Exploring Kruje, Albania

This is your next stop if you appreciate destinations with a hint of legend, a dash of mountain air, and just enough uphill walking to remind you that you probably should have used the stairs more often back home. Sitting high above a valley, this little but proud town wears its history like a badge of honour and offers views that seem like a reward for climbing up the slopes. Yes, slopes exist. Your legs will tell you about them. Loudly.

Most tourists first head straight to Kruje Castle. This is partly because it is the most popular draw and partly because once you reach the top, you will persuade yourself that you have to view something culturally important before you pass out. The castle grounds chronicle Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg, who fought to protect the area in the fifteenth century with such ferocity that contemporary procrastinators all around feel a little judged. Inside the museum honouring him, you'll discover dramatic murals, thorough displays, and lots of inspiring medieval vitality.

The view opens up right outside the castle walls in a way that will make you briefly forget the trek. You can even stare directly down at the Adriatic coast on a clear day. Even if the last time you correctly used a camera was at a family wedding in 2009, it is the sort of view that suddenly makes you incredibly enthusiastic about photography.

Kruje truly highlights its beauty in the Old Bazaar following the castle. Imagine small cobblestone alleys lined with wooden booths, vibrant carpets hanging like enormous tapestry flags, and shopkeepers able to recognise a visitor from a distance of several metres. It's like going into a time machine, but this time it also sells fridge magnets, copper coffee sets, and more handmade rugs than you could ever imagine existed. The sellers are amusing, persistent, and friendly. You have clearly become invisible if you can pass through without at least one person attempting to wrap a classic scarf around you.

Another highlight is food. Local restaurants around Kruje Castle serve substantial Albanian food, including flaky byrek, stuffed peppers, and grilled lamb. This is the kind of food that makes you question your decisions up to this point and ask why no one insisted you sample Albanian cuisine sooner. Add a glass of regional wine to your visit, and you will be pretty happy with your choice. Maybe too happy.

A brief drive will bring you to the Sari Salltik temple, set even further up the mountain, if you have time. Although the road up is not designed to calm nervous travellers, it is worth it once you reach it, as the peaceful environment and breathtaking view will help. Furthermore, you will be sure by then that every incredible Kruje moment calls for at least one steep climb.

Ultimately, Kruje catches you off guard with its mix of history, natural beauty, and local charm. You come planning a brief visit, but leave feeling like you have found one of Albania's most fascinating small nooks. And yes, your legs will eventually heal.