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Excursions

No trip to Tirana is complete without a trip out of Tirana. When you’ve had enough of dust, mud and traffic, get out and see some of the impressive landscapes in the surrounding area.

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Tirana | Sightseeing | Around town

Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
Whisking you up to 1230m above sea level in under 15 minutes, the Austrian-built Dajti Express cable car on the outskirts of Tirana is a fun ride. Swooping over pastures, a lake and steep rocks, the 4km route offers great views of the mountain and the city, ending at the edge of Dajti picnic f [...]


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Linza
tel. +355 4 37 91 11
Open 08:00 - 22:00 (winter 08:00 - 20:00). Closed during strong wind.
Kruja
Kruja, 47 km north of Tirana, is touted as a good daytrip from the capital, not only for sightseeing but also for souvenir-hunting. However, if you've already been to Berat and Gjirokaster, you may be disappointed with the humble nature of this town, despite its setting and shopping possibilities.
The most important sight in Kruja is the semi-ruined citadel area, a fortress dating back to the fifth or sixth century and perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop. Only by the end of the 12th century was the citadel completed. It weathered many sieges, the most famous being the Ottoman campaigns repulsed by the Albanian warrior Skanderbeg and his men. Kruja thus became a symbol of national resistance - not until 1478 (after Skanderbeg’s death) did the Ottomans succeed in capturing the citadel. One of the few original structures remaining is the clock tower, which was an observation and signalling post.
To the left of the citadel‘s main entrance is the Gjergj Kastrioti Museum (200 lek, open 09:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00, closed Mon), built to honour the man otherwise known as Skanderbeg, and a shrine for Albanians though less interesting for foreigners. The museum was built with a fake medieval façade in 1982 and houses copies of Skanderbeg’s sword and spiky helmet (the originals are in Vienna), paintings and exhibits (mostly replicas) presenting Skanderbeg’s struggle against the Ottomans.
Just down the hill is the excellent small Ethnographic Museum (tel. 053 22 225, open 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 20:00, admission 200 lek) which displays the beautiful interior of a traditional Albanian house around 1800. Exhibits include 19th-century folk dress, as well as traditional copper goods and clay utensils. The friendly caretaker will take you on a whirlwind English-language tour of the rooms.
Though usually skipped by most visitors, the small streets immediately below the Ethnographic Museum are Kruja's best; narrow and winding past high courtyard walls like they did 500 years ago. Wander around and you'll come across the old citadel hamam (baths, now converted to a church) and the lovely Dollma teqe, a Bektashi temple building with impressive decorations.
Just outside the citadel is the old bazaar; one street of quaint shops with windows full of antiques, silver filigree jewellery, folk costumes, woven rugs and traditional felt hats. When you're done shopping and sightseeing, head for the restaurants at the upper end of the citadel, which offer great views of the surroundings and serve Albanian food. Turkish coffee comes in a traditional copper pot and is best enjoyed curled up on the rows of pillows that surround the Turkish tables of some restaurants.
Getting to Kruja: A taxi will cost 2000 - 3000 lek (negotiate this beforehand). The bus costs 150 lek. As Kruja is just 30 minutes from the airport, it can easily be visited in the morning for some last minute shopping before you catch your flight. If you're driving, you'll be delighted to hear there are no signs at all to Kruja until just before the citadel. Follow the Shkodra road from Tirana turn right into Fushe Kruje (famous for the George Bush disappearing watch act); go straight through this town and stay on the main road, twisting up through the forest and Kruja town, until you see signs marked Kalaje (fortress). [...]


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Mount Dajti
Mount Dajti
Throughout your stay in Tirana, the glowering, dark-hued face of Mount Dajti will be tempting you with the promise of fresh air. It's easy to scale the mountain, either by taking the Dajti Ekspres cable car, or by driving up to the national park. rewards include fantastic vistas, lovely forests and several restaurants.

Going by road, take Rruga Dibrës, which eventually snakes around the contours of the mountain. 15km or so up the road is the gate to the park (small fee payable). There is no information available about the park and although it is a wonderful location for walking there are no organised trails or paths. The park extends to the summit from this point, consisting for the most part of deciduous and evergreen forest.
Approximately 3km from the park entrance is a small turning to the left. 500m down a rough dirt track is Fshati Turistik Paradise (17km from Tirana, tel. 23 63 93). Perched overlooking the valley, this is a collection of utilitarian wooden huts with two beds and a shower each. Small balconies adorn the front of each shack, although you may want to send lightest member of your party out on it to take the air before all jumping on board. At the centre of the establishment is a good rustic restaurant hosted with hearty good humour by your host Sulejman.
About one kilometre further up the road is the Gurra e Perrisë fish restaurant, and 200 metres further lies the Panorama hotel and restaurant complex. The road continues to ascend past a couple more establishments offering refreshment until it comes to a large grassy plateau beside the top station of the Dajti Express cable car which is the traditional destination for school-parties and weekending Tiranans. Note that the top of the mountain is military area and is home to radio, TV and NATO masts. [...]


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Petrela Castle
Petrela Castle
One of Albania’s best-preserved castles, Petrela Castle sits picturesquely on a steep slope overlooking a river, 15 km southeast of Tirana, along the road to Elbasan. On a clear day you can see all the way to Kruja. Emperor Justinian fortified this place to defend the settlement of Dyrra [...]


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tel. +355 69 208 8138

Open:
11:30-23:30