After hiking through the picturesque Albanian Alps and enjoying the sun on Albania’s splendid beaches – we will now have a closer look into the historical towns around the country. With this I will close my Blog series about Albania - the rising star on the tourism landscape.
Albania is proud of its rich, but also very complex history. I won´t go much into historical details as that would fill up a book – so it´s just to say that Albania offers to its visitors a wide range of ancient places, which showcase that this land was home to various civilizations from various epochs.
The cultural heritage allows deep insights into the moving past of Albania. As many of these old places are located nowadays shoulder to shoulder with the modern life, you can take a travel right back in time while on a visit to these interesting cities.
Kruja – the city of Skanderbeg
This city has a close connection to the national hero of Skanderbeg, who fought bravely against the Osman Empire. It is picturesquely located at the edge of a mountain rock.
Main attraction is the massive castle from which you can enjoy great views over the plane of Tirana.
This former impregnable castle hosts nowadays an interesting museum about the life of Skanderbeg.
Another must-see in Kruje is the colourful, oriental-styled Old Bazar (old market). Although the market became a popular tourist hub it still offers insights into local traditions and local handcrafts. If you allow yourself some time to wander through the various shops, you will for sure find special local treasures and precious souvenirs.
If you like to stay for a night, I can recommend the Panorama Kruje Hotel (www.hotelpanoramakruje.com) – it’s quite a big hotel, but it has a prime location with fantastic views onto the castle and direct access to the Old Bazar. The rooftop bar and swimming pool offer even more spectacular views on the surroundings and are a preferred sunset view spot.
Outside of Kruje you can follow the road that leads on top of the mountain behind the city. Here you can pay a short visit to the rock tomb of Sari Salltik, a Turkish dervish, venerated as a Saint by various Muslim communities.
Afterwards enjoy a hearty farmers lunch at the Baruni Bar & Restaurant (www.instagram.com/restorant_baruni) that is close by in the middle of a vast mountain meadow. If the weather allows you can sit right in the wild meadow under the shades of the mountain trees. Cows and goats are included in the panorama 😊
Another famous spot close to Kruje on the way down to the main highway is a bakery that served President Bush years ago – George W. Bush Bakery (www.instagram.com/bakery_w.bush/)
Gjirokastra – The City of Stones
This city is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage due to its characteristic stone houses that are built high up on a mountainside. Gjirokastra is a remarkable landmark of the Osman architecture and is also known as the hometown of Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader of Albania.
First, I would recommend to take a stroll through its old center, where you can find many shops, restaurants and bars. The narrow streets wind its way up and down and after every corner a new picturesque spot comes into sight.
Don´t miss a visit to the well preserved Skendulli House (www.visit-gjirokastra.com/article/skenduli_house), which is one of the most authentic stone buildings in the city and which offers a great insight into the local life of the former resident family.
As most of the old cities around Albania also Gjirokastra has a huge castle that once protected the city from various intruders. To its visitors it offers nowadays breathtaking views onto the Drino Valley and a visit is a quite bizarre walk back in time. After entering through the massive portal, you will first find yourself in a covered alley that is full of old army vehicles, weapons and other war relicts.
While walking outside it will get even more quirky as you will see a whole military plane in the castle courtyard. Great picture spot 😊😊
It is also nice to have a walk through the rest of the castle remains and to enjoy the view of the surrounding area.
As Gjirokastra has so much to explore and see (further recommendations would be the Ethnographic Museum www.visit-gjirokastra.com/article/the_ethnographic_museum and the Zekate House www.visit-gjirokastra.com/article/the_zekate_house) I would highly suggest to stay there for a night or two. Also because at night this medieval city reveals it real special charm.
You will find quite a huge number of hotels and B&B´s around town. We stayed at the real amazing and super unique Hotel Musee (https://hotelmusee2018.wixsite.com/hotelmusee) - it is worth to squeeze out that extra cash and to book yourself into the Suite Room (101). It´s like out of a fairy tale and reveals the real heart and soul of this ancient place.
A delicious local breakfast is served on the charming outside terrace.
Berat – The town of a thousand windows
This town is known for its historic architecture, its scenery and owns its nickname due to the many large windows of the old, decorated houses overlooking the river Osum. Its well-preserved old town is also an UNESCO World Heritage and an outstanding example of the various faces of Osman architecture. You can literally get lost in the tiny alleys which transform the Old Town into a labyrinth.
The neighbourhood right below the castle is in a good shape, however it is also worth to cross the river and to take a look into the neighbourhood across. You can find many old houses here that are still waiting to get restored and which are creating a mystical atmosphere.
Old Town by night.
On this side of the river you also have a real nice restaurant with fantastic views onto the “thousand windows” (which by the way can anyway best viewed from the riverside) – Agoni Restaurant (www.instagram.com/antigoni_bar_restaurant/?hl=en).
Obligatory in Berat is also the visit to the castle for some spectacular views onto the city and the river.
However different from the other cities the castle of Berat is a long stretch over the mountain back and still hosts local residents inside its walls. Before you start your exploration tour of the castle grounds you should have some local refreshments at the Akropoli Bar (located already inside the castle itself) with nice views around the area (www.facebook.com/pages/Akropoli/428657781067434).
For our overnight in Berat we have chosen a very unique place – the former university of Berat that was transformed into a luxury hotel. Colombo Hotel (www.hotel-colombo.al/) - outside it looks like a mini version of the US capitol, inside like a palace with a communist touch. A bit weird, but the rooms were spacious and very comfy and breakfast was great as well.
Further cities of interest in this list would be Shkodra – which you can find in my Blog about the Albanian Alps (www.traveltreasuresbymarion.com/post/the-albanian-alps-a-place-far-away-from-the-21st-century) and Durres which is listed in my Blog about the Albanian beaches (www.traveltreasuresbymarion.com/post/albania-a-hidden-paradise-for-beach-and-aqua-lovers).
Worth a visit would be also the archaeological site of Butrint (www.butrint.al) or the antique ruins of Apollonia close to the city of Fier.
We are coming to the end of my tour through Albania now – a country that has really surprised me. I actually came with not so many expectations, but what I found was a land of stunning natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, picturesque beaches, a delicious cuisine and friendly and curious locals. I am glad that I could experience this country before the big tourism rush, which I am quite sure will set in over the coming years. And for you? Go and book your trip very soon, so that you can still experience this country in all its authenticity.
For all general travel tips please refer to the first Blog of this series. There you can also find the contact of my trusted local agent to arrange this trip for you – alternatively please reach out to me for any questions that you have on a trip to Albania.
Albania All Senses!!
