Albania's tourist industry is growing steadily, despite the country's history of violence and a lack of tourism advertising. In this guide, you will learn more about Albania's best tourist cities.

Tirana
Tirana is Albania's capital, and it is set between Mt. Dajti and the country's coastal plain. The capital is one hundred ten meters above sea level, and on average, it gets about eight inches of rain per year. The city is roughly on the same longitudinal parallel as Istanbul, Madrid and Naples, and on the same latitudinal parallel as Krakow and Budapest.

Accordint to the Municipality of Tirana's Office of Civil Registry, the city has upwards of 600,000 inhabitants, almost equally divided between men and women. The city is growing rapidly; it's a busy administrative and commercial center that has assorted clubs, bars, hotels and restaurants.

Gjirokastra
Also known as the Stone City, it is in the south of Albania on the eastern side of Mt. Mali i Gjere. It is one of Albania's commercial centers, producing textiles, leather and food products. Gjirokastra has several mosques that date from the 18th century, and an old citadel. The city dates from the fourth century BC, and it passed into Turkish control in the fifteenth century. During the second world war, Gjirokastra was occupied by Germany, Greece and Italy.

The most striking thing about Gjirokastra is the architecture of the houses there. They resemble fortresses and they are stacked on top of one another. The population of Gjirokastra is about forty thousand, and it is one of the biggest cities in Albania's south. There are folk festivals in the fall, as well.

Kruja
This historic city is about thirty-two kilometers northwest of the capital city of Tirana, and a twenty-minute car ride from Rinas International Airport. The town is more than 500 meters above sea level, and it is on the slope of a mountain. Kruja provides a great mountain view and a variety of cultural and historical sightseeing options, the most notable of which is the castle of Kruja. The castle is reinforced by 9 towers, which served as a signaling/observation platform during wartime.

Shkodra
This is one of the biggest cities in Albania, and located in the country's northwestern part. Shkodra is very rich in culture and history, being one of the country's oldest cities. It was founded in the fourth century BC, and today it is full of cultural and natural sightseeing opportunities, such as Gijadol and Serresh, and the castle of Rozafa. Albania may not hold the tourist appeal of London or France, but there is plenty to see and do there. If you like to learn about history and culture, while off the beaten path, visit one of Albania's best tourist cities today.