dishes served up every day, join the hundreds of thousands of followers supporting Mrizi i Zanave on Instagram and Facebook. If you are interested in staying at Mrizi i Zanave check availability here.
This 5 Day Tour from Tirana includes a visit to Mrizi i Zanave.
Farma Sotira—Leskovik
When you want both farm-to-table freshness while also spending a few days reconnecting with nature, Farma Sotira delivers. This agritourism farm is about an hour and 30 minutes away from Korce and nestled in the south of the country, close to the Albania/Greece border.
Pine tree forests, wild meadows, and natural lakes surround Farma Sotira. And if you’re up for a true farm-to-table adventure, you can have a try cooking traditional Albanian dishes. Some traditional meals include fish casserole with vegetables, chicken/duck/goose with rice, and traditional pie filled with a variety of vegetables and cheese.
And every meal, it’s mandatory to enjoy wood oven-baked bread, fresh feta cheese, and a wine made from grapes directly on site. If you visit in September, you can also help harvest the grapes for wine and raki!
To view every beautiful angle of Farma Sotira, you can also go horseback riding. It doesn’t matter if you are a pro or a beginner, the staff is ready to help you experience 10 miles of private countryside. There are also various horse riding trips that last one day up to six days.
After spending time at this agritourism farm, if you have a hard time leaving, that’s no problem. You can reserve a bungalow or cabin or set up camp where you can use shared bathrooms and showers. Catch a glimpse of the incredible adventures at Farma Sotira by following on Instagram. If you are interested in staying at Farma Sorita check availability here.
Agroturizëm Huqi—Rade
If you’re looking for a farm-to-table experience close to Tirana, Agrotuizem Huqi is only 30 minutes away, off the main road to idyllic Gjiri i Lalzit. When you arrive on the property, you’ll be delighted with the sprinkle of olive trees and the grandiose staircase that leads up to the panoramic restaurant.
You can enjoy traditional Albanian dishes, such as a lakror, a layered pastry pie filled with soft goat cheese and your choice of either tomato and onion, spinach, or yogurt and egg. But the signature dish at Agroturizem Huqi is the lamb. Early every morning, the staff prepares the lamb and hangs it to steam in a brick-lined well with burned-down wood at the bottom.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the farm and take in the main vegetable patch, grapevines, fruit and nut trees, and animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and swans. Other activities include fishing and paddle boating at the nearby lake. And if you need a place to stay, nearby beaches at Gjiri i Lalzit and Kepi i Rodonit are not far away. If you are interested in staying at Agroturizem Huqi check availability here.
Agroturizem Gjepali—Gjepalaj
Another nearby agritourism adventure that’s in between Tirana and Durres is Agrotruizem Gjepali. The same family has been tending this farm for six generations and today has grown to be one of the top agritourism destinations in Albania.
The location of this farm in between two bustling cities is perfect for those who want to get away. This farm consists of a restaurant that delivers both traditional and modern takes on Albanian dishes and a luxury hotel with a modern farmhouse feel. The winery produces Albanian wine from the grapes grown right on-site, including the collection of raki. Locals and tourists can even host special events here, such as weddings and birthdays.
Everything you enjoy at Agrotruizem Gjepali is 100% organic and authentically Albanian. If you are interested in staying at Agrotruizem Gjepali check availability here.
Agro Zerja—Peshkopi
Located near the Albanian and North Macedonia border is the village of Peshkopi, and that is home to our next agritourism farm. Agro Zerja is where you can experience another incredible level of Albanian hospitality. Not only do locals welcome you, but many Albanians that live in North Macedonia visit Agro Zerja, so you have the chance to witness how the Albanian pride knows no borders.
You’ll immediately know you arrived at Agro Zerja when you see the large, traditional Albanian villa. You can choose from a variety of traditional Albanian dishes, from fish casseroles and large pieces of juicy lamb cooked over open fires. And when you’re too full to make your way back home, you can choose to stay in one of the available rooms. If you are interested in staying at Agro Zerja check availability here.
Kantina Enol—Preze
Kantina Enol is in the perfect location if you’re ready to kick off your agritourism adventure as soon as you fly into Albania. Located only 25 minutes from Tirana International Airport, you could be taking in beautiful countryside on a wide-open picturesque patio and sipping wine within an hour of entering the country!
Everything is an absolute must-have at Kantina Enol for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From the handmade wine, the locally grown vegetables, and the animals raised on-site, this Kantina Enol is the perfect location to begin your agritourism adventure or the ideal way to end your stay in Albania before heading to the airport.
Bujtini Dini—Rubik
About an hour and 30 minutes north of Tirana is Bujtini Dini, another idyllic getaway where you can eat and stay on-site on this agritourism farm. When you drive on-site, you’ll think you stepped back in time to stay on a rustic Albanian farm but still surrounded with modern luxuries.
The main building is the focal point of the farm, with brown wood and gray stone welcoming you to enjoy your 100% organic meal outside to take in rolling green hills or inside where you can sit among traditional Albanian surroundings and décor. Wherever you decide to dine, it will be the right choice. And when you’re ready to turn in for the night, you can doze off in any one of the available rooms.
Hylli i Drites—Lezhe
If you’re enjoying the beaches around the Lezhe area, you can have one of the best farm-to-table experiences in less than 20 minutes at Hylli i Drites. It may be hard to think about eating while being mesmerized by rolling hills and vast greenery sprinkled with traditional Albanian homes. Still, we’re sure you can manage to look away to enjoy some of the best 100% organic Albanian dishes.
And an added bonus being so close to the Adriatic Sea, you can also enjoy some fresh fish, either cooked or sashimi. You can decide to head back to the beach or spend the night at Hylli i Drites so you can spend one more day enjoying the scenery and the food. If you are interested in staying at Hylli i Drites check availability here.
Logu i Harushave—Theth
Many of the agritourism farms on our list have accommodations available if you want to spend the night. Staying at Logu i Harushave in Theth is an absolute must experience!
Imagine waking up to the sun rising over the majestic Albanian mountains! Sprinkled on this farm are luxury A-frame cabins built with an all-glass wall that faces iconic Albanian mountains and greenery. And then walk out into the restaurant and enjoy 100% organic food.
Other must-have adventures are nearby, including the unique Blue Eye, which is about an hour walk, and the Theth Waterfall, which is about a 30-minute walk. If you want idyllic Albanian views with a farm-to-table experience, Logu i Harushave is the destination. If you are interested in staying at Logu i Harushave check availability here.
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Why Choose Farm-To-Table Adventures in Albania
While in Albania, it’s important to take in the sights and sounds of the bustling cities and museums, but deciding to have a farm-to-table adventure is a great way to explore different parts of the country. You’ll meet local Albanians you otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet, and truly enjoy what it means to have 100% organic food and drinks.
Plus, when you connect more with locals, you gain a deeper appreciation for Albanian culture and tradition. You’ll notice how some farming differs from region to region and perhaps pick up the different linguistic dialects. And most importantly, you support local farming families.
Agritourism allows you to view another way of life in Albania, a view that you should not pass up!
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