Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Sam
Despite being one of lesser-visited capital cities in Europe, there are plenty of great places to visit in Tirana, Albania. It has lots to offer for those looking to get off the beaten path in Europe, with the city’s colourful architecture being one of its many highlights. Tirana is home to several impressive attractions including Skanderbeg Square, the unique Blloku neighbourhood and the Mount Dajti cable car. On top of that, Tirana is home to a number of museums, many focusing on the country’s dark past during communist rule under Enver Hoxha. Find out the best things to do and places to visit in Tirana with this guide!
Want to explore more of Albania? Check out our guide to the beautiful Albanian Riviera!
Best Places To Visit In Tirana
Walking tour
So the first thing on this list of top places to visit in Tirana isn’t actually a place to visit, but these free walking tours are one of the best ways to get to know the city. Tours run at 10am and 6pm every day, starting in front of the Opera House in Skanderbeg Square.
Lasting approximately 2 hours, the tours are a great introduction to the sights of the city. The guides are extremely knowledgeable about the history of Tirana, so you can learn all about the city as you discover it.
You’ll also learn about Albania’s turbulent past and the communist rule in the country. Learning about the past helps you appreciate the significance of the different things you see in the city.
Although the walking tours are free, we do advise leaving a tip if you can afford to. The guides are extremely knowledgable and are reliant on tips as their source of income, so whatever you can give goes a long way!
For more information visit the Tirana Free Tour website.
Museums
One of the top things to do in Tirana is explore the city’s museums. There’s a selection of different museums so it’s quite likely you’ll be able to find something that interests you personally. A few of our favourites are listed below!
Bunk’Art Museum
The Bunk’Art museums are well-known museums and definitely a place to visit in Tirana. Converted from communist-era bunkers, the museums combine Albania’s history with contemporary art.
Bunk’Art 1 is the larger of the two museums and is located on the outskirts of Tirana, whereas Bunk’Art 2 is more centrally located just off Skanderbeg Square. It’s fascinating to explore the bunkers whilst learning about Albania’s modern history in detail.
We thoroughly recommend visiting these museums to get a better understanding about the dark history of the country. There is an entrance fee of 500 Lek at each museum, so it works out as better value to visit Bunk’Art 1 as it’s the larger of the two. It’s still worth visiting both though if you have the time.
You can also purchase an audioguide when there for 200 Lek.
It takes around 1-2 hours to visit Bunk’Art 2, but you should expect to spend longer in Bunk’Art 1 as there’s a lot more to see. Find out more on the Bunk’Art website!
National History Museum
Albania’s largest museum, the National History Museum, is situated in Skanderbeg Square. The museum details the country’s history, from ancient Illyria to the modern day.
Tirana’s National History Museum is home to several archaeological treasures, including statues, mosaics and various other objects. The museum is quite large so you can easily spend a few hours here, but unfortunately not all of the exhibits are in English.
Despite that, there’s plenty to enjoy at the museum. The entire first floor focuses on Albania’s links with Greece and other surrounding countries, and thankfully much of this is translated into English.
There are two other floor to explore in the museum, but on these floors you won’t find everything translated. These floors are still worth visiting, but just be prepared to only have sporadic bits of information.
Tickets to the National History Museum in Tirana cost 500 Lek as of 2022.
House of Leaves Museum
Also known as the Museum of Secret Surveillance, the House of Leaves Museum only opened in 2017. The museum is situated inside the building that served as the headquarters of the Sigurimi – the state intelligence and secret police service during the communist era in Albania.
During communist rule in the country, the government continuously monitored and spied on the public, which led to many citizens being arrested, prosecuted, tortured or murdered. The museum details the different techniques the government used for surveillance, giving a fascinating insight into life in the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania.
There are nine different sections and 31 rooms inside the museum, so you can easily spend at least an hour there. Tickets to the House of Leaves Museum cost 700 Lek, but it’s well worth the price for anyone interesting in learning about the country’s communist past.
Grand Park of Tirana
The Grand Park of Tirana is a perfect place to visit and spend a sunny day in the city. Located within walking distance of the city centre, the park is home to various walking trails, a large artificial lake, the Presidential Palace, an amphitheatre, a botanical garden and more.
It’s a peaceful escape from the city’s busy streets and is a lovely spot for a stroll through some nature. If you’re not in the mood for a walk then just enjoy the nature from one of the nearby coffee shops or bars.
You can easily spend an hour or more enjoying what the Grand Park of Tirana has to offer, so just take it at your own pace and enjoy this lovely green space just to the south of the city.
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is the main plaza in Tirana, named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti, otherwise known as Skanderbeg. This large square is unique as it isn’t actually flat and slopes upwards to a height of 2.5 metres at its tip.
