There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Tirana, it’s no surprise it’s turn into so widespread with vacationers and vacationers alike.
An ideal location for digital nomads, finances backpackers, pals searching for a enjoyable metropolis break, or a pair searching for a getaway. There are such a lot of wonderful locations to go to in Tirana for everybody.
Among the best issues in regards to the metropolis is that each one the completely different neighborhoods are shut sufficient to stroll between. There are some wonderful issues to do in Tirana in every of those neighborhoods, so it doesn’t actually matter the place you keep.
I spent one month exploring town, having fun with the highest Tirana points of interest, and experiencing many enjoyable actions. In the event you’re questioning the place to go, what to see, or what to do in Tirana, you’re in the fitting place.
Greatest Issues to do in Tirana, Albania
Tirana is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Albania, and for good motive. Study extra in regards to the enjoyable actions and experiences in Tirana on this checklist. Click on on the map of Tirana beneath to view and zoom.
1. Take a Strolling Tour of the Metropolis
One of many first issues to do in Tirana is to take a strolling tour. A strolling tour will enable you to make sense of town. Not solely by way of path, nevertheless it offers you an excellent understanding of its individuals, tradition, and historical past.
Albania has an fascinating and complicated previous. Lots of the guides on the strolling excursions are locals and it’s utterly fascinating to listen to tales of communist Albania.
The tour will start at Skanderbeg Sq., which is the principle boulevard. You’ll go to a few of the high Tirana points of interest, together with the Skanderbeg Statue – a nationwide hero, the historical past museum, and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.
You’ll take a stroll by Blloku, the neighborhood the place members of the communist get together used to solely dwell. Right here, you’ll get pleasure from a espresso break in one of many cafes, and see the villa of Enver Hoxha, the previous dictator of Albania.
The tour lasts for 3 hours, and it consists of the time of your certified information, and the doorway price to the historical past museum. You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the tour right here.
Tackle: Get instructions to Skanderbeg Sq.
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2. Stroll Across the Grand Park of Tirana
Among the best locations to go to in Tirana is the Grand Park and Synthetic Lake positioned inside.
This can be a must-see in Tirana. Get your every day dose of train with a stroll across the park, or seize a espresso in one of many many shaded cafes. Alternatively, go to one of many quite a few bars or eating places that line the lake. There’s a lot to do!
In addition to being some of the stunning locations to see in Tirana, you’ll additionally discover some nice Tirana points of interest and landmarks right here. This consists of the Presidential Palace and Royal Gardens to the east, and the Botanical Gardens to the west.
One in every of my favourite eating places in Tirana, Mullixhiu, can be positioned proper by the lake. It’s among the best locations to go to in Tirana for foodies. Give their tasting menu a attempt, you gained’t remorse it!
Tackle: Grand Park, 8R6G+W32, Rruga Herman Gmeiner, Tirana 1000, Albania. Click on right here for instructions.
3. Embrace Cafe Tradition at New Bazaar
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Tirana is to tug up a chair at one of many beautiful cafes within the New Bazaar and partake in some people-watching with a espresso.
The New Bazaar was initially in-built 1931 and was not too long ago renovated in 2017, making it some of the widespread Tirana points of interest.
Within the middle sits a coated market promoting domestically grown, recent vegatables and fruits, meat and fish, in addition to Albanian wine, oil and raki.
Surrounding the market are bakeries, cafes and eating places, all housed in stunning buildings. In the event you’re questioning the place to go in Tirana to expertise native life, that is it.
Tackle: New Bazaar, 8RHF+XRX, Rruga Shemsi Haka, Tiranë, Albania. Get instructions right here.
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4. Take a Trip on the Dajti Ekspres (One in every of The Greatest Issues to Do in Tirana)
One of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Tirana is to take the Dajti Ekspres cable automobile. The views from the cabin are completely spectacular.
On this tour, you’ll uncover the Dajti Nationwide Park which is 1,613m above sea stage. You’ll be able to hike to the very best a part of the mountain to get pleasure from panoramic views over town, and the Bovilla Lake.
After the hike, you’ll go to Bunk’Art2– my favourite museum in Tirana. In the event you can solely go to one museum within the metropolis, make it this one. It’s a must-see in Tirana and also you’ll be taught all in regards to the historical past of communism in Albania.
The tour consists of transport to the Dajti mountain, which is positioned outdoors of town middle, in addition to a neighborhood information, and your cable automobile ticket. You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the tour right here.
