Escape From Tirana: Kruja City, Castle & Old Bazaar – A Detailed Review

Thinking about escaping the capital, maybe for a day, and seeing some Albanian history? Kruja, pretty close to Tirana, is probably just the place. It’s actually packed with things like a super old castle and a really colorful bazaar that I figure you would enjoy checking out. I mean, so many people consider it a highlight when visiting Albania, that truly its appeal might be too strong to resist! This write-up contains a detailed view to help you decide if it’s the right day trip for your time.

A Trip to Kruja: Is it Worth it from Tirana?

Planning day trips can, like your usual adventure, have surprises – not necessarily wanted! The thing is, that is Kruja an easy win for a quick adventure? Very probably, it ticks several boxes. We’re talking historical charm, you know, those spots with real stories attached; cultural richness from a proper local market experience; then scenic views since Albania, it looks so amazing! I reckon if that sound promising, then stick with me to dig a little bit deeper.

Plus, maybe you hadn’t factored this in, it’s a fairly smooth ride to Kruja. Usually, people say it’s around an hour by car from Tirana, a distance, right, where the time isn’t just taken up travelling. Regular buses and furgons (that’s like your minivan service) actually go that way as well if that’s what suits, therefore, transport isn’t usually going to be a stress factor. The setting up of the day will depend on the mode.

The Mighty Kruja Castle: History that Speaks

Kruja Castle isn’t, for example, another old building. It’s actually seen action. Very probably, it was the fortress of Skanderbeg, an Albanian hero that a whole lot of Albanians probably still remember, that resisted the Ottoman Empire. We’re talking a building from way back in the 15th century – isn’t that something else?

Honestly, the moment you walk through those walls, maybe you could agree you are walking into history. And so there is this interesting museum inside which is very good to discover so much stuff that is interesting. In some respects, the museum takes you way back to when Skanderbeg was facing battles, exhibiting loads of arms, outfits, plus paperwork of the time. The exhibits could really keep history lovers busy for a fair chunk of the day, even, as I say, a large section, you know?

Still, history lessons aside, what could really impress, is actually the outlook from the castle walls. You get, generally, amazing landscape visions, overlooking rolling mountains, including sweeping to the coast on good days. I wonder, could you ask for anything better?

Wandering the Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër)

Ok, but I suspect you have been at locations, very nice historical locations and been underwhelmed with tourist-centred attractions. I totally get it. So that’s when there is good news as that is when the Old Bazaar, called Pazari i Vjetër in Albanian, comes to the rescue! It might be this colorful strip that lies pretty close to the castle gates, full to overflowing stuff!

The bazaar actually bursts, I have found, at least, with traditional Albanian handicrafts. You might look at wooden carvings or so many handmade rugs or conventional clothes and souvenirs. This spot, it seems, will very often allow haggling that’s likely anticipated, or expected. Be bold. Do it respectfully, yet that might just be expected!

And anyway, don’t overlook food. What’s often going on are many small coffee shops as well as street food vendors down there that will provide you conventional treats like “byrek” (that has meat or cheese baked pastry) not forgetting Albanian coffee. Arguably, it is one of the great means of simply soaking within this genuine setting while at the same time you are, too it’s almost, refueling, or catching the breath.

Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go

Right, before actually running off to this memorable adventure there certainly may be points worth checking out? Basically, I want you to experience what I didn’t!

• Best time to visit? The spring and fall probably have the very pleasant temperatures alongside way fewer people than summer time, that really is typically very occupied. The summer actually promises fantastic weather but there is a crowd of visitors, especially during peak holiday periods! Winter can, naturally, bring cold temperatures, or sporadic snowfall and that means that numerous smaller companies may very well not be operational or open for visitors
• What to wear? Consider wearing very comfy shoes for exploring. Actually, the castle roads are actually stony coupled with potentially slippery. I remember how stupid my dress shoes made me feel and I’d, so, seriously suggest that you do your best so you don’t, too it’s almost, resemble my error! If there are intentions to go into mosques or certain revered internet pages, make sure your arms, shoulders coupled with knees covered.
• Money? Some locations will accept credit, yet its suggested to get a little ready cash, at least little denominations! Vendors inside the bazaar more often than not wish money and tiny businesses probably wont consistently need cards. Also ATM’s, that is a thing people also wonder!
• Language? Although its quite typical for someone to use english within the larger, visitor geared stores and organizations knowing certain normal Albanian sentences may really upgrade your encounters. “Faleminderit” (thank you) alongside “tungjatjeta” (hello) may very well get you far in connection with regards. The actual residents commonly honor the trouble to chat in their own vocabulary.

Sample Itinerary: A Day Trip from Tirana to Kruja

Ok, so given all this, here’s a potential plan to get one of the best, arguably, from this brief experience!

1. Morning: Leave from Tirana earlier around eight to nine AM. Transportation with buses or hire cars gets that you might be in Kruja within one hour, so it helps you save time as well as bypass visitor peaks.
2. Late morning: Check out the Kruja Castle initially! This supplies possible coolness throughout the hotter aspect of the day when going throughout the exhibits inside it! Take close to 2 hours wandering the reasons and in addition browsing the Skanderbeg art gallery and the Ethnographic art gallery found within the particular fortress premises, really.
3. Lunch: Have the traditional Albanian meals near the antique Bazaar or throughout fortress with any involving any one many many places delivering nearby specialties and also local eats for tourists to explore, try! I mean, what do you anticipate from these local restaurants?? Byrek with nearby yoghurt is most definitely the very best.
4. Afternoon: The evening is the greatest amount of fun! Wandering about and discovering this interesting conventional stuff readily accessible plus probably negotiate any discounts if they tend to be provided with sellers there at specific sectors for example typical clothing in addition souvenir. Usually the entire afternoon just might take couple of hours; it is dependent a person on your buying passion, arguably!
5. Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Take it easy as the sun sets with regards from caffeine with one single coffee bar on the main pavement for watching the evening’s color cast above the surrounding valley prior travel rear as well as coming within for Tirana about possibly 6-7pm hours if targeted for returning prior evening comes totally as there are certainly lower crowds within and on all kinds to Tirana generally too!!

Final Thoughts: Kruja – A Gem Near Tirana

I might propose some things for what you need to be doing near Tirana; that there may or may not be a good use. I would say that if time is not abundant it’s absolutely still worthwhile to drop for just half a day since you could still gain an idea on the city, Castle too but there will oftimes not be time just for leisurely searching plus probably buying items or goods by a person throughout various local artisan shops found at their old bazaars throughout town; should any additional spare amount remain though it would improve experiences by spending lengthy time enjoying almost anything, arguably!! The city may offer something unique if its one location where history along-side contemporary life blend together effectively.