The square is home to the impressive Skanderbeg Monument, built in 1968 to honour the 500th anniversary of his death. Skanderbeg is seen as a hero for rebelling against and resisting the Ottoman Empire, for which the monument and square are a fitting tribute.
As one of the central points of Tirana, the square is surrounded by a number of important buildings including the City Hall, the Palace of Culture, the Opera House, the National History Museum, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and more.
It’s a particularly nice place to visit in Tirana at night as the square is beautifully lit up, and you’ll often find various activities going on during the warm summer evenings.
Blloku
During communist rule in Albania, access to the neighbourhood of Blloku was restricted to the country’s leader Enver Hoxha, as well as other members of the party elite and their families. The area was sealed off by police and secret agents to prevent the public from entering.
Fast forward to today, Blloku is the liveliest and trendiest neighbourhood in Tirana. The neighbourhood has undergone significant development and is now home to a number of cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and boutiques. With so many bars in the area Blloku is the nightlife hub of Tirana.
There are several decent restaurants and bars in the area, but one you shouldn’t miss is the iconic Sky Tower Restaurant and Bar – a revolving restaurant/bar offering 360 degree views of the city. Although it isn’t the best food you’ll find in Tirana, it’s well worth visiting for the views!
Unfortunately it’s not currently possible to go inside Enver Hoxha’s former residence, but there are plans to open it to the public.
The main reason for visiting the area is to soak up the atmosphere of the lively neighbourhood, but we also recommend keeping an eye out for the different drawings and artwork on the electricity boxes in the area!
Tanners’ bridge
Dating back to the 18th century, Tanners’ Bridge is a picturesque Ottoman footbridge located in Tirana. It’s a lovely example of some of the city’s Ottoman style architecture, so it’s well worth a quick visit.
There isn’t much more to do than simply walk across the bridge, take a few photos and admire the architecture. Take care crossing the bridge if it’s been raining as it can get quite slippery.
Mount Dajti National Park Cable car
One of the best places to visit in Tirana is Mount Dajti National Park. Take the cable car to the top of Mount Dajti for spectacular views of the mountains and landscape surrounding the city.
If you’re feeling active then it’s possible to hike up the viewpoint, but the cable car is the easiest option. It costs 500 Lek one-way or 800 Lek for a return trip. We recommend visiting around sunset in the hope of getting a colourful sky as you enjoy the incredible views.
The cable car runs every day except for Tuesday, with opening hours of 9am-7pm during winter. Opening hours are extended during summer and are from 9am-10pm during July and August, and from 9am-9pm during May, June, September and October.
Tickets for the cable car are only available up until an hour before closing. The closing times listed above are for the last cable car back down to the city.
To get to the cable car you can take a bus from the friendship monument near Skanderbeg Square. It’s the only bus that runs to the cable car, departing every 10 minutes and costing just 40 Lek.
Tell the driver where you want to go and they will drop you off around a 10-minute walk from the cable car. Alternatively you can take a taxi there for around 500 Lek one-way.
If you’re planning to visit the Bunk’Art 1 Museum then you may want to do it the same day you take the cable car as it’s located in the same area of Tirana.
Pyramid of Tirana
Pyramids have a habit of popping up in places you wouldn’t necessarily expect them, and the Pyramid of Tirana is no different. Aside from the obvious ones in Egypt there are pyramids to be found in Peru, Rome and several other destinations!
If you expect the Pyramid of Tirana to look anything like the ones in Giza though, you’re likely to be disappointed. Opened in 1988, the pyramid was originally a museum dedicated to the legacy of the country’s communist leader Enver Hoxha.
Following the collapse of communism in Albania the Pyramid of Tirana has been used for various purposes, including as a conference centre, broadcasting centre and even a nightclub.
It now stands as a reminder of Albania’s dark past, and there have been calls for it to be demolished to allow the country to move on from this. Despite that, the pyramid is still standing and some locals even climb the outside of it for fun and to enjoy views of the city.
The pyramid splits opinion amongst locals, some hate the building and want it gone whereas others think it should be preserved due to its significance in the country’s history. Most recently plans have been made to turn the pyramid into an IT Hub, so it’s still standing for the time being.
How to get to Tirana
It’s possible to fly to Tirana airport from a number of cities across Europe, but direct flights are relatively limited. If you’re unable to catch a direct flight then consider either taking a connecting flight or making your way to the city via other means.
Depending on where you’re coming from it may be easier to fly to the Greek island of Corfu and then take a boat to the Albanian town of Sarande. After catching the boat to Sarande you’re able to take the bus up to Tirana, which should take around 6 hours and costs around 1,300 Lek or €12.
