Smart Travel Guide (Tirana & Region)
Sightseeing in Tirana
*16 walking minute from the apartment*
Skanderbeg Square (Sheshi Skënderbej) is the main square of Tirana. It is centrally located in the city surrounded by the Opera House, the National Museum, the Central Bank, the City Hall, the Mosque and several restaurants. Several roads end here coming from all directions.
It is named after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, whose monument overlooks the square. With around 38,000 square meters, it is the largest pedestrian zone in the city. The square is the economic, cultural, infrastructural, and political center of the country.
Sheshi Skënderbej, Tirana, Albania
*16 walking minute from the apartment*
Skanderbeg Square (Sheshi Skënderbej) is the main square of Tirana. It is centrally located in the city surrounded by the Opera House, the National Museum, the Central Bank, the City Hall, the Mosque and several restaurants. Several roads end here coming from all directions.
It is named after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg, whose monument overlooks the square. With around 38,000 square meters, it is the largest pedestrian zone in the city. The square is the economic, cultural, infrastructural, and political center of the country.
*15 walking minutes from the apartment*
I highly recommend you pay a visit to the national museum. In less than 2 hours you will learn a lot about the history and culture of Albanians. Opening hours: 09:00 - 16:00. Tickets cost around 2€ p.P.
167 íbúar mæla með
National History Museum
7 Sheshi Skënderbej*15 walking minutes from the apartment*
I highly recommend you pay a visit to the national museum. In less than 2 hours you will learn a lot about the history and culture of Albanians. Opening hours: 09:00 - 16:00. Tickets cost around 2€ p.P.
*20 walking minutes from the apartment*
The Fortress of Justinian or simply known as Tirana Castle (Kalaja e Tiranës) dates back before 1300. Inside the fortified walls of the former fortress, many buildings can be visited, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions.
Kalaja e Tiranës
*20 walking minutes from the apartment*
The Fortress of Justinian or simply known as Tirana Castle (Kalaja e Tiranës) dates back before 1300. Inside the fortified walls of the former fortress, many buildings can be visited, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions.
*17 walking minutes from the apartment*
The bazaar (alb. Pazari i Ri), whose history dates back to 1614, today includes a meat hall with adjacent fish shops, numerous stalls for fruit, vegetables, tobacco, and souvenirs, as well as shops, restaurants, and cafes all around. A supermarket has also moved into a house on the square.
Pazari i Ri
*17 walking minutes from the apartment*
The bazaar (alb. Pazari i Ri), whose history dates back to 1614, today includes a meat hall with adjacent fish shops, numerous stalls for fruit, vegetables, tobacco, and souvenirs, as well as shops, restaurants, and cafes all around. A supermarket has also moved into a house on the square.
*20 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"*
Located between the University of Tirana and the Military Basis of Albania, this huge area provides a lot of services. There are some bars and restaurants with a magnificent view of the lake.
My tip: rent a bike right at the entrance of the park and enjoy a short trip around the lake.
Liqeni Artificial i Tiranës, Albania
*20 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"*
Located between the University of Tirana and the Military Basis of Albania, this huge area provides a lot of services. There are some bars and restaurants with a magnificent view of the lake.
My tip: rent a bike right at the entrance of the park and enjoy a short trip around the lake.
*20 walking minutes from the apartment* BUNK'ART 2 is the second phase of a historical-cultural project that focuses on preserving the collective memory and telling the story of the years of the communist regime, including the horrors of that regime. Opening hours: 09:30 - 18:00. Ticket prices start at 5€ p.P.
BunkArt 2
Street Abdi Toptani*20 walking minutes from the apartment* BUNK'ART 2 is the second phase of a historical-cultural project that focuses on preserving the collective memory and telling the story of the years of the communist regime, including the horrors of that regime. Opening hours: 09:30 - 18:00. Ticket prices start at 5€ p.P.
*15 driving-minutes from the apartment or 1 hour of walking* Dajti Express is the longest and highest cable car in the Balkans. The cable car connects the hill of Fresku with the mountain of Dajt. The trip lasts about 15 minutes and offers very beautiful views. In Dajt Mountain, I suggest a lunch at the restaurant “Balkoni i Dajtit”.
