Best Things To Do And See In Tirana, Albania
Admire the new face of Skanderbeg Square
In Tirana, it seems that all roads lead to Skanderbeg Square. Once you’ve been there, you’ll understand why; this main square, named after an Albanian national hero, is the heart of the city. A statue of Skanderbeg sits in the middle of the square. It’s an iconic place, which has recently been renewed, and is a must-see for everyone who visits Albania. With an opera house, the National History Museum, the Et’Hem Bey Mosque along the sides, this huge square is perfect for a stroll.
Skanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania
Learn the Albanian history in the National Museum
The National History Museum is the largest museum in Albania, with over 4,750 objects in its collection, from the Paleolithic era to communist times. There’s much to find out about Albanian history even before you get into the building, because it has a large, recognizable mosaic on its front wall that illustrates the different eras in Albanian history. At the National History Museum, you will embark on a great and fascinating exploration of the history and the culture of this nation.
Historical National Museum, Sheshi Skanderbeg 1, Tirana, Albania, +355 4 222 3446
Stroll through Toptani Street
In a city dominated by cars, this tree-lined pedestrian street is like a breath of fresh air. With no cars and lots of shops and restaurants, Toptani Street, also called Pedonalja, is perfect for a nice walk, shopping, and for buying local souvenirs. It is shady and cool, making it an excellent hideout on a hot summer day. During the holiday season, it hosts a wonderful Christmas market. Alongside the street, there is a Millennium Cinema.
Rruga Abdi Toptani, Tirana, Albania
Visit the coveted museums, BunkArt & BunkArt2
If there are two places not to be missed in Tirana, they are BunkArt and BunkArt2, two museums built inside two coveted anti-nuclear buildings. While BunkArt is bigger and located on the outskirts of Tirana, BunkArt2 is right in the middle of the town, near the main landmarks of the city.
BunkArt, Rruga Fadeil Deliu, Tirana, Albania, +355 67 207 2905
BunkArt2, Rruga Sermedin Said Toptani, Tirana, Albania, +355 67 207 2905
Discover Albania’s past through a walking tour
A different, and cool, way to explore the capital city of Albania is to book a Communist tour in town. Good Albania organizes these kind of tours and brings you to visit all the main Communist places of Tirana, such as BunkArt, Blloku (which during the regime was reserved only for the political elites), Museum of Surveillance, Socialist buildings and taste typical Albanian street food.
Relax at the Artificial Lake
The best place to escape the crowds of Tirana is the Artificial Lake, a romantic area located at the end of Blloku district. It is a popular destination, especially during the weekends, when locals stroll enjoying nature and fresh air. We suggest you to consider the lake especially if you are traveling with children, because in the area there is the largest fun park of Tirana.
Artificial Lake, Tirana, Albania
Artificial Lake of Tirana| ©Fabio Duma/Flickr
Reach Mount Dajti to admire Tirana from the top
Nature and hiking lovers will want to feast their eyes and stretch their legs on Mount Dajti, a 1,613-meter peak just east of Tirana. The best way to reach this mountain-turned-national-park is either by 15-minute cable car ride or a drive of more than an hour. Once you get to the top, you’ll understand why the journey is worth it: the panoramic views of the city from the top of the mountain are breathtaking. There you’ll also find a hotel and a few restaurants.
Climb the Enver Hoxha Pyramid
If you think that you can only see pyramids in Egypt, you are mistaken — Albania has its own. Enver Hoxha Pyramid was designed as a museum by the late Albanian communist leader’s daughter, and opened in 1988 to show his power and to maintain his legacy. After the fall of Communism, this unique monument, also known as the Pyramid of Tirana, became a symbol of the previous era and was repurposed multiple times, until it losts its appeal. Everyone who likes uncommon-looking places should visit this monument.
Have fun in Ish-Blloku district
This former elite communist district, also known as the Block, has been turned into a vibrant tourist attraction. During communist rule, Ish-Blloku was reserved for high-ranking communist officials; even the leader of Albania, Enver Hoxha, lived here. Nowadays this most expensive area is full of trendy bars, cafés, restaurants, and nightclubs, giving it a cosmopolitan vibe. Ish-Blloku district is also the best place to experience famous Albanian coffee culture, home of the best espresso in town.
Eat fresh fruit at Pazari i Ri
Opened in 2017, Pazari i Ri is the new market of Tirana and one of the coolest places to visit in town. It was once one of the worst areas of the capital city, but today after a big regeneration, has turned into one of the places to be in town for every traveler. Don’t forget to take your camera and shoot some colorful pictures of the stands. Then, it’s time to taste fresh fruit and buy some typical Albanian artefacts.
Pazari i Ri, Sheshi Avni Rustemi, Tirana, Albania
Ieva Mickute also contributed to this article