Tirana is one of the most surprising cities in the Balkans – the capital of Albania is a mixture of old charm, tradition and modernity. In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Tirana: from its interesting museums about its dark past, to lively trendy districts, such as Blloku, once off-limits to ordinary people.
Get insider tips on the best places to visit, the best bars and restaurants in town and the best places to stay. Tirana today is one of the liveliest and most underrated cities in Europe, boasting a vibrant nightlife, a decent food scene and an authentic and surprising atmosphere. Also, for you the best tours and an easy and comprehensive itinerary (from a local!) for sightseeing, with the best things to do and see in Tirana!
What you will find in this travel guide to Tirana:
- Best Things to Do in Tirana
- Tirana: Things to Know Before You Go
- Tirana Free Walking Tour
- Best Bars and Places to Drink in Tirana
- Best Restaurants in Tirana
- How to Get to Tirana
Best Things to Do in Tirana
Skanderbeg Square (Sheshi Skënderbej)
The huge Skanderbeg Square is the real heart of Tirana and is the ideal starting point to explore the city. In the 1920s the square was much smaller, surrounded by beautiful Ottoman-style buildings, a bazaar and an Orthodox church. Between the mid-20s and the end of the 30s the square underwent an important restyling, led by the Italian architects Armando Brasini and Gherardo Bosio, in the Neo-Renaissance style and according to the canons of Italian fascist architecture.
But contrary to what many believe, the current appearance of the square does not belong to fascist architecture, as is the current Mother Teresa Square, located at the end of Dëshmorët and Kombit Boulevard. Most of the most iconic buildings, such as the National Historical Museum and the Palace of Culture of Tirana, are in fact dating back to the Communist era. And the square has undergone massive renovations over the past 10 years.
In the center of the square you can see the Skanderbeg Monument, the equestrian statue dedicated to Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, known as Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero. The statue is a work of the famous Albanian sculptor Odhise Paskali and dating back to 1968. It was erected in place of a large statue of Joseph Stalin. A few steps away was a giant statue of Albania’s leader Enver Hoxha, removed in 1991 during student-led demonstrations during the collapse of the regime.
Around the square you can see some of the most important buildings in Tirana, such as the Palace of Culture built between 1959 and 1963 on the site of the old bazaar and a beautiful old mosque dating back to the early 1800s, which have been destroyed. The first stone of the Palace of Culture of Tirana was symbolically put by Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. Today it houses the National Library of Albania and the National Theater of Opera and Ballet of Albania.
Bunk’Art
Reaching this place located on the desolate outskirts of the city is by far one of the best things to do in Tirana. Bunk’Art is not just an eclectic museum that mixes the history of the rough communist past with contemporary art, it is much more.
What is now called Bunk’Art was actually a huge secret nuclear bunker, built in the 1970s to house Albanian dictator Enver Halil Hoxha and the party’s elite. Located in the countryside between Linzë and Tufinë, on the northeastern outskirts of Tirana, this bunker spans 5 floors underground. It is located near a still active military base, and the entrance is through a long tunnel dug into the side of a rock.
This bunker consists of over 100 rooms, and until a few years ago it was top secret. Now around 24 rooms have been transformed into a museum, with art installations and exhibits on the history of Albania, from Italian rule to the collapse of communism. You will also be able to visit Enver Hoxha’s private apartment (rather posh for a bunker), with an anteroom that served as his personal secretary’s office, an office, a bedroom and a bathroom. Similarly, Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu also had his own apartment in the bunker.
You will also be able to see the air filtration systems, the canteen, the kitchens, the officers’ rooms, the rooms for secret operational meetings and those dedicated to communications. You will surely be amazed by the huge assembly hall, a real 150-seat cinema-theater, complete with a cafeteria.
A true underground world, symbol of the isolation of Albania during the Cold War, and designed for the survival of the highest leaders of the government, the army and Segurimi in the event of a nuclear attack. However, fortunately, the bunker was never used.
To get to Bunk’Art you can take one of the buses to Linzë, which leave near the clock tower, and ask the driver to drop you off near Bunk’Art. Otherwise you could visit it by joining the Tirana Communism History Tour, which allows you to have a deep insight into Albania’s recent history.