The cable car station can be reached by bus from Skanderbeg Square (40 Minutes) or by taxi from the apartment (25 Minutes).
Dajti Ekspres (Stacioni i poshtëm/Lower station)
*15 driving-minutes from the apartment or 1 hour of walking* Dajti Express is the longest and highest cable car in the Balkans. The cable car connects the hill of Fresku with the mountain of Dajt. The trip lasts about 15 minutes and offers very beautiful views. In Dajt Mountain, I suggest a lunch at the restaurant “Balkoni i Dajtit”.
The cable car station can be reached by bus from Skanderbeg Square (40 Minutes) or by taxi from the apartment (25 Minutes).
*5 walking minutes from Skanderbeg Square*
Perched on the top floor of the luxurious Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana, The View offers an unrivaled view across the city.
The View offers a wide variety of cocktails and drinks along with salt and sweet snacks.
The View Lounge Plaza
*5 walking minutes from Skanderbeg Square*
Perched on the top floor of the luxurious Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana, The View offers an unrivaled view across the city.
The View offers a wide variety of cocktails and drinks along with salt and sweet snacks.
Food & Beverage
*5 minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"* Tymi is a typical Albanian Fast-Food. Enjoy some homemade meatballs (qofte) with regional side dishes and craft beer.
8 íbúar mæla með
Restorant Tymi
Rruga e Kavajës*5 minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"* Tymi is a typical Albanian Fast-Food. Enjoy some homemade meatballs (qofte) with regional side dishes and craft beer.
*10 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej" or around 25 minutes from the apartment*
The area that used to host the regime during the Communism era, is now a vibrant neighborhood with chic bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Blloku
*10 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej" or around 25 minutes from the apartment*
The area that used to host the regime during the Communism era, is now a vibrant neighborhood with chic bars, clubs, and restaurants.
*30 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"*
This restaurant is a great place to spend some hours enjoying traditional food and drinks, under the shadow of trees in the restaurant´s garden. Make sure to get a table outside.
7 íbúar mæla með
Sofra e Ariut
Rruga e Elbasanit*30 walking minutes from "Sheshi Skenderbej"*
This restaurant is a great place to spend some hours enjoying traditional food and drinks, under the shadow of trees in the restaurant´s garden. Make sure to get a table outside.
*10 walking minutes from the apartment*
You will find here one of the best coffees in Tirana, located just at the entree of the new Boulevard and the Boulevard Zogu I, which ends up at Sheshi Skenderbej (Scanderbeg Square).
Mulliri Plus
*10 walking minutes from the apartment*
You will find here one of the best coffees in Tirana, located just at the entree of the new Boulevard and the Boulevard Zogu I, which ends up at Sheshi Skenderbej (Scanderbeg Square).
La Fortuna
*8 minutes of walk from the apartment*
Delicious pizza & pasta both on-site and delivery.
*20 walking minutes from the apartment* This fish restaurant is located in the middle of the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri). The fish, which you will choose directly from the fridge bar, will be prepared a-la-carte for you.
I highly recommend to try out the home made fish-soup as a starter and then get a grill mix plate for 2.
11 íbúar mæla með
Markata e Peshkut
Rruga Shemsi Haka*20 walking minutes from the apartment* This fish restaurant is located in the middle of the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri). The fish, which you will choose directly from the fridge bar, will be prepared a-la-carte for you.
I highly recommend to try out the home made fish-soup as a starter and then get a grill mix plate for 2.
*30 walking minutes from the apartment*
Komiteti offers delicious breakfast & lunch. Decorated according to typical Albanian style, it is a mix between a bar an a museum.
19 íbúar mæla með
Komiteti - Kafe Muzeum
Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II*30 walking minutes from the apartment*
Komiteti offers delicious breakfast & lunch. Decorated according to typical Albanian style, it is a mix between a bar an a museum.
*20 walking minutes from the apartment*
A small, cosy restaurant. Only 3 tables in the restaurant and many tables on the terrace. It is located in a small alley in the new bazaar ("Pazari i ri"). No chic-Micki.
(Almost) all of the local dishes can be recommended. Specialities containing liver and lamb are not for every taste.
Especially a great place in the warm period of the year.
