Tirana Travel Guide: Things To Do, Transport & My Tips

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.

What I would do when arriving in Tirana

If you're arriving in Albania for the first time, I wouldn't overcomplicate the airport transfer. Have some Albanian Lek with you, check where the airport bus is going and keep the address of your accommodation saved on your phone.

If you're tired after a flight or carrying a lot of luggage, a taxi can be a more convenient option. If you're travelling on a tighter budget, the airport bus is the option I would consider first.

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.

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.

Using Tirana as a Base for Exploring Albania

One thing I found useful about Tirana is that it can work well as a starting point for exploring other parts of Albania. If you're backpacking around the country, you may arrive in Tirana first and then continue south toward places such as Berat, Vlorë, Himarë or Sarandë.

Because of that, I would keep your transport plans in mind when choosing where to stay. Being somewhere convenient for exploring the city is great, but you also don't want to make your departure unnecessarily complicated when you have an early bus.

Lake Bovilla: A Day Trip From Tirana

If you're looking for a day trip from Tirana, Lake Bovilla is one of the places I would recommend. It is around 20 km northeast of Tirana and 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 approximately one 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

Tirana isn't a city where I felt like I needed to have every minute planned. For me, part of the fun was walking around, stopping for coffee, looking through the markets and deciding what I felt like doing that day.

Where To Eat & Drink In Tirana

Food was one of the things I enjoyed while exploring Tirana. Whether you're looking for traditional Albanian dishes, somewhere for a coffee or a restaurant with a view, there are plenty of different options around the city.

Is Tirana Safe At Night?

Tirana has an active evening atmosphere, and there are parts of the city where people are out late for dinner, drinks, coffee and nightlife. That said, I don't think it's a good idea to treat any unfamiliar city as if you don't need to pay attention to your surroundings.

When I'm travelling, I prefer to use the same common-sense habits I would use anywhere else: I keep my phone and belongings close, stay aware of where I'm going and avoid walking around unfamiliar areas alone late at night.

If you've been out for the evening and don't feel comfortable walking back to your accommodation, taking a taxi is a simple option. I would also make sure you know the address of your accommodation before heading out.

Getting Around Tirana

For exploring the central parts of Tirana, I found it much easier to combine walking with short taxi rides when necessary. Walking also lets you discover cafés, shops and smaller streets that you might otherwise miss.

For places outside the centre, especially destinations such as Mount Dajti or restaurants located up in the hills, I would plan the transportation before leaving rather than assuming everything will be within walking distance.

Practical Tips For Visiting Tirana

Tirana is fairly easy to explore once you get your bearings, but a few small preparations can make the experience much smoother.

How Many Days Do You Need In Tirana?

Personally, I think one or two nights is enough for a first visit if Tirana is part of a larger Albania trip.

With one full day, you can explore some of the city's main attractions, eat traditional food, stop for coffee and experience some of the evening atmosphere.

With two nights, you have more time to slow down and potentially add something outside the city, such as Lake Bovilla.

Of course, the amount of time you need depends on the type of trip you're taking. If you love cities, museums, restaurants and nightlife, you may want to stay longer. For me, because I prefer Albania's beaches, mountains and smaller destinations, Tirana was more of a starting point for exploring the rest of the country.

My Overall Opinion Of Tirana

Tirana isn't my favourite destination in Albania, but I still think it's worth experiencing, especially if you're arriving through the airport or travelling through the country by bus.

What I enjoyed most was being able to mix completely different experiences in a short amount of time. I could spend part of the day exploring a museum, stop for Albanian food, look around the bazaars, have a coffee and then head somewhere with a view.

I also think Tirana makes more sense when you look at it as part of a larger Albania itinerary rather than expecting it to be the main highlight of your entire trip.

If you're flying into Albania, I wouldn't skip Tirana completely. I would give yourself a night or two, explore the parts that interest you and then continue on to the destinations that fit your travel style better.

Would I Visit Tirana Again?

I wouldn't choose Tirana as my main destination for a long Albania trip, but I would still happily spend a night there when travelling through the country.

For me, the best way to experience Tirana is to keep it relaxed. Explore the city, try some Albanian food, have a coffee, visit a few places that interest you and don't worry about trying to see absolutely everything.

Then, when you're ready to continue your Albania adventure, make sure you know where your next bus leaves from and give yourself enough time to get there.