House of Leaves: the Museum of Secret Surveillance
This large old two-story building, located a stone’s throw from Tirana’s main square, was one of the most feared places in the country. Built in the 1930s as a maternity clinic, it became a Gestapo office in the WWII years. But it was in the years of communism that this place saw its worst, when it became Sigurimi’s interception headquarters.
Sigurimi was the state security, intelligence and secret police service of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania. In short, it was the Albanian equivalent of the STASI of the GDR or the KGB of the USSR.
This used to be an interrogation and surveillance center, in other words a torture house, and it remained active until mid-1991. Since 2017 this infamous place has been open to the public and now houses the very interesting Museum of Secret Surveillance. A visit here is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Tirana.
The museum features 31 rooms that detail the story of Segurimi and her brutal methods of interception, interrogation and torture, which often resulted in ruthless executions. Between the rooms you can see interrogation chambers, wiretapping equipment, cells and even a bunker.
Bunk’Art 2
Located in the former anti-nuclear bunker of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the southern part of Tirana’s main square, Bunk’Art 2 is the little cousin of the famous Bunk’Art. This communist-era underground bunker, built between 1981 and 1986 and code-named “Objekti Shtylla”, consists of 24 rooms, an apartment reserved for the Minister of Internal Affairs and a large hall dedicated to communications. Quite small if compared to Bunk’Art, but very interesting.
Bunk’Art 2 is in fact a museum that focuses on the role and history of the Albanian police and security services. From the gendarmerie to the fascist police, up to the most interesting exhibition dedicated to the communist police and the Sigurimi (the Albanian secret police during the dictatorship).
Bunk’Art 2 exhibits explore topics such as following and surveilling techniques, surveillance of foreigners, internments and banishments, the prisons and labor camps and death sentences. You will be able to see explanatory panels, diagrams, photographs and videos, as well as being able to visit an investigation room and the room of the Minister of Internal Affairs.
The last circumstance that triggered the emergency plan in this bunker was in 1999, during the NATO bombing of Belgrade following the Serbian attack on Kosovo, when Albania feared a Serbian revenge. However, the bunker never went into real operation.
It is advisable to visit it with a local guide. You could join the interesting Communism History Tour, which allows you to visit both Bunk’Art and have a deep insight into the places and history of the Albanian communist past.
Pyramid of Tirana
From Skanderbeg Square take a stroll south along the wide boulevard called Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit (Boulevard of the Martyrs of the Nation) until you reach the National Archaeological Museum. This avenue is lined with bars and restaurants and you will pass in front of Park Rinia, where there is a casino, and a few meters later on the left you will see one of the most iconic buildings in the city, the Pyramid of Tirana.
This quirky building, co-designed by Hoxha’s daughter Pranvera Hoxha and her husband Klement Kolaneci, was built in 1988 as the Enver Hoxha Museum, with the purpose of being a museum about the legacy of Enver Hoxha, the long-time leader of Communist Albania, who had died three years earlier.
With the collapse of communism in 1991, the pyramid was transformed into a conference center, only to end up in disuse. During the 1999 Kosovo War the Pyramid of Tirana was used as a base by NATO. After the end of the war and the departure of the military, the Pyramid of Tirana returned to disuse and decay and was heavily vandalized.
The Pyramid of Tirana has been at the center of the local public debate for many years, and many citizens were in favor of its destruction. After all, it was a symbol of a dark page in Albania’s past. The Dictator’s Mausoleum had gone within a few years to be a nightclub and a shabby, decaying place that the local youth enjoyed climbing and smearing with graffiti.
But now the Pyramid of Tirana seems to be heading towards a new life: currently those who visit Tirana will no longer have the opportunity to see this old brutalist building, as there is a large construction site in its place. The Pyramid of Tirana is getting a makeover: deep renovations are underway, led by some important international architectural firms. The Pyramid of Tirana will become a modern cultural center for the locals, with workshops, rooms for courses and events, shops and cafes.
