12 Best Things To Do in Tirana, Albania

Tirana, Albania’s dynamic capital, is a city of bold colors, rich history, and lively street life. Once hidden behind an iron curtain, it has transformed into one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations, where Ottoman landmarks, Communist-era relics, and trendy cafés merge seamlessly.

Like many European capitals, Tirana is known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and vibrant squares. Three main highlights are visiting Skanderbeg Square, admiring the views from Tirana Clock Tower, and exploring Tirana Castle.

We’ve handpicked 12 must-do experiences in Tirana based on traveler reviews, local insights, and expert recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a fun family day out, a spectacular food experience, or scenic walks, we’ve got something for you.

Table of Contents

Swipe and Vote: See What Travelers Recommend

If you found yourself in Tirana with zero plans (but a strong sense of adventure), what’s the first thing you’d do?

This is a swiper quiz, swipe right for yes, swipe left for no.

Best Things To Do in Tirana Albania Have Fun at Zoo Park Tirana Sumatran Tiger

Zoo Park Tirana 1/5

Best Things To Do in Tirana Albania Admire the Views From Tirana Clock Tower

Tirana Clock Tower 2/5

Most Affordable Countries for Digital Nomads Albania Skanderbeg square

Skanderbeg Square 3/5

Best Things To Do in Tirana Albania Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Tirana_Park

Tirana Park 4/5

Best Things To Do in Tirana Albania Explore Tirana Castle

Tirana Castle 5/5

Results

Zoo Park Tirana

7 5

Tirana Clock Tower

6 6

Skanderbeg Square

8 4

Tirana Park

8 4

Tirana Castle

7 5

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Highlights at a Glance

Luxury Hotel in Tirana: Lot Boutique Hotel by Hotels and Preference offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities, a bar, and easy access to local attractions like Skenderberg Square and the National Museum of History.
Mid-Range Hotel in Tirana: Rooftop Tirana offers comfortable rooms with city and mountain views, located near popular spots like Skanderbeg Square and the National Museum of History.
Budget Hotel in Tirana: Artist Hotel offers comfortable rooms with a seating area and private bathrooms, located near attractions like Skanderbeg Square and the National Museum of History.

Here are three things you don’t want to miss in Tirana:

Visit Skanderbeg Square – Skanderbeg Square is the beating heart of Albania’s capital.
Admire the views from Tirana Clock Tower – Tirana Clock Tower offers some of the best views in the city.
Explore Tirana Castle – Tirana Castle is one of the city’s most unique attractions.

Visit Skanderbeg Square

Skanderbeg Square is arguably Tirana’s most famous tourist attraction. This lively plaza is home to many must-see attractions and landmarks, including the Skanderbeg Statue and the ‘I Love Tirana’ sign. It is one of the Balkans’ largest squares at approximately 430,556 square feet (40,000 square meters).

The square, named after Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, is an excellent place to soak up the city’s lively atmosphere, watch people, and take photographs. Take a picture next to the ‘I Love Tirana’ sign and the Skanderbeg Statue.

Skanderbeg Statue is a fascinating monument that commemorates Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. You could also watch a performance at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania.

National History Museum: Located on the square, this museum offers insights into Albania’s past.
Evening Atmosphere: The square comes alive at night with locals and tourists mingling.

Admire the Views From Tirana Clock Tower

Tirana Clock Tower is one of the best places to visit in the Albanian capital if you’re looking for epic city views. Completed by the Ottomans in 1822, this tower is one of Tirana’s cultural heritage sites. For many years, it was also the tallest building in the capital.

Ideally located in Skanderbeg Square, the clock tower is 114 feet (35 meters) tall. The observation deck at the top offers excellent city views and glimpses of the mountains in the distance.

However, you’ll have to climb 90 steps to enjoy the views. We recommend visiting the tower early so you won’t have to queue or battle for the best views at the top. The admission fee to climb the tower is roughly 200 Lek ($2.11).

Entry Fee: Admission costs 200 Lek ($2.11), and tickets can be purchased at the entrance.
Best Time to Visit: Visit in the late afternoon for softer lighting and fewer crowds, making for better photos.

