Tirana

Tirana is the capital of Albania in the western Balkans, sitting in a valley enclosed by mountains. Streets run in wide axes lined with buildings painted in bold colors, while several public green areas stretch between residential districts.

A small Ottoman settlement from the early 17th century grew slowly over three centuries until it became the capital of the newly formed state in 1920. During the second half of the 20th century, the cityscape changed fundamentally through political shifts and the transition to new forms of government.

Locals gather daily in the many cafés along the main boulevard, where social life unfolds from morning until late evening. The open-air bazaar and surrounding streets show how people still shop in traditional ways, moving between old craft workshops and newer stores.

Regular bus service connects the airport with the center, while moving around the city works well on foot or using local minibuses. Most places of interest sit close together in the central area, so longer distances can usually be avoided.

The city contains an unusually high number of bunkers from the Cold War era, some of which have since been converted into art galleries and exhibition spaces. Visitors can also spot the large colorful murals on many residential buildings, painted after 2000 to bring new color to the previously gray cityscape.