I visited Albania back in 2022 during my quest to visit every country in Europe, a feat that I completed in early 2023. Due to time constraints, I would have to limit my trip to a visit to Tirana, although in the future I would certainly like to return in order to discover more that this country has to offer.

Unlike a lot of the other better-known countries that I have visited in Europe, I felt somewhat in the dark when visiting Albania, due in large part to not having any acquaintances that had been. I feel quite saddened that the country has such a bad reputation internationally as a a result of its mafia, as I would discover that for the most part the locals are lovely people who for the most part speak quite good English.

One thing to bear in mind when booking a trip to Tirana is that a lot of flights arrive in the middle of the night, so it is advisable to look into onward travel from the airport beforehand. I actually found some comfortable sofas in a corner of the arrivals hall to get a few hours sleep before catching the first public bus into the city in the morning.

For those who enjoy navigating the local public transport system when travelling, there is a local bus (albeit infrequent) that connects Tirana International Airport with the city centre. However, it is far from easy to find, as I would find out! When exiting the arrivals hall, take a left, and keep heading straight until you come to a car park area: from there, you should see a row of buses in the far end of the car park, one of which should be the one that will take you into the city centre. I paid approximately 3 euros for the bus, and it is possible to purchase the ticket on the bus itself. It is worth noting that in general a lot of taxi drivers, bars, restaurants etc. in Albania will accept payment in USD, EUR or GBP, or failing that you will find no shortage of bureaux de change in central Tirana.

The bus into the centre of Tirana takes around half an hour, and its final stop is right next to the main Skanderbeg square. This is a very central location and most tourist attractions are within walking distance. The square itself is quite charming, and usually a hive of activity. To one side of the square, you will find the Albanian National Museum. I spent a couple of hours inside, and was pleasantly surprised at the number of exhibits that can be found inside, finding it a thoroughly interesting experience.

On the other side of the square, you will find an area with a casino, as well as lots of bars and restaurants. I made a quick pit-stop there to change money and to get a quick bite to eat whilst enjoying a pint of local Korça beer, which is very good!

After exploring the rest of the Skanderbeg square and making a quick stop at the city's tourist office, I headed out of the centre for a few hours: when visiting a new place, I find it fascinating to venture out of the touristy areas and take a look at how the locals live. I found Tirana to be a bustling city with lots of activity at all hours of the day, and plenty of people enjoying shisha at the local bars!

Once late afternoon had arrived, I decided to head towards the Dajti Ekspres, which is a cable car system that connects Tirana with the Dajti mountains. From the Skanderbeg square bus stop, there is a local bus that will take you almost directly to the cable car terminus. Be aware that local buses in Tirana are not particularly fast-moving however, so factor in extra time if you do take one!

Once you make it up to the Dajti Ekspres, entry will cost you approximately 10 EUR. Riding the cable car is a must in my opinion! The views during the ride, as well as from the other terminus in the mountains are breathtaking, and there is actually a hotel, bar/restaurant, as well as a crazy golf course at the top. It is quite easy to spend a couple of hours at this spot due to its sheer beauty!

Once back in the city centre, I spent the rest of the evening chilling at some central bars. Local Albanian cuisine is very good, and the country also has a good offering of Italian options, due to its close proximity to the country.

From Tirana, I continued my journey towards Skopje in North Macedonia by bus. This was an overnight service, and tickets can be bought online for quite a reasonable price. Be prepared for quite a bumpy ride, and to have to possibly get out at the border for inspections by customs and immigration authorities. Although not the most comfortable of journeys, I met some very friendly locals, and chatting to them definitely made the journey go much quicker.