Location: Tirana
Top Things to do in Tirana
Top 5 History Museums 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. House Studio Kadare
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
House Studio Kadare is a place where you can get an idea of Kadare's work. It is a place where you can encounter the writer’s work and recognize its infinite ramifications in the times, in literature, and in his readers.
Reviewed By ingewelles
Visiting the former apartment of Ismail Kadare gives an interesting insight in living in Albania whilst being constantly watched by secret service. You must be exceptionally creative and intelligent. How wonderful it is to see that even under those circumstances people continue to have a sense of humor and continue to love and cherish life, and a fireplace:) Our guide was just great, we hope to see you in Amsterdam soon, to visit Rijksmuseum. Thank you for your time and all your answers to our questions!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
