European Capital East of Italy, South of Austria-Hungary, North of Greece: Tirana, Albania

Geographic Puzzle Solution: Tirana, Albania

The capital city that fits the geographic description—east of Italy, south of Austria and Hungary, and north of Greece—is Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Verifying the Geographic Relationships

East of Italy: Albania lies directly across the Adriatic Sea from Italy's "heel" (Puglia region). Tirana is ~70 km inland from the coast.
South of Austria and Hungary: Albania is separated from these Central European nations by Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro—but lies decisively to their south.
North of Greece: Albania shares a 282 km land border with Greece. Tirana sits approximately 250 km north of the Greek border.

About Tirana

Tirana has been Albania's capital since 1920. Key facts:

Population: ~520,000 (city); ~800,000 (metro area)
Elevation: 110 meters (360 ft) average
Climate: Mediterranean (Csa) — hot, dry summers; mild, wet winters
Landmarks: Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque, National History Museum, Bunk'Art museums, Dajti Mountain (cable car access)

Regional Context

Albania occupies a strategic position in the western Balkans. Its geography has made it a crossroads of Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern European influences. The country applied for EU membership in 2009 and received candidate status in 2014.