BLLOKU
Go for a shot or two of the famous Albanian raki (the strong alcoholic beverage made of twice-distilled grapes and anise) at Kafe Komiteti (located in Rruga Fatmir Haxhiu). It is a very special place, perfect for nostalgics of the old days. It is also probably the only café in Tirana that still serves the famous Karamele Zana (candies that were very popular during the communist era) with coffee.
Continuing along Bulevardi Dëshmorët and Kombit you will encounter the remains of another casemate, which was once a checkpoint. During communism the whole district was in fact forbidden to ordinary Albanians. The area, called Blloku (The Block) by the locals, was reserved for families of the party elite. Most of the government buildings are located here. A few steps from the avenue, there was even the Hoxha’s house. The checkpoint was just one of the entrances to Blloku.
You will then pass the Office of the President of Albania and right in front you can see the Palace of Congresses, another excellent example of Communist architecture. It was built in the mid-1980s to host the Congresses of Albanian Labor Party. Today it hosts exhibitions, conferences and concerts.
National Archaeological Museum
Right next door is the National Archaeological Museum, housed in an Italian Fascist-style building from the 1930s, and boasts an interesting collection of archaeological finds from all over Albania. Particularly interesting is the collection dedicated to Illyrian Antiquity, the one dedicated to the Roman and Byzantine Civilization in Albania and the one relating to the Ottoman rule in Albania from 600 until the Independence in 1912. The explanations are mainly in Albanian.
Enver Hoxha’s House
Returning to the main square, walk along the parallel Rruga Ismail Qemali, where you will be able to see the former villa of Enver Hoxha, the true heart of Blloku. Closed to the public and guarded, this villa may seem like nothing special. Just a large modern house surrounded by a large garden. While it may seem like a modest residence for a dictator, it was a lot for Albania at the time. And maybe even now.
In fact, the interiors (which unfortunately still remain inaccessible to visitors) also boast an indoor pool in the basement, doors with soundproof cushioned cladding and an escape door leading to a tunnel, through which the paranoid dictator could reach an underground bunker in case of an attack.
National History Museum
Another iconic building in Tirana is the National History Museum, located right on Skanderbeg Square and featuring the impressive mural mosaic titled The Albanians, located on the facade, that depicts purported ancient to modern figures from Albania’s history. The National History Museum in Tirana boasts an important collection ranging from prehistoric to classical art, including artifacts from the ancient provinces of South Illyria, and from the cities of Butrint, Apollonia, Shkodër, Byllis and Amantia.
Other sections of the Museum range from the Middle Ages to the Ottoman age. One of the most interesting is the contemporary history section, which starts from the Declaration of Independence of 1912 and passes through the Anti-Fascist War of National Liberation to end with the new section dedicated to the Communist Terror. One section is dedicated to Mother Teresa, the famous missionary whose family was originally from northern Albania.
Et’hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower
Noteworthy is the Et’hem Bey Mosque, dating back to the end of the 18th century and built by Molla Bey and his son Haxhi Ethem Bey, grand-grandson of Sulejman Pasha. Closed during the communist regime, it was forcibly reopened by the local population in 1991.
The Et’hem Bey Mosque can be visited and its interiors boast wonderful and intricate frescoes. Right next to it is the clock tower, built in the early 1800s by the Ottoman Turks. You can climb to the top of the clock tower for a 360° view over the city.
Tirana International Hotel
Between the National History Museum and the Palace of Culture of Tirana you can see the Tirana International Hotel, built in 1979 in a Soviet-era architectural style. It was called Hotel Tirana, and hosted both Albanian citizens and a few foreigners, mainly business representatives and foreign government officials. This was also a popular meeting place of members of the Albanian Politburo, which is why secret underground emergency exits were built.
Until its construction, there was only one hotel in Tirana reserved for foreign visitors and diplomats during Albania’s socialist period, the Hotel Dajti (located near Rinia Park on Dëshmorët and Kombit Boulevard, and now no longer active as a hotel). This hotel was off-limits to ordinary Albanians, and the guest rooms were bugged with microphones and kept under observation by Sigurimi, the secret police, something like STASI or the KGB.
