Tirana Quick Look
Best Tours:
1. Tirana Walking Tour
2. Dajti Mountain Tour
3. Tirana Wine Tasting
Best Hotels:
1. Art Hostel Tirana
2. Jolly City Center Hotel
3. Rogner Hotel Tirana
Tirana is the capital of Albania, one of the most underrated and least visited countries in Europe. There are lots of excellent things to do in Tirana from exploring Skanderbeg Square to interesting museums, parks and some excellent cafes and restaurants.
I’ve been to the city on many occasions, most recently when I travelled from Albania to Ohrid in North Macedonia. With so many interesting places to visit in Tirana, it’s one of my favorite Balkan countries to explore.
In this Tirana sightseeing guide, you’ll learn all there is to know about the city’s attractions and some cool day trips to nearby places of interest.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Things to Do in Tirana, Albania
Below you’ll find a wide selection of Tiana things to do from walking around the pleasant city centre, to exploring mosques and churches, city parks and some interesting “brutalist” architecture harking back to the days of Enver Hoxha.
Check out these excellent Tirana tours:
1. Take a Walking Tour
One of the top things to do in Tirana is to take a walking tour, and I always find this is the best way to get acquainted with a new city. This three-hour walking tour of the city offers the chance to explore either in the morning or at sunset.
Yu’ll take in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks including the National History Museum, Ismail Kadare Studio and Sali Shijaku House. Learn all about Tirana’s interesting history from a knowledgeable guide ( with English, Italian and Albanian language options).
This is an excellent way to visit the Tirana tourist attractions and the experience includes entrance to the National History Museum and either a morning coffee or an evening cocktail depending on which option you choose. Click here to book.
2. See Skanderbeg Square
Tirana’s main square takes its name from Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, a revered figure in Albania who was both a military leader and a national hero. This square was constructed as a tribute to him, and at the center of the square, you’ll find a monument dedicated to him.
Skanderbeg Square encompasses numerous significant and historic buildings, such as the National Opera, National Library, Clock Tower, City Hall, Palace of Culture, and the National Historical Museum. For enthusiasts of architecture, a visit to Skanderbeg Square ranks among the top attractions in Tirana.
This is one of my favorite Tirana places to visit as the square is a thriving part of the city with lots going on and many excellent cafes and restaurants nearby. You can visit Skanderbeg Square as part of the Tirana walking tour. Click here for more info.
Address: Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
3. Climb the Clock Tower
The Clock Tower of Tirana was built in 1822 by Haxhi Et’hem Beu and it was the highest building in the city until 1970. The clock is 30 metres (98 feet) tall and although the original bell was from Venice in Italy, it has since been replaced by a German clock.
During World War II the clock tower was damaged by bombs, however in 1946 it was painstakingly restored. The tower has since undergone renovation in 1981 and again in 1999, and today you can climb up to the top for fantastic views of the square.
This was one of my favourite Tirana things to do and I always head up the tower when visiting the city.
Address: Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
4. Stroll Along Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard
Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, also known as Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard, is a prominent thoroughfare located in the heart of Tirana. It holds great historical significance as it was named in honor of the national martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of Albania.
The boulevard is not only a symbol of remembrance but also a bustling hub of activity. It stretches across the city, adorned with numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
The boulevard is lined with trees, providing shade and a pleasant environment for pedestrians to stroll along and enjoy the urban scenery. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Tirana to get a feel for the city.
Address: Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
5. Visit the Bunk’ART Museum
Bunk’Art is found underneath the city of Tirana and was once used as a cold war bunker to protect communist leader Enver Hoxha. The shelter was built in the 1970s, and its intended use was to protect Hoxha and the cabinet if a nuclear attack was ever imminent.
Today the shelter is used as a museum and contemporary art shelter to remember the dark history of Albania and was one of the highlights on my first visit to Tirana. The bunker is made up of five stories and over 100 rooms, and the living quarters and meeting rooms are staged as they would have been during that time.
