10 Best Things To Do in Albania’s capital Tirana

Tirana › 10 Best Things To Do in Albania’s capital Tirana

Welcome to my ultimate travel guide for Albania’s capital Tirana featuring the best things to do on your next visit.

My travel guide will take you to the most important landmarks, attractions and the best experiences that Tirana, the capital of Albania, has to offer. You will also receive valuable travel tips including a map of all sights & attractions. Tirana is a city of elegantly designed streets and charming buildings in a sea of pastel colours and cobblestones. The volume and vibrancy of the city offer a wonderful surprise.

Table Of Contents

Sights & Activities In Tirana

Although Tirana is neither a typically beautiful city nor does it have an endless list of sights, it is bursting with energy and life. And that despite its turbulent past and difficult present. When the sunlight floods the streets, the pavements turn into obstacle courses lined with dirty bicycle mechanics, colourful fruit stalls and second-hand shops. Gloomy, dilapidated alleyways flow seamlessly into lively, colourful squares, where trendy cafés alternate with authentic eateries.

Intrusive reminders of the country’s turbulent history can be found on every street corner alongside modern skyscrapers towering high above the chaotic streets. And if the turbulent energy of Tirana becomes too much for you, the striking hilltops on the outskirts of the city offer the perfect retreat for a little time out.

Tirana – Things To Do & See

Skanderbeg Square

Skanderbeg Square is the beating heart of Tirana and is surrounded by the city’s most important sights, including the historic clock tower, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the National History Museum. The square is named after George Castriot, also known as Skanderbeg, a revered Albanian national hero who successfully repelled the advance of the Ottoman Empire into Central Europe.

• Location: Skanderbeg Statue

In the centre of the square stands an imposing monument to the national hero Skanderbeg, which adorns the spot where a statue of Josef Stalin once stood during the communist era.

The architecture of the square, designed in the neo-Renaissance style, lends the area a majestic atmosphere. An extensive lawn with carefully laid out flower beds complements the stately ambience. Skanderbeg Square serves as a central venue for important public festivals, such as the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Albanian independence in 2012.

Et’hem Bey Mosque

The mosque, completed in the early 19th century, is one of Tirana’s most important landmarks. After the collapse of communism, it became the scene of one of the most remarkable events in Tirana’s recent history. On 10 January 1991, 10,000 people gathered here to practise their faith – an open challenge to the state bans that had suppressed Islam for almost five decades. Despite the tensions, the police did not intervene and this event became a symbolic moment for the beginning of religious freedom in Albania.

• Location: Et’hem Bej Mosque

The exterior walls of the mosque are also unique: they are decorated with depictions of idyllic landscapes such as forests and waterfalls, motifs that are rarely found in traditional Islamic art. This unusual artistic design emphasises the mosque’s special place in Tirana’s culture and history.

Clock Tower of Tirana

The Clock Tower, built in 1822 by Haxhi Et’hem Bey, is one of Tirana’s most photographed landmarks and is particularly impressive when it is illuminated at night. You can climb the tower’s narrow spiral staircase for free and enjoy the beautiful view of Tirana’s city centre.

• Location: Clock Tower

A particularly interesting feature of the tower is its clock, which has been replaced several times over the years. Originally featuring a Viennese design, it was replaced by a German clock, which was destroyed during the Second World War. This was later followed by a clock with Roman numerals, which was replaced in the 1970s by the current Chinese clock, which represents another chapter in the multifaceted history of this important monument.

Rruga Murat Toptani

Rruga Murat Toptani, a pedestrian street in the centre of Tirana, is a pretty promenade between the Parliament building and the National Art Gallery. The name of this popular thoroughfare comes from the Toptani family, who ruled Ottoman Albania from 1700 until the Second World War.

• Location: Rruga Murat Toptani

The road is particularly beautiful in summer, when the double rows of plane trees provide shade.

