Tirana is the capital city of Albania, located directly in the middle of the country. It is close to the mediterranean sea and is also one of the wettest and sunniest countries in Europe. Dajti mountain is visible from Tirana and offers a scenic view of the mountains and hills.
Wake up and have a morning coffee!
Locals of Albania have been isolated for the better half of the 20th century. It is custom for locals to be fascinated by visitors and is not unusual to be invited for coffee or Rakija (plum brandy). Locals are very friendly towards visitors and unlike most places in the world, want to spend time with them. It is rather normal to be invited for morning coffee here.
A concrete pyramid?
Tirana is home to a pyramid, although it’s unlike the ones you would find in Egypt, this pyramid is made entirely out of concrete. The pyramid was built by the daughter of the Albanian dictator, as a means of paying homage to him. It now sits derelict, slashed of its tiles and desiccated with graffiti. It stands symbolic of the ugliness Albania was subjected to in the Stalin era.
Cafe Culture
The cafe culture in Albania is remarkable, there is a cafe on nearly every corner and locals frequent these on a daily basis. You are sure to encounter laughter, fun, and delicious food and drinks. The cafes are beautifully decorated and produce a lovely aesthetic for any photos you may want to capture!
Bunk’art 1
You can visit the five-story anti-nuclear bunker, designed and constructed after its inauguration in 1978. It was designed during the communist era and aims to educate Albania during this time and the lives of its people. There are multiple exhibitions to encounter here, interactive features, and a plethora of knowledge available to the visitors.
Dajti Ekspres
The Dajti Ekspres is an exciting cable car ride over the Dajti mountain. You will soar 800 meters above Tirana, the length of the cable car ride itself spend one kilometer. This is the longest cable car ride in the Balkans. The fun isn’t just on the ride itself, when you reach the top there’s a tourist complex, complete with restaurants and hotels. The views from the top are stunning and there are also many activities on offer. You can go hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking. It’s definitely not an experience you would want to miss.
National Historic Museum
Albania has had a complicated past. If you’re looking to learn more about the complexity of the issues Albania has faced, then a trip to the National Historic Museum is definitely worth a visit. The museum covers many periods in time, from ancient history to the 21st century. The most notable exhibit in the museum is the ancient mosaic collection, dating back all the way to 4 BC.
Dajti mountain national park
This national park is unlike any other. It is extremely unusual for a national park to be located in a European city, but Albania is the exception to the rule. This is the ideal place for nature enthusiasts and even more so for hikers. If you feel up to the challenge you can follow the trails that connect Mount Dajti to Mount Tujani which is 1,580 meters at its peak. The stunning views at the top are worth the aching feet, you will see all over Albania and even see Lake Bolivia.
Cave of Pellumbas
If you want to explore more of Mount Dajtit, then take a trip to the village of Pellumbas. You can take an exciting hike through the mountains to find a stunning natural monument. The caves are a stunning sight to behold and were used as a refuge for the villagers of Pellumbas during the second world war.
Preza castle
This 15th-century castle is located in Preza village and has attracted many visitors. It once was home to the Feudal Theopia family whose estates ran across the Shkumbin and mat rivers. The walls of the castle remain intact to this day and there is even a clock tower that remains to stand, constructed in the 1800s. Climb the battlements and see the panoramic views overlooking Albania.
Spille beach
You can still have a beach day in Tirana, temperatures can reach the highs of a scorching 32 degrees in the summer months. Perfect for a day out to the beach! Spille Beach has many attractions available to visitors, from bars and restaurants to shops. Things like buying buckets, spades, and beach chairs are also exceptionally priced and far more reasonable than the prices you’d find on beaches elsewhere in Europe.
