Tirana and Kruja, Full Day Trip

The Skanderbeg Square is the main square in the center of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeg. The total area is about 40.000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.During the Italian invasion of Albania, the city plan for Tirana was designed by Florestano Di Fausto and Armando Brasini in a Neo-Renaissance style with articulate angular solutions and giant order fascias. Many buildings including the Tirana International Hotel, the Palace of Culture, the National Opera, the National Library, the National Bank, the Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the City Hall, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Historical Museum are situated at the square.

The New Bazaar is a neighbourhood in Tirana, Albania. The name of the neighbourhood stems from the groceries marketplace which is situated in the area. It is located east of the central boulevard. Along with Mujos it forms part of the Old Town of Tirana and is one of the oldest areas of the city. The old historic Kokonozi Mosque of Ottoman times is situated here.The market offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables grown locally in the surrounding areas of Tirana, fish and meat, regional Albanian wine and raki. Many colorful buildings, restaurants and bakeries are surrounded. Recently, there have been a raising interest to make the Bazaar a touristic attraction. However in 2017, the bazaar were renovated and reconstructed. The New Bazaar was built, before the reconstruction of 2016, in 1931 at the same place where the historic Old Bazaar were built, the latter extending up to present day Skanderbeg Square.

On 14 October 1988, the structure opened as the Enver Hoxha Museum, originally serving as a museum about the legacy of Enver Hoxha, the long-time leader of Communist Albania, who had died three years earlier. The structure was co-designed by Hoxha's daughter Pranvera Hoxha, an architect, and her husband Klement Kolaneci, along with Pirro Vaso and Vladimir Bregu. When built, the Pyramid was said to be the most expensive individual structure ever constructed in Albania. The Pyramid has sometimes been sardonically called the "Enver Hoxha Mausoleum", although this was never its intended use or official appellation.

The Communist Block was the former residence of senior members of the Communist Party. It was known to be a restricted area to ordinary citizens. Block area has a unique story. Some of the city's most beautiful villas are settled here since the pre-war period. Enver Hoxha returned it in his own and to the "comrades" of communist leadership residence. The existing houses were enlarged and expanded, almost hiding behind the greenery and scary atmosphere surrounding the forbidden area of the capital. Today, this zone is no longer the one covered by greenery, but a special amalgam of multi-store buildings, villas converted into international residences, luxury boutiques, cafes and clubs packed in a small area. Block area has turned into one of the largest and most frequented night-life spots especially by youth, due to the diversity of services and luxury pubs. Definitely, whoever wants more nightlife, light and nightclub, should go to the Block.

The Kruja Bazaar is famous for being one of the oldest in Albania. The construction of the beautiful and fascinating marketplace of Krujë dates back over 400 years, and was the starting point of free trade among the city’s most established merchants. It is in this particular bazaar that traders first began to officially exchange various kinds of goods with one another. Conveniently located on the main road leading to the Castle of Kruja, the space forms part of the museum while also serving its traditional commercial purpose. Whether you need a traditionally-crafted rug, or masterfully-made copper products from the renowned craftsmen who work here, you can find every object of interest you might need! Other items in the fascinating bazaar include genuine handcrafted items, and silver jewellery that is known to last a lifetime. The bazaar has steadily grown over the centuries, dictating the spread of housing and urban structures around it, making it the real epic center of Kruja.

The Albanian people are identified with the history of Kruje Castle. This castle is one of the most visited places in Albania. Within the fortress is located one of the main attractions, the National Museum "George Castroti Skanderbeg". This museum was built in early 1980s by architects Pranvera Masha and Pirro Vaso. Inside the museum there are exposed a lot of original bibliography, documents, objects and authentic reproductions that represent the history of Albanian people in the fifteenth century. This museum has become an icon of the city's skyline.