Tirana, the capital of Albania, is one of Europe’s most colorful and rapidly changing cities. After decades of isolation under a strict communist regime, the city underwent a dramatic transformation in the early 2000s when the mayor (and later Prime Minister) Edi Rama, an artist by training, ordered the grey, socialist-style apartment blocks to be painted in vibrant colors and bold patterns. This initiative aimed to revitalize the city's spirit and move past its somber history. Tirana is located at the foot of Mount Dajti and is unique for its 'Bunk'Art' museums—massive underground nuclear bunkers built for the elite during the Cold War that have been converted into contemporary history and art galleries. The city’s central Skanderbeg Square is named after the national hero who fought against the Ottoman Empire. Tirana is also famous for its coffee culture, with more cafes per capita than almost any other European city, and it serves as a gateway to the 'Albanian Riviera' and the rugged Accursed Mountains.