Visiting Tirana's zoo is a fairly depressing experience. The inmates are kept in a small block that is divided into ten cells. The animals appear to be reasonably well fed and physically cared for, but the financial challenges of the institution are evident. The pens are small, featureless and clad with hospital tiles. The wolf scatters at any approach to the bars, a monkey gazes at the ceiling, his chin resting against the wall. The bedraggled golden eagles - supposedly the proud symbol of Albania - do have a perch, but it’s a stepladder. A little further into the park along the pond, the lamas don't know how good they have it in their chalet housing, while at the back the gap in the broken fence seems an ideal escape route for the animals when the locks finally rust through. We've heard of plans to overhaul the zoo, but there's been little action till now. Find the zoo's unmarked entrance gate on the square at the end of the Grand Park dam.

Admission 50 lek.