Albania

ABOUT ALBANIA


Albania is situated in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula in south-eastern Europe. It shares borders with Montenegro and Kosovo to the north and northeast, N. Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south. To the west, Albania coast abuts the Adriatic and Ionian seas. This tiny country offers a remarkable array of unique attractions, including the thriving capital of Tirana, sun-drenched beaches to rival any other in the Mediterranean, a stunning mountain landscape, forgotten archaeological sites and villages where time seems to have stood still. An additional bonus is the never-ending supply of fresh produce that fills the markets and roadside fruit and vegetable stalls.

East meets west in many discernible ways throughout Albanian culture, which is also very evident in its cuisine that offers a truly unique blend of Mediterranean flavours combined in a number of delectable ways to form the basis for many Albanian delights.


Key facts

Area: 28,748 km2

Population: 2,886,026 inhabitants

Capital: Tirana

Government: Parliamentary Democracy

Religions: Sunni Muslim, Orthodox Christian, Catholic Christian and Bektashi Muslim.

Climate: Central Mediterranean, Central continental

Highest peak: Mount Korab 2.753 m

International telephone prefix: +355

Language: Albanian-Shqip

Currency: Albanian Lekë

TIRANA

Tirana is the capital city of Albania, its economical, industrial, commercial and cultural centre. It is located 30 km from the Adriatic Sea, in the downhill of the mountain Djuti, on the coast of the river Isem. This city, the heart of Albania, has a never-ending movement and energy. With its clubs, bars, cafes, and taverns, Tirana is worth discovering by both day and night. After awakening from its communist slumber in the early 1990s, the capital became a fusion of Italian, communist and post-modern architectural styles, boasting trendy bars and cafés, chic boutiques, grand boulevards and fascinating relics of the past. There’s plenty to keep you occupied on the southbound stretch from Skanderbeg Square, the main city square which got its name after the Albanian hero, to the Grand Park, which narrowly bypasses the trendy Blloku district on the way. There are also many parks and botanical gardens in Tirana. Take the cable railway up the Daiti mountain and enjoy a lovely view from 1612 m above sea level.

BERAT

The city of a thousand windows, the pride of Albanian architecture, this 2400 years-old-city is located on the Osum River in the heart of one of the Albania’s wine-making regions. The charming UNESCO listed town of Berat is a must-visit spot for all history and culture enthusiasts. Its most striking feature are white Ottoman houses climbing up the hill to the castle. Apart from that, there is also the ancient Berat Castle, one of the city's most well-known attractions. Berat is a treasure-trove of Albanian history, culture and a testament to the country's tradition of religious harmony.

KRUJA – THE MEDIEVAL CAPITAL OF SKANDERBEG

Kruja is just 32km away from Tirana and very close to Tirana International Airport. The name and the importance of the city are closely related to the 25 years of activity of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg, who in the fifteenth century made Kruja a bastion of uncompromising resistance against the Ottoman. The Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum is situated inside the castle walls, which date back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. The museum itself was inaugurated in 1981. Within the walls of the castle are also the Ethnographic Museum and the Dollma Tekke. Must-visit site is also the traditional bazaar, which you can visit on your way up to the castle. It is a medieval-type bazaar with traditional handicrafts such as filigree, alabaster, silver, copper, wooden objects, woolen carpets, traditional clothing etc. Its most striking feature is that all the shops are made of wood.

GJIROKASTRA

The hillside town of Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an outstanding example of an Ottoman merchant town and one of the most attractive tourist sites of the country. Located in southern Albania, perched on the Eastern side of the Wide Mountain, the city began as a fourth century castle, which is today the biggest castle in Albania.

During your stay in Gjirokastra, you can visit the Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born. Inside the castle, there is also the Museum of Weapons, opened in 1971. One of the famous spots to visit at Sokaku i te Marreve that means Mad People Street is also the reconstructed house of the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.

The town of Gjirokastra is also known for its culinary art; special dishes like pasha qofte, shapkat, oshaf with dried figs (a dessert with sheep`s milk, sugar and dried figs), etc.

DURRES

Durres, the biggest seaport of the country, is the second biggest city in Albania, situated on the Adriatic coast within 33 km from the countries capital - Tirana.

It is the most ancient city in Albania, with almost 3,000 years of history. Its foundation dates back to 627 B.C. when the Corinthians and settlers from Corcyra invaded the Illyrian territory of the Taulants. The city is home to many ancient archaeological sites and finds. The most notable tourist attraction in Durrës is the amphitheater of the Roman Emperor Hadrian with 15,000 seats, the second biggest amphitheater in the Balkans .

In addition to its historical value, Durrës is also a beautiful place to take a break, due to its sandy beaches, hotels and urban feel. You will find excellent restaurants and accommodations all along the sea’s edge.

SHKODER

Skoder is one of the oldest cities in Abania, located on the bank of Skadar lake within 20 km from the Adriatic coast and 120 km from the countries capital – Tirana. The city is an important cultural and economical center of Albania. Skoder is also known as the center of the Albanian Catholicism and a perfect proof of the fact that all different religions can adjoin in one country.

The main sight-seeing place in Skoder is the castle of Rozafa, which was built in the 3d century B.C. Behind the castle there is the multi-domed Lead mosque. It is called “Lead” because the rocks used for the building of its walls were joined by melted lead. In proof that Skoder is the center of Catholicism in Albania – there is a perfectly extant Franciscan church Ruga-Ndre-Mjeda. You should visit the Cathedral of Saint Stefan, which is the main Roman-Catholic sanctuary in Skoder. There is an old bridge within 5 km from the city – the Mes bridge over the river of Kir – it is one of the oldest extant Ottoman bridges.

Skoder is truly the soul of Albania with its narrow street and ancient houses that are united with stone walls and modern buildings. It is the place worth visiting to feel the real Albania!