Tirana

Adrion International Bookshop

Magazines and newspapers from around the world. English books available.

Closed · opens 8:30 am tomorrow

Ali Demi Skate Park

The Ali-Demi skate park is a great place to go with your family because there is a nice park on one of the sides next to the skate park, there are markets, and a beautiful café shop with a playground for small children with typical swings and benches and soccer fields in the back. The skate park is full of people on bikes, roller skates, and skate boarders. The Skate Park is very good for beginners, the ramps are all cement (there is coping on the ramps). The ramps have a good variety—there are small ramps along with big ones. Almost all the ramps are shaped like a plateau they are good for caching air. There are many places to do ollies and 180s off of and other places to grind if you are an experienced skate boarder. The skate park is slightly below the rest of the park so you shouldn’t go when it’s raining because it fills up with water. There are quarter pipes along the sides of the skate park. This skate park is very fun for skaters, bikers, and rollerskaters.

Bektashism Museum

The museum presents, through documents, photos and original objects, the history of Bektashism (an Islamic Sufistic movement) on a world scale and in particular of Albanian Bektashism. It is organized in 12 stands of 12 showcases, observing the 12 Imams. A very important angle is the one devoted to religious tolerance and harmony, which has contributed and contributes greatly to the Bektashi World Bishopric. Part of the Bektashi Museum are three environments: Chimney - Coffee, Ashurja and Pilgrimage. An important place is the close connection of Bektashism in Albania with the Albanian National Renaissance. Along with the activity of patriotic clerics, a special stand is dedicated to Frasheri brothers, where Naim Frasheri's contribution is distinguished.

Daily 09:00–19:00

Bicycle quarter

Numerous shops selling used and cheap bicycles (some of which certainly stolen) and doing repairs.

Birrari Ke Tori

Straightforward traditional Albanian food, with mostly meat dishes on the menu. The restaurant is practically in the basement, so it is easy to miss.

300-700 lek

Blloku or Ish-Blloku

The Block

Among the apartment blocks, one can find some of Tirana's trendiest cafés, shops, and restaurants. Here is also located the villa of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha. During communism, the area was reserved solely for government officials and was not allowed to be entered by the commoner. It was opened to the public in 1991 and since became the number one spot for Tirana's youth. At night the area gets full of people especially on weekends when most night clubs are full. The streets, especially in summer afternoons, are filled with Tirana's citizens and expensive cars cruising around. From the Block you can go almost anywhere for less than 10-15 minutes. If you need to have a coffee or relax while taking a look at the parade of trendy and elegant people, the block is a perfect place for you. In the Block you can buy trendy clothing items and French delicacies. You can also get taxis.

Brar Canyon and Bridge

Albanian: Ura e Brarit

A panoramic canyon and Ottoman bridge just steps from the capital. Spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Tirana. A cave and a beautiful waterfall is found near Shengjergj village.

Bunk'Art

Enver Hoxha's Underground Bunker

This fantastic conversion, from a massive cold war bunker on the outskirts of Tirana into a history and contemporary art museum, is easily a Tirana highlight. With almost 3,000 m² of space underground spread over several floors, the bunker was built for Albania's political elite in the 1970s and remained a secret for much of its existence. Now it hosts exhibits that combine the modern history of Albania with pieces of contemporary art.

Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00·700 leke

Bunk'Art 2

The little cousin to the main Bunk'art, this museum, which is within a communist-era bunker and underground tunnel system below the ministry of Interior Affairs, focuses on the role of the police and security services in Albania through the turbulent 20th century. While the bunker itself might not be especially interesting, the story on the dictatorial regime and internal anti-dissident security forces has been very well executed and makes for a fascinating journey behind police lines.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·700 leke

Bush Street

Rruga Presidenti George W. Bush

This street was named after US President George W. Bush in honour of his 2007 visit.

Central Market

Pazari i ri / New Market

Rather touristic, so the prices are inflated. They have fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, beans, flea market stuff, as well as traditional cooking utensils.

daily early morning

Chinese Garden

Sit-down, table-service Chinese restaurant, serving the western-versions of Chinese food, though one will occasionally see Chinese diplomats, businesspeople and tourists eating. Good food, large portions for the main dishes, noodles and rice. On the upper level of the building. Outdoor dining available during warm months.

Open now · closes 11 pm·around 1,000 lek

Citypark Albania

A large shopping centre has some 180 shops, a Mercator hypermarket, food court, skating rink.

Clock Tower

Kulla e Sahatit

This tower has become a symbol of Tirana. It is one of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820s. Don't forget to visit the nearby Clock Towers of Albania Museum featuring Clock Towers from around Albania, and traditional costumes from Tirana region. The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 m (115 ft) tall and was the tallest building in Tirana at the time.

