If you are planning a trip to Albania, your final destinations are probably either the Albanian Alps for some outdoor adventure or your headed south to the stunning Albanian Riviera. But most who venture to this country will first have to stop in Tirana, Albania. If that is you, please do not skip this fabulous city. Instead, take two or three days and experience Albanian’s misunderstood capital.
Tirana is Albania’s capital city and after years of isolation and communist rule, one might think that there may not be much to see in Tirana. However, that would be far from the truth. Tirana is Albania’s bustling capital city with abundant history, rich culture, stunning architecture, and delicious traditional dishes.
Getting Around
Tirana International Airport is located just about 30 minutes outside of Tirana, Albania, and is the only international airport in the country. To get to downtown Tirana from the airport, you will either take a bus or a taxi. We took a taxi, which cost us about 1200 Lek (~$12 USD). There are 4 main modes of transportation in Tirana: bus, furgon, taxi, or rental car. There is no mass transportation system in Tirana or Albania for that matter. I would not recommend renting a car unless you have experience driving in Albania as the streets can be hectic with a lot of traffic.
I am sure you are wondering, “What is a Furgon?”
A furgon is a smaller less formal type of bus and is one of the main modes of transport in Albania. They are often white (or really any color) vans that will have their end destination written on a piece of paper stuck on the windshield. If your destination is somewhere along this route the driver should be able to get you where you need to go, no problem. I would always recommend asking your driver if they can accommodate before getting on. Furgons are generally a very inexpensive form of transportation and used for longer trips. We took one from Tirana to Sarande (about 5 hours) and it costs about $12 USD a person.
Your best bet when visiting Tirana is to stay centrally located so that you can walk to most restaurants and attractions. There are a few places like Kruje Castle and Dajti Mountain you will need a bus or taxi to get to, but not much else.
What Is The Food Like?
A lot of the traditional dishes in Albania come from the days of the Ottman empire’s influence. Additionally being so close to Greece, Italy, and Turkey you will see influences from these countries as well.
Naturally, the climate and geographic location both play large roles in Albanian cuisine. Albania has a lot of rich soil and a Mediterranean climate which is great for growing vegetables such as eggplants, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, grapes, apples, figs, and peppers. The country also has a lot of land that is good for raising sheep and goats. This has lead to an abundance of delicious yogurts and cheeses such as feta and tarator, as well as the countries national dish called Tavë Kosi, which is baked lamb, rice, and yogurt.
From our experience, Tirana, Albania and more inland, you will find the typical traditional Albania dishes of stews, meats, and baked bread. And along the coast, you will experience a more Mediterranean diet abundant in seafood and shellfish. The coastal food will also have several Italian influences, such as delicious pizzas and kinds of pasta.
Where to Stay in Tirana, Albania?
When staying in Tirana, Albania I would recommend staying as near the city center as possible. As mentioned above, there is no mass-transportation system so having the option to walk is ideal. Most of the attractions you will want to see are within walking distance from the city center.
If you are on a mid-to-low-range budget I would recommend staying at Areela Boutique Hotel. The hotel costs about $35 USD a night for an individual room. However, if you have someone traveling with you, and can split the cost. They have single, double, or triple room options. The hotel is very small, but has character and is located just outside the center of town, about a 15-minute walk. Breakfast is included in the cost of the stay and they can arrange for a taxi to pick you up or drop you off at the airport for a reasonable price.
For a more upscale and very centrally located option, there is Arte Boutique Hotel at $130 per night and The Plaza at $150 per night. The Plaza is located smack in the center of town and offers amazing views of Friendship Monument park. If you are looking for a luxurious stay in Tirana this place is probably your best bet.
When to Visit Tirana, Albania?
The climate in all of Albania is generally considered to be a Mediterranean climate. In Tirana, the winters are pretty mild, and the summers are hot and dry. The temperature can range from the mid-’20s in the coldest months to the high 90’s in the warmest months (Fahrenheit). The hottest months are in July and August and the coldest months in December and January. The best time to visit Tirana would be April – October.
Do not worry about going during the ‘busy season.’ Albania is the new kid on the block when it comes to tourism so even the busiest seasons are not as busy as other areas in eastern and western Europe.
How Much Time Do You Need In Tirana, Albania?
Three days will give you plenty of time to explore all you need before moving on to your next destination. However, you can still do a lot over two days if you are on a tighter timeline and want to spend more of your vacation time lounging at the beach or hiking the Alps.
