Day tour from Tirana to Kruja and the cave of Sari Salltik

Welcome to Kruja: Albania, history and religion

Welcome to Kruja, the city that in 1190 became the ancient capital of the first independent state of Albania, the Principality of Arbanon. Located just 36 km from Tirana, Kruja is a medium-sized city in the interior of the country. The city is highly associated to the figure of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the patriot who defended the nation from the Ottomans was born right here in 1405. Kruja was founded by the Illyrian tribe of the Albanoi and its name in ancient Albanian means fountain, source, to emphasize the strong presence of water in this area.

Visit Kruja and Sari Salltik: Kruja guided tour

The castle of Kruja guided tour of the museums and the bazaar

Departing from Tirana at 9 am, you will reach Kruja around 10 am. The first stop on this tour is Kruja Castle, a medium-sized fortification located at the highest point of the city. Here you can admire the historical center of Kruja and the nature beautiful nature that surrounds it from this amazing vantage point. Kruja Castle dates back to the time of the Principality of Arbanon, the 11th century AD. Once inside the castle, you will visit the Skanderbeg Museum, the national historical museum Albania, where you will find documents and facts that tell us about the resistance of the people against the Ottomans. The next stop will be the Ethnographic Museum, where you will be able to explore and understand the traditions of the Albanian people from the Middle Ages until today.

Leaving from the castle to the village on foot, you will enter the Kruja bazaar area. The ancient market is full of craft shops that work in open air stalls where you can buy food, clothes, rugs, unique crafts and souvenirs. The bazaar is reminiscent of an old carnival in which local artisans invite you to take a look at their handicrafts. It is a vibrant mosaic of traditional motifs, fabrics, colors, smells and warm local hospitality.

A visit at the cave of Sari Salltik

The second part of our tour will take you to visit one of the most beautiful and lesser known destinations for tourists visiting Albania. The Sari Salltik cave is not easy to reach, but it is a must see for those who love mystical and holy places. It is located 10 km from Kruja, in a mountainous area, 1100 meters above sea level. Here is the hermitage where the bektashi monk Sari Salltik Baba retired to pray in the 14th century. Today the cave of Sari Salltik has become a very important spiritual place for the Muslims of Albania and the Balkans, who come here to pilgrimage and pray.

During the summer season might be delays in the way back caused by the traffic jams.

Customers must be able to climb and descend stairs.

This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

In case bad weather or stone avalanche the road to Sari Salltik cave might be blocked