Tirana Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Albania's Capital
16 min read
ALBANIA TRAVEL GUIDE
Albania is the fourth country of our Balkan Tour; you will find detailed information about the places to visit and see in this country full of historical and natural beauties in this article. Albania, which has coasts on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, stands out with its magnificent beaches, fascinating mountain views and rich cultural heritage.
In addition to the capital Tirana, the historical cities of Berat and Gjirokastër are on the UNESCO World Heritage List and offer visitors unique examples of architecture from the Ottoman period. Tirana has also won our hearts with its colorful buildings and street art. Again, we are in a country where we will not feel like a stranger in Europe. You will feel this way when you visit many Balkan countries. While it attracts history enthusiasts with its ancient ruins, medieval castles and impressive museums, it also has the potential to please gastronomy enthusiasts like us with its delicious Albanian cuisine and hospitable people.
Let's plan your Albania travel route together.
History
First, let's go over some general information; the country's currency is the Lek and the official language is Albanian. Albania is ethnically diverse and has a predominantly Muslim population.
I know you skipped this historical information without reading it :) but don't forget that without knowing these, you won't understand the cultural structure of the country and you won't enjoy your trip, so I suggest you take a look at it at least once before you go :) Albania's history dates back to ancient times and carries the influences of the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and other civilizations.
Albania has a rich and complex history, having hosted many civilizations throughout history. These lands were settled by the Illyrians in ancient times, and later became part of the Roman Empire. After the division of Rome, they came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire.
In the Middle Ages, as a result of the conquests of the Ottoman Empire, it came under Ottoman rule in the 15th century and remained under Ottoman rule for approximately 500 years. During this period, significant influences were seen on Albanian culture and the Islamic religion.
In the early 20th century — in 1912 — Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire. After independence, there was a short monarchy, then after World War II, a socialist government was established under the leadership of Enver Hoxha. Enver Hoxha is a very important character in Albanian history, you will hear his name a lot. The Enver Hoxha era was a period when the country was isolated from the outside world and ruled by a strict communist regime.
With the collapse of the communist regime in the early 1990s, Albania entered a process of democratization and transitioned to a market economy. During this period, the country experienced major political and economic changes. Today, Albania is a modernizing and rapidly developing country advancing in the process of joining the European Union.
Although Tirana is a modern capital, its origins as a settlement are quite ancient and there are several theories and legends regarding its current name. According to one version, its name is thought to be derived from the word "Theranda" . This name was used to describe the area in Greek and Latin sources and is derived from the term "te ranat", which in Albanian means "the fallen one" and refers to the soil and substrate carried by water from Mount Dajti. Another theory is that the name comes from a fortress called "Tirkan" by the 6th century Byzantine historian Procopius; this fortress was built in the 1st century BC and its ruins still exist today. Another view suggests that it derives from the ancient Greek word "tyros", meaning "milk", and that this was the place where local shepherds gathered to trade their dairy products.
The reason why Tirana was declared the capital in 1920 is the country's central geographical location between the Ghegs in the north and the Tosks in the south.
The famous Italian architects of the Mussolini era, Florestano Di Fausto and Armando Brasini, were the masterminds behind the construction of the main square in the center of Tirana, named after the National Hero of Albania, Skanderbeg, the wide boulevard, the ministry buildings, the national bank, the city hall and the Palace of Brigades (former royal palace, today the presidential palace). Brasini laid the foundation for the modern arrangement of the ministry buildings in the city center.
From 1944 to 1991, huge apartment complexes and factories in the Socialist style were built, Skanderbeg Square was redesigned and many buildings were demolished. For example, Tirana's old Grand Bazaar and Orthodox Cathedral were demolished to make way for the Soviet-style Palace of Culture. The town hall, built by the Italians, was blown up and replaced by the National Museum of History. The building, which used to be the Albanian Parliament Building during the monarchy, was converted into a children's theater (today the Puppet Theater). The northern end of the main boulevard was renamed Stalin Boulevard and a statue of the Soviet leader was erected in the town square. Since private car ownership was banned, the masses mostly used bicycles, trucks and buses for transportation. After Enver Hoxha's death, the government built a pyramidal monument in his memory. Although now known as the Pyramid, it has little to do with Enver Hoxha and has become one of Tirana's cultural centers.
