Tirana Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

There’s more to Albania’s capital than meets the eye. As you enter the city you are greeted with the hustle and bustle of commuters rushing to get to their destination. However move further towards the centre of the city and you have wide expansive squares, leafy streets and gorgeous parks that are a refuge from the chaos of traffic on the roads nearby. Additionally, Tirana has some truly unique architectural features that are well worth taking the time to explore. Some of the more unusual are the bunkers that have been converted into museums, the modern day pyramid (which is currently under redevelopment) as well as and the stunning mosques and cathedrals that are re-energised after many years of bans on religion in the country. In this Tirana destination guide, we give you everything you need to know to plan your next trip to Tirana Albania.

What is Tirana Albania known for?

As Albania’s capital, Tirana is the country’s cultural, economic and also its political centre. It is known for its museums, theatres and galleries as well as its sprawling public squares. In particular the Bunk’Art Museums provide a unique insight into Albania’s turbulent 20^th century history. Tirana is also known for being a city undergoing rapid transformation. In the last 20 years the city has quadrupled in size. The fast pace of construction is turning Tirana into a green city with colourful buildings replacing the drab communist buildings of decades past. Moreover, religion has returned to the city with the addition of mosques such as the grand Namazgah Mosque.

Why you should visit Tirana Albania

A trip to Albania wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the capital. Tirana has reinvented itself as a vibrant and colourful city. Additionally, as Albania’s cultural centre, it is home to a number of museums. A must visit in Tirana are the distinctive Bunk’Art1 and Bunk’Art2 Museums. These are housed in old bunkers that were built during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. After many years as an atheist country under communist rule, religion has once again returned to the country. This can be seen in the impressive mosques and churches that are prominently displayed in the city centre. Notably, the Great Mosque of Tirana or Namazgah Mosque which is currently under construction will be the largest mosque in the Balkans once it is complete.

Tirana is filled with trendy neighbourhoods, expansive public squares as well as leafy parks. The city also has a fantastic selection of restaurants serving both traditional and international cuisine. Furthermore, there always seems to be something interesting going on in the city, whether it’s bustling markets, public performances or fun nightlife. Tirana has something for everyone!

Tirana Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Tirana Albania

• City name in Albanian – Tiranë
• Language – Albanian. There are two dialects in the Albanian language – Tosk, which is spoken to the south as well as Gheg which is spoken in the north. The subdialect Southern Gheg is spoken in Tirana. English is becoming more widely spoken in the country, particularly amongst younger people. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English.
• Currency – Albanian lek (ALL). This has been the currency of the country since 1926. Currency exchanges can be found in most cities and ATMs are also available widely throughout the country.
• Population – 512,000 (2022)
• Area – 42 km² (16 sq mi)
• County – Tirana. Tirana is the capital of this country as well as the capital of Albania.
• Region – Central Albania
• Emergency number – 112
• Police number – 112

Utilities in Tirana Albania

• Electricity – Albania uses Types C and F power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are common in Albania.
• Water – the tap water in Albania is not safe to drink. However as the water is chlorinated, it is safe to use tap water for brushing your teeth. We recommend bringing a water purifier such as a life straw on your trip. Alternatively you can buy bottled water.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Albania, although Turkish style squat toilets can be found in some places. Don’t flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. Bidets can be found in many bathrooms in Albania. Public toilets are common in the larger cities in Albania. Public toilets are common and are also free to use.
• Telephone country code: +355

Where is Tirana Albania?

Tirana is in the county of Tirana in the Central Region of Albania.

The closest major Albanian town to Tirana is Durrës. Durrës is around 1 hour by bus from Tirana.

How to get to Tirana Albania

Tirana destination guide: Arriving by land

Tirana Albania intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Tirana Albania are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Tirana from within Albania

If you are driving to Tirana from within Albania, here are the travel times and distances:

• Durrës – 43 minutes (37km, 23miles) without tolls
• Elbasan – 51 minutes (43km, 27miles) without tolls
• Shkodër – 1 hour 44 minutes (103km, 64miles) without tolls
• Berat – 1 hour 53 minutes (101km, 63miles) without tolls
• Vlorë – 2 hours 13 minutes (154km, 96miles) without tolls
• Gjirokaster – 3 hours 19 minutes (231km, 144miles) without tolls
• Himarë – 3 hours 53 minutes (227km, 141miles) without tolls
• Sarandë – 4 hours 21 minutes (281km, 174miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Tirana Albania

There are no trains to Tirana.

