Albania is somewhat still undiscovered, which is why visiting Tirana was one of my favourite trips this year.
A lot of people pass through Tirana on their way to the Albanian Riviera, the mountains or one of Albania’s prettier UNESCO towns (totally understandable!), but I still think the capital is worth at least two days of your trip.
It’s not a polished, postcard-perfect European city, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting. You won’t find an Old Town, or a castle (at least not your run of the mill castle).
In the space of a weekend, you can stand in Skanderbeg Square, visit museums that explain Albania’s communist past, see fragments of the Berlin Wall, drink coffee in Blloku, head out to Bovilla Lake for mountain views, and still fit in the Dajti Ekspres cable car.
My guide for spending two days in Tirana is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the main sights, understand a bit of the city’s history, and get a taste of Albania beyond the centre. I’ll also share some practical information later on so keep an eye out.
You might also like:
- 19 Best Things To Do In Tirana (Before Everyone Else Discovers It)
- How To Take A Day Trip From Tirana To North Macedonia
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2-Day Tirana Itinerary
Before I get started, if you only have a few hours to explore Tirana, I highly recommend taking this free walking tour. You’ll get to see all the important sights and learn about Tirana’s communist history from a passionate local in just a couple of hours.
Day 1 in Tirana: Skanderbeg Square, Communist History and Blloku
We’re starting off your first day in Tirana in the city centre with the main historical sights. Tirana is super walkable around the centre, so you won’t need any public transport today.
Start at Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square – named after Gjergj Kastrioti, Albania’s national hero who was given the name Skanderbeg – is the obvious place to start your first day in Tirana. And while I hate to be Miss Obvious, I do think it’s the best place to start.
It’s the main square in the city and you’ll find some of Tirana’s most famous buildings around it, including the National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower and the Opera House.
It’s a huge open space, and while it might not have the same pretty old town square look you get in some European capitals, it does give you a good first impression of Tirana.
You’ll see a real mix of architecture, wide open space, colourful buildings and mountains in the background on a clear day.
This is also a good place to understand why Tirana doesn’t look like a typical European city. Albania went through decades of communist rule, and the city has changed a lot since then, so you’ll see older Ottoman-era buildings, communist-era architecture and newer developments all within a few meters of each other.
There’s literally a building just off Skanderbeg Square which is in the shape of Skanderbeg’s face!
Visit Et’hem Bey Mosque
Right on the edge of Skanderbeg Square, you’ll find Et’hem Bey Mosque, which is one of the few older landmarks still standing in the centre.
During the country’s communist period, religion was banned and many religious buildings were destroyed. Luckily, Et’hem Bey Mosque survived.
You can go inside (outside of prayer time) and see the intricate painted details. I liked the contrast to the larger, heavier buildings around the square.
As always, remember to dress respectfully if you’re going inside, as this is still an operating mosque.
Climb the Clock Tower
Beside the mosque is Tirana’s Clock Tower. If it’s open when you visit, it’s worth climbing for a view over Skanderbeg Square. The Clock Tower is manned by volunteers (lovely, eh?). But this means that the timings can vary.
It’s fairly narrow and steep to climb, so this might not be your kind of thing. Either way, it’s pretty to look at from the outside too.
Choose Between the House of Leaves or Bunk’Art 2
For your main museum stop on day one, I’d choose either the House of Leaves or Bunk’Art 2.
Personally, I’d choose the House of Leaves because you’ll be visiting Bunk’Art 1 on day two. That way, you’re not spending both days inside bunker museums, but you still get important context about Albania’s communist past.
The House of Leaves focuses on surveillance and the secret police during the communist period. I’m not going to lie, it’s not exactly a light museum, but it will give you an understanding as to what life was like in Albania under Enver Hoxha’s regime.
If you’re particularly interested in the bunker side of Albania’s history, you could visit Bunk’Art 2 instead. It’s located close to Skanderbeg Square and focuses on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the political persecution that took place during the communist period.
If you only want to visit one bunker museum during your trip, I’d save that for Bunk’Art 1 on day two.