Today, Tirana is home to around 1,000,000 people, the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. In recent years, the city has undergone significant changes. The communist-style apartment blocks were repainted in bright colours and abstract patterns at the suggestion of Edi Rama (the current prime minister). In addition, modern infrastructure improvements have been made in the development of Tirana, giving it a metropolitan appearance. Skanderbeg Square was renovated and inaugurated on 10 June 2017. Tirana is changing day by day.
Things To Do And See
We started our Albania trip by setting off from Kosovo-Pristina. We reached Tirana from Skopje in approximately 3 hours. 2 days is quite enough time for Tirana.
Tirana; Tirana is an important city for Albania, which is neighboring Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece. Tirana is also more important than many Balkan cities in terms of places to visit . In addition, Albania may be one of the countries you will prioritize since it is visa-free for most visitors, including EU, UK, US and Turkish citizens .
In general, places to visit in Albania include:
- Berat Castle and Historical City
- Gjirokastër Castle and Stone Houses
- Butrint Ancient City
- Skanderbeg Square and National History Museum in Tirana
- Kruja Castle and Ethnographic Museum
- Durres Beaches
- Theth and Valbona Valleys
- Beaches and Port in Saranda
- Ancient City of Apollonia
- Lumi i Shales
- Ksamil, Vlorë (we couldn't visit but the beaches in this region are called the Maldives of Europe)
Additionally, nature walks, sea activities and cultural festivals are also popular in Albania.
In our article, we will mostly talk about places to visit in the capital city of Tirana. We started our Tirana trip from the famous Skanderbeg Square. Since the places to visit are generally around this square, we made our trip easier. After completing our Tirana trip, we set off for Montenegro the next day. We stopped in Shkodra on the way and continued after seeing the old town, Rozafa Castle and Mes Bridge. You can also taste wine while you are here.
A good walking order from Skanderbeg Square: start with the sights right around the square — the Palace of Culture, the National Bank, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, and the National History Museum. Then continue to the New Market (Pazari i Ri), the Tanners' Bridge, Tirana Castle, and Reja (the Cloud). From there, head into the Blloku district for Enver Hoxha's old villa and the Postbllok monument, and finish at Mother Teresa Square with a stroll through the Grand Park by the lake.
If communist-era history interests you, Tirana is the one city in the Balkans where a guided walking tour genuinely pays off — the stories behind each building (what it was built for, how it was reused after communism) are hard to piece together on your own. Typical routes cover the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture, the Tirana International Hotel, Bunk'Art 2, the National Art Gallery, the Congress Palace, Mother Teresa Square, the Postbllok Checkpoint, Enver Hoxha's villa, the Shallvare apartment blocks, and the House of Leaves.
- SKANDERBEG SQUARE
- BUNK'ART MUSEUM
- TIRANA CASTLE
- PYRAMID OF TIRANA
- RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
- HOUSE OF LEAVES MUSEUM
- CLOCK TOWER
- REJA (THE CLOUD)
- TOPTANI SHOPPING MALL
- POSTBLLOK CHECKPOINT
- GRAND PARK OF TIRANA (LAKE PARK)
- BLLOKU DISTRICT
- ET'HEM BEY MOSQUE
Places to Visit in Tirana
1. Skanderbeg Square
Named after Albania's national hero Skanderbeg, the square became a hub for popular spots in the city after renovations in 2012. The most striking structure of the square is the Skanderbeg Monument. There are many hotels, guesthouses and shopping stores around it.
Skanderbeg was sent to the Ottoman Empire at a very young age and grew up there. He participated in the Ottoman army as a soldier in the campaigns, but he escaped from the army on one occasion and seized Kruja Castle using a forged letter from the Sultan. Skanderbeg, who captured the castle, fought from 1443 until his death in 1468 to prevent the Ottomans from taking over Albania. Right next to the square is the Et'hem Bey Mosque, on the other side are the Clock Tower, the Opera House and the National History Museum.
2. Bunk'Art Museum
Bunk'Art is an important museum where you can feel the history of the country where a Cold War bunker in Albania was modernized and transformed into a contemporary art museum. It consists of two bunkers, BunkArt 1 and BunkArt 2. Since BunkArt 1 was closed while we were visiting, we were only able to visit BunkArt 2. BunkArt 1 is larger and a bit far from the city center, if you are going to add it to your tour itinerary, you will need to spend half a day here. For BunkArt 2, about 2 hours is enough and it is located close to Skanderbeg Square.
