National Ethnographic Museum
This traditional home in the castle complex below the Skanderbeg Museum is one of the best in the country. Set in an original 19th-century Ottoman house that belonged to the affluent Toptani family, this museum shows the level of luxury and self-sufficiency the household maintained
Former Residence of Enver Hoxha
Nestled between Parku Kombëtar (a public park), the Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit and the river is the once totally forbidden but now totally trendy Blloku, the former exclusive Communist Party neighbourhood. When the area was opened to the general public in 1991, Albanians flocked
Pyramid
Designed by Enver Hoxhas daughter and son-in-law and completed in 1988, this monstrously unattractive building was formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum, and more recently a convention centre and nightclub. Today, covered in graffiti and surrounded by the encampments of Tiranas homeless,
Churches & Chapels
Ask at the Onufri Museum if you can see the other churches and tiny chapels in Kala, including St Theodore (Shën Todher), close to the citadel gates; the substantial and picturesque Church of the Holy Trinity (Kisha Shën Triades), below the upper fortress; and the little chapels of
Ethnographic Museum
This museum houses local homewares and was built on the site of Enver Hoxhas former house. Its collection is interesting if youre a fan of local arts and crafts, but dont come expecting anything about Hoxha himself.
Blue Eye Spring
Twenty-two kilometres east of Saranda, the Blue Eye Spring is a hypnotic pool of deep-blue water surrounded by electric-blue edges like the iris of an eye. Bring your swimming gear and a towel, as its a great spot for a dive into the cold water on a summers day. It feeds the Bistri
Marubi Permanent Photo Exhibition
The Marubi Permanent Photo Exhibition has fantastic photography by the Marubi dynasty, Albanias first and foremost photographers. The first-ever photograph taken in Albania is here, taken by Pjetër Marubi in 1858. The various photos on display include fascinating portraits as well
Mangalem Quarter
Down in the traditionally Muslim Mangalem quarter, there are three grand mosques. The 16th-century Sultans Mosque (Xhamia e Mbretit) is one of the oldest in Albania. The Helveti teqe behind the mosque has a beautiful carved ceiling and was specially designed with acoustic holes to
Rozafa Fortress
With spectacular views over the city and Lake Shkodra, the Rozafa Fortress is the most interesting sight in the town. Founded by the Illyrians in antiquity and rebuilt much later by the Venetians and then the Turks, the fortress takes its name from a woman named Rozafa, who was all
Butrint
The ancient ruins of Butrint lie 18km (11mi) south of Saranda and are a real gem if you have a fascination for the ancient world. The remains are from a variety of periods, spanning 2500 years. The poet Virgil claimed that the Trojans settled Butrint, but the site has been pored ov
Zekate House
This incredible three-storey house dates from 1811 and has twin towers and a double-arched facade. Its fascinating to nose around the almost totally unchanged interiors of an Ottoman-era home, especially the upstairs galleries, which are the most impressive. The owners live next do
National Art Gallery
Tracing the relatively brief history of Albanian painting from the early 19th century to the present day, this beautiful space also has temporary exhibits that are worth a look. Downstairs theres a small but interesting collection of 19th-century paintings depicting scenes from dai
Onufri Museum
Kala was traditionally a Christian neighbourhood, but fewer than a dozen of the 20 churches remain. The quarters biggest church, Church of the Dormition of St Mary (Kisha Fjetja e Shën Mërisë), is the site of the Onufri Museum. The church itself dates from 1797 and was built on the
Kalaja
The neighbourhood inside the castles walls still lives and breathes; if you walk around this busy, ancient neighbourhood for long enough youll invariably stumble into someones courtyard thinking its a church or ruin (no one seems to mind, though). In spring and summer the fragrance
Gjirokastra Castle
Gjirokastras eerie hilltop castle is one of the biggest in the Balkans and easily the towns best sight, most definitely worth the steep walk up from the Old Town. Inside theres an eerie collection of armoury, two good museums, a shot down US Air Force jet and a hilariously hard to
National History Museum
The largest museum in Albania holds many of the countrys archaeological treasures and a replica of Skanderbegs massive sword (how he held it, rode his horse and fought at the same time is a mystery). The excellent collection is almost entirely signed in English and takes you chrono
Doing business & staying in touch while in Albania
Albania: Doing business & staying in touch
Albania Weather, Climate and Geography
Albania Weather, climate and geography
Albania History, Language and Culture
Albania History, Language and Culture
Albania Travel Guide and Travel Information
Albania Travel Guide
