Albania Overview

Overview

The capital, Tirana rests between the Dajti mountain range and coastal plains. Monuments to the past such as G. K. Scanderberg, Ura Takakere and the Cemetery of Martyrs Nations allow a brief insight into the country's past. Museums are several and the city is perfect for the Dajti Mountain National Park and the carstic cave near the gorge created by the Erzeni River.

The towns of Berati and Gjirokastra both have much to occupy the visitor. The former is a museum town also known as the 'town of a thousand windows'. This is due to the tightly packed houses which have been built with large windows. The designation as a museum town is from the myriad monuments and the architecture styles employed. The Cathedral of St. Nicholas holds a museum dedicated to the artist Onufri. Without the museum there are also Ethnographic and historic museums. The damaged fortress of Berat remains spectacular. Other buildings worth seeing are the King's mosque, the Leaden Mosque and the Teqe of the Helveti. The Fortress at Gjirokastra is the country's largest. Apart from being wondrous in its own right it also provides super views of the city and the Drinos Valley. The National Museum of Weapons and the Museum of Folk Culture are found inside the Fortress grounds. If time is short then this town should be visited during the Festival of Folkloric Arts as then a glimpse of the whole country can be seen in one place.

Sports, especially the air variety are excitingly found in Llogara National Park, or possibly a trip by bus-boat across the artificial lake nest to Komani should be taken.