The Albanian national railway company is called Hekurudha Shqiptare (HSH). This is also known as Albanian Railways.

Intercity buses to Tirana Albania

A common way to get around Albania is by using intercity buses. Intercity bus companies that operate between Albania and nearby countries include Tirana Metropol as well as AlbTrans. Bus companies such as Olgeno and Trans Butrinti run some intercity bus services within Albania. Other buses that we used within Albania weren’t marked by a transport company name. Buses depart from Tirana South and North Bus Terminal.

Popular bus destinations from Tirana include:

• Durrës Albania – travel time 1 hour. Tickets cost 150 lek one way. Buses from Tirana depart from the station close to Dogana roundabout in and leave every half hour. https://albania.al/transport/
• Shkodër Albania – travel time 2 hours. Tickets cost 400 lek one way according to information we found prior to making the trip both from speaking to locals as well as online. However we were charged 500 lek one way.
• Vlorë Albania – travel time 3 hours. Tickets cost 500 lek one way.
• Sarandë Albania – travel time 5 hours. Tickets cost 1300 lek one way (this cost may have increased to 1700 lek).
• Ohrid North Macedonia – travel time 2.5-3.5 hours. Tickets start from 14 euro one way.
• Podgorica Montenegro – travel time 3.5-5.5 hours. Tickets start from 15 euro one way.
• Budva Montenegro – travel time 5.5-7.5 hours. Tickets start from 23 euro one way.
• Kotor Montenegro – travel time 6-8 hours. Tickets start from 27 euro one way.
• Skopje North Macedonia – travel time 7-9 hours. Tickets start from 20 euro one way.
• Dubrovnik Croatia – travel time 7.5-11 hours. Tickets start from 40 euro one way.

Bus prices have risen recently for some destinations, so please use these prices as a guide only.

Tirana destination guide: Arriving by air

The nearest major airport to Tirana is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, Albania (Airport code TIA). This international airport is also known as Rinas International Airport. It is 13km (8miles) from the city.

Other nearby airports include:

• Ohrid St Paul the Apostle Airport, North Macedonia (Airport code OHD). This airport is 79km (49miles) away.
• Podgorica Airport, Montenegro (Airport code TGD). This airport is 124km (77miles) away.
• Tivat Airport, Montenegro (Airport code TIV). This airport is 150km (93miles) away.

The national airline of Albania is Air Albania.

Tirana destination guide: Arriving by boat

The closest port to Tirana is in Durrës.

Tirana destination guide: How to get around Tirana Albania

Walking in Tirana Albania

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Tirana is to walk. While the overall city is quite spread out, most of the main attractions in the city area are within easy walking distance.

Local buses in Tirana Albania

There are more than 20 bus lines in Tirana. The cost of a one way bus ticket is 40 lek for adults (as at 2022). Buses operate from 6am to 11pm daily. The city does not have a central bus terminal for local buses.

Mini buses (furgons) in Tirana Albania

Mini buses known as furgons operate in Tirana. Furgons are a popular public transport option in Albania as an alternative to buses.

Tirana Cable Car

The Dajti Ekspres Cable Car is open from 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday. An adult ticket is 1200 lek return (as at 2023). The cable car is located 20-30 minutes drive from the city centre of Tirana. To get to the cable car by bus, catch the number 11 blue bus heading towards Porcelan. The cable car is at the final stop on the bus route. The cost of a one way bus ticket is 40 lek for adults (as at 2023).

Tirana Sightseeing Bus

Tirana does not have a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus.

Trams in Tirana Albania

Tirana does not currently have a tram system. In 2012 there was a proposal for 2 tram lines to be built in the city, however this is yet to eventuate.

Local trains in Tirana Albania

Tirana does not have a local train service.

Metro trains (subway or underground) in Tirana Albania

Tirana does not have an underground train line.

Vehicle hire in Tirana Albania

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in Albania. This includes:

• Bicycles – you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as LikSad e-Bike.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Campervans
• Boats

In Albania, you drive on the right side of the road.

