Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania and as well the heart of Albania's cultural, economic and governmental activity. According to official estimates, there are about 420 thousand inhabitants in Tirana. Established in 1614 Tirane became the capital of Albania in 1920.

Tirana was founded in 1614 by Ottoman general Sulejman Pasha, who built a mosque, a bakery and a Turkish bath. He named the city Tehran, in honor of his military victory at Tehran in Persia (now Iran). However, there are early means of a castle in Dajti mountain, named Tirkan, in the sixth century, in the writings of a Byzantine historian.

The small town was chosen for the temporary capital of Albania (as a compromise between the South and North Albania) by the provisional government in January 1920. In November 1944, the communist government of Enver Hoxha was established in Tirana after the liberation from German occupation.

The urban population, which was estimated to be only 12 thousand in 1910 increased to 30 thousand in 1930 and even 60 thousand in 1945. despite years of foreign occupation and war. During the 1950s, Albania has experienced a period of exceptional industrial growth, with an increase in population to 137 thousand in 1960. In the late 1990s, Tirana experienced the fastest population influx, because Albanians from the north of the country in large numbers migrated to the capital in the hope of a better life.

In 2004, Edi Rama, the mayor of Tirana, won the award for the best mayor of the world. Many agree that this contributed to his vision of Tirana as a clear project to change the city's facade, to one's taste perhaps even gaudy and clashing colors, but apparently well received by foreign media and the inhabitants of the Albanian capital city.

The reason of these drastic changes were drab which prevailed in Tirana until Rama's arrival, because the city during Enver Hoxha was extremely rusty, and all the buildings in the city have lost their facades, which has affected the general mood in the city.

Despite problems Tirana has a visible progress. The construction of the first real tourist attraction, as one of the longest cable car in Europe, which it can reach the second highest peak in the vicinity of Tirana, started. The cable car was made but there is still a shortage of quality supporting facilities. Another attraction is the rotating restaurant on top of the highest building. Unfortunately, potential and existing attractions still not valorized.

Please note that we received reports regarding travelers being scammed by local hustlers on Tirana bus station. All bus lines from BusTicket4.me are official and without any possibility of passenger fraud.

Ohrid is considered one of the oldest cities in the Balkans that unites the style of the Neolithic, antique and medieval period. The numerous early Christian and medieval churches, with magnificent mosaics and icons and beautiful beaches, are just some of the many features that confirm that Ohrid is a wonderful place.

The main attractions of Ohrid are: the Fortress of the Emperor Samuil, the antique theater, the Episcopal Basilica, the Church of St. Clement - Saint Panteleimon in Plaoshnik, the Monastery of St. Naum, the cave church, Icon Gallery, the picturesque villages of Velestovo, Vevcani and Trpejac, Trebenište etc.

Samoil's Fortress in Ohrid - is one of the most popular visitors to Ohrid, built in the X century during the reign of Emperor Samuil. Throughout history, Ohrid has been such a significant religious center that it has built 365 churches - one church for every day of the year.

Monastery of Saint Panteleimon - Protector of Health, is one of the oldest Slovene monasteries in the Balkan and the oldest Slovene cultural monument in Ohrid.

The monastery complex of St. Naum was built on a romantic island of Ohrid lake, rich in greenery, a magnificent view of the Ohrid Lake. The area around the monastery of St. Naum is regarded as among the most beautiful on the shores of Ohrid Lake.

Lake Ohrid is one of the largest European lakes in the southwestern part of Macedonia and the eastern part of Albania. The lake is at an altitude of 695 meters. It is distinguished by its unique ecosystem, rich endemic and rare plant and animal species. The peculiarity of the lake is due to geographical isolation and great geological age. Also, the Ohrid Lake basin is characterized by rich biodiversity and has several plant species endemic to the Balkan peninsula.

Some species that live in it are the ancient plant and animal shine of Eurasia, which today, except in Lake Ohrid, can be found only in Tibers Lake, in the Middle East, and in Lake Baikal in Siberia. The fish shine of the lake, with 17 different species, is truly incredible. The best-known are dried species of endemic oyster trout, yearlings and whites, an eel that can reach up to 1.5 meters in length and small fish of plates. These fish species are a real challenge for fishermen and treats for gastronomy, especially for those who like trout prepared in the famous Ohrid way.

Bus station Ohrid is located in "7th of November, Ohrid 6000"

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