-Albania travel guide –
What to see in Tirana
Tirana is the capital of Albania, with an uneasy communist past. It is difficult to compare it with quite fashionable, commercial holiday resorts, but the city has something that makes you want to come back here. Tirana’s wonderful, hopeful atmosphere, dynamic development and rich nightlife delight everyone who visits. Keep reading to learn more about this Balkan city, which is rich in attractions and places to see. Tirana is a fairly young city and, compared to other European capitals, does not yet have many sights. The most important tourist spots are concentrated around the center and it is here that it is best to book a hotel. You will only need 2 days to explore the Albanian capital. Below are the most important attractions to see while in Tirana.
Tirana's most interesting attractions and historical sites
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square – the central and most famous point of the city. It is a must-see attraction on the map of Tirana. The square was named in honor of the Albanian national hero who repelled attacks by the Turks. In the middle of the square is a horse statue of Skanderbeg, which is one of the symbols of Tirana.
Sky Tower
Sky Tower – when visiting Tirana, it is worth starting with a look at the city from above. To do so, head to the Sky Tower, located on the top floor of an office building. The building also houses a hotel and a café. We recommend visiting the café, which is located on the 18th floor of the building and rotates around its axis. Sipping coffee or tea, you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire city in less than an hour – the views are breathtaking. The cafe is open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight.
Post Bllok
Post Bllok – a memorial to the victims of communism, which is located in the center of the city. Tirana, as well as all of Albania, is famous for its bunkers, which can be found at every turn. Some sources even say that there may be as many as 700,000 of them here. Post Bllok also known as Bunkart 2 is an anti-nuclear bunker turned into a museum. There is a distinctive smell inside. The exhibits, sound effects and films played on site are hugely impressive. All subtitles are prepared in English. Post Bllok is a place definitely worth seeing.
Bunk'Art
Bunk’Art – is in turn the most important of Tirana’s bunkers. It is located on the outskirts of the city. As we mentioned earlier, Hoxha built many bunkers during his reign out of fear of war, but this particular one was meant to serve him. Inside, he prepared for himself a large comfortable apartment and a command center, from where he was to manage the country in case of emergency, with the help of trusted dignitaries.
Kulla e Sahatit
Kulla e Sahatit – the clock tower, is located right next to the mosque. It was built in 1882 and was Tirana’s tallest building until 1970. There is now a lookout point on the tower, and you can climb it by climbing 90 stairs. The top of the tower measures 35 meters.
Et'hem Bey Mosque
Et’hem Bey Mosque – is the oldest building in Tirana. Also located in the main square. The building dates back to 1792 and impresses especially with its architecture and magnificent interior decorations. The building is fresh from a 3-year renovation.
Pyramid
Pyramid – Tirana’s landmark building. It was designed by Hoxha’s daughter and was to become the dictator’s mausoleum. However, it was completed shortly before the fall of communism. In the year it was built, it was the most expensive building ever erected in Albania. In recent years it has been used as a television studio and conference room. Lacking a concrete idea for the building’s development, there have even been calls for its demolition. There is now a project to transform the pyramid in Tirana into a modern technology center. Work on it began in 2021..
– start reading –