Walk to the Pyramid of Tirana
After the museum, make your way towards the Pyramid of Tirana. This is one of the strangest and most interesting buildings in the city.
It was originally built as a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, Albania’s former communist dictator, but today it has been transformed into a public space with cafes, offices and steps you can climb for a beautiful view over the city.
Why I Use Airalo eSIM When Travelling
I’ve started using Airalo on most of my trips now, mainly because it removes the hassle of sorting out data when I arrive in a new city.
It’s a digital SIM card, meaning I don’t need to insert anything into my phone (unlike local SIMs). I just need to install the eSIM before I travel and as soon as I land, I’ve got data.
Here’s what I generally use it for:
• Google Maps
• Checking train and bus times
• Booking activities or looking up opening times
It’s not at all complicated to set up. You buy a data plan in the app, follow a few steps to install it, and then switch it on when you arrive.
See the Peace Bell
Close to the Pyramid, you’ll also find the Peace Bell.
The bell was made using 20,000 bullet casings from the unrest in Albania in the 1990s, so it’s another small reminder that Tirana’s recent history isn’t just about the communist period.
The country has been through a lot in a relatively short space of time.
Visit the Postbllok Memorial and Berlin Wall Fragment
Next, continue towards the Postbllok Memorial. This is a small but important memorial in Tirana, and it includes a fragment of the Berlin Wall, a small bunker and concrete supports from the Spac labour camp.
Seeing a piece of the Berlin Wall in Tirana is a little odd, but it fits with the wider story of Albania’s communist past and how closed off the country once was.
Spend the Evening in Blloku
End your first day in Blloku. Today, this is one of Tirana’s most popular areas for cafes, restaurants and bars, but during the communist period, it was closed off to ordinary Albanians and reserved for the political elite.
You’re literally walking around a neighbourhood that most people in Albania couldn’t access for decades, and now it’s one of the busiest and most social parts of the city!
For your first night, Blloku is the perfect choice because there are lots of places to eat and drink within a small area. Era Blloku is one of the top rated restaurants in the area, but you’ll need to book in advance if you want to eat here.
Day 2 in Tirana: Bovilla Lake, Bunk’Art 1, Dajti Mountain and Tirana Castle
Your second day in Tirana is going to be a busy one! Getting out of the city for most of the day, so you’ll need to start early.
One of the things I loved about Tirana was how one minute you’re in the capital city and the next you’re surrounded with mountain views.
Why I Book With Get Your Guide
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Start the Morning at Bovilla Lake
I’d start day two with a trip to Bovilla Lake. This was one of my favourite things I did in Tirana, and if you want to see a bit of Albania’s scenery without going too far, it’s a brilliant option.
The easiest way to visit Bovilla Lake is by guided tour. There’s no public transport for this one, and unless you’re used to driving in Albania, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend hiring a car just for Bovilla. Scrap that… unless you’re used to driving insanely windy, pot-holed, mountain roads, do not rent a car!
The roads get rougher as you get closer to the lake, so having someone else handle the driving was the best decision. This is the Bovilla Lakes tour I took and honestly it was seamless from start to finish.
I was picked up around 9am close to my hotel, driven in a mini-bus up to the restaurant at the top of Gamati mountain. From there, we had free time to hike to the viewpoint.
The photos say it all!
We were back in Tirana for 1pm, so plenty of time to continue on with afternoon activities.
Visit Bunk’Art 1 in the Afternoon
After Bovilla Lake, you’ll be dropped back to Tirana. You can ask them to drop you closer to the center so you can continue exploring, rather than back at your hotel.
To get to Bunk’Art 1, you can take the blue Porcelani bus from the centre of Tirana, just off Skanderbeg Square. It costs 40 lek (just 40 cent!) and takes around 30 to 40 minutes. You can also get there by taxi, but the bus is much easier and cheaper.
You’ll get out at the second last stop. The ticket inspector will likely let you know when you’ve arrived, but just in case you miss the stop, it’s only a short walk back from the last stop (which is the stop for the Dajti Ekspres).