Today it has been completely refurbished and is one of the best international hotels in the city, and you may want to take the opportunity to stay overnight in a hotel with such a compelling history. Don’t worry, there should be no one from Sigurimi to listen to you. Perhaps.
Dajti National Park and the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
A few steps from Bunk’Art leaves the cable car for the Dajti National Park, the mountain more than 1600 meters high which is located just 10 km east of Tirana. A ride on the Dajti Ekspres is definitely one of the most exciting things to do in Tirana: it runs almost 4.5 km at a dizzying height, until it almost reaches the top of Mount Dajti.
At the top you will have a beautiful view over the valley, with the city of Tirana and the surrounding wild mountains. The area is very popular with locals, there are grassy picnic spots, beautiful pine forests and a number of walking trails wend up and down the mountain. You can also enjoy a nice lunch at Fusha e Dajtit (Ballkoni Dajtit), a traditional restaurant with a nice view over the valley, which makes a delicious spit-roast lamb.
The journey takes approximately 13 minutes and the cable car operates (weather permitting) six days per week with Tuesday being the day off. Guests of the Dajti Tower Hotel Belvedere can take the cable car for free. The hotel boasts rooms and terraces with great views!
To get to the Dajti Express departure point, take the bus to Linza or Porcelan. Buses leave in front of Tirana’s clock tower. Tell the driver you want to get off at the stop for the Dajti Express or Bunk’Art. The summit of Mount Dajiti can also be reached through a narrow asphalted mountain road, but it is not recommended.
Tirana’s best hostels, such as Zig Zag Hostel, Trip’n’Hostel, Milingona City Center and Tirana Backpacker Hostel organize excursions and exciting day trips to Dajti National Park.
National Museum of Fine Arts in Tirana
The beautiful modern building located behind the contemporary artwork called The Cloud, a stone’s throw from the main square, is the National Museum of Fine Arts in Tirana. This museum, also known as the National Gallery of Arts, was inaugurated in the 70s, in the middle of the Communist era, and boasts an excellent collection of over 5,000 artworks by the best Albanian artists.
The collection includes interesting 19th-century paintings depicting scenes from daily Albanian life, and an extensive exhibition of Albanian socialist realism works. But a really cool thing is to take a look at the parking lot behind the museum, where some statues of the communist era lie abandoned, including a couple of Uncle Lenin (one of which was mutilated during the collapse of the regime) and one of Comrade Stalin.
Tirana: Things to Know Before You Go
Tirana, the lively capital of Albania is the emblem of the rebirth of this country. What was once a gray and decadent brutalist city is now gradually becoming a modern and trendy destination. Its hotels, bars and restaurants, as well as its world-class clubs, look to the most vibrant European capitals. Its nightlife is crazy, as is its food scene.
During the 1900s Tirana underwent significant transformations: from an Ottoman town it became a modern fascist city. Then it experienced nearly 50 years of isolation during the Communist era, when it was one of the most inaccessible cities in the world. The collapse of communism, the riots and the civil war of the 1990s radically changed Tirana. Now this troubled past finally seems distant, and Tirana is rapidly evolving into a cosmopolitan and vibrant city.
Many of its buildings have been repainted in bright colors while the Blloku, the former communist elite neighborhood where ordinary people were not allowed, has become the most popular place for a stroll or for a drink. Manicured gardens and parks host contemporary art installations, while large avenues invite you to stroll through a city that is still full of contrasts, starting with its infernal traffic, its dusty and noisy streets and that atmosphere that confirms that, despite the signs in Italian or English, you are moving more and more towards the real, profound, magnificent East.
Tirana Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to visit Tirana is to join one of the excellent Free Walking Tours which are held every day in the summer and a few days a week in the remaining months, starting from Skanderbeg Square. Local guides will led you through the discovery of the main attractions of the city center, such as Blloku and the surrounding boulevards.
The tour is held in English, Italian or Albanian and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. The friendly and passionate local guides will give you lots of interesting information about the history of Tirana and its main attractions. They are also usually very friendly, and can also give you lots of useful tips on where to eat or drink and how to get around.