Sat-Mon Wed 09:00-13:00, 16:00-18:00·10 lek

Dajti Castle ruins

Albanian: Kalaja e Dajtit

An archaeological site comprising the remains of a Roman fortification (built over an earlier Illyrian castle) on a mountainside of Mount Dajti.

Dajti Mini Golf

A fun mini-golf course, the only 18-hole course in the country. Suitable for players of all ages and with no previous experience needed. With a number of obstacles in your way, the aim of the game is to get your ball into the hole in the least amount of shots. The course is equipped with floodlighting allowing players to continue playing after sunset. The course is most easily accessed via the Dajti Ekspres cable car which is around 2 km from the centre of Tirana. The cable car journey to the top of Dajti mountain is around 15 minutes in length.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·Child 2-4 €2, child 5-11 €7, adult 12+ €10, family of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) €28, discounted combo tickets can also be purchased at lower station

Era

A Biloku restaurant featuring Albanian and Italian fare. Options include stuffed aubergine and pilau with chicken and pine nuts.

Et'hem Bey Mosque

Xhamia e Et'hem Beut

Construction of this mosque took about 28 years and finished in 1821. It is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in Albania with very interesting decorations and artwork within it. Reopened in 2021 after full restoration.

Daily 08:00-22:00 (summer), 08:00-19:00 (winter)

Flea market

This certainly is a proper flea market, even though its style might deter most non-Albanians. It all looks dirty and is spread across the ground. Nevertheless, some good bargains and properly functioning things can be found here; you might be even more lucky than in the other shops of the quarter.

Flower's

Daily menu and à-la-carte. Free water and bread as locals are used to it. Muzaka, creamy egg plant... feels like the try beyond the usual.

200-300 lek

Fortress of Justinian (Tirana Castle remains)

Albanian: Kalaja e Justinianit, Kalaja e Tiranës

The history of this castle in dates back before 1300 and is a remnant from the Byzantine-era. The fortress is the place where the main east-west and north-south roads crossed, and formed the heart of Tirana. About all that's left of the fortress above ground is a 6-m-high Ottoman-era wall, covered in vines. In the 21st century, uncovered wall foundations were uncovered and incorporated into the pedestrianised Murat Toptani Street, while a mosaic commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Albania's Independence was unveiled near the Albanian Parliament. In December 2018, a new traditional bazaar was opened inside Tirana Castle with various traditional handicraft shops and traditional cuisine restaurants.

Fruit & Vegetables Market

Tregu i Fruta-Perimeve

Local produces and prices. There are also many stalls and shops towards it, having a similar variety, especially along Vath Koreshi (which also includes butchers).

Daily 08:00–19:00

Fruit & Vegetables Popup Markets

There seem to exist some by the city sponsored markets that pop up from time to time. Though, no real time table is available. There is near Hemingway Bar.

Furniture quarter

Right next to where they sell bicycles, there are several 2nd-hand furniture stores. Even though the variety is a little limited.

Garage Sale

Probably the largest 2nd-hand store. Household electronics and appliances, tools, cable, etc.

General's Beach

Plazhi i Gjeneralit

A popular seaside weekend retreat. The name stems from an Italian general who used to rest at this beach during World War II. Accommodation is available in form of wooden villas. An international resort is also being build nearby at Kalaja e Turres. Visit nearby Bashtova Castle and Shenepremte Church.

Grand Bazaar

Fruits, vegetables, books, ceramics, 2nd-hand, kitchen appliances, cloths, shoes, etc. Bigger than the Central Market, non-touristy, but a little off-track.

daily 07:00-15:00

Grand Park along the Artificial Lake

Parku i Madh

People have picnics and have fun, and the natural beauty allows it because of the huge trees, open spaces, and mountains surrounding them. An artificial lake lies in the middle of the Park. It is popular with locals and tourists as a place to walk around and enjoy a lunch or coffee at one of the restaurants or cafés. Over 120 types of plants. A popular swimming pool complex is nearby.

Hemingway

A cocktail bar with Jazz, Blues, Reggae, etc. They also have inexpensive local beer, but they do not advertise it. Their service is not the quickest though.

From 18:00·Cocktails: from 700 lek

Historical Museum of the Armed Forces

Arms Museum

This museum contains more than a thousand objects, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, decorated with gold and silver, a range of display cases with rifles of various types of Medieval, Renaissance, Skanderbeg's swords, of Ali Pasha Tepelena, aircraft, helicopters, tanks, four silhouettes, ground artillery, anti-aircraft of various calibres, as well as transport vehicles of different types. The two main pavilions are: the historic era pavilion 1470-1945 and the pavilion of 1945-1990. On the second floor are part of the uniforms used during the years by the Armed Forces to the newest uniforms. The first pavilion, besides the historical values, is also a testimony of the Albanian artisanship in this area.

Tue-Sun 10:00 - 17:00·free