12 Best Things To Do In Tirana, Albania
Grab a Traditional Meal at Oda – Traditional Albanian Cuisine
Oda-Traditional Albanian Cuisine servers the best traditional Albanian food in the city (in my humble opinion). The restaurant can be a little hard to find as it is tucked away from the main road. It is located just before the roundabout down a small alleyway. If you find yourself walking by several street restaurants with waiters standing outside urging you to come into their restaurant, you have gone too far.
When it comes time to order I would recommend just putting in an order for the table and everyone trying a bit of everything. The Supe Perime dhe Oriz (traditional Albania soup) is delicious as well as the stuffed peppers and Lakror (a type of pie made with spinach and filo dough). We ordered 5 dishes and 3 beers and our total came out to about $15 total.
Visit Skanderbeg Square
Starting from Skanderbeg Square you will be able to reach almost any attraction you want to see. This is the absolute center of town and will be full of events, daily activities and busy locals headed to work. This is a great place to just walk around, sit, or people watch. These next 4 attractions are located right in the square.
Et’hem Bej Mosque
This is an Ottoman-era mosque located right in Skanderbeg Square. This mosque was closed during the communist era. However, during political protests of the communist rule thousands of people entered the mosque to worship and were allowed to do so in peace without police interference.
The Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is situated right next to the Et’hem Bej Mosque and was built in the early 1800s. You used to be able to climb the stairs to the top of the tower for about 200 Lek (~$2 USD). However, when we went in April 2021 the tower was closed off to visitors.
Skanderbeg Monument
Where this statue currently stands used to be a statue of Joseph Stalin. After several student-led demonstrations protesting communism and what the statue symbolized it was finally taken down and a new monument of Skanderbeg replaced it. Gjergj Skanderbeg is considered a historical hero across Albania for leading the rebellion against Ottoman rule.
Visit The National History Museum
If you are a history buff and interested in learning about Albanian history and culture this museum is a must-see. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and costs 200 Lek (~$2 USD) per person
Shop at Tirana’s New Bazaar
A five-minute walk from Skanderbeg Square is the New Tirana Bazaar. This Bazaar is a bustling market full of drinks, tea, herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables and so much more. Even if you do not need to buy anything just walking around the market and experiences the surrounding area will give you a good feel for traditional Albanian culture. There are several shops and cafes that line the market as well and this is a great place to grab an espresso.
Visit Bunk’Art Exhibit
Just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square you can find yourself immersed in Albania’s turbulent past. This interactive art space built inside a World War II nuclear bunker will take you through several rooms inside the bunker that explain the rise and fall of the 45-year reign of communism in Albania.
Take A Walk in The Grand Park
The Grand Park is about a 10-minute walk from Skanderbeg Square and makes for a nice afternoon stroll. This family-friendly park boasts a huge man-made lake, swimming pool, zoo, botanical garden, stadium, and lush greenery all around. This park covers over 1 square mile and is similar in size to New York City’s Central Park.
Ride the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
The Dajti Ekspres Cable Car is about 15-20 minutes from the city center and is the longest cable expressway in the Balkans. The 15-minute cable car ride takes you to the top of Dajti Mountain. On your way up you can find some of the most amazing views of the city and surrounding mountain towns. At the top there are is a hotel with a revolving bar that offers amazing views. There are also many family-friendly activities such as mini-golf and an adventure park.
The cable cars operate every day except Tuesday. Tickets are about 800 Lek (~$8 USD) round-trip and must be purchased at the lower station. However, If you are staying at the Dajti Tower Hotel you will be able to use the cable cars free of charge.
Adventure Around Dajti Mountain
You will want to take the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car up to the top of the mountain, get past the main drop-off area and venture out onto the many trails around the mountain. The trails are not well marked, so I would suggest finding a guide if you are not an experienced hiker. You could easily spend an afternoon exploring the mountainside.
Day Trip to Kruje Castle – This castle marks the start of Skanderbeg’s rebellion against the Ottoman empire. The 15th-century castle is about a 45-minute ride from the city center. You could spend a nice afternoon exploring the ruins and the nearby town. There are several tour companies offering day trips from the city, but the prices can be steep. If you are trying to save money, just take the bus and make a day of it on your own.
Something You Didn’t See?
If you have any questions about traveling to Tirana or Albania that we did not cover above please reach out to us here!
