For those who solely have a day in Tirana, don’t fear. Albania’s capital is compact, full of life and extremely walkable, that means you’ll be able to pack rather a lot into 24 hours with out feeling rushed. Right here’s my Tirana itinerary, and the way a lot it’ll price you.
For those who’re questioning what to do in Tirana in at some point, that is precisely how I spent my 24 hours within the Albanian capital – and what I’d suggest if you wish to see the highlights. Anticipate underground bunkers and hanging structure, mountain views and full of life meals markets, oh, and a futuristic pyramid.
My flight left Gatwick at 14:40 on Sunday and arrived at 18:35 native time (they’re an hour forward).
It’s really easy to get the bus from Tirana Airport to Tirana – it price 200 LEK (£1.80) and took about 45 minutes. The taxi is about 30 minutes, and prices round €25.
Morning: begin at Skanderbeg Sq.
The very best place to start your 24 hours in Tirana is Skanderbeg Sq., the massive pedestrian plaza on the centre of the town.
Named after Albania’s nationwide hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the sq. is surrounded by a few of Tirana’s most vital landmarks. It’s additionally the proper place to get your bearings once you arrive within the metropolis.
On one facet you’ll see the hanging Nationwide Historical past Museum, simply recognised by its big mosaic façade. Close by sits the Palace of Tradition, whereas simply throughout the sq. is the elegant Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of many few historic spiritual buildings that survived Albania’s communist period.
It’s an excellent place to begin your day slowly. Seize a espresso at one of many close by cafés and watch Tirana get up. Albania takes its espresso tradition severely – locals linger over espresso for hours (particularly males it appeared).
A lot of Tirana’s prime sights are inside straightforward strolling distance from Skanderbeg Sq., making it the best start line for a day exploring the town.
Go to Lake Bovilla for unimaginable mountain views
If in case you have a little bit flexibility in your at some point Tirana itinerary, top-of-the-line excursions from the town is Lake Bovilla. I completely liked my time right here.
The reservoir is round an hour outdoors of Tirana surrounded by rugged mountains. On the best way you’ll have just a few stops, together with one at this wonderful gorge, and one other on the waterfall simply earlier than you get there. Simply be careful for the sketchy bridge – you’ll be able to see it within the Instagram carousel beneath should you click on by.
When you arrive, hike as much as the perspective for unimaginable panoramic views over the (at instances) turquoise water, surrounded by steep cliffs. Keep some time and have a little bit look around the caves on the prime. I simply sat and stared on the view for some time – felt prefer it’d been ages since I’d finished one thing like this.
There’s a restaurant midway up, serving a variety of delicacies and a totally stocked bar. I didn’t really feel that hungry however did get pleasure from a glass of Albanian white whereas having fun with the surroundings.
For those who’re visiting Tirana for a few days, Lake Bovilla is totally value including to your itinerary. Even should you solely have 24 hours in Tirana, an early morning journey right here could be an unforgettable option to begin the day.
That is the Lake Bovilla tour I did with GetYourGuide – 100% suggest (and solely £8)!
Afternoon: Go to Bunk’Artwork 2 for a historical past lesson
You possibly can’t go to Tirana with out confronting Albania’s communist previous, and Bunk’Artwork 2 is among the most fascinating locations within the metropolis to do this.
For many years Albania was dominated by the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Throughout this era, the federal government constructed 1000’s of bunkers throughout the nation in preparation for potential invasion.
As we speak, a type of huge underground bunkers has been reworked right into a museum exploring Albania’s trendy historical past.
There are literally two variations you’ll be able to go to:
Bunk’Artwork 1, situated outdoors the town close to Mount Dajti
Bunk’Artwork 2, situated within the metropolis centre
For those who solely have at some point in Tirana, Bunk’Artwork 2 is the best possibility as a result of it’s only a quick stroll from Skanderbeg Sq.. That is the one I went to.
Be ready although – it’s fairly grim and traumatic down there. Particularly given the state of the world proper now. I couldn’t assist however suppose how a lot historical past was repeating itself.
Strolling by the dimly lit tunnels and rooms offers a robust perception into what life was like through the communist regime and the way remoted Albania as soon as was from the remainder of the world.
It’s not the lightest attraction in Tirana, but it surely’s positively one of the vital. Don’t spend too lengthy down there!
This was comparatively costly for Albania, at round £9. Nonetheless value it although.
Dinner: Discover Tirana Fort
Simply off Shëtitorja Murat Toptani Pedestrian Road, you’ll discover Tirana Fort (Kalaja e Tiranës). It is a excellent spot to go after the trauma of the tunnel and bunker.
Regardless of the title, this isn’t a conventional fortress with towers and battlements. As a substitute, it’s a historic walled space that has been reworked right into a full of life courtyard full of eating places, artisan retailers and cafés.