Bunk’Art 1 is located inside a huge Cold War bunker that was built for Enver Hoxha and Albania’s political elite, and it’s much bigger than Bunk’Art 2 in the city centre.
This is why I’d save your main bunker visit for day two. If you visited the House of Leaves on day one, Bunk’Art 1 continues the story without making the itinerary feel too repetitive.
Inside, you’ll walk through long concrete corridors, rooms, exhibitions and recreated spaces. It’s actually pretty chilly down there, so I recommend bringing an extra layer with you.
Albania was one of the most isolated countries in Europe during the communist period, and Bunk’Art 1 helps explain the fear, control and surveillance that shaped the country for decades.
Take the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
Once you’ve finished at the museum, turn right on the main road outside and right again. It’s a bit of a steep walk, but only 10 minutes until you’re at the foot of the cable car.
The cable car ride itself is part of the experience. A horribly scary experience if you’re like me and hate cable cars! I’m kidding (sort of). It takes around 15 minutes to get to the top (this was 15 minutes of me holding on for dear life), but the views are 100% worth it.
Once at the top, you can go for a short walk, stop for a drink, have something to eat, or just take in the views before heading back down. There are a few viewpoints up there – I loved the heart bench!
Finish the Evening at Tirana Castle
Once you’re back in the city centre, you’ll head to Tirana Castle for the evening.
Now, don’t expect a huge medieval castle with towers and ramparts. Tirana Castle is actually more of a small pedestrian area built around the remains of the old castle walls, with restaurants, cafes and shops inside.
Is Tirana Worth Visiting for 2 Days?
I personally think Tirana is definitely worth visiting for 2 days, especially if it’s your first time in Albania.
It’s not the kind of city where you’ll spend your whole time walking around a beautiful Old Town or ticking off grand landmarks, so I can understand why some people only use it as a starting point for the rest of the country. But I think that’s exactly why it’s worth giving Tirana a bit more time.
Two days gives you enough time to see the main sights in the centre, visit at least one museum that explains Albania’s communist past, and still get out of the city for incredible mountain views.
For me, Tirana was one of the most interesting cities I visited this year.
If you go expecting Paris or Vienna, you won’t get it straight away. But if you’re interested in history, local food, unusual city sights and seeing a capital that has changed a huge amount in a relatively short time, Tirana is absolutely worth adding to your Albania itinerary.
Got More Time in Tirana?
If you have more than 2 days in Tirana, there are plenty of ways to fill your time. Here are my top picks:
Take a Day Trip to North Macedonia, Kosovo or Montenegro
If you want to visit another country while you’re in Albania, Tirana can work as a base for day trips to North Macedonia, Kosovo or Montenegro.
These are long days, so I’d only recommend doing this if you’re happy with an early start and a lot of time on the road. But if your trip is focused on seeing as much of the Balkans as possible, this is the way to do it!
I visited Ohrid in North Macedonia, Prizren and Pristina in Kosovo, and Kotor in Montenegro during my trip!
Go on a Street Art Walking Tour
Tirana has a lot of colour, and not just from the painted buildings. A street art walking tour is a fantastic way to see a different side of the city, especially if you want to understand more about the murals, public art and political messages around Tirana.
You can walk around and spot some of the murals yourself, but a guided tour gives you more context.
I was really impressed with this free street art tour, and I just know I saw things I would never have spotted on my own.
Visit Tirana’s Religious Buildings
Tirana is also worth exploring through its religious buildings. If you have more time, you could visit the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral and/or Namazgah Mosque.
They’re all quite different from each other, and together they give you a better sense of the city’s religious mix.
Take a Traditional Cooking Class
A traditional cooking class is a great option for foodies who want to learn more about Albanian food rather than just ordering it in a restaurant.
This particular cooking class has hundreds of reviews, so you know it’s going to be good!
Visit the Grand Park of Tirana
For a bit of calm, head to the Grand Park of Tirana, a large green space south of the city centre, with walking paths, cafes and an artificial lake.
I love taking a slower morning from time to time when I travel. And I also love people watching, so this is a two in one activity!