You will also get to see photographs and important documents, whilst getting to learn more about Albania’s history. This unique attraction is one of the best places to visit in Tirana and one you shouldn’t miss. There is also a smaller BunkART 2 museum underneath Skanderbeg Square which is also well worth a visit
Address: Rruga Fadil Deliu, Tiranë 1001, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 9:30am to 4pm, Wed-Sun (closed Monday and Tuesday)
Entry price: 500 LEK (€4.50)
Website: bunkart.al
6. Visit the National History Museum
The National History Museum is the largest museum in Albania and is the place to go if you want to learn all about the history of this incredible country. The museum is divided into eight sections which include information about the Renaissance, communist terror and the National Liberation Anti-fascism War.
This museum holds many incredible artefacts and archaeological treasures including a replica of Skanderberg’s sword. This is one of the top things to do in Tirana for history lovers like myself. If you want to get the most of the museum, allow two to three hours.
Entrance to the museum is included in this three-hour Tirana walking tour. Click here to book.
Address: Sheshi Skënderbej 7, Tirana 1001, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 9am to 6pm, Tue-Sat, 10am to 3pm, Sun (closed Monday)
Entry price: 500 LEK (€4.50)
Website: mhk.go.al
7. See the Pyramid of Tirana
Visiting the Pyramid is one of the more unique things to do in Tirana and is one of my favorite attractions in the city as a dark tourist. The pyramid opened as a museum in 1988 and was dedicated to the legacy of Enver Hoxha, the dictator of Communist Albania.
The Tirana Pyramid was initially a museum dedicated to Hoxha, and it then became a conference centre in 1991 after the collapse of communism. Then the building was used as a NATO base during the Kosovo War. The building has plenty of history and is now one of the most popular Tirana attractions.
Address: Tirana 1001, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: It’s not possible to enter the pyramid, but it can be admired from outside 24/7
Entry price: N/A
8. See the Postblock Memorial (Checkpoint)
The Postblock is part of the Berlin Wall that sits across from the Tirana Pyramid and is well worth a look for those interested in Cold War History like me. This piece of the wall with its trademark graffiti sits in a small park with other mementos from behind the iron curtain.
Within the park and memorial complex, you’ll also find an array of statues, sculptures and other installations, cafes, and one of Tirana’s most popular nightspots, the Whisky Bar.
This Communism Walking tour is the perfect way to learn about the city’s dark history. Click here for more info.
Address: Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit 1000, Tiranë, Albania. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
9. Stroll Around the Grand Park of Tirana
The 289-hectare Grand Park is one of the top things to see in Tirana and a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. There is a large lake perfect for boating and kayaking in summer and the views of the city and surrounding mountains are fantastic.
The park is also home to some of Tirana’s most famous landmarks including the Presidential Palace and Saint Procopius Church.
The Grand Park is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic in gorgeous surroundings not far from the city centre. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants inside the park and around the lake.
There is a Botanical Garden located at the southern end of the park, where you’ll find over 100 species of flowers, bushes and trees.
Address: Rruga Herman Gmeiner, Tirana 1000. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
Website: aprtirana.al
10. Cape of Rodon and Wine Tasting
This excellent day trip from Tirana will take you to the coast to explore the Cape of Rodon, a rocky peninsuala on the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea.
You’ll get to see Skanderbeg Castle and the Church of St Anthony at the end of the cape. You’ll visit the resort town of Durres where I stayed for a few days, and you’ll be able to spend tmie at the beach swimming or sunbathing.
At Duka Winery and Vineyard you can taste some of the local wines in beautiful surroundings, before heading back to Tirana. The tour lasts 8 hours and includes wine tasting, entrance tickets, transport form Tirana and an English-speaking guide. Click here to learn more.
Cost: €145
Duration: 8 hours
Book tickets: Get Your Guide
11. See Tanner’s Bridge
Tanner’s Bridge is an 18th Century Bridge dating back to the Ottoman period and is one of the top things to see in Tirana. This quaint, stone footbridge crosses the small Lana River just off Boulevard Zhan D’ark.
Address: Bulevardi “Jean D’Arc. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 24/7
Entry price: Free
12. Take the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
Taking the Dajti Ekspres cable car is one of the most popular things to do in Tirana as it offers stunning views of the city and surrounding countryside.
