Tirana: Travel Guide
Lively, young and constantly changing, Tirana is one of the most interesting European capitals to discover right now. The capital of Albania has changed its face rapidly in recent years: new hotels, restaurants, cocktail bars and rooftops have flanked the rationalist architecture of the communist period, the Ottoman mosques and the colorful buildings in the center.
It is a city that should not necessarily be visited with a very rigid itinerary. The center is relatively compact and many of the main attractions can be reached on foot, alternating monuments and squares with breaks in cafes, panoramic aperitifs and moments of relaxation.
Tirana is also a great starting point for exploring some of Albania’s most interesting destinations: Berat, Durres, Kruja and Mount Dajti are easily included in a few days of stay.
How to get to Tirana
The easiest way to get to Tirana from Italy is of course by plane.
Tirana Nënë Tereza International Airport is located about 17 km from the center of the capital and is connected to many Italian cities. The flight time from Europe is generally short, making Tirana a perfect destination even for a long weekend.
From the airport to the center you can use the taxi or the airport bus service. The drive is normally about 25-40 minutes, but the times can increase significantly during the hours of the highest traffic.
To get around Tirana it is not essential to have a car: for a stay dedicated to the city it is much more convenient to move on foot and use a taxi when necessary. For out-of-town excursions, however, it can be useful to rely on an organized tour or rent a car.
What to see and do in Tirana
Skanderbeg Square
The ideal starting point for Tirana is Skanderbeg Square, the large central square dedicated to the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. It is one of the most important urban spaces in the city and concentrates some of the most significant buildings and monuments in Tirana. In the center is the equestrian statue of Skanderbeg, while around the square there are the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the National Historical Museum and several institutional buildings.
Mosque Et’hem Bey
Directly overlooking Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque is one of the most important historical buildings in Tirana. Built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it is best known for its decorations and frescoes depicting landscapes, trees, and buildings, which were rather unusual in Islamic art at the time.
The Clock Tower
Right next to the mosque is the Clock Tower of Tirana, one of the symbols of the capital. The tower dates back to the beginning of the nineteenth century and has been modified several times over time. You can climb to the top to have a panoramic view of the center of Tirana. The visit takes a short time and it is easy to include it in the itinerary while exploring Skanderbeg Square.
Bunk’Art 2
One of the best ways to understand the most recent history of Albania is to visit Bunk’Art 2. The museum is located in the center of Tirana, in a bunker built during the communist regime, and tells above all the story of the political repression and security apparatuses of the regime of Enver Hoxha. It is a visit decidedly different from the most tourist attractions of the center and allows you to better understand why today’s Albania is so deeply linked to the memory of its recent past. If you have little time, Bunk’Art 2 is probably the museum to choose in the city.
The Pyramid of Tirana
The Pyramid of Tirana is one of the most peculiar buildings in the capital. Built during the communist period as a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, it remained abandoned for many years. It was then completely redeveloped and transformed into a great cultural and creative space. Today it is one of the most contemporary and recognizable places in the city. The structure is very photogenic and, especially at sunset, offers interesting perspectives. The surrounding area is also pleasant for a walk.
The Blloku district
If Skanderbeg Square represents the historical Tirana, Blloku represents the contemporary Tirana. During the communist regime this area was reserved for the political elite of the country. Today it has become the liveliest neighborhood in the city, full of restaurants, cocktail bars, cafes, boutiques and clubs. It’s the right place to spend the evening, especially if you’re looking for a more modern and international atmosphere. The advice is to arrive in the late afternoon, take a walk through the streets of the neighborhood and stop for an aperitif before dinner.
Pazari i Ri
Another interesting area is Pazari i Ri, the New Bazaar. The area has been redeveloped in recent years and today houses stalls, restaurants and clubs. It is particularly pleasant during the day and represents a good alternative to the most monumental areas of the center.
Tirana from above: rooftop and Sky Tower
One of the things I recommend most to Tirana is to dedicate at least one evening to a rooftop. The city seen from above is very different from what you perceive walking through its streets: modern buildings, mountains in the background and the urban fabric of the capital create a surprisingly interesting panorama. Among the best-known viewpoints is the Sky Tower, while numerous hotels and clubs in the center now have panoramic terraces.
The best trips out of town from Tirana
One of the advantages of choosing Tirana as a base is the possibility of easily reaching some of the most interesting places in Albania.
Berat
Berat is probably the trip out of town that I would choose first. Known as the “city of a thousand windows”, Berat is famous for its white Ottoman houses built on the slopes of the hill and for the historic center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most iconic view is precisely that of the houses that seem to overlap each other along the side of the hill. Don’t miss Berat Castle, the historic district of Mangalemi and Gorica, on the other side of the Osum River. It is a very photogenic destination and particularly suitable for those who love photography, architecture and historic villages. From Tirana the distance is about 100 km and the excursion generally takes up a good part of the day.