Explore Tirana Castle

Tirana Castle is one of Tirana’s most unique tourist attractions. Also known as the Fortress of Justinian, its history dates back to 1300, making it one of the most historic buildings in the city. However, it’s not the fairytale castle most travelers would expect to find.

Today, only the old fort walls remain of this Byzantine-era landmark. Furthermore, the castle grounds have been transformed into a pedestrian space jam-packed with bars, restaurants, and shops. While this may sound strange, it’s an entertaining area to explore.

The combination of ancient walls and modern amenities offers a fascinating insight into how the city has changed. Make a pit stop at Fluffy Home Crepe for something yummy to eat.

Dining Spot: Visit Fluffy Home Crepe for delicious crepes within the castle grounds.
Evening Visits: The area is beautifully lit at night, offering a charming ambiance.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Tirana Park

Tirana Park is one of the best outdoor attractions in Tirana. This 714-acre (289-hectare) public park is an enormous expanse of green space surrounding a beautiful artificial lake. Better yet, it offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.

This park is an excellent place to enjoy a scenic walk, especially on a sunny day. At Tirana Park, loved-up couples can enjoy a romantic stroll around the park. Meanwhile, bird watchers can look for geese, woodpeckers, and kingfishers, and children can have fun in one of the playgrounds.

Tirana Park is also home to the City Train. Perfect for families, this train takes visitors on a 30-minute ride through the park, offering serene garden and lake views.

Walking and Cycling: Rent a bike or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic paths.
Picnic Areas: Designated spots are available; consider bringing a blanket and snacks.

Have Fun at Zoo Park Tirana

Zoo Park Tirana is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Tirana. Opened in the 1960s, it is the only zoo in Albania, so it’s well worth visiting. In 2022, the park reopened after a restoration program increased its size.

Therefore, there’s no better time to visit. Inside Zoo Park Tirana, you’ll find a wide range of exciting animal species, including tigers, lions, wolves, and bears. The zoo also has a dinosaur zone that features tall dinosaur statues.

You’ll find Zoo Park Tirana in the Southern part of the city, between the Botanical Gardens and Tirana Park. Tickets cost 300 Lek ($3.17) for adults and 200 Lek ($2.11) for children.

Playground: There’s a small playground inside the zoo, perfect for kids to enjoy after seeing the animals.
Dinosaur Zone: Don’t miss the dinosaur statues; it is a hit with kids.

Visit the Botanical Gardens of Tirana

Another popular thing to do in Tirana if you love nature is visit the Botanical Gardens. This 37-acre (15-hectare) garden complex was constructed between the 1960s and 70s. It’s only a 5-minute walk from Zoo Park, so you could easily visit both places in one day.

This charming green space, part of the University of Tirana, features over 2,000 species of plants, including black pine, palm trees, and oak. The gardens are a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature.

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You will need only an hour or two to walk around the gardens and admire the plants on display. The gardens are open from 8:00 to 14:00, Monday through Friday. Entry costs 50 Lek ($0.53).

Guided Visits: Check with the University of Tirana for occasional guided tours that provide insights into Albania’s native plant life.
Best Season: Spring and early summer offer the most vibrant flower displays and lush greenery.

Marvel at the Pyramid of Tirana

Marveling at the Pyramid of Tirana is one of the most fascinating things to do in Albania’s capital. This former museum is an 80-foot (25-meter) pyramid-shaped structure. It was initially built in 1988 as a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Albania.

Today, it’s a multi-use venue with cafes, classrooms, community hubs, and workshops. Tirana’s Pyramid is also undergoing further renovations to improve the area’s green space. During your visit, make sure you climb the stairs outside the building.

The stairs are relatively steep, but the views from atop the pyramid are outstanding. Afterward, head inside and grab a coffee from one of the cafes.

Night Illumination: Visit in the evening to see the pyramid beautifully lit up with colorful lights.
Interactive Spaces: Inside, you’ll find modern art installations and tech-focused exhibits worth checking out.

Learn More About Albanian History in BUNK’ART 1 and BUNK’ART 2

Learning more about Albania in BUNK’ART 1 and BUNK’ART 2 is one of the best things to do in Tirana if you love history. These fascinating museums were established in 2014 and 2016. They tell the story of the Albanian communist army, the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the daily lives of Albanians during the regime.

