A few days in Albania

My second visit to Albania, this time in the off-season. We came specifically to explore the mountains around Krujë, a historic town perched on the slopes of Mount Sarisalltik. Having seen the coast during my 2021 trip, I wanted to experience a different side of this underrated country.

Albania has transformed dramatically since the fall of communism in 1991. With 2.8 million people and a turbulent 20th-century history (it was the most isolated country in Europe under Enver Hoxha's dictatorship), it's now one of the Balkans' fastest-changing destinations. The contrast between crumbling communist-era bunkers and gleaming new cafes tells the story of a nation in rapid transition.

What I Experienced

Krujë is famous for one thing: Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero who resisted Ottoman invasion for 25 years from this very fortress. The castle and museum dedicated to him sit atop the hill, offering panoramic views of the mountains and, on clear days, the Adriatic.

The drone captured a sweeping aerial panorama of this historic fortress town. From above, you can see how Krujë clings to the slopes of Mount Sarisalltik, with traditional Albanian stone houses cascading down the hillside, the green valley stretching below, and the rugged mountain peaks rising behind. The contrast between the ancient fortifications and the surrounding natural landscape is striking.

We were practically the only tourists there - January isn't exactly peak season for the Albanian mountains. But that was precisely the appeal. The old bazaar, a restored Ottoman-era marketplace, was fully operational despite the empty streets. Local shopkeepers greeted us warmly, happy to have any visitors at all.

The mountain air was crisp and clean, and the town had a peaceful quality that's impossible to find during the summer rush. We wandered through narrow cobblestone streets, explored the ethnographic museum, and ate at family-run restaurants where the menus existed more as suggestions than fixed offerings.

Practical Notes

• Albania uses the Lek, but euros are often accepted informally
• No visa required for most visitors (90 days)
• Renting a car is the best way to explore the mountains
• Off-season means lower prices and fewer crowds, but some services may be limited
• Albanian hospitality is genuine - expect to be offered raki (local spirit) regularly

Albania in winter is a completely different experience from the summer beach crowds. Quieter, more authentic, and surprisingly affordable.

This high-resolution drone panorama of Krujë is available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Balkan travel content, historic destination marketing, or mountain landscape wall art.