Another option is to travel from Athens to Tirana by bus, which takes around 9 hours and should cost €30. There are also relatively good links to the city by bus from surrounding countries, including from several cities in Montenegro.
Buses run to Tirana from both Budva and Kotor, taking around 6 hours plus the additional time it takes at the border crossing. Prices for these buses start at around €20 per person.
If you’re already in Albania then it’s possible to get a bus to Tirana from all major towns and cities. Buses from Shkoder in the north cost around €4, and take 2-3 hours to reach the capital.
From Berat the bus should take around 2 hours and also costs just €4, whereas it takes around 5 hours from Himare and costs around €7.
Best time to visit Tirana
The weather in Tirana is at its best from June to September, as the summer months tend to have temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius each day. Although the city is busier with tourists during these months, it doesn’t get anywhere near as busy as popular destinations like London, Paris and Rome.
If you’d prefer to visit the city when it’s a bit quieter though, then the shoulder months of May and October are nice times to visit. Tirana sees highs of around 25 degrees during these months, so it’s still reasonably warm.
Winters in Tirana get quite cold, and you may even see snow in the mountains surrounding the city, but it rarely snows in the city itself. Until 2017 it hadn’t snowed in the city for 32 years, so it’s unlikely you’ll find it snowing even if you visit during winter.
We personally recommend visiting in late spring or early autumn to avoid the hottest summer days. That way it should be a nice temperature for exploring the city without being unbearably hot!
Where to stay in Tirana
Budget
Guesthouse Hygge
One of the best budget accommodation options in Tirana is Guesthouse Hygge. Staying in a guesthouse gives you the chance to meet some locals, and the owners are both friendly and helpful.
Although the guesthouse is a bit outside the city centre, it’s still only a 15 minute walk from Skanderbeg Square. The rooms are relatively basic but are still comfortable, so it’s the a great place to stay if you’re on a budget!
Prices at the guesthouse start from $19 USD (2,190 Lek) per night, with breakfast included in the price!
Click here to see Guesthouse Hygge on Booking.com!
Rooms Dionis
Rooms Dionis provide good quality budget rooms in the centre of Tirana. Situated just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square, the property is in a perfect location for exploring the city.
All rooms at the property are comfortable, air conditioned and have a private bathroom, so it’s great value for money. Prices at the property start from $24 USD (2,765 Lek) per night.
Click here to book a stay at Rooms Dionis on Booking.com!
Mid-Range
Hotel Palma
Hotel Palma is perfectly situated just a few minutes walk from the popular Blloku neighbourhood, and offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms at an extremely reasonable price. Thanks to the location the hotel is a few minutes walk from a number of restaurants and bars.
Staff at the hotel are friendly and helpful, doing all they can to ensure you have a pleasant stay. The rooms are on the slightly smaller side, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue as you’ll spend most of your time out exploring the city anyway!
Prices at the hotel start from $44 USD (5,065 Lek) per night.
Click here to take a look at the brilliant Hotel Palma on Booking.com!
Hotel Oresti Centre
Centrally located next to the famous Skanderbeg Square, the Hotel Oresti Centre is one of the best value hotels in Tirana. Its central location make it great for exploring the city’s main attractions, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby too.
Rooms at the property are comfortable and air-conditioned, which is ideal for cooling off on hot summer days. Staff at the property are extremely friendly, and will help with anything they can during your stay.
Prices at the hotel start from $54 USD (6,215 Lek) per night.
Click here to see the lovely Hotel Oresti Centre on Booking.com!
Treat yourself!
Rogner Hotel Tirana
If you’re looking for luxury then the Rogner Hotel Tirana is one of the best options in the city. The hotel boasts a lovely outdoor swimming pool, a spa, sauna, tennis courts, comfortable rooms and more!
Staff at the property are extremely friendly and helpful, which will help to make your stay in the city even more special. To top it off the hotel is brilliantly located nearby to both the Grand Park of Tirana and the Blloku neighbourhood.
Prices at the hotel start from $146 USD (16,805 Lek) per night, with breakfast included in the price.
Click here to arrange a stay at the wonderful Rogner Hotel Tirana on Booking.com!
Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana
The Martim Hotel Plaza Tirana is undeniably one of the best hotels in Albania’s capital city. Perfectly located just a few steps from Skanderbeg Square, this luxurious hotel combines a great location with luxurious facilities.
All of the rooms at the hotel are spacious and comfortable, as well as being fitted with satellite TV and air conditioning. Many of the rooms have wonderful views of the city, and the hotel also boasts a spa and fitness centre for guests to take advantage of.
Prices at the hotel start from $154 USD (17,725 Lek) per night.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana on Booking.com!
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