Along the street, you can admire some of the city’s old fortifications of Tirana castle, which date back to the time when the Toptanis competed with other powerful local families for control of Tirana. You will also find numerous restaurants in that area. Most of them seemed overpriced to me. The best food in Tirana is found elsewhere in my opinion.

Piramida

In the heart of Tirana you will find a striking pyramid made of concrete, which was built in the 1980s in the Pharaonic style. Originally intended as a memorial to the late communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the pyramid quickly fell into disrepair and presented a picture of decay: broken windows, homeless people in a hall smeared with graffiti and reeking of urine, which was once lined with polished marble.

“The place was a wreck,” recalls Genci Golemi, the site manager, on his first visit. “Everything had been stolen.”. But after two years of intensive renovation work, the picture has changed.

• Location: Pyramid of Tirana

The once dilapidated building is now a symbol of Albania’s ambitious vision for the future and is described by Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana, as the “Tel Aviv of the Balkans”. With an investment of 22 million dollars, the pyramid has been transformed into a modern centre offering classrooms, cafés and office space for technology companies.

Tanner’s Bridge

This small attraction dates back to the 1700s and is a fascinating fragment of Tirana’s Ottoman history, giving a flavour of how the city functioned in the years following its foundation.

• Location: Tanners’ Bridge

Today it is a modest stone pedestrian bridge, but when it was built it was the main route for farmers taking their livestock to the slaughterhouse and leather processing district. Although the river Lanë, which it once spanned, has been diverted, the bridge remains as a historical monument.

From the bridge, you can also see the Tanners’ Mosque, which was built around 1700 by the Tanners’ Guild.

Free Tour Tirana

To truly understand Albania’s present, it’s important to look into the country’s past, and a walking tour is a fantastic starting point and one of the best things to do in Tirana.

When I first came to Tirana, I knew very little about Albania. Having spent several months in other parts of the Balkans, I wrongly assumed that Albania had followed similar historical paths. However, it turned out that after centuries of Ottoman rule and a slide into communism, Albania has a unique and eventful history.

Our tour guide Eri, an eloquent history graduate, took me through legendary stories about the Albanian hero Skanderbeg and illustrated the time after communism and the dark years before with lively anecdotes about his family. During our tour he also showed us the main sights of Tirana, including the Pyramid of Tirana, Skanderbeg Square, the Ethem Bej Mosque, the Clock Tower and Toptani Square.

Website I Tripadvisor

More Things To Do around Tirana

Mount Dajti

The lush green peaks of Mount Dajti National Park rise up on the outskirts of the city, behind the outdated apartment blocks. A hike to the summit or a scenic 20-minute cable car ride offer a quick and pleasant escape from the hectic streets of Tirana. The cable car, known as Dajti Ekspres, takes you through breathtaking scenery, where you can swap the urban environment for lush foothills and magnificent views. Although the dense smog shrouds the city in a blue haze, on a clear day you can see as far as the glittering Adriatic Sea.

From the cable car terminus, you can explore a 2.5 kilometre hiking trail to the summit, from where spectacular views.

• Location: Dajti Ekspres

For the best views of the sunset, head to the Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant or the revolving bar on the 7th floor of the Dajti Tower.

How to get there: Take one of the light blue city buses that leave from behind the National Opera House near Skanderbeg Square in direction “Porcelani”. The buses run regularly and will drop you off just a short walk from the lower cable car station – for only 40 lek (approx. 40 cents).

Opening hours: The cable car is open from 9:00 to 19:00, with the last ride 30 minutes before closing time. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Price: A return ticket for adults costs 1,000 lek (approx. €10).

Bunk’Art 1 Tirana

If the Free Walking Tour has piqued your interest in Albanian history, your next stop should be Bunk’Art 1. This museum is located in the original nuclear bunker of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha and impressively documents the rise of fascism, the transition to communism and the courageous uprising that led to the liberation of Albania. The space is huge and very atmospheric; it is almost impossible to take it all in at once, but a few hours here will undoubtedly leave a deep impression.