The cable car takes you up to the top of Dajti Mountain and is the longest cable car journey in the Balkans. The ride takes about 15 minutes and goes to a height of around 1,613 metres (5,292 feet).
There’s lots to do once you reach the top from paraglidng (I’d rather you than me), mini golf and zip lines. You can hike to nearby Tujani Peak and experience some of Albania’s most stunning scenery.
There are also restaurants, bars and cafes on the mountain where you can relax over a coffee or beer taking in the panoramic views. This is definitely one of the best Tirana attractions and a must-visit for anyone coming to Albania.
Address: Rruga Mahmut Allushi 56, Dajt 1047. Click here for directions.
Opening times: 9am to 6pm, Mon-Sun
Entry price: €6
Website: dajtiexpress.com
13. Visit Lake Ohrid
If you’re looking to get out of the city and see some of Albania’s other sights, check out these excellent day trips from Tirana that include a day at the beach, gorgeous Lake Ohrid, and trips to Kosovo and Macedonia.
There are daily minibuses from the Tirana bus station to Ohrid and nearby Struga where you can catch a cab to Ohrid.
Getting around Tirana
The city is easy to navigate on foot with all the major Tirana things to do located in the city centre. Taxis are cheap and you can use buses or marshrutkas to get farther afield. Tirana is one of the few European capitals without a metro system, but it’s still easy to get around.
Yu can also hire a car for your Albania trip. Our partners at Discover Cars have excellent rates for car rental across Europe. Click here to find out more.
Getting to Tirana
Tirana is easily reachable overland from neighboring countries and the rest of the Balkans. I’ve travelled between Tirana and Podgorica in Montenegro and a few times between Tirana and Ohrid in North Macedonia.
Tirana doesn’t have an operational railway line anymore unfortunately so buses are the best way to get to and from the city. If you’re coming from the airport
Where to Stay in Tirana
Your money goes a lot further in Tirana than other European cities so a stay at a 5-star hotel is pretty affordable, even for budget travellers. That being said, there are also plenty of excellent hostels and B&Bs if you really need to keep costs down.
Budget: Art Hostel Tirana is a homely and welcoming hostel just 1km from the city centre. The hostel offers dorms with private bunks and also has some deluxe double rooms that have an en-suite bathroom. Click here to book with Hostelworld.
Mid-range: I stayed at the Jolly City Center Hotel which had a perfect location a few minutes walk from all the top Tirana attractions. The room was small, but cozy and comfortable with a modern en-suite. Click here for more info.
Luxury: The Rogner Hotel Tirana is in the heart of the city and benefits from an outdoor pool and Meditarranean Garden to relax in. The en-suite rooms come with views of the garden of main Boulevard and include everything you need for a comfortable stay. Click here to find out more.
FAQs About Things to do in Tirana
Tirana Albania is definitely worth visiting. There’s so much to see from relics of the country’s past as a closed communist state to pleasant parks, streetside cafes, and the beautiful Dajti National Park. Tirana is also just an hour away from the Meditarranean coast at Durres.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to see the major tourist attarctions in Tirana such as Skanderbeg Square, the Great Pyramid, the bunkers and parks. If you want to explore the nearby mountains and coast, then Tirana makes a great base and a week would be better.
Tirana is a very cheap city to visit. Accommoadation prices are some of the lowest in Europe, food is cheap and museum entry and attraction tickets costs the equivilent of a few Euros.
Albania gets a bit of a bad rep for safety mainly due to mafia elemewnts abroad. Tirana is a perfectly safe city where violent crime is rare. The biggest thing to be awarer of is pickpockets in busy places like the New Bazaar and on public transport. I’ve been to Tirana twice and never felt unsafe or had any problems.
Tirana is famous as the seat of power of former communist dictator Enver Hoxha and the many bunkers he built around the city (and country). It’s also famous for Skanderbeg Square and Mount Dajti.
Conclusion
Now you know what to do in Tirana Albania, one of Europe’s last remaining hidden gems. This laid back city close to both the coast and mountains has so much to offer and should be explored while it’s still cheap and relativly unknown.
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