- Capital excursions in Albania
- Walk around the outskirts of the capital
- Acquaintance with ancient Shkoder
- "Pearl of the Adriatic"
The countries of the Balkan Peninsula, taking advantage of their advantageous geographical position, the presence of warm, clean seas and favorable climate, are actively developing the tourism industry. Some, like Greece and Montenegro, have already found their regular customers, other countries are just taking their first steps. Excursions in Albania are not yet in great demand, due to recent military events and guests' safety issues.
Today the borders are open, Albania is ready to showcase the richest cultural heritage, natural attractions and beautiful places. Beach tourism, event tourism is developing, gastronomic tours are gaining popularity.
Capital excursions in Albania
First of all, tourists discover the beautiful Tirana, with its colorful cheerful houses, memorable places that tell about the heroic past and present of this hospitable city. The average duration of the excursion is about three hours, the cost is 70 € for a small group of people.
The program of the sightseeing tour of Tirana includes an acquaintance with the squares and streets, remarkable buildings and monuments of the recent past, such as the villa of the dictator Envere Hoxha in the Blok district, which until recently was completely closed to the access of ordinary people and tourists. The walk ends in the so-called panoramic bar, where the Albanian capital is in full view.
Some guides suggest combining a walk in Tirana with a trip outside the city, where one of the most famous wineries in the country is located. Its owners will take you on a tour of the enterprise, tell you about some of the secrets of the production of alcoholic grape drinks, and hold a tasting.
Walk around the outskirts of the capital
20 kilometers from Tirana is the small town of Kruja, which witnesses various events in the long Balkan history. An excursion to the sights of the town will take three hours and will cost 140 €. This small town in former times bore the title of the capital of the principality of Arberia.
The excursion program introduces the history of Kruja, an ancient fortress, artifacts that are stored in the National Museum. The Ethnographic Museum of the city will tell about the life and culture of the Albanian people, the interior of an old Albanian dwelling has been recreated here and there is a rich collection of wedding dresses. The acquaintance with the city ends at the Old Market, where a large assortment of antiques and works of art by local masters is presented.
Acquaintance with ancient Shkoder
As in any other country in the world, Albania has modern and ancient cities and settlements. One of the most ancient is Shkoder, located in the North Albanian Alps on the shores of the famous Skadar Lake. An excursion to this beautiful city with a long history continues during daylight hours and costs about 180 € for a company.
The city was founded by the ancient Illyrians BC, belonged to the Slavs and Ottomans, and now it is part of Albania, one of the most attractive places in terms of tourism. On the one hand, it is considered the Catholic center of the country, on the other hand, the city has a sufficient number of mosques and Orthodox churches.
Local residents call the main "highlight" of Shkodra the Rozafa fortress, which was built a century after the foundation of the city itself. A beautiful and very sad legend is associated with this ancient building, which says that Rozafa, the wife of the youngest of the three brothers who were building a defensive structure, was immured into the walls of the fortress. This was a kind of sacrifice to heaven so that the fortress would not collapse.
Today, tourists can see the remains of the fortress, individual structures and ruins, visit the museum, located in one of the former barracks. It displays museum treasures associated with the ancient Illyrians, the founders of the city, and the Ottomans who ruled the Balkans for a long time.
Pearl of the Adriatic
Such a beautiful definition was awarded to the town with a funny name for the Russian ear, Durres, meanwhile, it is one of the most beautiful places on the Adriatic coast. For centuries, its brave inhabitants have resisted the attempts of neighboring powers to seize the city, today, on the contrary, they hospitably open their doors for tourists arriving for peaceful purposes.
The duration of the excursion route in time will be 3 hours, the cost is 70 € for a group of up to 5 people. A walk in the historical center of Durres begins with ancient legends and a story about the names of the place. Of the important sights that tourists will see during the excursion, the following are vivid emotions:
- the ruins of an ancient amphitheater;
- expositions of the museum of folk culture;
- archaeological treasures collected at a nearby museum;
- Egnatius road, built by the ancient Romans, from where the townspeople could get to Constantinople.
The tour of the town of Durres ends at the observation deck, here guests will find stunning views of the old town and a cup of aromatic coffee at a local bar.
