Where is Tirana Located?

The bustling city of Tirana is situated about 25 miles east of the Adriatic coast, in the very center of the country of Albania. Tirana is busy pretty much all year round, but the best times to visit would be between the months of April and June, as well as September and November, avoiding the scorching heat or the blistering cold. 

The history of Tirana as a modern city began back in 1614, when a rich feudal lord built a mosque, a bakery, and a couple of inns in the area, making them the first buildings in the center of the town. From then on, Tirana has faced some major turmoil and changes, political and otherwise. 

The Soviet Union had a significant influence on Albania after the Second World War, which is visible in the city's architecture. Later on, city planners adopted a more modern style, giving us the beautiful city we see today. 

How to Get Around Tirana?

There are a couple of ways to explore Tirana, and each of them offers a different experience:

Where to Stay When Visiting Tirana?

In order to properly explore Tirana and all the top spots of the city, you will need more than one day, for sure. Luckily, Tirana is home to numerous accommodation options, ranging from affordable guesthouses to 5-star hotels.

Here is a list of some great hotels in Tirana you should consider:

#1. Mosaic Home

Mosaic Home is a hostel near the center of the city, featuring a bar and restaurant, comfortable rooms, and a shared lounge space. It’s an affordable choice, with the price of a room being only $15 a night.

#2. Artistic Tirana Blloku

Located in the famous Blloku area, Artistic Tirana Blloku will offer you a pretty comfortable stay in one of its spacious and colorful rooms. You’ll also have access to free Wi-Fi, a TV, and a bar and restaurant. 

#3. Areela Boutique Hotel

Situated in the city center, in one of the oldest neighborhoods in town, Areela Boutique Hotel is guaranteed to offer you a great stay with excellent staff and elegantly designed rooms. You will also be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast before beginning your exploration of the city. 

#4. Hotel Tier Center

Hotel Tier Center is located pretty close to the city square and offers quality accommodation with modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air conditioning. There is also a lot to see near the hotel, so make sure to roam around. 

17 Best Things To Do in Tirana

#1. Take a walking tour

Before you start exploring each place specifically, you should probably take a walking tour of the city. This way, you’ll get a proper idea of the things to do and visit in Tirana and which ones you’d prefer to explore. 

You can choose to explore the city with a tour guide, so you’ll also get to learn about the history behind every street and important building. To properly explore the city, it may take up to 3 hours or so, so buckle up for a tiring but very rewarding day!

#2. Touch the sky with Dajti Express

Prepare to take in the breathtaking view of the amazing city of Tirana as seen from the clouds. The unique cable cars at Dajti Express are sure to give you one of the most wonderful experiences. 

The ride takes about 15 minutes, and at the top there is a nice complex with a hotel and a restaurant. There are also plenty of fun activities to do, like hiking, paragliding, and more.

#3. Dive into Albanian history at Bunk’art

Another thing to do in Tirana is visit the famous Bunk’art. Albania has a pretty dark past, and you can learn all about it by going underground at Bunk’art, one of the most special places that history lovers are sure to enjoy. 

From the dark communist era to Albania’s secret police, Bunk’art has over 100 rooms, each telling a different story. 

The ultimate goal of Bunk’art is to embrace Albania’s dark and troubling past as a solid part of its history and to ensure that dark times never come again.

#4. Get a glimpse of Albania’s rich culture at the National Museum

This is the top spot for every history lover, giving you the chance to explore different periods of the rich Albanian history. 

The museum is uniquely divided into eight pavilions, each covering a significant aspect of the country. You can learn about antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and anti-fascism, as well as how they each affected Albania. 

A good two hours can be spent at the museum if you want to soak up everything. A ticket to the museum will set you back about 4 dollars, or 500 lek. 

#5. Wander around the Toptani Castle complex

Toptani Castle, one of the few archaeological ruins left, is the property of the Toptani family, one of the wealthiest families in Albania. It’s a unique space where the old meets the new, with many restaurants and artisanal shops all over the place.

It nicely represents the cultural legacy of Albania, with amazing souvenirs available and delicious traditional food served in the restaurants. It’s a pretty busy spot, bustling with locals and tourists alike, especially during the weekends.

#6. Shop and eat at Pazari I Ri Bazaar

Originating in 1931, the New Bazaar has become the ultimate shopping area for locals and tourists. It’s located in one of the oldest areas of the town and offers a wide variety of high-quality meat, fish, and vegetable products. 

The New Bazaar is a 24/7 space, as markets are the main focus in the morning and lunchtime, whereas the nearby restaurants, bars, and artisanal shops are where it’s at in the evening. 

#7. Relax in the unique cafes at the iconic Blloku

Blloku is probably the most popular and crowded neighborhood in the city, with countless striking bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. If you want to have a good time, just pass by Blloku, and you’re sure to get just that and much more. 

You can sit back and have a drink at Lost, Mystique, Salt, and many more special places that are sure to offer everyone a refreshing and beautiful evening.

#8. Visit the famous Arena Center

Built in 2019, Arena Center is a multifunctional building containing the biggest stadium in Albania, countless bars and restaurants, and a large number of shops. A whole day can be spent seamlessly at Arena Center, the meeting point for everyone who knows how to enjoy themselves. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a football match!

