Tirana is an emerging tourist destination in Europe: It is hospitable to all its visitors, from the
budget-oriented to the luxury-seeking, offering a wide range of activities for
the curious tourists.
Flavio Sansa is an Italian student which his article was published
on Nouse, the media outlet of the New York
University, outlines the beauty you find when visiting the underrated nation
of Albania.
What were the things that made an impress at Flavio were:
bunkers around Tirana, museums, food and culture. And the best is that you can
visit a lot of main attractions for free.
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| Visit Tirana |
“Culture shock is hard to experience within the comfortable
confines of Europe. Equally, a properly immersive experience of local tradition
is often difficult to attain for the everyday European traveler. This isn’t
the case in Albania, a small, but not insignificant nation not far from the
southern-most tip of Italy. The second one enters the country, the new currency
and new language hits you hard. Bunkers are dotted around Tirana, their
preservation serving as a poignant reminder of the nation’s past, with some
being converted to museums. Thankfully, new construction projects juxtapose the
militaristic elements of the city, such as the newly modernized Skanderbeg
square.
Adjoining the square is a must-see museum, chronicling most
of the nation’s past, from its Roman roots to its communist capitulation.
Suspiciously omitted from museums and exhibitions throughout the city are
comments on Albania’s history under the Ottoman Empire. To seek out such
comment, one should visit Et’hem Bey Mosque due to its sheer historical
signicance, and observe the magnicent religious frescoes within.
Unique souvenirs include the different styles of Albania’s
take on the fez hat, the “Qeleshe”, and traditional carpets. Unlike many
Western European countries, much of what is on offer will be made by hand,
making purchases even better value for European visitors considering the
generally low prices. Without a doubt, Tirana is easy to enjoy even on a modest
student budget.
Food in Tirana is excellent overall. Stuffed vegetables,
casseroles, and pastries resonate most with me from my visit.
Tirana presents an incredible religious melting pot united
by a distinct cultural identity. Historically unique, the statue of national
hero Skanderbeg in the main square exemplifies the story of the Albanian
people: one of maintaining their unique identity in the face of great struggle,
and of perseverance despite crippling corruption, which is symbolized by an
abandoned high-rise building that fittingly shadows the view of this imposing
statue.”
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