Durrës
Durrës is the easiest option if you want to combine history and sea. The city is located on the Adriatic coast and can be reached quickly from Tirana. Among the things to see are the Roman amphitheater, the Venetian Tower, the seafront and the beaches. It’s not necessarily the most fascinating destination in Albania, but it’s a good choice for a half-day or for those who want to add a taste of the Albanian coast to their trip.
Kruja
Another very interesting excursion is Kruja, a city linked to the figure of Skanderbeg. The historic center develops at the foot of the castle and preserves a characteristic traditional bazaar. The castle also offers beautiful views of the plain below. Kruja is relatively close to Tirana and can be combined with other stages on the same day.
Bovilla lake
If you are looking for an excursion other than the classic historic cities, Lake Bovilla is one of the most spectacular experiences to do around Tirana. The lake is an artificial basin surrounded by mountains, famous above all for the intense color of the water and for the natural landscape that surrounds it. The real attraction, however, is the view from above, which allows you to observe the lake set in the mountains. The excursion is generally organized as a half-day or full-day tour from Tirana and involves reaching a panoramic point above the lake. The last stretch can be quite challenging and the road, in some places, is not particularly easy: for this reason it is preferable to rely on an organized tour or a means of transport suitable for the conditions of the route. Once you arrive in the panoramic area, the view is the real protagonist. It is one of the best places around Tirana to take pictures and enjoy a landscape completely different from the urban one of the capital.
Dajti Mountain
If you don’t want to spend a whole day outside Tirana, Mount Dajti is the easiest excursion. The mountain dominates the capital and can be reached by the Dajti Ekspres cable car. From the top you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and, on clear days, of the surrounding countryside. It is a good alternative if you have already visited the center and want to see Tirana from a completely different perspective without getting too far away.
Where to sleep in Tirana
Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana
For a comfortable stay and with a central location, one of the best choices is the Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana. The hotel is located practically in the heart of the city, a few steps from Skanderbeg Square and the main attractions of the center. The location is one of its strengths: it allows you to visit much of Tirana comfortably on foot, avoiding constantly depending on taxis. The rooms are modern, spacious and characterized by an international setting, while the common areas have a decidedly contemporary imprint. Another interesting element is the presence of the spa, with wellness area and services dedicated to relaxation. After a day spent walking around Tirana, it is a pleasant addition to a stay in the city. The location also makes the Plaza particularly convenient for those who want to alternate sightseeing, shopping, aperitif and nightlife without having to make long trips.
Where and what to eat
The gastronomic scene of Tirana has grown a lot in recent years and today offers a much wider choice than you might expect. Albanian cuisine has strong Balkan, Mediterranean and Ottoman influences, but alongside traditional cuisine there are now many modern and international restaurants.
Sky Club
For a dinner with a view, the Sky Club is one of the most interesting experiences. Located in the Sky Tower, the restaurant offers a panoramic view of the city and is above all an interesting choice for sunset and evening. The view is probably the main reason to choose it: if you want to include a dinner with a view from above in the trip, it is one of the places to consider.
Blloku: The best area for dinner and aperitif
If instead you are looking for a more dynamic evening, the Blloku district is probably the best area. Here you will find modern restaurants, cocktail bars, international clubs and cafes frequented mainly by a young clientele. It is a perfect area to start with an aperitif and then choose the restaurant directly on the spot. For those who love an elegant but informal atmosphere, it is definitely one of the areas I recommend the most.
Albanian cuisine: what to taste
During a trip to Albania it is worth trying at least some local specialties. Among the dishes to look for are the byrek, a preparation of stuffed puff pastry widespread in the Balkans, the tavë kosi, based on lamb and yogurt, and various preparations based on grilled meat. Cheeses, vegetables, salads and dishes that are affected by the strong Mediterranean influence are also very popular. For a short trip it is not necessary to turn every meal into a traditional gastronomic experience: Tirana now also offers excellent contemporary restaurants, pizzerias and international clubs.
Tirana: my impression
Tirana is not a city that necessarily conquers at first glance for its monuments. His charm is above all in the transformation. It is a young, lively and still evolving capital, where buildings from the communist period coexist with new hotels, rooftops, restaurants and contemporary clubs. This is why I find it particularly interesting for a long weekend: two days allow you to see the best of the center, while a third day can be dedicated to Berat, Kruja, Durazzo, Mount Dajti or Lake Bovilla. My advice is not to limit yourself to historical attractions. In Tirana it is worth alternating monuments and neighborhoods, cultural visits and moments of relaxation, walks and rooftops, local cuisine and contemporary restaurants. And it is precisely this combination of communist past, Ottoman culture, Balkan energy and new international scene that makes Tirana one of the most interesting European capitals to discover today.
