Tirana
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9°
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05:08
Tirana
Tirana is a mixture of Western Europe and old Russia, interspersed with influences from the Middle East. The city has overcome its recent troubled past and risen as a gem of Eastern Europe. The modern Tirana is full of restaurants, nightlife and hotels, and has rediscovered itself and become an energetic, vibrant and cosmopolitan city that is worth exploring.Hitta resa
Mayor Edi Rama, internationally renowned as an artist before he took over the post of Tirana's mayor in 2000, decided to give the city a more welcoming look by painting old and Soviet block-style building facades in bright colours. The initiative certainly accomplished its goal of helping the city appear more attractive.
Skanderbeg Square is the social and cultural centre of Tirana, this is an excellent place for people watching and absorbing the daily life of the denizens of this city. The famous Equestrian Statue is located on the Southern Side of the Square.
The 35-metre tall Clock Tower is a symbol of Tirana, built in 1822 by the poet and architect Et'hem bey Mollaj, who also completed the nearby Et'hem Bey Mosque. You can climb the 90 spiralling steps for an excellent view of the bustling life in Skanderbeg Square below. At night, the tower is beautifully lit, making it a striking feature in the city’s skyline.
This small and elegant mosque is one of Tirana's oldest surviving structures. Closed during communist rule, it reopened for worship in 1991 after being shuttered for decades. Many religious sites were destroyed during the atheism campaigns of the 1960s, but this mosque was spared. Its distinctive frescoes, found both inside and outside the portico, depict nature scenes like trees, waterfalls and bridges, which are unusual motifs in Islamic art.
Tanners' Bridge is a beautifully restored Ottoman-era stone bridge that once crossed the Lanë stream, facilitating trade for the nearby butchers and tanners. Dating back to the 18th century, it serves as an important symbol of Tirana's historical development. With its recent restoration, the bridge offers a glimpse into Tirana's rich history, contrasting with the Soviet-era housing in the background. It is one of the few well-preserved examples of the city's Ottoman past.
The National Museum of History in Albania is the largest museum in the country, housing a wealth of national treasures. Though the museum is closed for renovation until 2028, you can still admire its impressive modernist mosaic façade, which proudly depicts the victorious and proud Albanians from Illyrian times through to WWII.
The Pyramid of Tirana, once a museum and a monument honouring dictator Enver Hoxha, has been transformed into TUMO Center Tirana, an IT hub for creative technologies. Reopened in 2023, the renovated site now features cafés, studios, workshops and offices for start-ups, alongside classrooms where Albanian youth can learn technology skills for free. Steps added to the pyramid’s sloping façade allow visitors to walk on the symbolic structure, while colourful boxes scattered around the park create a vibrant public space.
This building once served as the Communist Party headquarters during the regime of Enver Hoxha. From its balcony, Hoxha would wave to the crowds during official parades and demonstrations. Today, in addition to its primary function as the residence and office of the Albanian Prime Minister, it stands as a reminder of Albania's totalitarian past and is a significant landmark in Tirana.
Mayor Edi Rama, internationally renowned as an artist before he took over the post of Tirana's mayor in 2000, decided to give the city a more welcoming look by painting old and Soviet block-style building facades in bright colours. The initiative certainly accomplished its goal of helping the city appear more attractive.
Skanderbeg Square is the social and cultural centre of Tirana, this is an excellent place for people watching and absorbing the daily life of the denizens of this city. The famous Equestrian Statue is located on the Southern Side of the Square.
The Universe Shopping Centre (QTU) is a modern and expansive shopping complex, located just west of Tirana's city centre. Covering 13,600 square metres, it is one of the largest shopping destinations in the Balkans.
For ceramics and jewellery go to the Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta area, which consists of several blocks of excellent ceramic and jewellery stores. Have a stroll through the many unique shops and little boutiques and find the perfect souvenir to remind you of your time in Tirana.
Adrion Bookstore has one of the best selections of books in the country, including a decent English language selection, with guidebooks and literature.
The Universe Shopping Centre (QTU) is a modern and expansive shopping complex, located just west of Tirana's city centre. Covering 13,600 square metres, it is one of the largest shopping destinations in the Balkans.
For ceramics and jewellery go to the Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta area, which consists of several blocks of excellent ceramic and jewellery stores. Have a stroll through the many unique shops and little boutiques and find the perfect souvenir to remind you of your time in Tirana.
There really is no bad time to visit Tirana, since every season has a lot to offer to visitors. You will have the most pleasant weather with warm temperatures, and a low chance of rainfall in the summer months of June, July and August. However, if you prefer to avoid tourist crowds, plan your trip to Tirana for late September or October.
The visa policy of Albania is closely aligned with the Schengen Area's regulations. It allows 90-day visa-free entry for citizens of Schengen member states, with the exception of individuals from some extra-European territories. Additionally, Albania grants visa-free access to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Turkey. Notably, citizens of the United States can enter Albania without a visa for up to a year. Individuals holding a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen Area country, the United States, Cyprus, Ireland, or the United Kingdom can also enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you leave the Republic of Albania and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
Nënë Tereza (Mother Theresa) airport, also known as Rinas Airport or Tirana International Airport, lies 26 kilometres northwest of the city in the town of Rinasi. There is a regular bus line that offers daily 24-hour service between the airport and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana. The trip takes around 30 minutes. A taxi from the airport to the city centre takes about 20-25 minutes. Be certain to fix a price before you get into the taxi.
Downtown Tirana is not too big to explore on foot, but you can also use a number of intra-city bus lines going round the city and to and from the shopping centres. The tickets are cheap, but keep in mind that the buses don't go fast. Buses in Tirana run from 6am to 11pm. For longer bus journeys there are shared buses/mini-vans called "furgons" that depart for a destination once they are filled with passengers. Because of the ongoing construction in Tirana the bus and furgon depots change regularly, so it is very important to check the locations with your hotel.
There are taxi stands scattered across the city. There is a fixed price for a ride anywhere inside Tirana, so discuss the price before entering the car. Patoko app is similar to Uber and offers a safe and convenient way to summon a car.
The Albanian Post company provides both postal and financial services in Albania, with offices all over the country. You can trust them with your letters and small parcels, as well as get payments and money transfers done. Their operating hours are usually from Monday to Friday 8am–4pm, Saturday 8am–noon, and the offices stay closed on Sunday. The central post office in Tirana is located at Rruga Çamëria (next to Bank Of Albania Museum).
Country code: +355 Area code: (0)4
For Albania, there are two associated plug types: types C and F. Both have two round pins. The country operates on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz.
There really is no bad time to visit Tirana, since every season has a lot to offer to visitors. You will have the most pleasant weather with warm temperatures, and a low chance of rainfall in the summer months of June, July and August. However, if you prefer to avoid tourist crowds, plan your trip to Tirana for late September or October.
The visa policy of Albania is closely aligned with the Schengen Area's regulations. It allows 90-day visa-free entry for citizens of Schengen member states, with the exception of individuals from some extra-European territories. Additionally, Albania grants visa-free access to citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Turkey. Notably, citizens of the United States can enter Albania without a visa for up to a year. Individuals holding a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen Area country, the United States, Cyprus, Ireland, or the United Kingdom can also enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you leave the Republic of Albania and must have been issued within the last 10 years.
