Tirana Travel Guide

Tirana is a nice city with quite a lot to do.I'm not really much of a city person, but I still enjoyed exploring the different parts of Tirana, from trying local food and discovering the bazaars to grabbing coffee and experiencing some of the nightlife.

It's not my favourite place in Albania,but if you're flying into Albania through Tirana, you will most likely spend some time here anyway. I would recommend staying for one or two nights to explore the city, but personally, I wouldn't stay much longer than that.

So,if you're stopping in Tirana before heading to another part of Albania, here are a couple of things I would recommend doing while you're there.

Tirana Bus Terminal

Tirana Airport

Getting From Tirana Airport to the City Centre

Getting from Tirana Airport to the city centre is actually pretty easy.As soon as you come out of the airport,the buses are right in front of you,so you don't have to walk far to find them.

The buses run approximately every hour and the journey to the centre of Tirana takes around 20–25 minutes.

Tirana's Main Bus Station

If you're planning to travel from Tirana to other parts of Albania, this is one of the main bus stations you will want to know about.

From here you can find buses going to pretty much everywhere around Albania, including Sarandë, Himarë, Vlorë, Berat and many other destinations.

The station is known as the South and North Albania Bus Terminal and is located in Kashar, outside the centre of Tirana.

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Getting to the bus station

Because the station is outside the centre of Tirana, make sure you give yourself enough time to get there, especially if you have a bus to catch.

Once you arrive, there are many different buses parked in the area. If you're not sure which one is yours,simply ask the staff or the drivers for your destination before getting on.

Lake Bovilla

If you're looking for a day trip from Tirana,Lake Bovilla is one of the places I would recommend.It is around20 km northeast of Tiranaand the views over the lake and surrounding mountains are beautiful.

There isn't a public bus that takes you directly to the lake, so you'll need to arrange another way of getting there.A taxi from Tirana can cost around€17–20 each way,and the drive takes approximatelyone hour.

The road can be rough,narrow and steep in places,so I would make sure you have a suitable vehicle if you're driving yourself.

Once you arrive, there is a steep and rocky climb to reach the viewpoint. I would definitely bring comfortable shoes and plenty of water, especially during the summer.

There is also a restaurant near the top where you can stop for some local food and use the toilets.

Things To Do In Tirana

🚡 Dajti Ekspres

Take the cable car up Mount Dajti for beautiful views over Tirana and the surrounding mountains.

💡 My tip:On the way up,stand on the side facing the city so you get the best views during the ride.

Bring some cash because card payments are not accepted at the station.

🏛️ BUNK'ART 2

BUNK'ART 2 is one of the places I would recommend if you want to learn more about Albania's recent history.

The museum is inside a former nuclear bunker right in the centre of Tirana, so the building itself is part of the experience.

💡 My tip: I would go earlier in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds.

🥃 Komiteti Bar — Raki Tasting

If you want to try something very Albanian,I would definitely stop at Komiteti.

They have a huge selection of raki,and you can order a tasting flight to try several different varieties.

The atmosphere is also really cool,with a traditional Albanian feel and lots of interesting details inside.

🛍️ Thrifting&Bazaars

If you're into thrifting, Tirana is actually a really fun city to explore.

I found little bazaars and second-hand shops pretty much everywhere and ended up spending a couple of hours looking around.

You can find souvenirs, antiques, jewellery, handmade products, textiles and other interesting local finds.

💡 My tip: Take your time and don't be afraid to haggle a little.

Where To Eat&Drink In Tirana

🍽️ Mrizi i Zanave Tirane

If you want to try traditional Albanian food,this is a restaurant I would recommend.

Try the traditionalfli,a layered Albanian dish,and don't forget to try some homemade raki.

💰 Price: around 1,000–3,000 LEK

💡 My tip: Book a table in advance, especially when it is busy.

☕ Coffee With A View

If you want somewhere to sit down for a coffee and enjoy a view of Tirana, I would recommend the terrace at MonarC Hotel.

It's a nice place to stop for a coffee or drink while taking a break from exploring the city.

🌄 Kapelet Restaurant

Kapelet is located up on the hills and has beautiful views over the city and mountains.

I would recommend going before sunset so you can enjoy the view while you eat.

💰 Price:around 2,000–2,500 LEK

💡 My tip:Because of the location,I would take a taxi to get there.