Location: Tirana
Top Things to do in Tirana
The 10 Best Things to do in Tirana, Tirana County
Tirana, the Republic of Albania's largest city, is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, a plethora of beautiful churches and lush parks. Founded in 1614, some striking Mussolini-era architecture dots the city center. Walk between sights such as Skanderbeg Square's 1789 Et'hem Bey Mosque, the 1830 Sahat-Kulla (Clock Tower) and the Puppet Theater, once home to King Zog's puppet parliament. Visit the Peace Bell, built with old cartridge shells, a reminder of Tirana's stormy past.
Restaurants in Tirana
1. Grand Park (Parku i Madh)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By kiwibuddy1 - Grand Bend, Canada
The 230 h Grand Park is located in the southern end of Tirana. it is a beautiful place to walk, stroll, bike, jog or run, depending on one's energy level! Regardless of your chosen activity, the park is a pleasant escape from the crowded city centre and a chance to enjoy fresh air, nature and tranquility.
2. Dajti Ekspres “Cable Car”
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,051 reviews
Located just 15 mins from the centre of Tirana, “Dajti Ekspres” provides it’s visitors with an unforgettable experience. Take the 15 minute trip up Dajti Mountain on the longest cableway in the Balkans and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city. At the summit, relax and enjoy the surroundings, take a stroll and enjoy the view! Enjoy a hot or cold drink in our rotating bar/cafe, located on the 7th floor of the Dajti Tower Hotel. A 45 minute stay at the bar will ensure you get a full 360 degrees view of the beautiful surroundings, including the Dajti national park. Fancy a bite to eat? Head over to our on-site restaurant perched on the edge of the mountain! Serving both traditional & International cuisine, we're told that the food is great (we are currently rated 10th on Trip Advisor out of 300 restaurants in Tirana) but even we must admit, it's the panoramic view that is the main attraction, simply breathtaking! We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Reviewed By usakomodo - Charlotte, United States
This 14 minute ride will provide you with wonderful views (given that you have a clear, sunny day!) of the city and surrounding wooded national park. We alighted ta the top, 3,445' above sea level. Leave enough time for lunch.
3. Bunk'Art 1
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 969 reviews
After the inaguration, in June 1978 by the dictator Enver Hoxha, opened to the public the anti-nuclear bunker built by the communist government. A 5 floor palace underground, with 106 rooms and an assembly hall, now turned into an historical and art center called "BUNK'ART". The passageways, the areas provided for the meetings of the General Staff of the Army in case of war, the rooms where was thought would sleep the communist exdictator Enver Hoxha and the former Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu in case of a nuclear attack, the gigantic hall dedicated to the meetings of the political Bureau which contains also an albanian tipical Buffe are transformed into a video museum exhibition and into art. Starting from April 2016, BUNK'ART is now made permanent, turning into a unique attraction site for tourists in the region, showing the albanian life during the 45 years of communism.
Reviewed By DaveyRG
Visiting this location will allow you not only to understand the history of communist Albania (1944-1991), but gain an understanding of the country from when it became an independent nation. Located in Enver Hoxha’s personal bunker on the outskirts of Tirana, this amazing complex is made up of countless corridors and rooms and also gives an insight into how ordinary Albanian’s, who didn’t conform to the communist ideal, were persecuted.
4. BunkArt 2
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Bunk'art 2 reconstructs the history of the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1912 to 1991 and reveals the secrets of “Sigurimi”, the political police that was the harsh persecution weapon used by the regime of Enver Hoxha. Bunk'art 2 is the first major video museum exhibition dedicated to the victims of communist terror.
Reviewed By Jisagod2u - London, United Kingdom
I haven't been to every museum in Albania, but we wanted to go to one museum - given it's central Tirana and the tourguide thoroughly recommended, and highest reviews and most reviews on tripadvisor, we went for this one, and wow it did not disappoint. = My girlfriend and I have done probably 100+ museums to the point where to be honest they got boring, but wow was this one good. Very graphic, in details accounts of people from 1914 to present day, and a very vivid walkthrough of the life of Albanians, their viewpoints, recent history, and helps you to understand their ways of thinking and feeling towards certain topics. There are so many interesting facets to the museum and don't want to give much away - just go and read things and take it in and enjoy it. Wear a t-shirt as it's warm underground and maybe a bit of deodorant :) it's ventilated and cooler than outside but still a bit warm so bring water too.
5. House of Leaves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Y1255ATtomp - Great Malvern, United Kingdom
In a city with several good museums telling the bleak story of life under the communist regime, this is probably the best. This building was the main intelligence centre for a vast surveillance network that kept the population in fear and under tight control. The level of sophistication used to bug homes is both scary and impressive. If only the Hoxha regime had put as much effort into the welfare of the population... The building is actually an old maternity hospital. The irony that a place meant to bring life into the world was used as a way to end it adds to the tragedy. Now it faces the orthodox cathedral, which feels like a fitting response from the city, as if it is asking for forgiveness.
6. Skanderbeg Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,367 reviews
Reviewed By Abeckydeen - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Loved this square and although, we weren't able to stay until the Christmas market was fully built, it would have been so good! (From what was built) Points of interests are easy to find from this historic square.
7. Muzeu Historik Kombetar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 996 reviews
Reviewed By Trek-Always - Alpharetta, United States
This is a nice way to learn about how Albania has evolved. Good signage in English. Impressive displays. Need 2-3 hours to really see it all and take in what it means. If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
8. Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
We really thought that this was the best peice of architecture in all of Tirana. The modern look, as well as the bright colors makes it stick out in the heart of a city that has so much old Yugoslavia architecture all around. Beautiful inside too, with great paintings all around!
9. Skanderbeg Statue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 505 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
The equestrian statue of Skenderbeg is in the very center of Tirana, overlooking the vast main square also bearing his name. Skenderbeg is an Albanian national hero who first resisted the Ottomans. Gjorg Kastrioti, which was his native name was an Albanian nobleman who was educated and served the Ottoman empire for 20 y advancing in positions there, but at some point turned against them and became their opponent, leading medieval Albania and uniting it against the Turks. Skenderbeg is also a symbol of Albania multi religion (which was banned for 4 decades during Enver Hohxa rule) as he was born Orthodox, then converted to Islam during his service to Ottomans and later became Catholic during the Venetian against Ottoman empire wars, which he led and where he lost his life. The statue is a great photo op, and a famous Albanian brandy bears his name - worth trying.
10. Pazari i Ri
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 76 reviews
The New Bazaar was established in 1939 and through the following years it kept on prospering and developing. Its establishment came as a necessity, due to the continuous increase of the trade activity which could not be afforded any longer by the only Old Bazaar. After the demolition of the old Bazaar in 1959, the new Bazaar remained for a long time the only trading centre of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits in Tirana. The New Bazaar is located in one of the oldest areas of the city. Even today, it continues to be one of the largest markets for meat, fish, vegetables and fruit trade in town. It's a space that operates 24 hours, with the biggest focus on product trade in the morning hours and on culinary issues in the afternoon for the restaurants around and the development of artistic and cultural activities such as festivals, fairs, etc
Reviewed By P7470EYgiuliag
Very nice place, you can buy diary products, fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, etc or have a drink or eat at the nice bars and restaurant there.
TAGS