Taxis in Albania

Taxis are common in Albania. Both official taxis with metered pricing as well as more informal taxis where a fixed fare is agreed beforehand are available. Official taxis will generally have prices displayed inside the vehicle. For longer journeys you can agree on a fixed price before you commence your trip. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle. This is generally around 300 lek.
• Price per kilometre.
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic.

Expect to pay around 20-30 euro to reach Tirana from the airport. A taxi trip within the city is usually around 3-4 euro.

Ride-share services in Tirana Albania

Uber, Lyft and Grab and other rider-share services do not operate in Albania.

Tirana Albania destination guide: Is Tirana Albania worth visiting?

Albania’s capital is a relatively unknown European capital, but well worth the visit. This city is currently in the midst of urban renewal and it is impressive to see the transformation that is underway. This is a vibrant city with stunning architecture, fascinating history and an amazing food scene. Furthermore it is a very budget friendly destination, making it the ideal choice for those wanting to stretch their travel dollar further.

Tirana destination guide: How long to spend in Tirana Albania

Tirana is a great place to come for a couple of days or much longer. Albania’s capital has plenty of great food and a wide variety of museums and other attractions. We spent 3 days in Tirana and enjoyed taking time to enjoy the various activities available in this vibrant city.

Tirana destination guide: What to do in Tirana Albania

Tirana is a beautiful Albanian city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Tirana destination guide: Free things to do in Tirana Albania

There are enough free activities in Tirana Albania to keep you entertained for a weekend or even a leisurely week:

• Skanderbeg Square
• Grand Park of Tirana (Parku i Madh)
• Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral
• Pazari i Ri
• Skanderbeg Statue
• Et’hem Bej Mosque
• Bulgarini – Toptani Shopping Center
• Rruga Murat Toptani (walking area)
• Pyramid of Tirana
• Clock Tower of Tirana
• Reja – The Cloud
• Rinia Park
• TID Tower
• Gallery 43
• Friendship Monument

For more details, see our Tirana travel guide on the 15 Best Free Things To Do in Tirana Albania.

Tirana destination guide: Paid activities in Tirana Albania

A number of attractions in Tirana Albania charge an entry fee:

• Bunk’Art 1 – entry fee is 700 lek for adults (as at 2023)
• Bunk’Art 2 – entry fee is 600 lek for adults (as at 2023)
• Dajti Ekspres Cable Car – an adult ticket is 1200 lek return (as at 2023)
• House of Leaves – entry fee is 700 lek for adults (as at 2023)
• Muzeu Historik Kombëtar – entry fee is 500 lek for adults (as at 2023)
• National Gallery of Art – entry fee is 200 lek for adults (as at 2023)
• House Studio Kadare – entry fee is 500 lek for adults (as at 2022)
• Teatri Kombëtar Eksperimental

Weather in Tirana Albania

Tirana enjoys a warm temperate climate, influenced by the nearby Mediterranean area. It has cold winters, with average temperature range between 1°C and 12°C in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 17°C and 31°C in the hottest month of July. The month with the most rainfall is November with 9.9 days of rain on average and the driest month is July with an average of 3.2 rainy days.

Best time to visit Tirana Albania

With an abundance of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and theatres, Tirana has plenty to keep you entertained in any season. However for the best weather we recommend visiting Tirana in either May-June or September-October. This is when the weather is warm but not too hot and it’s not in the peak tourist season. We were there in late May and it was a very pleasant time to experience the city.

Internet and mobile phones in Albania

There are four major internet and phone companies in Albania – Vodafone Albania, One Telecommunications Albania (formerly Telekom Albania), ALBTelekom (formerly Eagle Mobile Albania) and Plus.

Albania is yet to get 5G. 2G is expected to be switched off in Albania in December 2025, however no date has been set for when 3G will be switched off.

Albania is ranked 47^th fastest in the world for mobile internet speeds and 92^nd fastest for fixed broadband. For Fixed Broadband the average download speed is 48mbps and upload is 24mbps (as at June 2023).

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in a numbers of places throughout Albania. These include phone stores as well as at Tirana International Airport.

How much to budget for Tirana Albania?

Is Tirana Albania expensive?

Tirana is a city with a low cost of living, making it a great place for low budget travel. It is one of the cheapest cities to visit in Europe as well as one of the cheapest in the Balkans. Accommodation is very affordable, the city has plenty of cheap or free activities and food prices are low.

Tirana destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Tirana Albania

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 60 euro per day for a couple will get you hostel accommodation, meals from bakeries and markets, local transport and free or cheap activities such as visiting museums and parks
• Mid-range daily spend – 250 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, local transport, restaurant meals and a few paid activities
• Luxury spend – 600 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience in Albania, staying at luxury resorts, travelling by private transport, doing a range of paid activities and eating at high end restaurants

Tirana destination guide: Accommodation in Tirana Albania

There is a good range of accommodation to suit most budgets in Tirana Albania. Airbnb operates in Albania and we were impressed with the range of options available in Tirana.

Where to stay in Tirana Albania

We recommend the following accommodation in Tirana Albania:

• Best party hostel in Tirana Albania – Trip’n’Hostel is a great value hostel right in the middle of the city. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the hostel has a fun atmosphere. The free breakfasts are delicious. There is a bar in the hostel which plays music until late at night.
• Best peaceful hostel in Tirana Albania – Blue Door Hostel is a cosy hostel located in a central part of Tirana. The hostel is clean and comfortable with a relaxed vibe. Staff are friendly and helpful.
• Best budget hotel in Tirana Albania – Hotel Italia is a great value hotel in a convenient location in Tirana. The rooms are clean and comfortable and the staff are friendly and helpful.
• Best mid-range hotel in Tirana Albania – Hotel Vila Tirana is one of the best hotels in Tirana. It is in a peaceful neighbourhood within walking distance of the city centre. This new hotel has generously sized rooms with comfortable beds and luxurious bathrooms. The host is very nice and there is a sweet dog that lives on the property.
• Best luxury hotel in Tirana Albania – the Tirana Marriott Hotelis a new 5-star hotel located in the heart of downtown Tirana. The hotel provides guests with an exceptional experience from the moment they arrive. Staff are attentive and helpful, and the thoughtful room design ensures the utmost comfort of the guests. If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Tirana, the Tirana Marriott Hotel is an excellent choice.
• Best apartment rental in Tirana Albania – we stayed in a Luxurious Double Bedroom Suite in Tirana. This was a great find. The apartment is modern, stylish and well appointed. We particularly liked that it included Netflix.

How much is accommodation in Tirana Albania?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – 8-15 euro for a dorm
• Mid-range accommodation – 25-100 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – 100-200 euro a night for a luxury hotel
• Rental property – 50-700 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-4 bedroom home

Tirana destination guide: Food in Tirana Albania

How much does food cost in Tirana Albania?

Our price guide for your food budget in Tirana Albania is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 600-2000 lek for a main dish
• Local eatery – 600-1200 lek for a main dish
• Bakery food – 100-240 lek euro for byrek, a slice of pizza as well as other bakery items
• Glass of wine – 300 lek
• Shot of Raki – 70-100 lek
• Coffee – 50-150 lek

Regional dishes in Tirana Albania

• Fërgesë – this is a Central Albanian dish which has fried tomatoes and peppers.
• Tavë Kosi – this dish is from nearby Elbasan. It’s similar to a quiche and contains lamb, eggs and also yoghurt.
• Ballokume – this dish is from nearby Elbasan. It is a biscuit commonly baked for the traditional festival of “Dita e Verës”.

Other Albanian dishes that are not specific to Tirana

• Byrek – popular in the Balkans, byrek is a filo pastry stuffed with items such as spinach, cheese, meat and potatoes.
• Pollo alla Cotoletta – similar to chicken parmigiana.
• Qofte te ferguara – Albanian meatball
• Flija – this dough based dish is popular in Albania as well as Kosovo.
• Shapkat – this is a casserol that is made with cornmeal and greens.
• Tave Mishi – grilled meat.
• Perime në Zgarë – grilled vegetables.
• Speça me gjize – stuffed bell peppers.
• Kaçkavall – breaded and fried cheese. This is served as an apetiser.
• Jani me Fasule – bean soup.
• Tarator soup – a cold cucumber soup that is popular in many eastern European countries.
• Qumështor – baked custard.
• Baklava – a sweet pastry.
• Shëndetli – a dessert made from walnuts, honey and cinnamon.
• Trilece – a dough based dessert commonly made in Albania.
• Petulla – fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Cheap Eats in Tirana Albania

• Bakeries are a great place to get cheap and delicious food. Byrek are typically around 100-240 lek. Other common bakery food include pizzas as well as cakes.

Tirana Albania culture

Albania national holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1-3 January
• Dita e Verës – 14 March
• Nowruz – Spring equinox, March 19, 20 or 21
• Easter Sunday – typically in March or April.
• Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Day, typically in March or April.
• Orthodox Easter Day – typically in April or May.
• Orthodox Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Day, typically in April or May.
• Eid al-Fitr – first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar
• Labour Day – 1 May (public holiday the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)
• Eid al-Adha – 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar
• Saint Teresa Canonisation Day – 5 September
• Flag Day or Independence Day – 28 November
• Liberation Day – 29 November
• National Youth Day – 8 December
• Christmas Day – 25 December (public holiday the following Monday if it falls on a weekend)

National symbols of Albania

• Albania flag – a red flag with a black double headed eagle in the centre.
• Albania coat of arms – a black two-headed eagle with a golden crown. Its wings are raised in flight. It is on a red background with a gold border.
• National flower – red poppy
• National bird – eagle

Albania pastimes

• National dish – Tavë kosi
• Popular drinks – rakija, coffee, beer, Albanian wine
• National sport – football
• Religion – 59% Islam, 17% Christianity (as at 2020)

Famous people from Tirana Albania

• Famous people born in Tirana Albania – social activist Fabiola Laco Egro, archaeologist Shpresa Gjongecaj, UN representative Besiana Kadare, dancer Kledi Kadiu, politician Sali Kelmendi, Crown Prince of Albania Leka, actress Masiela Lusha, opera singer Inva Mula, composer Aleksandër Peçi, comedian Skënder Sallaku, poet Zenel Bastari, poet Haxhi Ymer Kashari, singer Ronela Hajati, former presidents Rexhep Meidani, Bamir Topi, prime minister Edi Rama, former prime ministers former prime minister Pandeli Majko, Aleksandër Meksi, Fatos Nano, Essad Pasha Toptani, signatories to the Albanian Declaration of Independence Abdi Toptani, Murad Toptani
• Sports stars from Tirana Albania – footballer Erjon Bogdani, footballer Blendi Nallbani, Olympian Klodiana Shala

Is Tirana Albania Safe?

Albania travel guide: Safety in Albania

We travelled through Albania for three weeks and found the country to be extremely safe. Furthermore, Albania ranks 41^st safest country on the Global Peace Index (as at 2022). However, as with any country, there are good areas and bad areas. In particular, watch out for pickpockets at crowded tourist attractions. Additionally, make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

A particular risk around the Albania and Kosovo border are unexploded landmines and ordinances. These are a dangerous remnant from the 1999 conflict. Therefore don’t stray from designated hiking paths and take any warning signs very seriously.

General safety considerations in Albania

Other general safety considerations for travel in Albania:

• Drinking water – Tap water is safe to drink almost everywhere in the country, however locals have advised us not to drink the water in Tirana. Albanians generally prefer to drink bottled water for extra safety.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been found in Albania. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya. After being eradicated in 1967, malaria returned to Albania in 1994 and is a re-emerging disease in the country.
• Altitude sickness – Albania has areas of high altitude. This comes with the risk of altitude sickness. If you are planning to visit any high altitude areas in Albania, be sure to allow sufficient time to acclimatise. If you experience any signs of altitude sickness, such as headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite or shortness of breath, get help immediately.
• Road safety – Road accidents are a significant risk on Albania. Road conditions are an issue, particularly in rural areas as well as in winter.
• Water safety – If you visit any of the coastal areas or lakes, take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Earthquakes – Albania experiences earthquake activity. If you experience an earthquake, stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall. If you are inside get under a table, desk or solid furniture and hang onto it. Cover your head and torso to protect from falling objects. If you are outside, stay outside and go to an open area away from buildings.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes and immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

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