Tirana International Hotel
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Tirana (/ t ɪ ˈ r ɑː n ə / ⓘ tih-RAH-nə, Albanian pronunciation:; Gheg Albanian: Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance.
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- Immerse yourself in Albanian history at Bunk’Art, one of Europe’s most unique museums. Bunk’Art is arguably Tirana’s most popular tourist attraction. I think its reputation as one of Europe’s most unique museums is well deserved, hence why I’ve put it here at the top of my list.
- Scale the new Pyramid of Tirana. After years of being cordoned off and decades of lying in a state of disrepair, in October 2023 the Pyramid of Tirana officially reopened to the public.
- Explore Blokku, Tirana’s former communist quarter. Blloku or ‘the Block of Leadership’ is a compact riverside neighbourhood that faces onto the river on the western side of the Pyramid.
- Drink at a quirky communist-themed bar, one of the best things to do in Tirana at night. Some of Tirana’s best bars are located inside the Blloku district.
- Piramida
- Dajti Ekspres
- Skanderbeg Square
- National Historical Museum
- Dajti Mountain National Park
- Et’hem Bey Mosque
- Grand Park
- Clock Tower
- Rruga Murat Toptani
- Tanners’ Bridge
It might seem strange to start with a derelict building, but the Piramida is unique. It’s an unforgettable and culturally-significant building from 1987, completed not long before the fall of communism. It was intended as a museum to honour the country’s despotic dictator Enver Hoxha who ruled from 1944-85, but naturally these plans were torn up af...
This cable-car is a fun family day out and a superb introduction to the city, taking you up by gondola to the dramatic mountain on Tirana’s eastern edge. The cable-car spans a kilometre, making it the longest in the Balkans, and rises more than 800 metres up the mountainside. The journey will take about 15 minutes and at the top there’s a tourism c...
This is where Tirana’s premier monuments are all assembled, including the Clock Tower, Et’hem Bey Mosque and the National History Museum. It is named after George Castriot, an Albanian national hero, credited with halting the advance of the Ottoman Empire into central Europe. There’s a monument to Skanderbeg in the square, which occupies the spot w...
One thing’s for sure – Tirana and Albania have a very complicated past. So if you need a point of entry this is the place to get some context. The museum is organised by pavilions, each covering a different period in the region’s history, from ancient times up to the 21st century. The most valuable in terms of archaeological wealth is the Pavilion ...
In Europe it’s unusual to find a national park right on the doorstep of a capital city, so don’t pass up the chance to venture out further into the mountain range that forms Tirana’s eastern boundary. If you want to really get out and experience the natural scenery here, take the trail that connects Mount Dajti with Mount Tujani, which rises to 1,5...
This place of worship was completed in the early-19th century and is one of the city’s top landmarks. At the fall of communism it was the site of one of the most remarkable events in Tirana’s recent history, when on the 10th of January 1991 10,000 people gathered to practise their religion, against the decree of the authorities who had banned Islam...
Just south of the prestigious Blloku district is Tirana’s Grand Park, which is the city centre’s top spot for fresh air and a bit of exercise. It covers 230 hectares and encloses a large artificial lake. Famously the Presidential Palace can be found here, which was originally designated as a residence for King Zog I, but was completed just a few ye...
One of the city’s most photographed landmarks, especially when it’s illuminated at night, the Clock Tower goes back to 1822 when it was completed by the court poet Haxhi Et’hem Bey. You can scale the tower’s narrow spiral staircase free of charge and take in the lovely vistas of Tirana’s city-centre. One of the curious features of the tower is its ...
A pedestrianised street in the centre of Tirana, Rruga Murat Toptani is a handsome promenade between the Parliament Building and the National Art Gallery. The name of this popular artery comes from the Toptani Family, who held sway in Ottoman Albania from the 1700s right up to the Second World War. The street is especially grand in summer when the ...
This minor attraction is from the 1700s and is a fascinating fragment of Tirana’s Ottoman history, giving an impression of how the city went about its business in the years after its foundation. These days it’s a humble stone pedestrian bridge, but when it was built it was the main route for farmers to bring their livestock into the butchery and le...
- Skanderbeg Square. At the very center of the city, you’ll find Skanderbeg square, a large open area surrounded by several important sights of Tirana. This interesting meeting point is one of the best places to start your journey through the city.
- Et’hem Bey Mosque. The small 18th-century Et’hem Bey Mosque on Skanderbeg square is an incredibly unique place of worship. It’s one of the oldest mosques in the country and a powerful symbol of the survival of faith.
- Bunk’Art. Albania’s complex history is sometimes difficult to imagine. However, to better understand it, you’ll have to dive into its dark past, and there’s no better place to do that than in Bunk’Art.
- Visit the Local Market. While walking around the city’s unique neighborhoods, make your way to the street market on Rr. Çameria. This area has lots of little shops and stalls selling all sorts of products, from clothing, rugs, and bags to various delicious fruits.
Discover Tirana, the lively and colourful capital of Albania, with Lonely Planet's tips on attractions, history, culture and more. Find out how to plan your trip, what to see and do, and where to stay in this vibrant city.
Apr 24, 2024 · Tirana, city, capital of Albania. It is the country’s main industrial center and its largest city. Tirana lies 17 miles (27 km) east of the Adriatic Sea coast and along the Ishm River, at the end of a fertile plain. Learn more about the city’s history, economy, and places of interest.
Discover the best attractions and activities in Tirana, the vibrant and historic city of Albania. Explore the museums, monuments, parks, bridges, caves and more in this ultimate guide.