31 íbúar mæla með
Oda - Traditional Albanian Cuisine
3 Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi*20 walking minutes from the apartment*
A small, cosy restaurant. Only 3 tables in the restaurant and many tables on the terrace. It is located in a small alley in the new bazaar ("Pazari i ri"). No chic-Micki.
(Almost) all of the local dishes can be recommended. Specialities containing liver and lamb are not for every taste.
Especially a great place in the warm period of the year.
Regional Sightseeing
Places to visit in the vicinity of Tirana. As the public transportation is not very reliable and it doesn’t cover many destinations, we can take care of the transportation if you wish.
*50 minutes by car* This place is located at the beautiful reservoir of Bovilla, in the northeast of the city.
You might want to combine the visit to the restaurant to enjoy nature and take a brief walk around the lake.
Bovilla restorant
*50 minutes by car* This place is located at the beautiful reservoir of Bovilla, in the northeast of the city.
You might want to combine the visit to the restaurant to enjoy nature and take a brief walk around the lake.
*72 km (90 minutes drive) from the apartment*
Located in the district of Lezhë northwestern Tirana, this farm with an attached restaurant is worth visiting. You can enjoy a traditional Albanian menu and spend some time in nature. The farm has its own vineyards and grows its own vegetables. There is also a cheese dairy with a maturing room and a wine cellar, which can be accessed by guests.
19 íbúar mæla með
Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm
*72 km (90 minutes drive) from the apartment*
Located in the district of Lezhë northwestern Tirana, this farm with an attached restaurant is worth visiting. You can enjoy a traditional Albanian menu and spend some time in nature. The farm has its own vineyards and grows its own vegetables. There is also a cheese dairy with a maturing room and a wine cellar, which can be accessed by guests.
*40 driving minutes from the apartment*
Durres, being the second largest city of Albania, is a popular destination for a daily trip for many inhabitants of Tirana. Enjoying a drink or lunch in one of the many restaurants close to the sea, is a must do.
17 íbúar mæla með
Vollga Promenade
2001 Rruga Xhamia*40 driving minutes from the apartment*
Durres, being the second largest city of Albania, is a popular destination for a daily trip for many inhabitants of Tirana. Enjoying a drink or lunch in one of the many restaurants close to the sea, is a must do.
*40 driving minutes from the apartment*
The historical capital of Albanians during the XIV. The Bazaar of Kruja is one of the best conserved in the balkans. The small town host the “Skanderbeg Museum” named after the national hero and a small castle which used to control the movements of the entire valley from Durrës to Tirana.
Pazari i vjetër
*40 driving minutes from the apartment*
The historical capital of Albanians during the XIV. The Bazaar of Kruja is one of the best conserved in the balkans. The small town host the “Skanderbeg Museum” named after the national hero and a small castle which used to control the movements of the entire valley from Durrës to Tirana.
*1 hour by car* Located in the valley of Shkumbim River in Elbasan County, Rozafa Fish City is a great place to spend a hot summer day: a swimming pool with a mountain view and a restaurant with typical dishes.
I suggest paying a visit to the historical city of Elbasan and its castle.
Rozafa - Fish City
*1 hour by car* Located in the valley of Shkumbim River in Elbasan County, Rozafa Fish City is a great place to spend a hot summer day: a swimming pool with a mountain view and a restaurant with typical dishes.
I suggest paying a visit to the historical city of Elbasan and its castle.
Castles
*1 hour by car*
This museum was built in the famous fortress of Kruja, the capital of the state of Arbër and the personification of the defeat of the Ottoman armies, three times in a row, in the century XV.
In this museum, many original objects, documents and bibliographies are exhibited, authentic reproductions that speak clearly about the history of the Albanian people in the century XV and beyond.
You can combine it with a visit to the Bazaar of Kruje.
National Museum George Kastrioti Skanderbeg
Rruga Kala*1 hour by car*
This museum was built in the famous fortress of Kruja, the capital of the state of Arbër and the personification of the defeat of the Ottoman armies, three times in a row, in the century XV.
In this museum, many original objects, documents and bibliographies are exhibited, authentic reproductions that speak clearly about the history of the Albanian people in the century XV and beyond.
You can combine it with a visit to the Bazaar of Kruje.
