Part of Tirana University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana’s Botanical Gardens is a pleasant, 15-hectare oasis on the western slopes of the city. Founded in 1971, the gardens house some 1,400 species of plants, representing about a third of Albania’s abundance of flora. Bring a picnic to enjoy the meadows and lanes of palm trees. If the gate isn’t open, wave and smile at one of the gardeners.