How to get there: As Bunk’art 1 is located just before the Dajti Ekspres cable car, it makes sense to visit both attractions on the same day. Start with Bunk’art before enjoying the sunset from the cable car. Use the same bus as described above.

• Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm in summer or 4 pm in winter. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
• Cost: 500 lek (~€5).

For those who don’t have time to explore the outskirts of the city, Bunk’art 2 offers a smaller but equally fascinating alternative right in the heart of the city.

• Location: Bunk’Art 2

Grand Park Tirana

Tirana’s Grand Park, an oasis of calm in the hectic city centre, is the perfect place for a relaxing break with its artificial lake. Surrounded by a network of paved paths that wind through dense stands of trees and picturesque parkland, the park provides an ideal backdrop for a peaceful afternoon stroll. Visitors can watch families picnicking in the shade, runners gathering their daily dose of endorphins or friends meeting for a relaxed lunch.

Get to know Albania’s hero Skanderbeg on a day trip to Kruja

If you’ve never heard of Skanderbeg before your visit to Albania, you’ll certainly recognise his name when you return from Kruja.

Skanderbeg, born as an Albanian nobleman, was taken hostage at a young age and trained in the Ottoman army. Decades later, during a battle on Albanian soil, he deserted and proclaimed himself Prince of Kruja. He then led the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire. This legendary story remains alive in Albania and Skanderbeg’s name adorns numerous important places and institutions throughout the country.

Kruja, nestled between mysterious, mist-shrouded peaks, is ideal for a half-day excursion from Tirana. Explore the ruins of the old castle complex, browse through the antiques along the cobbled main street and visit the Skanderbeg Museum. There you can learn more about the life of this mystical personality and enjoy a marvellous view from the balcony on the second floor.

Try to arrive early as Kruja is a popular stop for coaches in the afternoon and can get quite crowded.

Travel tip: I was highly recommended to try a unique traditional dish from the region called Kabuni, which is, oddly enough, a sweet, sticky dessert made from meat. Slow-cooked and flavoured with Christmas spices, fruit and rice, it’s certainly an interesting meal and worth a try.

Getting there: You can visit Kruja on an organised tour or explore on your own. Buses leave approximately every 2 hours from the northern bus station and take about 1 hour to reach the historic part of Kruja. During my visit, buses departed at 10am and 11am and at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 6pm. Alternatively, minibuses depart regularly from the car park next to the bus station to Fushe-Kruje – the lower part of the city. From here, you can change to another bus that will take you to Kruja at the top of the mountain.

The direct bus from Tirana to Kruja costs 100 lek (~€1.00), while the partial journey costs a little more.

Cost: The castle complex can be visited free of charge, while admission to the Skanderbeg Museum costs 200 lek (~€2.00).

Tour to the cave of Pellumbas (Shpella e Pëllumbasit)

If you want to further explore the natural beauty of Mount Dajti National Park, located east of Tirana, plan a day trip near the village of Pellumbas. This place offers excellent hiking opportunities and leads you to an impressive natural monument: the Pellumbas Cave.

The cave, which is located at an altitude of 350 metres, is considered to be one of the earliest prehistoric settlements in the region. Archaeological finds in the cave include tools and artefacts from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Fossils of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) have also been discovered there, indicating that these bears lived in the cave more than 10,000 years ago.

• Location: Pëllumbas Cave

From the village, a path winds through the mountains for two kilometres before you reach a cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. This not only offers natural beauty, but also evidence of human activity dating back more than 300,000 years. The cave, which extends 350 metres deep into the mountainside, served as a refuge for the villagers of Pellumbas during the Second World War. Its historical and geological significance makes it a fascinating destination for those interested in nature and history.

• Trailhead: Pëllumbas village center
• Distance: appr. 6.5 km (4 miles)
• Duration: around 3 hours round trip

Insider tip Tirana: The Shëngjergji Waterfall – An Oasis on the Outskirts of Tirana

Tirana is surrounded by numerous natural attractions, many of which are not far from the city. Lately, many people have been leaving the bars and cafés of the capital in search of peace and adventure in nature. It is important that you are well informed about the area and the risk before travelling to Shëngjergji Waterfall.

