Keep exploring

Let’s take a short pause in the visit to mention a few other highlights that couldn’t be included in the main route. Overlooking Tirana, Mount Dajti and the Dajti Ekspres cable car offer spectacular views over the city and the surrounding mountains, taking you in just a few minutes to a plateau more than a thousand meters above sea level, perfect for a walk, a panoramic lunch or simply enjoying the scenery. About forty minutes away by car, the historic town of Krujë tells the story of Albania through its medieval castle, its museum dedicated to Skanderbeg and its old Ottoman bazaar lined with traditional craft stalls. Wilder and more secluded, Lake Bovilla captivates visitors with its steep cliffs and turquoise waters, rewarded by an impressive viewpoint after a short uphill walk. Further south, the ancient site of Apollonia reveals the remains of a Greco-Roman city, with temples, a theater and a monastery set in a peaceful rural landscape. Toward the coast, Divjakë-Karavasta National Park invites you to explore lagoons, forests and wetlands, and to spot the famous Dalmatian pelican from observation towers or paths along the water. Very close to Tirana, the coastal city of Durrës offers beaches, a major port and a Roman amphitheater, ideal for getting a glimpse of Albania's rich culture before relaxing by the Adriatic Sea. Just a few kilometers away, the village of Petrela offers a medieval atmosphere around its small hilltop castle, perfect for a quiet stop or a meal with views over the hills. For an escape into nature, the Erzen Canyon, also known as Shkalla e Tujanit, follows the river through a narrow gorge and is a popular hike, especially refreshing in summer. More discreet, Lake Kashar provides a calm waterside setting easily reached from the city, ideal for a peaceful break. Finally, the Pellumbas Cave, reached after a scenic hike overlooking the Erzen Valley, invites you to explore a natural site rich in history and staggering rock formations, a great way to round off your discovery of the surroundings of Tirana, and with all this to see, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stay a little longer in the region.