From Tirana: Kruja and Sari Salltik Temple Day Trip｜Albania

Visit the city of Kruja and the Sari Salltik Temple on a day trip from Tirana. Explore the castle of Kruja, the Old Bazaar, and the Ethnographic Museum. Then, head to the Sari Salltik Temple, a holy place of the Bektashi order.

Situated atop a hill overlooking a lush green valley, Kruja is not just another picturesque town in Albania; it’s a symbol of Albania’s resilience and strength throughout history. Historically, the city was coveted for its strategic vantage point and experienced various conquerors, from the Romans to the Byzantines.

Visit the Castle of Kruja, which was a bastion of uncompromising resistance against the Ottoman Empire. The Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum is situated inside the castle walls, which date back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. The museum itself was inaugurated in 1981.

Within the walls of the castle are also the Ethnographic Museum and the Dollma Tekke. Near the castle’s entrance is a traditional market, which dates back to the period of Skanderbeg. Here, tourists can find Albanian craft products such as embroidered items, carpeting, silver objects, copper, alabaster, filigree, traditional clothing, and antiques.

After walking through the city, visit the Sari Salltik Temple. The Tekke of Sari Salltik is a holy place of the Bektashi order, a Sufi branch of the Islamic religion, located atop of Sarisalltik Mountain at 1,176 m above sea level. At its peak, Sarisalltik Mountain has a large cave, which is 15 m deep and 4 m high. Inside the cave, there is a sacred fountain.

Next to the cave is a masjid—a small mosque that was the first one ever built in Albania. Inside it is the grave of St. Sari Salltik. Sari Salltik is a legendary figure of the Bektashi order. But a lot of people come to visit this mountain as well in order to enjoy a panoramic view from ‘the balcony of the Adria’, which looks over the surrounding area towards the Adriatic Sea.