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 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.

Municipality of Tirana and Palace of Culture - Albania Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com

The City

The 1992 elections in Albania ended 47 years of communist rule. The shaking off of the restrictive weight of the communist regime is expressed in the attitudes of freedom and fun found in the Albanian people, and the untamed colour schemes of the newly redecorated buildings here are a visual demonstration of this energetic rebirth. The oppression that stifled life here for years has been discarded and a "new lease on life" attitude is evident in this city.

Tirana itself is an enticing mix of stern Soviet Bloc cement buildings, Ottoman minarets and 1930s Italian architecture, juxtaposed with the wild colour schemes of newer buildings. The religious buildings in Tirana are a wonderful mix of Christian and Muslim shrines, which speaks to its varied heritage and multicultural present. There is also a pulsing nightlife scene, and Tirana is famous for its all-night café culture.

Young woman tourist photographing with digital tablet Skanderbeg monument in Tirana, Albania. RossHelen/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

Old relics from the Communist regime have become significant tourist attractions in Albania, serving as stark reminders of the country's recent history. However, as tourism develops, infrastructure such as street signs is still catching up. When asking locals for directions, it is common for them to use landmarks as reference points instead of addresses. In many cases, building numbers are not used consistently, and the addresses in this guide may only include street names.

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Tirana's Colorful Facades

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Skanderbeg Square

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Clock Tower

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Et’hem Bey Mosque

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Tanners’ Bridge

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National Museum of History

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Prime Minister's Office & Residence

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Mount Dajti

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Central Market — Pazari i Ri

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Archaeological Museum

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Skanderbeg Statue

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Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

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Grand Park of Tirana (Parku i Madh)

Stuffed paprika with meat, rice and vegetables. Krzysztof Slusarczyk/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Tirana has a number of versatile dining options. European cuisine, especially the Italian, has gained great influence because of Italy's relationship with Albania. There are many traditional Albanian food outlets to choose from, too.

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Era Vila

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Sofra e Ariut

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La Voglia

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Sky Club

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Fiore

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Green House

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Artigiano Vila Restaurant

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Pasta da Pucci

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Rooftop Bar & Restaurant at Xheko Imperial

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Padam Boutique Hotel & Restaurant

Cafés

Visiting cafés is a popular pastime of many locals and all throughout the day and well into the evening people are sipping espresso and chatting with friends. The upmarket Blloku neighbourhood is currently the hub of café culture in Tirana, and here you will see people often sitting for hours drinking and gossiping. After a long day of sightseeing, grab a cup of coffee and relax with the locals at one of the many cosy cafés the city has on offer.

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D'Angelo Chocolate & Coffee

Bars & Nightlife

Tirana offers a lively nightlife scene with a variety of options to suit all tastes. You can grab a drink at one of the many bars, which — like the city’s cafés and clubs — stay open quite late into the night. From DJ-fueled discos to live music venues, and even ballet performances, the city provides ample entertainment. It’s common for clubs to use "Disko" in their name, signalling that they offer DJ sets and a space for dancing, ensuring a fun night out for visitors and locals alike.

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Padam Boutique Hotel & Restaurant

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Meduza’s Irish Pub

Shopping

As Albania recovers economically from the turmoil of the 1990s, Tirana's shopping scene is gradually evolving. With the growth of tourism, the city is seeing more upscale shops emerging, catering to visitors and competing with other popular tourist destinations. Despite this shift towards modernity, traditional Albanian crafts such as ceramics, jewellery and food items continue to provide an authentic cultural experience for shoppers, allowing them to take home a piece of the country’s heritage.

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QTU — Qendra Tregtare Univers

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Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta

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Adrion Bookstore

Tourist Information

Best Time To Visit

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.

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Passport/Visa

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.

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Website: www.punetejashtme.gov.al/en/regjimi-i-vizave-per-te-huajt

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Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA)

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.

Address: Tirana International Airport, Ruga Nene Tereza, Rinas

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Phone: +355 4 238 1800

Website: www.tirana-airport.com

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Public Transport

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.

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Website: expatsinalbania.com/living-in-albania/tirana/tirana-bus

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Taxi

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.

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Website: home.patoko.com

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Post

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).

Address: Poste Albanaise à Tirana, Bureau Nr 5, Rruga Çamëria, Tirana

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Website: www.postashqiptare.al

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Telephone

Country code: +355
Area code: (0)4

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Electricity

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.

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