Petrela Castle is a popular tourist attraction not far from Tirana, and dates back to the 6th Century AD (though most of what you can see today was built in the 15th Century).

While Skanderbeg was off fighting the Ottoman Turks, the castle was controlled by his sister Mamica Kastrioti.

There’s a restaurant located within the castle offering stunning views out across the Erzen valley and the peaks of the Skanderbeg mountains.

Petrela Castle is perched atop a 329 meter (1,079 foot) hilltop from where you can look out over the nearby olive groves.

The castle is 10 miles south of central Tirana and takes around 30 minutes to drive. Trust me, it’s definitely worth visiting!