High on an Albanian hilltop, this medieval town guards Skanderbeg's fortress, a 15th-century castle-museum, and a traditional market selling handmade crafts and textiles.
Perched 600 meters above sea level in north-central Albania, Kruje's narrow streets wind up to a medieval castle where you'll find armor and weapons from the 1400s. In the 17th-century bazaar below, craftsmen weave carpets on wooden looms and shape silver into delicate filigree jewelry. You can walk through an 18th-century Ottoman villa filled with copper cooking vessels and embroidered wedding dresses, or hike the mountain paths to Qafë-Shtamë National Park, just 25 kilometers away. The town sits 20 kilometers from Tirana, making it convenient for day trips.
Getting to Kruje from Tirana
Buses leave every hour from Tirana's main bus station between 7 AM and 4 PM. The trip costs 150 lek and takes 45 minutes. By car, follow the SH1 highway north from Tirana for 20 kilometers until you see signs for Kruje. While you can walk everywhere in town, prepare for steep climbs to reach the castle.
Exploring Kruje Castle
The castle walls, built in the 5th century, stretch along a mountain ridge. The Skanderbeg Museum (open 9 AM-5 PM, entry 400 lek) displays maps, weapons, and documents from the 1400s when Albanian forces fought against Ottoman armies. From the castle walls, you can see Mount Tomori to the south and the Adriatic Sea to the west.
Shopping at the Old Bazaar
A 200-meter cobblestone street connects the town center to the castle gates. Artisans work in wooden shops from the 1600s, weaving rugs, embroidering textiles, and crafting silver jewelry. The buildings maintain their original wooden facades, with upper floors that lean so close they almost touch across the street.
Where to Stay in Kruje
Hotel Panorama (rooms from €40) overlooks the bazaar and valley. Inside the castle walls, Kruja Albergo Diffuso (rooms from €60) occupies several restored buildings with locally made furniture. Kruje Camping, 1.5 kilometers from the old town, charges €10 per tent and includes WiFi and hot showers.
Day Trips and Hiking
In Qafë-Shtamë National Park, 25 kilometers northeast, you'll find marked trails through pine forests and fresh water springs. The Cave of Sarisalltik trail starts at the castle and climbs for 2 kilometers to a cave with valley views. The ruins of ancient Albanopolis lie 5 kilometers from town, accessible by a marked hiking path.
Local Food and Restaurants
At Restaurant Panorama near the castle entrance, try Pule me Qull (slow-cooked chicken with corn bread, €8) or Kabuni (sweet rice with raisins and lamb, €6). Local restaurants distill their own raki from cornelian cherries and blackberries. Along the bazaar, cafes serve thick Albanian coffee (€1) with views of the market below.