Shëngjergj, a sprawling district of 12 villages, lies beyond the Dajti Mountains. As soon as you reach the entrance to Dajti National Park, turn right onto the road to Shëngjergj. This drive reveals a breathtaking landscape of green valleys, the river, lakes and mountains, offering a perfect panorama for nature lovers.

• Location: Ujëvara e Shën Gjergjit

To reach the Shengjini waterfall, it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to drive from Tirana. It’s nice to see that many visitors stop to explore the waterfall, which is only a 15-minute walk from the main road. There you will find a board showing all the hiking trails in the area. The paths are well-developed and clearly marked, so you can safely make your own way to the waterfall without a guide.

Where to Stay in Tirana

During my stays in Tirana, I stayed in many hotels and guest houses. These come highly recommended:

Garden Boutique B&B | This charming, family-run bed and breakfast is set in a lush garden, just a short walk north of Skanderbeg Square, and is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms are spacious and en suite, and breakfast is included. Private rooms from €40. Check availability and prices here. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Hotel Boutique Gloria | Guests love the excellent breakfast, friendly staff and comfortable beds at this first-class hotel in the heart of Tirana. The rooms are beautifully designed and prices start from €45, including breakfast. Check availability and prices here. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Hotel Colosseo Tirana | Featuring an on-site restaurant, Hotel Colosseo Tirana offers air conditioned accommodation in Tirana, 900 m from Skenderberg Square. Free WiFi is available. The hotel is one of the longer established ones in Tirana with good service. The terrace is a great place to sip a coffee while watching the fountain and square in front. ☑ Check availability and prices here.

Tirana Culinary – Experience Albanian Cuisine

Restaurant & Cafe Hop in the Blokku district

“Under communism, everyone is equal,” jokes the guide with a wry smile, “but some are more equal than others.”

Standing on the edge of the “Block”, the trendy centre of modern Tirana, you have to imagine that this was once a segregated and heavily guarded area of the city where the country’s fiercest communist advocates enjoyed life behind closed doors while their compatriots outside the compound sank into poverty.

Today, Blloku is a vibrant network of the city’s best restaurants and cafés, chic boutiques and trendy bars. This is where Tirana comes to eat, shop and party – until midnight, when the neighbourhood closes its doors.

Albania is hardly known as a foodie destination, but some of the country’s most avid gastronomes have sparked a culinary revolution of sorts. The Albanian slow food movement is taking a healthy approach, centred around organic, locally sourced ingredients and local culinary traditions, and is transforming the Albanian food scene from farm to fork and restaurant to restaurant.

While the wonderfully charming Mrizi i Zanave Restaurant is located a bit outside Blloku, there are a number of other fantastic restaurants in the nearby neighbourhood that are in the same fertile ground that has helped this culinary development to achieve such great success.

Opened in February 2016, the restaurant is run by brothers the Altin and Anton Prenga – early pioneers of the Albanian slow food movement. After working in Italian kitchens for many years, the brothers returned to Albania in 2010 and founded their own agriturismo, Mrizi i Zanave (mrizizanave.com). Located on a sprawling farm in a remote village in the lush Lezhë district, 65 kilometres north of Tirana, the restaurant epitomises Albanian cuisine’s return to the basics: fresh, organic farm-to-table produce and meat that celebrates the country’s fertile soils.

This article takes an in-depth look at the slow food movement in Albania and includes some good recommendations for locally run farms and restaurants in the region.

Tirana FAQ

How long should I plan to spend in Tirana?

It’s worth a visit to soak up the vibe of this lively metropolis. The main attraction are the Enver Hoxha bunkers: they are several stories deep and cover an area of almost 3,000 square metres. 2-3 days are more than enough.

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