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Welcome to my essential guide to Tirana, the vibrant capital city of Albania. Whether you’re a history buff, a party animal, or simply looking for a city break off the beaten track, Tirana surprisingly has something for all types of tourist and not just the intrepid or adventurous.
In this guide, I will outline what to do in Tirana during your visit by taking you on a journey through Tirana’s attractions and the local experiences worth trying. I will also provide you with travel tips on how to make the most of your visit. For travel tips for the rest of the country, please check out my Travel Tips for Albania post.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a city that blends the old and the new, where historic buildings stand alongside modern skyscrapers, and where traditional bazaars coexist with trendy cafes and bustling nightlife. There are many reasons to visit Albania, and Tirana is one of them.
But firstly, a brief history of Albania to put these attractions and experiences in context.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ALBANIA
The Empires that dominated and invaded Albania were the Empires of Rome, Byzantium, Venice, Serbia, Ottoman, Mussolini’s Italy, and the Nazis during World War II. Between the end of WWII and the 1990s, Albania was possibly the world’s most reclusive communist state.
The most well-known historical figures in Albania were Gjergj Kastrioti (aka Skanderbeg) who led a revolt against the Ottomans, and Enver Hoxha who was the communist dictator from 1944 to his death in 1985.
MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS IN TIRANA
Tirana is home to a myriad of must-see attractions that showcase the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Ancient Times
One of the top attractions is Skanderbeg Square, the central square named after the national hero. The square is surrounded by important landmarks such as the National History Museum, the Opera House, the Clock Tower, and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.
The National History Museum offers a comprehensive overview of Albania’s past, from ancient times to the present day. The Et’hem Bey Mosque, on the other hand, is a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture and is still actively used for prayers.
Very little is left of Tirana Castle on Murat Toptani. It is said to date back to the Byzantine Empire era and is known as the Fortress of Justinian. It is also known as Toptani Castle after the Ottoman Toptani family who took charge of it in the 18th century.
Communist Era
A number of major landmarks are associated with Tirana’s communist era. The nearest site to Skanderbeg Square is Bunk’Art 2, a museum located in a former nuclear bunker. The museum features various exhibits and installations that highlight the harsh realities of life under communism.
Bunk’Art 1, a much larger bunker located outside the city, gives a more dark and eerie insight into Albania’s recent history.
The landmark which has become a symbol of Albania’s peculiar communist past is the Pyramid of Tirana. The Pyramid is a unique and controversial structure located south of Skanderbeg Square. Built in 1988 as a museum dedicated to the country’s communist leader, Enver Hoxha, the pyramid slid into disrepair after the downfall of communism but has been renovated as an exhibition space.
Near the Pyramid is the Dajti Hotel, where foreign visitors were obligated to stay during communist times. The hotel is no longer open to the public.
Another site not open to the public is Enver Hoxha’s house on Ibrahim Rugova Street in the Blloku neighbourhood. However, it’s possible to see the house and pool from the street.
Also on Ibrahim Rugova Street is the House of Leaves where the surveillance of the Albanian population and visitors was carried out. It is now a museum displaying the equipment and processes that the secret police used for their surveillance.
Other sites
The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral is a recent addition to the city’s landscape and is quite a nice place to relax and reflect. It’s directly across from the House of Leaves.
St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral (Katedralja Katolike Shën Pali) on Boulvard Gjergj Fishta has a statue of Mother Teresa at the front. Although born in what is present-day Republic of North Macedonia, Mother Teresa was an ethnic Albanian.
Other statues dotted around Tirana include Skanderbeg in the main square, the Unknown Partisan at the junction of Rruga e Barrikadave and Rruga George W Bush, to pro-democracy campaigner Osman Kazazi on Rruga Urani Pano.
WHAT TO DO IN TIRANA: EXPERIENCES
Cafe Culture
Tirana is a great city for chilling out. It has an excellent café culture, and reasonably-priced bars and restaurants. While all are dotted around the city centre, I felt Murat Toptani and the area within the walls of Tirana Castle had the most concentrated supply of cafes, restaurants and bars.
Another area with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants is the Blloku neighbourhood, particularly on the side streets off Ibrahim Rugova Street between Enver Hoxha’s House and the House of Leaves. Blloku is a vibrant and trendy area and is the perfect place to soak up the city’s bohemian atmosphere with a cup of strong Albanian coffee. Blloku is a testament to Tirana’s transformation into a modern and cosmopolitan city.
A venue that mixes café culture with history is Kafe Komiteti, which has a selection of memorabilia from the communist era. It is located to the east of the Pyramid.
Great Outdoors
While I didn’t visit the Grand Park, other tourists recommended it for jogging and a general peaceful escape from the city centre. Located on the outskirts of south Tirana, this sprawling park offers lush green spaces, tranquil lakes, and walking paths.
Shopping
As for shopping, Toptani Shopping Centre has an extensive listing of national and international high street brands. For a more traditional experience, Pazari i Ri market, in the east of the city has a wide array of fresh produce, local delicacies, and handmade crafts.
TIRANA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Tirana safe?
I travelled to Tirana solo and felt safe at all times. As a female traveller, I didn’t feel threatened or harassed. My hotel arranged a taxi pick-up at the airport upon arrival which I recommend if you are arriving at night. However, given the number of strip bars, there clearly is a seedy side to Tirana.
Is Tirana tourist friendly?
I felt that there was a good level of service in retail and hospitality outlets. I found people to be helpful and friendly when I approached them for assistance.
Is Tirana expensive?
Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe so prices in Tirana were very reasonable. A cup of coffee and a croissant cost 200 Lek (approx. €2). 500ml of beer was advertised for 300 Lek (approx. €3). The vast majority of hotel rooms were less than 1000 Lek (€100) per night. However, I found SIM cards to be quite expensive ranging from 2000-2500 Lek for a 1-month card.
Is Tirana a walkable city?
Yes. The majority of the sites listed above are all a couple of minutes’ walk from each other. The only public transport I used was the airport bus (bus stop behind the Opera House). The only taxi I used was the airport pick-up. It’s best to get your accommodation provider to book a taxi for you and/or recommend a reputable taxi company.
How many days do you need in Tirana?
2 days is sufficient to see the sites listed above.
Best time to visit Tirana?
Tirana is surrounded by mountains so gets cold in the winter. In the summer, it bakes. The best time to visit Tirana would be April – June and September/October. Albania’s coastal towns such as Himare are ideal in summer.
Where to stay in Tirana?
Anywhere within 1 square kilometre of Skanderbeg Square is recommended in order to see the above sites. Check out this accommodation list.
For airport hotels, I highly recommend N Hotel by Noshi. Other passengers recommended Best Western Premier Ark Hotel and Hotel Airport Tirana. All can be found on the booking.com Tirana Airport link.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tirana is a city that combines history, culture, and modernity in a unique and captivating way. It’s small and quirky, and it’s a city that I quite enjoyed. I hope this guide regarding what to do in Tirana gives you an idea of that.
I expect the city to become a stag party destination in the near future, but I hope the city maintains its charm when that onslaught happens.
Arrivals Hall 