A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Tirana
Tirana is an ideal destination for any type of traveler, with friendly locals, great hospitality and safety for visitors. The capital city of Albania is a lively and vibrant town perfect to be visited in one weekend. From a tour through the Communist landmarks of the city to a relaxed afternoon at the lake, here’s a list of top things that Tirana has to offer for travelers.
Enjoy the famous Albanian coffee culture
One of the reasons why Tirana is so famous in the Balkan area, is the great coffee culture that offers. The town is plentiful with gorgeous cafés and bars that line every street and square of the centre. From chain-cafés to cozy bars, you have a plethora of choices. One of the best of Tirana is Çoko Bistrot & Bar, a beautifully decorated café located in the heart of Blloku, the liveliest district of the capital. Once here, order eggs benedict and a fresh orange juice. Then, before you start your tour, sip a coffee.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcNMDc4nxpe/?taken-at=264023134
Walk through Blloku to Admire Tirana’s Street Art
Blloku is known to be the most exciting area of Tirana, plenty of cool bars, restaurants and places to spend the night out with locals. But this district, once forbidden to ordinary people and reserved only to the communist elite, is also famous to host great graffiti works. Just in front of Çoko there are gorgeous pieces of art, including a giant mural made by FRANKO, one of the most famous street artists of Albania.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGwOS17yE-2/?taken-by=franko_street_art_
Visit Galeria FAB
Tirana is a great destination for art-lovers: The town has many interesting museums and art galleries that are worth a look, including the famous National Historical Museum, located in Piazza Skanderbeg, which is the largest and most important museum of the country. But, if you love contemporary art and want to discover the works of local artists, avoid the main museums and head into Galeria Fab, the beautiful art gallery that is part of the University of Arts of Tirana. Throughout the year, some local artists displays their works.
Enjoy a Relaxing Afternoon at the Park
Tirana might be chaotic; it is the largest town of Albania and the political, cultural and economic centre of the country. To escape the crowds, locals used to spend their free time at Parku i Madh, the great park of Tirana, located on the southwest of the town. It is the lung of Tirana and the perfect place to spend some time in relaxation, walk and admire the beautiful lake views that offers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhZdUgLgFAs/?tagged=liqeniartificial
Book a Communist Tour through the City
A cool way to explore Tirana, is to take part of the Communist History Tour, organized by Good Albania. This tour shows you the other side of Tirana and leads you to explore the historical communist landmarks of the town. The journey includes tours of the BunkArt, the contemporary museum located inside the majestic coveted bunker built by Enver Hoxha in the outskirts of Tirana, Pyramid, the former mausoleum dedicated to the dictator, House of Leaves, the museum of surveillance with archives of the Sigurimi, the secret police during the regime, among others.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfse4wWBpFr/?taken-by=goodalbania
Find Excellent Local Cuisine
Tirana has a fantastic gastronomy scene: The town is full of great restaurants that offer various kinds of meals, from typical food to vegetarian options, from sea dishes to ethnic menus. But if you want to eat excellent local cuisine go to Mullixhiu, a beautiful restaurant located near the Grand Park of Tirana, in front of the lake. The chef, Bledar Kola, has worked at the famous Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, has reinvented typical tasty Albanian foods in a modern way.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhj_qUtHsvV/?taken-by=mullixhiu
Enjoy the Lively Atmosphere of Tirana at Blloku
It’s time to come back to Blloku. Here, you can spend a gorgeous night out in one of the several bars frequented by locals and chat and have fun. Albanians are very friendly and hospitable and will be happy to talk with you. One of the greatest places to enjoy the night in Tirana is Nouvelle Vague, a colorful and lively bar with a great selection of cocktails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgOpzcjncr5/?tagged=nouvellevaguetirana
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
