Once an uninspiring communist city, Tirana is now a bustling metropolis with surprises around every corner. Whether you’re just passing through, or you’re looking for an affordable city break, it’s worth spending at least a day in Albania’s capital.
Here we’ve listed some of the must-visit places in Tirana and our favourite food find just outside of the city for those in search of authentic Albanian cuisine.
What is Tirana like?
Since the collapse of communism in Albania in 1990, locals have been busy breathing life into the city and enjoying newfound entrepreneurial freedom. Walk around Tirana now and you’ll find old buildings transformed into quirky cocktail bars, independent shops and restaurants, tranquil green spaces, bright street murals, and layers of history dating back to the Ottomans.
Things to do in Tirana
Skanderbeg Square
You can’t visit Tirana and not see Skanderbeg Square, named after the man who led the Albanian rebellion against the Ottoman empire in the 15th century. This chequered plaza is the beating heart of Tirana and where you will find many key attractions such as the Skanderbeg statue, the clock tower (Kulla e Sahatit), and the 19th century Et’hem Bej Mosque, known for its beautiful portico which depicts trees, waterfalls and bridges.
The country’s largest and most important museum – the National Historical Museum – is also on this square and it’s the place to go to learn about everything from Antiquity to communism and Mother Teresa, who was born in Skopje which was part of Albania at the time.
Dajti Ekspres
Escape the crowds and enjoy unrivalled views of the entire city and beyond during a 15-minute cable car ride to Dajiti, Tirana’s own little mountain. At the top, you will find picnic areas and a terraced restaurant (which we’ve heard serves up a mean lamb roast). There are a couple of family attractions too, including miniature golf and an adventure playground there too. Perch here to admire the views or venture further into the national park for hiking trails through shady pine and beech forests–perfect for cooling off during the summer.
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BUNK’ART 1 & 2
It’s impossible to visit Albania and avoid bunkers. During the Cold War, Enver Hoxha ordered the construction of no less than 175,000 military bunkers in case the country was attacked. That boils down to an average of 5.7 bunkers per square kilometre.
On the outskirts of Tirana lies a huge bunker which was intended to protect Hoxha and his innermost political circle. In 2014, this underground labyrinth was transformed into a museum dedicated to the horrors of the regime. You will actually enter the museum through BUNK’ART 2 which displays photographs of some of the people persecuted by the regime for various reasons (pictured above). If you have children, we recommend you stop there as the exhibit downstairs in BUNK’ART 1 could be a bit too dark for young eyes.
Tirana Castle
This one tends to confuse first time visitors as Tirana Castle isn’t much of a castle at all anymore. All that remains of this Byzantine fortress now are the outermost walls which house a handful of restaurants, bars and shops. Therefore, Tirana Castle is a great place to go for an evening meal or late night cocktails, not so much for a history lesson. Here, you can find places serving authentic Albanian cuisine as well as an array of Western European dishes and sweet treats.
Rinia Park
Located just south of Skanderbeg Square, Rinia Park (meaning ‘Youth Park’) is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike. It was built after the Second World War as part of an urban development programme.
Rinia Park is also known as Tirana’s Taiwan because of the Taiwan Center (Taivani). Construction completed just as communist Albania’s relations with China collapsed and Albania wanted to show support for Taiwan’s sovereignty–hence the namesake.
Nowadays, it’s a popular complex housing high end restaurants and entertainment facilities such as a bowling alley. Outside is the charming musical fountain. Other attractions at Rinia Park include play areas, gardens, and various murals and statues.
Pazari i Ri
If you’re looking for somewhere to pick up souvenirs or simply sip a cold drink and people-watch, this is the place for you. This bustling bazaar east of Skanderbeg Square sells all sorts of trinkets and local foods. There are also cafes and bars ideal for perching on hot summer’s afternoons.
Mrizi i Zanave
Okay, this isn’t strictly in Tirana but it’s worth making the trip! Mrizi i Zanave is a pioneering agritourism business just north of the city in Lezhë, and another example of how Albania has risen from the ashes after the collapse of communism.
What was once a concentration camp is now a thriving farm, vineyard and restaurant serving 100% homegrown food. Everything you consume started life on the land surrounding you, so it goes without saying the food is fresh and seasonal. For that reason, there isn’t a huge menu as mother nature dictates the dishes there.
Before settling in at your patio table, we highly recommend taking a free walking tour of the farm and a wine tasting in the cellar (€10). We love that lots of local families gather there at weekends, it’s definitely not just a tourist trap. Children can ride the land train, feed the animals and play in the brightly decorated bunkers (we told you there’s no avoiding them) while you wait to be seated.
Mrizi i Zanave is an hour’s scenic drive north of Tirana, so you could hire a car or take a taxi and easily spend a day there to make the journey worthwhile. But if your time is too short, you can still get a taste of Mrizi at their other restaurant in Tirana’s centre. We’re always looking for an excuse to stop at the main one, so if you’re joining us on one of our Albania holidays, we try our best to make time to visit.
Browse our growing collection of small group adventure holidays in Albania to explore Tirana and beyond like a local.
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