Tackle: Dajti Ekspres, Rruga Mahmut Allushi 56, Dajt 1047, Tirana, Albania. Click on right here for instructions.
5. Go to the Most important Tirana Points of interest at Skanderbeg Sq.
Skanderbeg Sq. is known as after a nationwide hero who led a revolt in opposition to the Ottoman Empire in Albania and lots of different Balkan Nations. He’s honored in the present day in Albania, with the principle plaza taking his title, and an enormous statue paying homage to him within the middle.
The Sq. is now a part of one of many greatest pedestrian zones within the Balkans. It hosts many spectacular occasions all through the summer time months, together with Summer time Competition, and America Week. If there’s a European soccer event on, it’s probably it’ll be proven right here too.
Lots of the finest issues to do in Tirana are located in, or round, the sq.. This consists of the Nationwide Historical past Museum and Palace of Tradition.
Native performances are sometimes held right here, so seize a drink in one of many cafes and benefit from the present.
Questioning the place to remain in Tirana? Take a look at these Tirana residences and accommodations – trendy, boho, lofts, luxurious, mountain views and sundown views, no matter you’re searching for, you’ll discover it in Tirana! For extra info on the neighborhoods and areas, with high lodging choices, take a look at our publish on The place to Keep in Tirana.
6. Study About Albania’s Communist Previous
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Tirana, and when visiting any metropolis, is to find out about its previous. Tirana definitely doesn’t disappoint on this division.
On this communism tour of Tirana, you’ll be taught all in regards to the individuals who formed Albania’s historical past and go to a few of the principal Tirana points of interest of the period.
As a part of the tour, you’ll discover Bunk’Art2, (the sister museum to Bunk’Art1), which offers fascinating tales from communist instances, in addition to details about the key police – the Sigurimi.
It’s a metropolis that utterly owns its generally darkish and grotesque previous, to make sure that the identical errors aren’t repeated. That is the principle message of Bunk’Art2 and it’s totally charming. A go to right here is likely one of the finest issues to do in Albania, not simply Tirana.
You’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the tour, which features a scrumptious grilled lunch, right here.
7. Discover the Foodie Scene in Blloku
Exploring Blloku is unquestionably some of the enjoyable issues to do in Tirana at night time. It’s the time when this neighborhood actually comes alive. There are such a lot of vigorous bars on this space, you’ll positively discover one to go well with the vibe you’re searching for.
For a communist-inspired bar, head to Komiteti, which has a few of the finest raki out there within the metropolis, together with wonderful artifacts from the period. Radio Bar is likely one of the most original locations to go to in Tirana for cocktails with a cool retro really feel and nice music.
Blloku can be house to a few of the finest eating places in Tirana too. Attempt Period for conventional meals with a contemporary twist, or Artigiano at Vila for a few of the most scrumptious Italian meals.
In the event you’re touring on a finances, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with Opa, which serves excellent Greek road meals. The meals in Albania is admittedly good! For extra suggestions on the finest locations to eat in Tirana, click on right here.
8. Take a Stroll By way of Historical past
The Nationwide Historical past Museum, positioned in Skanderbeg Sq., is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Tirana to be taught in regards to the full historical past of the nation.
The museum is split into eight completely different pavilions which cowl completely different intervals of time. For instance, Antiquity, Center Ages, Renaissance, and Anti-fascism. They also have a pavilion devoted to Mom Teresa.
For historical past buffs, this will likely be among the best issues to do in Tirana. While it does cowl the communist period, it’s a great place to grasp the broader historical past of the nation.
I’d advocate spending 2-3 hours within the museum to comfortably enable time to discover all eight pavilions. A ticket prices round 500 Lek, ($4 USD), or you’ll be able to go to the museum on the strolling tour of Tirana.
Tackle: Nationwide Historical past Museum, Sheshi Skënderbej 7, Tirana 1001, Albania. Get instructions right here.
9. Go Wine Tasting
Take a day journey to the port metropolis of Durres, Albania’s most historic metropolis, and the second largest within the nation. A visit to this metropolis is likely one of the finest issues to do in Tirana, with many excursions and journeys leaving from the capital metropolis.
You’ll spend time exploring the trendy and historic options of the city, together with town partitions, a Byzantine Discussion board, and Roman thermal baths. You’ll additionally go to the amphitheater, which is the most important amphitheater within the Balkan Peninsula; as soon as having a capability of 20,000 individuals!