*40 minutes by car*
Petrela Castle is a fantastic old castle located at the east end of Tirana. Petrela Castle has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BC.
During Skanderbeg's wars against the Ottomans in the 15th century, Petrela Castle was placed under the command of Mamica Kastriot, Skanderbeg's sister. Today there is a very popular restaurant in the castle.
The castle offers a spectacular view of the river Erzen Valley, the surrounding hills, olives and mountains.
20 íbúar mæla með
Kalaja e Petreles
Rruga Petreles*40 minutes by car*
Petrela Castle is a fantastic old castle located at the east end of Tirana. Petrela Castle has a rich history dating back to the 6th century BC.
During Skanderbeg's wars against the Ottomans in the 15th century, Petrela Castle was placed under the command of Mamica Kastriot, Skanderbeg's sister. Today there is a very popular restaurant in the castle.
The castle offers a spectacular view of the river Erzen Valley, the surrounding hills, olives and mountains.
*35 minutes by car*
The construction of the castle started in the 14th century and ended at the beginning of the 15th century. It belonged to the Topia feudal family.
A restaurant with traditional cuisine and several other services are available inside the castle as well as a large green square where you have a picnic and enjoy the wonderful view of the fields of Tirana.
9 íbúar mæla með
Preza Castle
*35 minutes by car*
The construction of the castle started in the 14th century and ended at the beginning of the 15th century. It belonged to the Topia feudal family.
A restaurant with traditional cuisine and several other services are available inside the castle as well as a large green square where you have a picnic and enjoy the wonderful view of the fields of Tirana.
*92 km (2h by car) from the apartment*
Rozafa Castle, also known as the Shkodër Castle is a castle near the city of Shkodër, one of Albania's oldest and most historic towns, as well as an important cultural and economic centre.
47 íbúar mæla með
Rozafa kastali
Rruga Rozafa*92 km (2h by car) from the apartment*
Rozafa Castle, also known as the Shkodër Castle is a castle near the city of Shkodër, one of Albania's oldest and most historic towns, as well as an important cultural and economic centre.
Hiking
A rather easy but breathtaking hiking in Tirana district.
Distance: 5.3 km
Duration: 2.5 h
Trail type: out and back
Elevation gain; 425 m (Total of 1511 m)
Difficulty: Easy
First, you´ll catch the Dajti Ekspress Cable Car Station: from the city centre about 20 minutes by car/bus.
A taxi costs around 15€ (return) and Cable car costs 13€ (return ticket). Duration of the trip with the cable car is 15 Minutes and it brings you on the Dajti Mountain, from where the hiking begins.
Maja e Tujanit
A rather easy but breathtaking hiking in Tirana district.
Distance: 5.3 km
Duration: 2.5 h
Trail type: out and back
Elevation gain; 425 m (Total of 1511 m)
Difficulty: Easy
First, you´ll catch the Dajti Ekspress Cable Car Station: from the city centre about 20 minutes by car/bus.
A taxi costs around 15€ (return) and Cable car costs 13€ (return ticket). Duration of the trip with the cable car is 15 Minutes and it brings you on the Dajti Mountain, from where the hiking begins.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
bus & taxi
Just a few meters from the apartment, on the main Siri Kodra street, there is a public bus stop. You have to buy the ticket in cash on the bus (€0.4 per person). Buses are unfortunately rather unpunctual. Most buses are air-conditioned.
An alternative is taking a "green taxi". These are electrical taxis and offer competitive prices compared to fueled ones. Card payments are usually accepted.
Sparnaðarleiðir
avoid supermarkets
In Tirana, there are farmers' markets every day of the week all day long. Not only are the products fresh and organic, but they are also much cheaper than in the supermarket. In addition, you support the farming families directly with your purchase. The most famous market is the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), which has become a tourist attraction.
The nearest farmers´ market is "Tregu Dinamo" about 950 m from the apartment. Farmers only accept cash (euro and lek).
Just a few meters from the building, in the white building in front, there is a small grocery shop (08:00 - 21:00).
Hvað á að taka með
forget about the weather forecast
Especially in the warm season (April - October) the weather in Tirana is quite changeable. Make sure to bring sunglasses, a blouse, and a skin cream. In case it rains, you will find an umbrella in the apartment.