A weekend in Tirana, Albania

 

Hello,

This past weekend my flatmates and I went to Tirana, Albania. For those who may not know Albania is a amazing country located in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. With Greece to the south and Montenegro to the Northwest.

I began my journey in the capital which is called Tirana, exploring the Skanderbeg Square which was named after their National Hero. Here, it is surrounded by grand buildings and monuments, gaining insight of the entire city. I decided to go to the National History Museum, where you can trace Albania's past from ancient times to the present day through a fascinating collection of artifacts and exhibits. From Illyrian relics to communist-era memorabilia. Next i decided to indulge in the mouth watering cuisine, traditional dishes such as Qofte me Patate ( grilled meatballs with potatoes), Burek ( Savory pastries either filled with cheese, meat or spinach, of your choosing) and Tave Kosi ( Baked lamb with yogurt). After that we headed to one of the city's many cafes and sipped on strong Turkish Coffee along with a Shot of Raki watching the world go by. 



The next day we decided to go explore the nearby Dajti Mountain National Park, where hiking the trails wind through lush forests and offer panoramic views of the city below. After that we made it back down to the city center and decided to walk along Lake Tirana and admire the tranquil scenery as the sun set over the water. We made our way towards the Old Bazaar which was filled with farmer markets selling all kinds of things you can imagine, even all kinds of souvenir's. All kinds of Traditional clothing and Accessories, Albanian Wines and Spirits, Local Food Products, Hand- Painted Ceramics, Olive Oil, Tea, and Artisanal Products. Next we went to Bunk 'Art 2 which is a museum that was actually a former nuclear bunker that was built during the Communist era under the leadership of Enver Hoxha. This museum taught you about propaganda surveillance, repression that characterized life under communism and as well as the efforts of Albanians to resist and overcome these challenges. It hosted temporary exhibitions, film screening, lectures and other things.



The Entire weekend was filled with lots of activities to do and Eating loads of Food!!, it offered a glimpse into the soul of Albania, explore hidden treasures and embrace its unique allure. I will definitely be going back, especially down south, where it is known to have the best beaches and night life in the Balkan region.




Until Next Time !! ❤☺



Comments