Where to Stay in Tirana, Albania
Tirana is one of the liveliest capital cities in the Balkan Peninsula. If you are looking for fun, there is no better place to visit than this cool, vibrant town. Here you’ll find museums, art galleries, cafés, pubs and restaurants around every corner. From foodie districts to cultural areas, these neighborhoods in Tirana have it all.
Zona 1
Zona 1, a large neighborhood located between Skanderbeg Square and Lana River, is one of the best places to spend your time in Tirana. The reason why is that it is very close to Tirana’s new market Pazari i Ri, a beautiful bazaar that has become a paradise for foodies. You’ll find plenty of Albanian delicacies, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, olives, spices, dried fruits, raki grappa and so on. This market is also Albania’s largest fish market, which makes sense that it is surrounded by great fish and seafood restaurants; we suggest trying at least one of them. The area hosts many cafés, perfect for sipping Turkish coffee and relaxing. Pazari i Ri is also one of the best places in Tirana to buy typical souvenirs for friends and family.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfoW0J2FKCY/?taken-by=portaromanaviaggi
Blloku
The most famous neighborhood of Tirana is Blloku; once forbidden to people who were not members of the communist party, Blloku is now one of the most popular areas of Tirana. During the communist-era, Blloku was a restricted district, where only the members of the Albanian Communist Party could spend time. With a stroll through the neighborhood, you will find the former residence of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, as well as the first international food chain restaurant in Albania, KFC.
Today Blloku is Tirana’s liveliest neighborhood, where locals and visitors love to spend nights out in one or more of its pubs and cafés. The area has plenty of beautiful spots, such as Radio, Nouvelle Vague and Colonial Cocktails Academy. Start with one, relax and enjoy yourself, and see where the night takes you from there.
Komuna e Parisit
A peaceful place to stay in Tirana, not far from the city center, is Komuna e Parisit, a large neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the capital. This lovely area is particularly alluring for families, because the Artificial Lake of Tirana is easily reachable on foot. We suggest spending some time strolling around the large lake enjoying nature and having fun in the big park located toward the lake entrance.
Tregu Çam
Tregu Çam is the central part of Tirana, known for being a prime spot for culture vultures; Albania’s most famous landmarks and museums are located here. If you have time, we suggest visiting all of them because every museum is different and has something special to share with visitors about the history of the country.
The largest museum in Tirana, and Albania, is the National Historical Museum in Skanderbeg Square; if you want to learn the history of Albania from the Paleolithic era to the communist era, this is the place to be. The other two not-to-be missed museums are BunkArt2, a museum built inside a coveted bunker in the heart of Tirana dedicated to the victims of the dictatorship, and House of Leaves, the Sigurimi secret police’s archive turned museum. Once here, don’t miss the chance to visit the Mosque Et’Hem Bey and the Orthodox Cathedral of Tirana.
21 Dhjetori
Blloku is more famous, but the 21 Dhjetori neighborhood is well-known in town for its coffee culture. Ok, to be honest, every district of Tirana has plenty of cafés, but 21 Dhjetori is home to gorgeous bars, where sipping authentic Turkish coffee or espresso feels almost luxurious. From the chain cafés Mulliri I Vjeter, Sophie and Mon Cheri, to the cozy Kingston, Green Café and many others, this area is full of small shops that serve good coffee in great atmospheres.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be3X-FBlb-_/?taken-at=132281487397496
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip 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 — and this is still in our DNA today. 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 certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 1895816
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload