The 11 Best Things to do in Tirana Albania in Two Days

Follow this guide to the best things to do in Tirana to learn what to do, what to eat, where to stay and other travel tips for visiting Albania.

Last year, I was planning a trip to Europe with my best friend. When deciding where to visit, we flipped through one of my favorite travel coffee table books, Destinations of a Lifetime.

The country that immediately jumped out at us was Albania. The pictures of the mountains and coast immediately sucked us in.

In addition, we were super excited to travel to a lesser-known country. From this, we decided to kick off our Balkans road trip in Tirana Albania.

Tirana blew me away with the unique history, resilience of the local people, and natural beauty. Keep reading to learn how to spend a couple days in Tirana.

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The Best Things to do in Tirana

The top things to do in Tirana center around learning the city’s history. The city and sites itself are ok, but the stories about the history from locals is what makes this place special.

Below, I list what to do in Tirana Albania in two days. Further down, I’ll explain how to fit this all into a two day itinerary.

1. Tirana Free Walking Tour 

Free walking tours are very common in Europe. The concept is that a local guide will put on a tour for “free” in exchange for tips.

The typical tipping amount is between $10 and $30 per person, so this is a very low-cost activity.

The Tirana free walking tour is one of the best I’ve done. The tour starts on the Opera house stairs daily at 10am and 6pm. They prefer people to not make reservations, so just show up 10 minutes before either of the scheduled times.

The tour visits the top attractions in the city such as Skanderberg square, Blloku, Totani Street, Tirana castle, and bunkers.

In addition to seeing the major sites, the guide will provide first-hand experiences of growing up in Albania during the communist period.

I found that the mix of popular sights and the guide’s stories was the best way to learn about the history.

I recommend starting your trip with this tour to get a lay-of-the-land to prioritize what you may want to see more of afterwards.

Be sure to ask your guide for restaurant and activity recommendations because they know all the best spots.

2. Bunkart Museum 

There are two Bunkart museums in Tirana. One is a short drive from the city center, and the other is located in the city.

The further museum is a bit better, but the city location is a great option if you are short on time.

The Bunkart museum is in an old bunker from the war and is dedicated to the communist era of Albania.

It’s a bit challenging emotionally but provides a good understanding of life in Albania during that time period.

3. Spy Museum 

Another great museum option if you are interested in the communist regime is the the house of leaves.

Also known as the Museum of Secret Surveillance, this museum deep dives on the spies that were very active at that time.

It’s also dedicated to everyone who was unfairly tracked, watched, and persecuted by the spies.

4. Dajti Mountain Cable Car 

For great views of the city, take a taxi to this cable car just outside of the city for mountaintop views overlooking Tirana.

This cable car is conveniently located near one of the Bunkart museums, so you can visit both of them on one trip outside of the city.

The cable car is a 15-minute trip and costs approximately $10 per person. From the top of the mountain, you can see amazing views of the city. There’s also an onsite bar and restaurant at the peak.

5. Blloku District

Once an exclusive residential area for the political elite, Blloku is now a trendy district with bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s a great place to experience Tirana’s nightlife.

6. Pyramid of Tirana

Originally built as a museum for Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader, the Pyramid is now an abandoned structure that has become a popular spot for urban exploration and street art.

7. National Art Gallery

Explore Albanian art from the medieval period to the present day. The gallery houses a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and other art forms.

8. Tirana Park on the Artificial Lake

Enjoy a relaxing stroll or rent a boat on the Artificial Lake. The park is a popular spot for locals to unwind and socialize.

9. Et’hem Bey Mosque

Visit this historical mosque located in Skanderbeg Square. It is known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere.

10. Explore local markets

Visit the Pazari i Ri (New Bazaar) for a taste of local life and to sample fresh produce, traditional Albanian food, and handmade crafts.

11. The House of Leaves

A museum that was once the headquarters of the Sigurimi, Albania’s secret police. It provides insight into the surveillance methods used during the communist era.

Where to Stay in Tirana

The key to choosing a hotel in Tirana is staying near Skanderbeg square. This square is at the center of the tourism district, so staying nearby will ensure you are walking distance to the sites.

I stayed in the Business District, which was less expensive, but a 20-minute walk to get anywhere. There weren’t even restaurants near our hotel.

Below are my top two choices for where to stay in Tirana that are conveniently located near the sites.

Tirana Intercontinental – The location of this new Intercontinental hotel cannot be beat. It overlooks the city square which is the center of all tourist destinations in Tirana.

Tirana Marriott – The Tirana Marriott is also brand new and is easily one of the nicest hotels in the city. The rooms are large, modern, and nicely decorated. In addition, the hotel is walking distance to all of the tourist sites in the city center.

Where to Eat

When I think of the top cuisine in Europe, I don’t necessarily think of Albanian. However, I was actually blown away by my meals in Tirana.

Below is a list of the top restaurants in Tirana. There is a mix of traditional local food and Mediterranean cuisine. I highly recommend trying at least one local meal during your trip.

1. Era Blloku – Casual, local cuisine. Great lunch option!

• Cuisine: Albanian

• What to Order: Traditional flatbread, baked meatballs, sausage platter

2. Artigiano – Tasty Italian pizza and pasta

• Cuisine: Italian

• What to Order: Quattro formaggi pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, aperol spritz

3. Oda – One of the most recommended restaurants. They serve traditional food, but the menu is a bit adventurous so be sure to preview it before you dine

• Cuisine: Albanian

• What to Order: Mixed grill plate

4. Mullixhiu – Fine dining local cuisine, with a tasting menu available for around $30 per person. Be sure to get a reservation for this popular spot.

• Cuisine: Albanian

• What to Order: Tasting Menu

5. La Gioia – Fun restaurant located within the remains of the Tirana castle

• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Two Day Tirana Itinerary

If you have two days in Tirana, I suggest spending one day exploring the city and another day on a day trip.

Day 1: Tirana City Exploration

Morning: For the city day, start the morning off with the free walking tour. This will allow you to get a taste for the city, ask the local guide for recommendations and identify any areas you want to revisit in the afternoon.

Midday: Following the walking tour, enjoy a tasty and leisurely lunch at Era Blloku. After lunch, stake a stroll around the Grand Park artificial lake for some fresh air and light exercise.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon visiting a museum or two. I suggest waiting until after the walking tour to choose a museum so you can select it based on your favorite parts of the tour.

If you’re unsure, you can’t go wrong with Bunkart or the Spy Museum.

Evening: Finally, enjoy a tasty dinner at Mullixhiu and reminisce on the day.

Day 2: Day Trip to Mount Dajti National Park

Morning: Take a taxi or public transportation to the Dajti Ekspres lower station, which is located about 15-20 minutes from the city center.

Enjoy the scenic cable car ride to the top of Mount Dajti. The journey offers breathtaking views of Tirana and the surrounding landscape.

Midday: Once you summit Mount Dajti, spend some time exploring the mountain and the amazing panoramic views.

For lunch, head to Ballkoni Dajtit, a restaurant with a terrace offering stunning views. Enjoy traditional Albanian cuisine while taking in the scenery.

Afternoon: Continue exploring the mountain, and consider taking a short hike. Then, ride the cable car back down to the mountain and catch a taxi back to the city.

Evening: Return to Tirana and enjoy dinner in the Blokku neighborhood

Quick Facts about Albania

Currency – The currency in Albania is the Albanian Lek and the conversion is approximately 100 lek per USD. Many restaurants and shops in Albania are cash-only, so be sure to confirm if you can use card before purchasing anything. To get cash, there are ATMs throughout the city. Find a Credins Bank for a fee-free withdrawal.

Language – Albanian is the official language, but many people working in tourism speaks English. When there is a language gap, pointing and a smile can get you a long way in trying to communicate.

Safety – Albania has a bad reputation for safety, but I felt safe traveling as two women the entire trip. Our tour guide joked that the biggest export from Albania is criminals and everyone in the country is great. As with any city, don’t flaunt money and have caution at night.

Climate – Spring and Fall temperatures are very mild and comfortable for travel. In the summer, temperatures can get well into the hundreds, getting very hot to explore.

Traveling to Tirana

If you are traveling to Tirana from the United States, you will likely have to layover in a more major European hub. The most common route is through London because British Airways has a daily flight.

Alternatively, you can fly into a nearby country such as Croatia, Greece, or even Italy then drive to Tirana. This is a good option if you are planning a Balkans road trip or if flights into Tirana are prohibitively expensive.

The Tirana International Airport (TIA) is around 30 minutes outside of the city center. When you arrive, there is an official taxi line to the right when you exit the terminal. This is the best way to get into the city and costs approximately 20 Euros. The taxis don’t accept card, so prepay at their onsite office or bring cash.

Getting Around Albania

If you are staying in Tirana for your duration of your trip, I suggest utilizing taxis and walking. If you stay in the city center, you can walk to nearly every tourist attraction.

If you are planning to explore more of Albania, renting a car is the best option. There is little to no train infrastructure in Albania and the buses are very slow.

If you’re planning to drive to different countries around Albania, check out my Balkans road trip guide for driving tips.

How Long to Visit Albania

To visit Tirana, I recommend staying 2-3 nights so you have 1-2 full days to explore. This is sufficient time to visit the top things to do in Tirana and experience the local culture. To get a better taste for Albania, I recommend extending your stay in Tirana to 3-5 night to allow for a couple day trips. Below, I’ll explain some of the best day trips from Tirana.

Alternatively, Tirana is a great starting point for a Balkans road trip to countries such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia Herzegovina. If this is your plan, see Tirana in a day or two then continue on to other countries in the area.

The Top Day Trips from Tirana

Tirana is typically a 1-2 day city. You can see all the highlights in one day if you are aggressive and easily see everything within two.

If you have longer, one of the best things to do in Tirana is to take a day trip to surrounding areas of the country. Below, I’ve listed the top four day trips from Tirana.

North Macedonia – I am a big fan of counting countries. I know there is more to travel than checking a place off a list, but I find it satisfying, nonetheless. The day trip to Macedonia will take you to Lake Ohrid and Ohrid city, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Durres Food Trip – Durres is a beautiful coastal town. The tour will give you time to explore the town, take pictures of the scenic views, and taste local cuisine.

Berat – Known as the city of one thousand windows, Berat is a great way to get a glimpse into Albania’s history. The tour visits Berat’s main neighborhoods, a museum, a church, and a mosque.

Gamti Mountain Hike – Escape from the city with this guided hike of Gamti Mountain with amazing views of Bovilla lake.

In addition to seeing the natural side of Albania, you will also have access to a local guide to ask questions about Albani’s history.

For more Balkans travel tips, check out my ultimate road trip route.

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