Another very interesting tour in Tirana is the Tour of Communist Tirana, which will allow you to discover the interesting and tragic past of the Albanian capital, including the guided tour of Bunk’Art 2 and the Secret Surveillance Museum.
Best Bars and Places to Drink in Tirana
Among the best things to do in Tirana you cannot miss a stop in one of its amazing bars. In fact, locals love to stop at a bar to meet their friends and spend time chatting and having a coffee or a beer. Just as they love to celebrate special occasions with a few shots of raki, the most popular (and strong) Albanian alcoholic drink.
It is therefore not surprising that Tirana is literally full of bars and that dozens of elegant restaurants, bars and clubs have recently sprung up. Tirana’s young people love trendy clubs, so walking around Blloku you will find dozens of glamorous places to eat and drink. However, I don’t think you will settle for the first glossy bar you find. What you are looking for is a memorable experience, right? Ok, then take a look at these addresses!
Komiteti Kafe Muzeum Tirana
I have already talked about Komiteti before, as it is one of my favorite places in Tirana. Those a little nostalgic for the old times (like those born in the last century, like me) will appreciate the old memorabilia that fill this bar, as well as its cocktails and its incredible, authentic, raki.
Radio Bar Tirana
One of the most beautiful and vibrant bars in Tirana is the Radio Bar, located in the heart of Blloku. It serves excellent cocktails and snacks, in a pleasant informal atmosphere. There are often live music performances and in the evenings it tends to get quite busy.
Colonial Tirana
The Colonial is an amazing world-class cocktail bar that serves great drinks, has a huge choice of liqueurs and spirits and a glamorous and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Try their contemporary cocktails and snacks, they are pleasant to taste and to watch.
Sky Restaurant & Panoramic Bar
This is undoubtedly the trendiest bar and restaurant in Tirana. Located on the rooftop of the SkyTower, a modern skyscraper located right in the city center, next to the Pyramid of Tirana. Here you can also find one of the best hotels in Tirana, the Sky Hotel Tirana. It serves decent cocktails and good international cuisine in a refined setting, with the best view over the city. It is a revolving restaurant, so it means that the room slowly rotates on itself, allowing you to have a 360° view of Tirana.
Hemingway Bar Tirana
Hemingway Bar Tirana is probably one of the most popular bars in Tirana, so it is often packed with people. It serves good drinks and beers, often there are live music performances. The atmosphere is rather convivial and decidedly less elegant than the previous ones. In fact, I’d say this is quite an alternative place, starting with its exterior. It is located west of Tirana’s main square, in Rruga Kont Urani.
Best Restaurants in Tirana
Tirana’s food scene is surprisingly interesting. You wouldn’t believe there are so many restaurants. Many of these serve good contemporary cuisine, mainly Italian, while others serve tasty traditional dishes. When you are in Tirana you are spoiled for choice on where and what to eat. So, these few addresses of great restaurants in Tirana will come in handy.
ITALIAN AND MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
Tirana boasts a huge offer of good Italian restaurants. Among the most popular are Artigiano Vila Restaurant and La Gioia Tirane, which serve good Italian specialties. Salt Restaurant Tirana is a huge trendy restaurant serving international cuisine, including good sushi.
ALBANIAN CUISINE
Among the best restaurants of local cuisine, you should try Era Vila and ODA Restaurant Tirana, both excellent places serving traditional and contemporary Albanian cuisine, made with fresh and tasty ingredients. Also worth trying is Tek Zgara Tirones, which serves delicious grilled meat and homemade regional specialties.
NO-FRILLS REGIONAL CUISINE FOR THOSE TRAVELING ON A BUDGET
When backpacking through the Balkans I love to nibble on the different street food specialties that can be found almost everywhere on street corners. Even in Tirana you can eat a few large slices of burek (which the Albanians call byrek) for a few coins.
Among the best bureks in Tirana it is worth trying that of Byrek Te Çastit, located in Rruga Bardhok Biba 13. A short distance away there is also a small family-run restaurant serving delicious local specialties at moderate prices, the Shije Fshati, located at Rruga e Dibrës 61. Another good restaurant serving hand-made local specialties is Korcarka, located in Rruga Sulejman Delvina, southwest of Blloku.
