The 12 Counties of Albania and their Capitals, Districts, Municipalities, Cities, Villages

Albania is divided into 12 counties (qarqe), which are the highest-level administrative divisions.

  • Counties are further subdivided into 36 districts (rrethe) and 373 municipalities (bashki/komuna).
  • Municipalities consist of cities and villages.

List of the 12 Counties

The 12 counties of Albania are:

  1. Berat
  2. Dibër
  3. Durrës
  4. Elbasan
  5. Fier
  6. Gjirokastër
  7. Korçë
  8. Kukës
  9. Lezhë
  10. Shkodër
  11. Tirana
  12. Vlorë

Albania’s 12 Counties and their Capitals, Districts, Municipalities, Cities, Villages

CountyCapitalDistrictsMunicipalitiesCitiesVillages
BeratBeratBerat, Kuçovë, Skrapar102122
DibërPeshkopiBulqizë, Dibër, Mat7163
DurrësDurrësDurrës, Krujë6262
ElbasanElbasanElbasan, Gramsh, Librazhd, Peqin205177
FierFierFier, Lushnjë, Mallakastër143117
GjirokastërGjirokastërGjirokastër, Përmet, Tepelenë11296
KorçëKorçëDevoll, Kolonjë, Korçë, Pogradec14744
KukësKukësHas, Kukës, Tropojë14130
LezhëLezhëKurbin, Lezhë, Mirditë9226
ShkodërShkodërMalësi e Madhe, Pukë, Shkodër15256
TiranaTiranaKavajë, Tirana16366
VlorëVlorëDelvinë, Sarandë, Vlorë9438

Largest Cities in Albania (Census Data)

RankCity2001 Census2011 Census
1Tirana352,581421,286
2Durrës113,465115,550
3Vlorë85,18079,948
4Elbasan95,55479,810
5Shkodër85,79874,876
6Fier56,29757,198
7Korçë58,91151,683
8Berat45,57236,467
9Lushnjë38,33631,424
10Kavajë28,14920,312

📌 Key Notes

  • Tirana is both the capital and the largest city, with rapid population growth.
  • Durrës is the main port city and second-largest urban area.
  • Shkodër, Vlorë, Elbasan, and Korçë are important cultural and historical centers.
  • After 2015 reforms, Albania moved towards 61 municipalities replacing many of the smaller units, but the 12 counties remain the top-level divisions.

The 12 Counties of Albania and their Capitals, Districts, Municipalities, Cities, Villages
Albania's 12 Counties and their Capitals, Districts, Municipalities, Cities, Villages

1. Berat County

  • Capital: Berat
  • Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Economy based on agriculture, olives, and winemaking.

2. Dibër County

  • Capital: Peshkopi
  • Mountainous region, famous for Korab Mountain (highest peak in Albania).
  • Agriculture and livestock are the main economic activities.

3. Durrës County

  • Capital: Durrës
  • Albania’s main port city and a key trade hub.
  • Important tourist destination with Adriatic beaches and Roman amphitheater.

4. Elbasan County

  • Capital: Elbasan
  • Industrial center of Albania.
  • Rich cultural heritage and historical Ottoman architecture.

5. Fier County

  • Capital: Fier
  • Known for oil, natural gas, and agriculture.
  • Contains ancient ruins of Apollonia, an important archaeological site.

6. Gjirokastër County

  • Capital: Gjirokastër
  • UNESCO World Heritage city with Ottoman-style stone houses.
  • Known for tourism, agriculture, and traditional festivals.

7. Korçë County

  • Capital: Korçë
  • Known as the “Little Paris of Albania” for its culture and art.
  • Important educational and cultural hub with beer production and agriculture.

8. Kukës County

  • Capital: Kukës
  • Famous for Lake Fierza and mountainous landscapes.
  • Important during the Kosovo War as a refugee center.

9. Lezhë County

  • Capital: Lezhë
  • Historical significance: burial site of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero.
  • Strong agriculture and fishing economy.

10. Shkodër County

  • Capital: Shkodër
  • One of Albania’s oldest cities with rich history.
  • Known for Lake Shkodër, Rozafa Castle, and cultural heritage.

11. Tirana County

  • Capital: Tirana (also Albania’s national capital)
  • Largest county by population.
  • Political, economic, and cultural center of Albania.

12. Vlorë County

  • Capital: Vlorë
  • Historic city where Albania declared independence in 1912.
  • Important coastal tourism hub with beautiful Ionian and Adriatic beaches.

12 Counties of Albania and key feature