On this tour, you’ll additionally get pleasure from Durres’s well-known road artwork scene, and cease for espresso on the highest of the Venetian Tower earlier than heading out to the vineyards.
Lalzi bay is round 25km from Durres, and is house to the Duka Vineyard and Winery. Stroll across the vineyards and vineyard, be taught in regards to the manufacturing course of, and style three completely different sorts of wine and raki right here.
Among the best issues about this Tirana attraction is the boat journey on the Greek Lake which follows the wine tasting. You’ll get to see the vineyard from the water, in addition to the spectacular surrounding surroundings. For extra info on this tour, click on right here.
10. Go Purchasing on Toptani Avenue
Toptani Purchasing Centre is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Tirana in case you love to buy, or discover if the warmth will get an excessive amount of within the metropolis.
It’s primarily based proper within the metropolis centre and has 8 flooring of retailers; it’s an excellent place to wander round and spend a few hours. That includes each international manufacturers and native sellers, from garments to cosmetics, homeware to jewelry outlets – there’s one thing for everybody right here.
On the highest flooring, you’ll discover espresso outlets and eateries with excellent views of town – a must-see in Tirana.
Tackle: Toptani Purchasing Heart, Rruga Abdi Toptani 1001, Tiranë, Albania. Discover it on the map right here.
11. Take a Cooking Class
Albanian delicacies may be very Mediterranean, however the cooking traditions are numerous. It is because almost each sort of herb, vegetable and fruit utilized in most dishes is grown right here! It’s an excellent place to be taught to prepare dinner.
The Albanian individuals dwell by the code of besa. It dictates their generosity and hospitality and when visiting Tirana you’ll expertise this in full power. Anticipate free raki, welcoming faces, and invites to hitch locals for a meal or drink.
Among the best methods to grasp besa, therefore, is thru meals. For foodies and people seeking to meet new individuals, taking a cooking class is likely one of the finest issues to do in Tirana.
On this tour, you’ll meet your host at a neighborhood market to assemble components earlier than heading to the kitchen. For lunch, you’ll put together three conventional Albanian dishes, and find out about Albanian tradition by their delicacies. You’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the tour right here.
12. Climb the Clock Tower
One of many issues to do in Tirana that merely should be ticked off, is to climb the clocktower. It presents essentially the most stunning views of Skanderbeg Sq. and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.
The clock tower was in-built 1822, by Haxhi Et’hem Bey, who additionally completed the development of the mosque subsequent door. Inside, you’ll discover 90 spiral steps that result in the viewing platform on the high.
The clock tower stands 35m tall, and till 1970 it was the tallest constructing in Tirana. In the event you stand within the centre of Skanderbeg Sq. in the present day, you will note skyscrapers throughout you which ones demonstrates the speed at which Tirana has developed over the past 50 years.
Tackle: Clock Tower, Kulla e Sahatit, Tirana, Albania. Get Instructions.
13. Day Journey To Berat
Berat is likely one of the principal cultural facilities of Albania and is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It’s identified for its historic Ottoman homes which descend the slopes of the mountains. Every has evenly spaced openings reduce into its partitions, and takes the title of “The Metropolis of 1000 Home windows”.
It’s very easy to get to Berat from Tirana, with buses departing frequently from the bus terminal each hour or so. Most buses cease at Durres too, in case you want to tick off the traditional metropolis on the best way. The journey to Berat takes round 2.5 hours, and is unquestionably among the best issues to do in Tirana.
While you’ll be able to completely take a solo journey to Berat, this tour is a wonderful choice in order for you firm. The fee consists of transport, a guided metropolis tour, and entrance charges for a lot of points of interest in Berat. You’ll be able to test it out right here.
14. Eat at a Native Zgara
Zgara means ‘grill’ in Albanian, and these native grill homes are dotted all around the metropolis. While they typically don’t seem like something particular, they’re an excellent place to select up scrumptious meals at native costs. A superb choice for finances vacationers.
My favourite choices are the home made qoftes, (Albanian meatballs), which could be picked up for round 35 lek every, ($0.30 USD), and the rooster and pork shish kebabs.
While the zgaras are largely geared up to feed meat eaters, there are additionally some decisions for vegetarians too. I’d advocate the tzatziki, (the perfect I’ve ever tried!), and the stuffed greens are at all times tasty from zgaras too. A go to to a zgara is likely one of the finest issues to do in Tirana to pattern native life.