How to Get to Tirana
The most common ways to get to Tirana are by plane, car, ferry or bus. The best way to visit Albania is definitely by car, as there are so many attractions to explore and public transport is chaotic and a bit unreliable.
The prices of car rental in Tirana are quite affordable, so you could rent a car and explore the surroundings to the fullest. There are car rentals both at the airport and in the city, you can find the best rates and the best car rentals – honest, reliable and inexpensive – at Rentalcars.com or Discovercars.com.
HOW TO GET TO TIRANA BY PLANE
The modern Tirana International Airport has connections with major European and Middle Eastern cities. From the airport to Tirana city center and vice versa there is an express shuttle bus, the Rinas Express. The stops are in front of the airport and in front of the National Museum of Tirana. Departures every hour from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM, the ticket costs 250 LEK.
Tirana Airport is located approximately 20 km north of the city center. By bus, car or taxi it takes about 30 minutes. The fare for official (yellow) taxis from the airport to the city center is € 18.
HOW TO GET TO TIRANA BY FERRY
One of the most popular ways to get to Tirana is by ferry from Italy, as the port of Durres is just 40 km away. There are connections to and from the Italian ports of Bari, Ancona and Trieste. There are several options operated with large car ferries. It takes between 8 and 19 hours, depending on the port of destination. The fastest connection is with the port of Bari. Prices are around € 60-80 (one way, per person) and € 100 per vehicle.
Keep in mind that in the summer ferries are the locals’ preferred option so they may be fully booked. It is advisable to book weeks (or months) in advance to secure a seat and get better rates. If you are also boarding your car, it is essential to book in advance. You can see fares, timetables and offers on Direct Ferries.
HOW TO GET TO TIRANA BY BUS
Oh… oook! You have really decided that you want to discover the authentic and adventurous side of Albania!
There are bus connections with Montenegro (Kotor or Podgorica), Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy. They are operated by local companies. Locals routinely use buses and minibuses (furgons) to get around, but public transport in Albania is definitely chaotic for foreigners. Get ready for a slow, uncomfortable and… a little crazy trip.
To find out timetables and destinations you will have to go to the bus station and ask there, the drivers or the people you will find on the spot. They will probably see you lost, someone will ask you for your destination and show you the right place for departure! A good idea might be to ask your accommodation host for information. This is because the timetables change frequently, as well as the places where the buses leave.
Some buses leave near the main square, but you’ll have to ask around to find yours. Otherwise there are bus stations. Tirana has 5 different bus stations depending on whether you have to go north, south, north-east and so on.
Tirana International Bus Terminal (Stacioni Qendror i Linjave Nderkombetare) is located north-west of the city center (GPS: 41.33350, 19.80185), reachable in 30 minutes on foot from the main square. Here buses leave for Italy, Germany, France and several European cities.
The Regional Bus Terminal North and South Albania (Terminali i Autobusave të Veriut dhe Jugut) is another terminal that could come in handy, since buses leave here for the locations north of Tirana but also for most of the tourist resorts in the south, such as Vlorë, Sarandë, Gjirokastër, Berat and Dhërmi. It is located quite far from the center (about 30 minutes drive). To get there (GPS: 41.34441, 19.77719) you can take the bus that stops near the National History Museum, direction Instituti Bujqesor. Ask the driver to drop you off at the regional bus station.
Best Hotels & Hostels in Tirana
A carefully curated selection of the best hotels in Tirana for every budget: from the most elegant and luxurious solutions – including the best spa hotels in town – to the best budget hotels, selected for value for money, location, services and quality. Only nice, clean, comfortable and safe places!
Discover the best hotels and hostels in Tirana with honest reviews, rates and useful information to better plan your trip!
☞ HOTELS IN TIRANA: Guide and Reviews of the Best Hotels for Every Budget
☞ HOSTELS IN TIRANA: The Best Hostels in Town – Only Clean, Safe and Friendly Places!
☞ ALBANIA TRAVEL GUIDE: Top Things to Do and Places to Visit in Albania
