A Brief History of Albania

• Around 2000 BCE, Illyrian tribes (non-Turkic, non-Slavic peoples) inhabited the region that is now Albania.
• In 168 BCE, the Roman Empire conquered Illyria, integrating it into Roman civilization.
• During the Middle Ages, Albania was ruled by the Byzantine Empire, followed by the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the region from the 15th to the early 20th century.
• Albania declared independence in 1912 but experienced upheaval, including occupation during both World Wars and communist rule under Enver Hoxha from 1946 to 1991.
• Since the fall of communism in 1991, Albania has become a democratic republic and sought integration into European and international institutions.

The below recommendations have been taken from a good friend and his wife who live in Tirana, Albania.

• Stay near Rruga e Elbasanit or Blloku. Most attractions as well as the cool bars and restaurants you’ll want to visit are within 5-10min walking distance from these two areas.
• Coffee is an institution in Tirana, everything happens over coffee, from business meetings to dramatic professions of love, Albanians love their coffee! 
  • Some cute ones to check out are Padam, Mulliri I Vjeter, and Lift
• Stroll around the main boulevard with its fascist architecture alongside which you have different government institutions as well as museums/historic sides. Bulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit which continues into Bulevardi Zogu 1 is the longest boulevard in Europe after the Champs Elysee.
• Piramida, (literally the pyramid shaped building on the boulevard) was conceived as a mausoleum for Enver Hoxha though it never became one as communism fell before it was finished. 
• The National Gallery, right on the boulevard has a gorgeous collection of Albanian Socialist Realism, so definitely worth a visit.
• From there, stroll on Shetitorja Murat Toptani (a pedestrian only street) making your way to Kalaja e Tiranes (Tirana’s castle). What remains are the old walls and inside it you have loads of restaurants, bars and shops.
• Luga e Argjendte has some traditional Albanian dishes and stop by Shendever (Kantina Cobo) for lovely Albanian wine as well as well, Shendever, which is the name for Albanian champagne/sparkling wine.
• Grand Tirana Park and lake are lovely to visit. Great for a morning run or stroll. Another traditional Albania restaurant, Mullixhiu, is right there.
• Albania is 2/3 surrounded by water so they love seafood.  Fishop has some great and cheap options.
• For some Ottoman architecture walk around the area of Pazari I Ri. There are artisanal shops around as well as bar and cafes.
• The National Museum is right on the main square, Sheshi Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbej. Worth a visit if you want to learn about Albanian history, modern and ancient!
• BunkArt2, BunkArt1, and House of Leaves are museums on the Communist regime in Albania. I would check out one of them. Tirana sits at the bottom of Mount Dajti which is lovely for a hike. You can take the cable car or hike up to the top. BunkArt1 is near the cable car, and could combine the two.
• I went to BunkArt2 and fair warning – the energy is heavy.
• Enver Hoxha commissioned the building of 750,000 bunkers across the country to protect from a ground invasion. A good number have still not been found.
• BunkArt2 was only recently discovered as the only entrance was under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The cement walls are over 8ft thick.
• The museum now depicts Albania’s history.
• The house of former dictator, Enver Hoxha is in the Bllok area and you can see it from the outside or even visit.
• A couple of nice cocktail bar/restaurants in the Bllok: Pepper Lounge, as well as Salt.
• For Tours in the Alps check:
  • https://thethi-guide.com/sq/sherbime/transport-me-makine-dhe-kale/
  • https://thethi-guide.com/sq/tur-3-ditor-ne-liqenin-e-komanit-luginen-e-valbones-dhe-parkun-kombetar-te-thethit/
• If you want to rafting in the mid-section of the country check:
  • http://www.albrafting.com/?q=en/paketat
• For beach time, you have the option of the Adriatic in the Northern part and the Ionian in the south.
  • Durres is the closest beach hub (on the Adriatic side) as well as the country’s biggest port city. Near it, you have Plazhi i Gjeneralit which is a very nice beach. You’d need to rent a car or taxi to reach the specific beaches but lots of buses and minibuses will take you to Durres for EUR 2-3.
• One day I took a tour to Bovilla Lake & Mt. Gamti which was a beautiful experience. Only an hour away from Tirana for some beautiful views. I recommend doing it solo though!
• Airport Taxi: +355 69 502 2222
• 1 EUR = 100 Leks