How to Spend a Day in Kruja
Kruja is one of the most important cities of Albania, mostly known to be the hometown of George Kastriota Skanderbeg, the greatest Albanian hero of all the times. It is just one hour by car, or bus, from the capital city Tirana, so you can easily visit it in one day.
Morning
Start your day in Kruja with a traditional Turkish coffee at Hotel Panorama Kruja, a majestic hotel located at the beginning of the old bazaar of the town. Take your time to drink the hot and tasty beverage and prepare yourself to visit this ancient town. From the hotel’s bar, reach Pazari i Krujës, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved markets of the Balkan Peninsula. You’ll find plenty of cool souvenirs, such as carpets made by local artisans, cups in which to drink Turkish coffee, clothes and more. The old bazar of Kruja looks like a fairy tale place with small wooden boutiques, narrow cobblestoned streets and colorful textiles.
Afternoon
Before continuing your tour, reach Taverna Vjetër Kryier, a restaurant located at the top of the bazaar, which offers traditional Albanian cuisine, such as tavë kosi (lamb cooked with yogurt sauce) and a mix of excellent grilled meats. Now you’re ready to explore the rest of the city. Turn right and climb the street that leads to the old castle area. After a short walk, you will arrive to one of the most important places in the Land of the Eagles, the place where Skanderbeg fought against the Ottomans to save Albania and the rest of the West from their advance. To learn something more about that moment and the history of the Balkan country, go visit the Skanderbeg Museum, one of the most interesting museums of Albania. Entrance is 200 lekë, about €1 (just over US$1) , and so totally worth a look. If you don’t mind visiting two museums in one day, you should know that the castle of Kruja is home to another important museum, the Ethnographic Museum, which is set in a 19th century Ottoman house that belonged to the Toptani family, one of the richest families of Albania.
Evening
Kruja’s castle offers breathtaking views over the mountains. After the visits to the museums, there is nothing better to do than relax and admire the gorgeous sunset in one of the most beautiful places of Albania. If you are looking for relaxation and quiet, this is the place to be. Kruja is not crowded like Tirana, it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and, although a bit touristic, it is not frequented like the main destinations located on the coast. So keep it on mind.
Night
Honestly, there is nothing fun to do in Kruja at night, so the best thing to do here is to eat at Bardhi Restaurant, a beautiful restaurant located inside a traditional villa just a few steps from the Skanderbeg Museum. If the weather is good, ask for a table on the terrace (it offers beautiful views over the Skanderbeg museum and the surrounding area). This restaurant serves traditional gastronomy and, due to its large space, is often used as wedding location – so don’t be surprised to see people dressed in elegant clothes who dance and sing traditional Albanian songs.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.