Discover Maminas

In Maminas, several travel interests are linked to specific destinations: Herta Winery represents viticulture, while the Shijak Lakes and Lake Karreç offer different natural attractions. The Maminas–Hamallaj–Shën Pjetër road also leads to the Bay of Lalëz. These places, themes and access routes can be considered separately when planning your trip—helpful when deciding what you would like to explore during your stay.

Viticulture in Maminas

Herta Winery has six hectares of vineyards in the picturesque hills of Maminas in central Albania. This makes viticulture a specific point of interest for travelers interested in the landscape and local products. The vineyards give this theme a clearly identified location, rather than associating it with the region only in general terms.

Visitors to Herta Winery can take guided tours of the vineyards. Visits are possible by prior reservation; confirm the arrangements again before you arrive. If you would like to include a tour in your stay, make the reservation early in your planning.

Herta Winery's signature products include “Bukuroshja e Maminasit” and “Merlot Dyrrah.” If you are interested in these products, check before your trip whether they will be available during your preferred dates. This keeps your plans tied to the actual offering, rather than assuming that a tasting or purchase will be possible on site.

The lakes and their locations

The Shijak Lakes are two lakes in the village of Metallë, in the administrative unit of Maminas, within the municipality of Shijak. The village, administrative unit and municipality refer to different levels of geographical location. The lakes are easily accessible via the Shijak–Metallë–Lakes road. For directions, you can use both the village name and the road name provided.

Another natural attraction is Lake Karreç in the administrative unit of Maminas. It was traditionally used for spa tourism; this historical use gives the lake a different story from that of the Shijak Lakes. To reach Lake Karreç, take a turnoff from the Maminas–Karreç road to the village of Karreç, then continue on foot. When planning your visit, this walking section is an important difference from the road access described for the Shijak Lakes.

The two lake destinations can therefore be distinguished by their specific features: Metallë has two lakes, while Karreç has a single lake with a history of use for spa tourism. Check current road and walking conditions locally before visiting Lake Karreç.

The road to the Bay of Lalëz

The Maminas–Hamallaj–Shën Pjetër road runs through flat agricultural fields and the Rrushkull–Ishëm Managed Nature Reserve. It is a tourist road to the Bay of Lalëz. The focus here is not a single lake or vineyard, but the route itself: its landscape combines areas of farmland with a protected natural area.

If you include this road in your plans, check current road conditions before setting out. You can consider the route as a separate part of your trip, distinct from the vineyard tours that require reservations and the access routes to the lakes. A stay in Maminas therefore offers several different focuses: viticulture with arrangements made in advance, natural attractions with their own locations and access details, and a tourist road to the Bay of Lalëz.

Discover more destinations: Shkallnur, Durrës, Tapizë, Shijak, Fushë-Kruje, Rinas, Shetaj, Kruja District.

See the broader travel overview: Durrës County.