It’s an awesome place to wander for half an hour, particularly if you wish to browse native crafts or cease for a drink.
I ended at Lezet Restaurant for the normal Albanian meals. I ordered the speciaility Fërgesë – purple peppers, tomatoes, and salted cottage cheese (domestically gjizë) or feta. Completely scrumptious with a sausage on prime. After which, baklava.
I do know I sound like a mega vacationer however I actually favored the way you scanned the QR code and it took you to their menu in English, with footage. It simply helps!
I’d initially stopped at one other restaurant down the again however there was so many individuals smoking round me, I needed to transfer. And I’m so glad I did. The meals and repair at Lezet was simply what I needed.
Oda Restaurant, ERA Restaurant Pizzeria or Kapalet all appear to be good choices in line with all of the weblog posts about Tirana I learn!
Sundown drinks at The Monarc Resort
As night approaches, head to The Monarc Resort for a drink. This trendy rooftop bar is among the greatest locations in Tirana to look at the sundown over the Namazgah Mosque – try my TikTok submit about it.
The environment is relaxed, the cocktails are glorious, and it’s the proper place to sit back after a day exploring the town. Had a beautiful sit down.
My Aperol Spritz was 550 LEK (a couple of fiver).
Night: climb the Tirana Pyramid
One of the uncommon buildings in Tirana is the Tirana Pyramid.
Initially constructed within the late Nineteen Eighties as a museum devoted to Enver Hoxha, it’s additionally been a monument and an deserted smash, however now it’s a renovated cultural and tech hub. Seemed like a number of places of work to me.
However the motive Tirana vacationers go is to climb up the edges of the pyramid through staircases to succeed in the highest, for the nice views throughout the town.
It’s one in all Tirana’s most distinctive landmarks and a strong image of how the town has reinvented itself for the reason that fall of communism.
Stroll by Pazari i Ri Market
After exploring Tirana’s historical past, lighten issues up with a visit to Pazari i Ri Market, often known as the New Bazaar.
This vibrant market space is among the liveliest locations within the metropolis. You’ll discover stalls piled excessive with fruit, greens, olives, nuts and native produce, alongside eating places and cafés the place you’ll be able to sit down in your dinner.
It’s an awesome place to attempt conventional Albanian dishes comparable to:
grilled meats
stuffed greens
recent salads
flaky pastries
Or just seize a drink and people-watch. Don’t count on distinctive sellers and quaint selfmade objects – it’s extra mass produced Albania soccer shirts, and ‘Albania’ emblazoned drums, pens and luggage, but it surely’s nonetheless an awesome space with some good wanting eating places round.
The place I stayed
I booked two nights at Villa Noem. Primarily as a result of it was the most cost effective, greatest wanting one close to the centre I discovered – and it ended up being a superb alternative.
I felt protected and cosy, and it was quiet and spacious. I had a balcony which I imagined utilizing much more than I really did, and there was free juice and low within the morning. It was solely about ten minutes stroll from Skanderberg Sq. and had just a few nice cafes close by, and a conventional, household run byrek store just a few steps away too.
What I’d do in another way in Tirana subsequent time
If I visited Tirana once more – which I positively would – there are a few issues I’d add to my itinerary.
Firstly, I’d like to do a correct structure stroll round Tirana. Town has a captivating mixture of kinds, from Ottoman remnants and Italian-influenced buildings to stark communist-era concrete blocks and vibrant trendy structure, and I’d love some context and course to get pleasure from them extra.
I’d additionally find time for the Home of Leaves Museum – which just a few folks had instructed me was one of the best museum. It’s concerning the spying and surveillance gadgets used throughout Albania throughout communism.
I’d additionally plan my journey extra round meals – perhaps do a cooking class? Mugo Restaurant, Arka Restaurant and Salt Tirana have been all on my record to go to. And I’d do the Djati Specific too, oh, and get some wellness therapies. They give the impression of being nice worth right here in comparison with British costs.
Price of Tirana
Try my Instagram submit for all the prices, and the way a lot I ended up spending in whole!
24 hours in Tirana
Tirana genuinely shocked me.
Earlier than visiting, I didn’t actually know what to anticipate. Albania remains to be comparatively underneath the radar for a lot of travellers, and Tirana doesn’t usually seem on the standard European city-break lists.
However that’s precisely what makes it attention-grabbing.
The place else are you able to climb a former communist monument, discover an underground bunker museum, sip espresso in a full of life market and watch the sundown from a rooftop bar – all in the identical day?
For those who solely have 24 hours in Tirana, you’ll get an excellent introduction. However likelihood is, like me, you’ll go away already planning when you’ll be able to come again. I feel subsequent time I’d both mix with the seashores of the south or the gorgeous lakes of the north.