Even if ancient ruins aren't your cup of tea, a trip to an archaeological site is worth the detour. The journey will take you through the quaint countryside, threading through small towns and villages that might otherwise escape your notice. Just a few kilometres from the holiday resort of Altinkum, in Yenihisar, you'll find Didyma — home to a grand temple dedicated to Apollo. Didyma was more than a religious site; its oracle rivalled the fame of Delphi's. While the original temple was destroyed by the Persians around 400 BC, the existing ruins hail from the Roman times. The remnants of 120 columns stand as testament to the temple's once monumental size.

This small and elegant mosque is one of Tirana's oldest surviving structures. Closed during communist rule, it reopened for worship in 1991 after being shuttered for decades. Many religious sites were destroyed during the atheism campaigns of the 1960s, but this mosque was spared. Its distinctive frescoes, found both inside and outside the portico, depict nature scenes like trees, waterfalls and bridges, which are unusual motifs in Islamic art.

In the centre of Skanderbeg Square stands a prominent statue of Albania’s national hero, George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. This striking monument is one of Tirana's most recognisable landmarks and is hard to miss. With some photography skills, you can capture the statue along with two other significant icons of the city: the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower, all within one frame.