BUNK’ART 1 is located on the outskirts of Tirana, in the former atomic bunker of dictator Enver Hoxha. Meanwhile, BUNK’ART 2 is inside a sprawling former nuclear bunker in the city center.

In BUNK’ART 1, visitors can watch video exhibits and explore various rooms, including Enver Hoxha’s and the chief of staff’s rooms. BUNK’ART 2 reconstructs the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1912 to 1991.

BUNK’ART 1 Location: Situated on the city’s outskirts; consider a taxi or bus for convenience.
BUNK’ART 2 Accessibility: Located in the city center, it’s easily reachable on foot.

Take Photographs of Et’hem Bey Mosque

Et’hem Bey Mosque is one of the top things to see in Tirana. This beautiful structure, famed for its spectacular frescoes, was first opened in 1823. However, it was closed under Communist rule, only reopening in 1991.

Taking photographs of the mosque is an absolute must. Not only is it an incredibly beautiful building, but it’s also one of the city’s most iconic sights. You’ll find Et’hem Bey Mosque alongside Tirana Clock Tower in Skanderbeg Square.

You should also step inside the mosque to admire the breathtaking frescoes depicting trees, waterfalls, and bridges. Between 8:00 and 22:00, visitors can take a guided tour of Et’hem Bey Mosque outside the prayer service.

Guided Tours: Check for available guided tours to learn more about the mosque’s history and artwork.
Dress Code: Modest attire is required; women should cover their heads.

Shop Until You Drop at the New Bazaar

One of the most entertaining things to do in Tirana is go shopping at the New Bazaar. Also known as Pazari i Ri, the New Bazaar is a vibrant neighborhood named after its grocery marketplace. If you love shopping, this neighborhood will quickly become one of your favorite parts of the city.

Here, you’ll find colorful markets where you can buy everything from handmade souvenirs and jewelry to local food and groceries. The New Bazaar is also home to many bars and restaurants, should you want to sit down and soak up the atmosphere.

The area is also beautiful, so bring your camera to photograph the colorful buildings. What’s not to like?

Fresh Produce: Mornings offer the best selection of fruits and vegetables.
Souvenir Shopping: The market is great for buying handmade local crafts, including woven textiles and pottery.

Tuck Into Traditional Albanian Cuisine

No trip to Albania is complete until you’ve sampled some of the national cuisine. Luckily, you won’t struggle to find local delights in the capital. Albanian food is often compared to Mediterranean-style cuisine, with ingredients and flavors similar to those of Greece. While Albanian food generally isn’t spicy, it is well seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices.

Albania’s national dish is Tavë Kosi, a baked dish consisting of lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs. Other popular local dishes include speca te mbushur, byrek, and fërgesë tirane. Oda Garden is one of Tirana’s best places to enjoy traditional Albanian cuisine.

This stunning restaurant has been specializing in traditional Albanian food since 2005. The Tavë Kosi is supposed to be delicious.

Dish to Try: Don’t miss their signature Tavë Kosi, a classic Albanian lamb and yogurt dish.
Booking: It’s a popular spot, so booking a table in advance is recommended, particularly during weekends.

Visit the Namazgah Mosque

Least Walkable Cities in Europe Tirana, Albania — © russieseo / Adobe Stock

Namazgah Mosque is one of Tirana’s best lesser-known attractions, although it probably won’t be for much longer. Despite its immense architectural beauty and size, this gorgeous structure is relatively unheard of by travelers. This is mainly because it only officially opened in October 2024.

This grand structure is the largest mosque in the Balkans. It was built in an Ottoman style and features bright blue domes and four 114-foot (35-meter) tall minarets. Inside, the complex contains a cultural center, an exhibition hall, a Quran school, and a library.

Interestingly, this mosque is due to replace Et’hem Bey Mosque as Tirana’s primary mosque. The mosque is open to visitors, but you must wear modest clothing. At the least, take photographs outside the mosque.

Dress Code: Modest attire is required to enter. Men should wear long pants, and women should cover their hair with a scarf. Scarves are often available at the entrance if you forget to bring one.
Best Time to Visit: Avoid visiting during prayer times, especially on Fridays, as the mosque gets very crowded.