#9. Enjoy an outstanding shopping experience at TEG

Opened a few years ago, TEG is one of the biggest shopping centers in the region, located at the east exit of Tirana, at the start of the Tirana-Elbasan highway. There, you can find the biggest clothing, shoe, and accessory brands, plus much more. You can also catch a movie at Cineplexx Cinema, along with delicious snacks and drinks. 

#10. Test your skills at the Poligoni Action Target

Action Target Poligoni is the place for everyone who wants to have a unique and action packed experience. With state-of-the-art ranges, programmable action target carriers, and an amazing support staff, it’s definitely the best indoor shooting range in Tirana. 

It’s open 7 days a week (from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and it’s best if you book your lane reservation beforehand, especially during the weekends.

#11. Go up to the Sky Tower and admire the view

Sky Tower Hotel is located in the busy Blloku area, and it’s the perfect place to admire the beautiful landscape of Tirana. At the top, there is a spacious rooftop where you can just sit back and relax while sipping a refreshing drink and enjoying the sun. 

If you can’t get enough of the views, the Tower, also a hotel, offers comfortable accommodation and excellent service. 

#12. Get a taste of Albanian cuisine in one of the many restaurants in Tirana

You also have to explore some of the best restaurants in Tirana, as each of them offers something special, from traditional dishes to international cuisine. Consider enjoying a meal at Era Restaurant, Artigiano, Padam Boutique Restaurant, and many others. 

After having a nice meal in Tirana, accompanied by amazing hospitality, both you and your stomach should be left completely satisfied.

#13. Engage in the exciting nightlife of Tirana

Among the top things to do in Tirana at night, partying is a no-brainer. When it comes to parties, no one does it better than Albanians. With popular musicians performing at the biggest clubs every night, the atmosphere is simply unmatched. 

Prepare to have the time of your life at one of the magical clubs at Blloku, where there are parties almost every evening. You just have to pick the music or a performer you want to see and get ready for a night to remember.

#14. Bounce and climb at Latitude Tirana

If you’re an adrenaline seeker, Latitude Tirana is just the place to visit. It’s an indoor aerial park with countless trampolines, foam pits, a zip line, rock climbing walls, and much more. 

There’s also a food court to get your energy back up after spending it in the park. Just make sure to get there early to avoid the peak-hour crowd.

#15. Go up to the Clock Tower for extraordinary views of the city

The Clock Tower, or “Kulla e Sahatit” in Albanian, is located on the main square of Tirana. This structure is a legacy of the Ottoman period that has greatly impacted and defined Albania’s history. 

It’s open for visitors, and after climbing up the many, many stairs, the breathtaking views of the city are revealed, making it feel like you have the whole city in the palm of your hand.

#16. Admire the beauty of the Great Mosque

The Great Mosque is one of the most beautiful and significant buildings in Tirana, amazingly built and decorated to the smallest detail. It’s a pretty impressive structure, with many domes all over the perimeter of the building. 

Islam is the most practiced religion in Albania, and the Great Mosque is a good example of Albania’s appreciation and dedication to Islam.

#17. Check out Enver Hoxha’s former residence

Although the list of things to do in Tirana can go on forever, the last item is visiting the former residence of Enver Hoxha. It may look like just an ordinary villa to many, but what’s interesting is that this house used to belong to Albania’s dictator.

It has remained untouched for almost 30 years, and it will soon become open to the public as a museum. 

It’s located in the Blloku neighborhood, bustling with vibrant bars and restaurants but also accompanied by the ghostly presence of his legacy and the communist era.

Visit Tirana with Kalemi Travel

#1. Tirana Walking Tour

For the full experience, you should choose to explore Tirana with Kalemi Travel, truly experiencing all the popular spots of the city with a seasoned Tirana travel guide. 

First things first, you’ll meet with your guide right next to the Et’hem Bey Mosque, where you’ll also be given a quick historical background. You’ll have the chance to visit spots such as the New Bazaar, where you can taste local street food, shop for antique souvenirs, and get a taste of Albanian coffee. 

Next is the Castle of Tirana, a large public space with countless shops and restaurants that gives tourists a glimpse of Albania’s true culture. The castle is followed by the famous Blloku area, where you can relax in all the unique cafes and restaurants and also visit the house of Albania’s infamous dictator, Enver Hoxha. 

Finally, you’ll get to learn about the turbulent past of Albania by visiting the National History Museum, which contains a perfectly documented history of Albania, with tickets costing around 5 dollars for adults. 

We can guarantee that, at the end of this tour, you’ll be amazed by the unique history and culture of Tirana.

#2. 3 Hour Pub Crawl Tour in Tirana

This tour is the ideal choice for a unique night out in the capital. The tour includes free drinks at some of the best and most elite bars and clubs in Tirana, starting from 8.30 p.m. It’s also a great opportunity to make new friends and enjoy each other’s company.

You’ll meet with your guide in Skanderbeg Square, and then head to Blloku, one of the most popular neighborhoods, where you’ll find countless places to start off your night! The tour lasts three hours, so you’ll have fun until midnight. You can wear anything you want, except a tracksuit!

#3. Pottery and Wine Workshop in Tirana

If you’re an arts and crafts lover, this workshop is ideal. It’s a very cathartic experience, that will allow you to express your feelings and special ideas. The guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the materials used to the spinning wheel.

You’ll create amazing artworks and sculptures, while also enjoying a cold glass of wine. The workshop will take place at the Tirana Pottery Studio, which is located at Rinia Park, in the center of the capital. Come give this workshop a try, and you won’t regret it!

Visiting Tirana FAQ