Sightseeing stop in Krujë (Kruje): discover beautiful places in Albania

Krujë (Kruje) highlight

We at Monterrasol Transfers specialize in private car transfers. Together with the transfer itself, we propose that you visit some beautiful places along the transfer route. We call such places optional sightseeing stops (short excursions).

One of the places we selected to propose as a sightseeing stop is a beautiful Krujë (Kruje) in Albania. Sightseeing stops are a perfect easy opportunity to see new places during your transfer across Albania, especially during long distance transfers. Take it as a great option to get in touch with local culture and history. It's good to combine transportation and sightseeing together!

Kruje, a town in Albania, is located only 20 km north from the capital of Albania, Tirana. The town is well know within centuries, especially as the center of rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Nowadays the town Kruje is important center of tourism in Albania. The main attraction of the town is Kruje castle.

Last reviewed: 30 April 2025

Krujë (Kruje) description

In ancient times the region of Kruje was inhabited by the Illyrian tribe of the Albani, while the town is located near the Iron Age Illyrian site of Zgerdhesh. Some scholars have identified the site with the main settlement of the Albani, Albanopolis, while others identified Albanopolis with Kruje itself. During the Illyrian Wars the area of Kruje was captured by the Roman Republic.

Kruje is found at an altitude of 600 m on the foot of Mount Kruje, while south and west of the town is found the plain. Kruje is located only 20 km north from the capital of Albania, Tirana.

The name of the city is related to the Albanian word kroi, krua, meaning ＂fountain＂, from Proto-Albanian language. The city was attested for the first time as Kroai in Byzantine documents of the early 7th century.

In antiquity Kruje was a site used for pagan rituals, while after the spread of Christianity a church dedicated to Saint Alexander was built near Mount Kruje. In the late 9th century David of Kruje is mentioned as one of the bishops, who participated in the Fourth Council of Constantinople.

The Roman Catholic bishopric of Kruje was established in 1167, when its bishop was consecrated by Pope Alexander III. In 1284 the Byzantine Empire expelled the Catholic bishop of Kruje.

Originally a middle-sized fortress like other urban centers, Kruje expanded to a town probably from the sixth to the ninth century AD. In 1190 Kruje became the capital of the first Albanian state of the middle ages, so called the Principality of Arber. In 13th century the principality was dissolved and incorporated in the newly founded Kingdom of Albania. During the late 13th and early 14th century the Byzantine and in 1343 the Serbian Empire took control of the city, and in 1395 territory came under Ottomans.

During the rise of nationalism in the Ottoman Empire Kruje became the battlefield of various anti-Ottoman rebellions, also related with the imposition of new taxes. A 1906 revolt against the Ottoman Empire, centered in Kruje, was resulted in 1912 as Declaration of Independence of Albania.

Following the Italian invasion of Albania in 1939 the country became a protectorate of the Kingdom of Italy. In the end of November 1944, the last German troops stationed in the area were defeated.

The Kruje castle is a castle in the city of Kruje, and the center of rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436 the city was defeated and Ottoman rule was restored. After rebellion in 1443 the castle withstood three massive sieges from the Turks respectively in 1450, 1466 and 1467 with garrisons usually no larger than 2,000-3,000 men. Even Mehmed II ＂The Conqueror＂ himself could not break the castle's small defenses until 1478. Today the Kruje castle is a center of tourism in Albania.

We know good things to see in Albania. We know the roads, well-known tourist attractions like UNESCO sites, and off-the-beaten-path places.

If you would like to learn more about Albania and explore it by visiting different attractions, come with us for a private tour. We can travel all across Albania and we will show you all the important tourist attractions together with the hidden gems of this beautiful country. Feel free to contact us!

We have developed numerous itineraries for private car tours in Albania as well as in neighboring countries, including tours passing through several countries as one journey. Solo private tours and tours for Seniors are available also.

Transfers to Krujë (Kruje)

Currently we know prices for these car transfers to Krujë (Kruje):

Private transfers from Montenegro

• private car transfer Kotor to Kruje (Krujë)

• private car transfer Perast to Kruje (Krujë)

• private car transfer Podgorica to Kruje (Krujë)

• private car transfer Portonovi to Kruje (Krujë)

• private car transfer Tivat to Kruje (Krujë)

Unable to find your transfer?

If the transfer you need not exist in the list of our transfers, feel free to ask us for custom transfer by this form: ask for a custom private transfer to Krujë (Kruje), Albania.