Enver Hoxha believed that a nuclear war would break out and had many shelters built throughout the country. In line with this, the country's economic resources and labor force were spent for years for this purpose, but the expected war never happened. This process also had a negative impact on the country's development. As you travel around Tirana, you will see these shelters built against a nuclear attack in almost every corner.
BunkArts has become a cultural center where contemporary art works are exhibited in an area of 3 thousand square meters. These shelters, built in secret during war times, were planned escape points for the worst-case scenarios.
When you enter through the long and dark corridors, you have the opportunity to examine the detailed history of the communist period and at the same time you reach an art center. These tunnels, where you can both follow the traces of the past and witness modern art works, are a unique meeting point that brings history and the present together.
3. Pyramid of Tyrant
Designed by the son-in-law of former Albanian leader Enver Hoxha, this remarkable structure initially served as a museum, but today it continues to exist as a symbol of the country's past. The Pyramid of Tirana once hosted cultural and artistic events, and later served as a broadcasting center for the Top Channel television channel. It is currently not used much by the public, but with its unique architecture, it has become a must-see for those visiting Tirana.
The Peace Bell in front of the pyramid is also an important place to visit. The Peace Bell is a monument built by young people from the remaining bullets from the conflicts in the 1990s in the city of Shkodra in northern Albania. Despite its small size, this work has an impressive story and carries deep traces of Albania's recent past.
4. Et'hem Bey Mosque
Located in the center of Tirana, the mosque was built by the prominent politician of the period, Ethem Bey. In addition to being used for worship today, it can also be visited outside of worship hours as a historical structure from the Ottoman period. The mosque, which stands out with its square-plan architecture and elegant decorations inside, offers a unique visual feast to its visitors.
5. Tirana Clock Tower
The Clock Tower in Tirana, with a height of 35 m, is located near the Et'hem Bey Mosque. The historical Tirana Clock Tower is one of the Ottoman monuments in the country, it has undergone many renovations over the years, and when you climb the 90-step staircase inside the tower and reach the top, you can watch the city from a bird's eye view.
6.Murad Toptani Street
One of the popular places to visit in Tirana, this street bears the name of the poet Murad Toptani. This street, which is closed to traffic, is located in the center of Tirana and is a walking path between the Parliament Building and the National Art Gallery. In the summer months, the shade of the plane trees that surround the street, created by two rows, offers visitors a cool and pleasant walk. In addition, the cafes and restaurants along the street make it an attractive place to sit and relax even if you are not shopping. You will also see different street art along the way.
6. Tirana Castle
This castle, located in the heart of Tirana, was built during the Byzantine period. Although it was built during the Byzantine period, only a wall that was expanded by the Ottomans remained from the castle. The castle is located just behind Toptani Shopping Mall, and today the area is used as an open-air shopping mall.
7. Tirana Lake Park
A park with a huge lake that you can reach on foot from the city center. This park, which the people of Tirana prefer to take a breath, is among the places to visit in Tirana. There are mausoleums in the park of some important historians, politicians and scientists in Albanian history. You can walk around the lake and watch the sunset here.
8. National History Museum
This museum in Skanderbeg Square sheds light on the history of Tirana and Albania. Opened in 1981, the city's largest and most important museum displays nearly 3,000 historical artifacts from the region.
9. Reja – The Cloud
Designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, this work takes its name from its resemblance to a cloud. It is a popular selfie spot that draws attention with its geometric form.
Since there is a similar piece to Reja in London, we suggest you take a look at this marginal work while you're here.
10. Blocko
One of the most well-known and expensive areas of Tirana, Blloku, formerly known as Ish-Blloku. During the communist era, this area was inhabited only by the communist elite, but after the collapse of the regime, its appeal increased. Now open to everyone, Blloku has become a more popular and expensive area compared to the city center.
Home to luxury boutiques, restaurants, bars and hotels, Blloku is a frequent destination for visitors. In addition, the area is at the forefront of Tirana's nightlife. It has become one of the centers of Tirana's nightlife, offering many alternatives from small, intimate bars to stylish nightclubs.