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15. Take a Tour of the Bovilla Lakes
Round an hour’s drive from Tirana metropolis middle lies Bovilla Lake. The lake is in a surprising location, with scenic views, and is a wonderful place for recognizing wildlife. It’s some of the stunning issues to do in Tirana, and excellent if you wish to do some mountaineering in Albania.
There’s a alternative of a simple or more difficult path. The ‘straightforward’ path takes you to the Balcony of Bovilla, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from scenic views of the forest, valleys, and lake. The more difficult path will take you to the height of Mount Gamti.
On this tour, you’ll profit from a educated information to guide you up the mountain. The value additionally features a tasty, recent lunch at a farm-style restaurant overlooking the lake. It’s the proper escape from the warmth and bustle of town. You’ll be able to learn extra about it right here.
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The place to Keep in Tirana
I spent a month residing and dealing in Tirana, and was in a position to discover most of the suburbs and neighborhoods. These are the 5 principal areas in Tirana that you just’ll wish to take into account staying in.
1. Zona 1 – Stay Like a Native
Situated between Skanderbeg Sq. and the Lana River, you’ll discover Zona 1. This huge neighborhood is close to the New Market, New Bazaar, many seafood eating places, and plenty of cafes. Get away from the busy metropolis middle and keep in Zona 1. This condominium is a good choice.
2. Blloku – The place to Keep for Nightlife
Blloku is the place to be in case you’re searching for nightlife. After spending the day having fun with Tirana’s vacationer points of interest, head to this well-known neighborhood and benefit from the metropolis’s finest bars, eating places and cafes. Don’t miss my favorites: Radio Bar, Meduza and Komiteti. This can be a good lodging choice in Blloku.
3. Komuna e Parisit – For Households
Komuna e Parisit is likely one of the extra tranquil areas of Tirana. Whilst you’re in a quiet space, the upside is that it’s nonetheless inside strolling distance of town middle. In Komuna e Parisit, you’ll discover the Grand Park and Synthetic Lake. This condominium is in a superb location.
4. Tregu Cam – Greatest Place to Keep for Tradition and Historical past
In the event you’re searching for a central location, Tregu Cam is a wonderful choice. Right here you’ll be near the perfect issues to see in Tirana, together with the Nationwide Historical past Museum and Bunk Artwork 2. This lodging has unimaginable views of the mountains.
5. 21 Dhjetori – For Funds Travellers
This neighborhood can be known as Atatürk Sq. and is understood for being the backpacker space of town. It additionally has many enjoyable cafes. Right here you’ll discover inexpensive lodging, eating places, and cafes. This condominium is a good lodging choice within the space.
FAQs Concerning the Issues To Do in Tirana
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Tirana.
Discover the principle historic and cultural Tirana points of interest on foot, while immersing your self within the Nation’s well-known cafe tradition. Alternatively, make a journey to the Dajti Mountains, or Bovilla Lake, to get some recent air. Or why not pattern a few of Albania’s culinary delights on a wine-tasting tour, or get inventive in a cooking class? The chances are countless in Tirana.
I’d advocate an extended weekend, to every week, to discover the perfect issues to do in Tirana.
In case you have a weekend, you’ll probably spend time exploring the neighborhoods in Tirana. You’ll additionally see the perfect points of interest within the metropolis centre, and benefit from the enjoyable issues to do in Tirana at night time.
In the event you keep for every week, you’ll have extra time to discover the encompassing areas of Tirana.
I by no means felt unsafe when exploring Tirana. It’s a really protected metropolis and there are at all times individuals round in cafes, even late within the night. Like most different cities world wide, petty crime does occur nevertheless it’s uncommon, and most locals are variety and welcoming to vacationers.
Sure, Tirana is such a good looking metropolis. I used to be stunned by how clear, tidy and inexperienced town was. There are a lot of parks, flowers, and fairly streets to see. The bars and eating places are additionally embellished properly, and really feel very inviting.
Now You Know What To Do in Tirana
I hope this publish provides you a taste of the various issues to do in Tirana. There actually is one thing to do for each sort of traveler right here. A foodie scene, with beautiful nature to traverse, and a lot tradition and historical past to take in.
Whether or not you’re staying in Tirana for a couple of days to some months, you’ll by no means tire of this enjoyable and pleasant metropolis.
