Tirana mit Ausflug & Baden in Durres

About the destination: Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania, is a fascinating mix of Ottoman heritage, Italian architecture, and bold Communist-era planning, all wrapped in a fresh coat of color and creativity. Once a gray, austere city, it has reinvented itself with lively murals, pastel façades, and a youthful energy that’s hard to miss. Skanderbeg Square, the monumental heart of Tirana, is the ideal starting point: from here you can visit the National History Museum, recognizable by its grand socialist-realist mosaic, and stroll toward the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower, which recall the city’s Ottoman past. One of Tirana’s most distinctive attractions is its Communist legacy. Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2—underground bunkers turned museums—offer immersive exhibits on daily life under Enver Hoxha’s regime, with chilling corridors and preserved rooms that make history feel close and personal. Nearby, the “Pyramid,” once a museum dedicated to Hoxha and now an urban playground and cultural venue, symbolizes Tirana’s transition from dictatorship to a more open, creative society. Tirana’s modern personality shines in its neighborhoods and public spaces. The trendy Blloku district, once reserved for the Communist elite, is now full of cafés, cocktail bars, and restaurants where locals linger late into the night. The Grand Park and Artificial Lake provide a green escape, perfect for jogging, cycling, or a relaxed picnic. For a panoramic view, take the Dajti Express cable car up Mount Dajti, where you’ll find hiking trails, restaurants, and sweeping vistas over the city and the Adriatic coast beyond.

About the destination: Durres (alb. Durrës), the second largest city of Albania (161,800 inhabitants, 2008 estimate), is the most ancient city and one of the most economically important as the biggest port city. The beaches of Durrës are local hotspots for many Albanians and are an important part of tourism in Albania. The city was colonized by the colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 B.C. It was named Epidamnus, which later became Dyrrachium. Between the 1st and 3rd centuries Durres was an important port and trading centre on the Via Egnatia trading route, between Rome and Byzantium (Istanbul). After a great number of earthquakes, much of ancient Durres sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over. The most important object is the amphitheatre with 15,000 seats, dating back to the 2nd century AD. In the middle ages was Durres coveted by many different intruders from all over Europe. The fact that this city has been inhabited throughout its history, means that very little of the ancient city has been excavated, as it exists under the newer buildings. However the archeological museum is well stocked and presented. The famous Roman orator, Cicero called Durres an admirable city, while the poet Catullus called it the tavern of the Adriatic. Today the city is well known for the beach resort of Durres with sandy beaches and warm sea waters. It is about 10.5 km long and is frequented by Albanian and foreign tourists from May until October