11. Postblock – Checkpoint
Located on the main boulevard just across from the Prime Ministry, Postbllok is home to a small concrete shelter and a piece of the Berlin Wall. Although you can’t enter this concrete shelter surrounded by greenery, you can go down to its stairs. Right next to this structure in the middle of the park, a piece of concrete brought from the Berlin Wall is on display.
While the Berlin Wall stands as a symbol of the achievement of freedom, the bunker also bears witness to history as one of the points of hope for the Albanian people.
12. Orthodox Church of the Resurrection of Jesus
It is one of the largest and most important Orthodox churches in Albania. Opened in 2012, this modern cathedral serves as the center of the Orthodox Christian community in the country. Located in the center of the city, this structure with its striking architecture has become an important symbol both in terms of religion and architecture with its large dome and bell tower. The cathedral is also considered a symbol of Albania's post-communist religious freedom.
13. Tanners' Bridge (Ura e Tabakëve) and Tanners' Mosque
This bridge, built during the Ottoman period, was built over the Lane River to facilitate trade between neighboring provinces and villages. Since the riverbed has been changed, today the bridge is used only as a monument. You can walk on this bridge, which is one of the places visited by tourists, and you can also visit the Tanners' Mosque right across from you. The Tanners' Mosque was built in the 18th century and reopened for worship in 1990.
14. House of Leaves Museum
Known as the secret surveillance museum, this museum was used as the secret center of the socialist people's republic during the communist era. During World War II, when Albania was occupied by Germany, it was used as an obstetrics clinic, and later, unfortunately, as an interrogation center and torture point. The House of Leaves Museum, where much pain has accumulated within its walls, opened its curious interior to the public after the declaration of independence. The museum, which contains objects that aim to shed light on the regime of the period, mostly houses old pieces.
15. The White Spring
The White Spring, which attracts visitors not only from Tirana but also from every city in Albania with its mystical atmosphere, used to function as a temple. With its pure waters and nature, the White Spring can be preferred for quiet walks, swimming and picnics. It is believed that the waters of Akasynak have healing power and the mystical spirit of beer comes from this.
18. Wholesale Shopping Mall
The shopping center of Tirana. If you want to create memories for yourself and your loved ones before leaving Albania, you can find everything you are looking for here, from Balkan-specific stores to global brands.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is a government institution under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture.
The gallery has moved several times. Its current location was opened on November 29, 1974 and is located on Martyrs Street. The gallery houses 4626 works of art and more than 600 artists registered in the archives. The Art Gallery is the only national institution in the country that exhibits, preserves, studies, restores, publishes, documents and archives works of art.
- Deshmoret e Kombit, boulevard
Tirana Art Gallery
I have another suggestion for art lovers; GAT - Tirana Art Gallery. It is an art gallery opened by the Tirana Municipality in 2021 and visual art events are also held.
Travel Route;
We recommend that you start your route from Skanderbeg Square, because important buildings such as the Palace of Culture, the National Bank, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower (optional) and the National Museum are located around this square and you will be able to finish it in 1-2 hours. If you want to visit later, you can see the New Market (Pazari i Ri), the Leathermakers Bridge, Tirana Castle and Reja (the Cloud).
Afterwards, you can visit the Blloku district, where you can visit Enver Hoxha's former villa and the Postbllok monument, then visit Mother Teresa Square and take a walk in the Great Park overlooking the lake.
You can follow this route on the first day and spend the second day visiting the BunkArt museums. Remember, BunkArt 1 can take half a day, and visiting BunkArt 2 will take 2 hours :)
Have a nice trip.
4. What Should We Eat?
Albanian cuisine is rich and delicious. You should try seafood, kebabs, pies and desserts. The most famous Albanian dish is Tavë Kosi (lamb with yoghurt) and Baklava dessert.
Albania has a rich culinary heritage, although Albanian cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian, Greek and Turkish cuisine. Tirana is home to some of the country's best restaurants, some very stylish and serving Italian cuisine, while others have more traditional cuisine. Its bars are very popular.
WHAT TO EAT?
Tavë kosi, ELBASAN TAVA, Byrek, Fërgesë, Kaçkavall, TRILECE, BOZA, ALBANIAN LIVER
We tried ERA VILA and ARTIGIANO for dinner during our 2-day trip.
It was very good, ELBASAN PAN MUST TRY!!!!!
For night fun, you can check out RADIO BAR, CHECKPOINT CLUB, TIKI BAR, MIDTOWN TIRANA, BLACKSTONE LOUNGE, SHISA ROOM BAR.
If you visit Shkodra you can try Keshtjella Xhafa or Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizem .
https://www.visit-tirana.com/eat-drink/restaurants/
5. Where Should I Stay?
Choosing the capital Tirana for your accommodation during your Albania trip will make your trip easier. You can find affordable hotels and airbnb in Tirana. We preferred airbnb to feel the local culture during our entire Balkan trip, we were pleased with the house we stayed in, it was close to the city center and we were able to visit many places on foot.
Link to the house we stayed in Tirana
6. How To Get There? Transportation
The most common ways to come to Albania are by plane and bus, but since we went on a tour with our own car, we set off for Tirana after exploring Kosovo. We reached Tirana in about 3 hours.
The capital of the country, Tirana, has the "Rinas International "Nene Tereza" Airport. Tirana has direct flights from many European cities, including Istanbul, Vienna and Rome.
You can also reach Tirana overland by bus from neighboring Balkan countries. You can arrive after a journey of approximately 14 hours by Albanian buses, while you can reach it in a short time of 1 hour and 45 minutes by plane.
You can also use buses and minibuses for intercity transportation. You can come by bus from all neighboring countries of Albania: Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece.
Tirana is a lively city and has over 20 bus lines. However, it does not have a terminal yet. All bus stops are located in the centre of Tirana: Kulla Sahatit, Piazza, behind the Palace of Culture, behind the National Museum, next to the National Bank, near Rruga e Kavajes and Rruga e Elbasanit. The ticket costs 40 lek. You can find a public transport bus from 6am to 11pm. Waiting for the next bus at the bus stops takes 3-10 minutes.
To examine the city's transportation lines;
7. When To Go?
The best time to travel to Albania is spring and autumn. Between May and September, the weather is generally milder and the crowds are fewer.
Although Tirana is located 30 km from the sea, it has a mild Mediterranean climate, with an average of 260–290 sunny days per year. The city has a hot Mediterranean, dry-summer subtropical climate, with mild winters. Summers are dry and hot due to the influence of subtropical high-pressure systems, while winters are characterized by moderate temperatures and variable rainfall. The annual average temperature is 15.2 °C (59.4 °F). Monthly average temperatures vary up to 18 °C.
8. Things We Remember From Tirana
•Tiran takes its name from Ancient Greek and means "absolutely powerful, strong".
•It is a small city where you will find familiar textures and places, and where you can eat lots of Albanian liver, due to being a city founded by the Ottoman Empire.
The city, which has a population of less than 1 million, becomes a bit livelier throughout the year with increasing numbers of tourists, mostly in the summer months.
• Average Travel Duration: 2-3 days.
• Albanian Currency Albanian Lek (ALL)
•Best Time to Visit: June-August (25-30 °C)
Tirana's official tourist information centre is located just behind the National History Museum. Here you can find printed material about what to see and do in Tirana. You can also pick up books and brochures about other major tourist attractions in Albania.
PHOTO POINT
· REJA (THE CLOUD)
· SKANDERBEG SQUARE
· ROZAFA CASTLE
During your trip to Albania, you can have a deeper cultural experience by communicating with the local people. Also, observing daily life and discovering the traditional handicrafts of Albania will be an unforgettable experience.
This guide is a comprehensive resource to help you explore Albania.
I hope you have a pleasant and unforgettable time while visiting the country!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Tirana?
Two days is enough. Most of the main sights cluster around Skanderbeg Square, so the city is easy to cover on foot.
Do you need a visa for Albania?
No — Albania is visa-free for most nationalities, which makes it an easy addition to a Balkan road trip.
What currency does Albania use?
The Albanian lek. Albania is not in the eurozone, though euros are informally accepted in some tourist spots.
Bunk'Art 1 or Bunk'Art 2 — which should you visit?
Bunk'Art 2 is close to Skanderbeg Square and takes about two hours. Bunk'Art 1 is larger but sits outside the centre and needs around half a day — choose based on the time you have.
Where should you go after Tirana on a Balkan road trip?
We continued to Montenegro, stopping in Shkodra on the way for the old town, Rozafa Castle, and the Mes Bridge — an easy and worthwhile break in the drive.
