Tirana 5-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Orthodox Church

   Orthodox Church is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Catholic Church

   Catholic Church is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

3. Stop 3 · 11 min walk

   Et'hem Bey Mosque

   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.

4. Stop 4 · 7 min walk

   Mosque 'Kokonozit'

   Finished in 1750 during Ottoman rule and one of the few that survived the Communist rule intact. During that time the building functioned as a storehouse and a tobacco shop, then in 1991 it was returned to its original use.

5. Stop 5 · 9 min walk

   Saint Paul Catholic Cathedral

   This modern cathedral features fascinating window murals.

6. Stop 6 · 5 min walk

   Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral

   This cathedral features fascinating architecture and rich interior iconography. The church covered with a 23-m-high dome

Eat · 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.

1. Stop 1

   National Gallery of Arts

   Tracing the relatively brief history of Albanian painting from the early 19th century to the present day, this beautiful space also has temporary exhibitions. The interesting collection includes 19th-century paintings depicting scenes from daily Albanian life and others with a far more political dimension including some truly fabulous examples of Albanian socialist realism. The ground-floor part of the gallery is given over to temporary exhibitions of a far more modern and challenging kind.

2. Stop 2 · 11 min walk

   National Archaeological Museum

   Features ancient artifacts from Illyrian to Roman and Hellenic times: wonderful mosaics, Roman statues and illustrative maps. The collection here is comprehensive and impressive in parts, but there's only minimal labelling in Albanian and none at all in English (nor are tours in English offered), so you may find yourself a little at a loss unless this is your field.

3. Stop 3 · 22 min walk

   Natural Sciences Museum of Albania

   This museum features the fauna and geological composition of Albania.

4. Stop 4 · 5 min walk

   Tirana Mosaic

   The mosaic was discovered following excavations for an apartment complex. Various artifacts point to the presence of a village in the area thousands of years ago. This is the only archaeological site in Tirana.

5. Stop 5 · 70 min walk

   Bunk'Art

   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.

6. Stop 6 · 59 min walk

   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.

Eat · Gjelltore Dibra: Local dishes and central location.

1. Stop 1

   Historical Museum of the Armed Forces

   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.

2. Stop 2 · 132 min walk

   Studio House "Kadare"

   This apartment was the residence of Kadare, an important writer, from 1974 to 1989, and his work place. It was designed by architect Maks Velo in 1972, was declared category II Culture Monument in 2015. The modernist and cubist building was called at that time "the palace with cubes", and represents the aspiration of Albanian architecture to be in step with time and in particular with the West. The Kadare Studio House will foster a deeper understanding of Albanian history during the dictatorship.

3. Stop 3 · 6 min walk

   Fortress of Justinian (Tirana Castle remains)

   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.

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   Bush Street

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

5. Stop 5 · 6 min walk

   Piramid

   Completely renovated and reopened in May 2023, the pyramid was built in 1987 according to the design of Enver Hoxha's daughter and was opened as a museum dedicated to her father. In 2007 US President George W. Bush gave a speech in front of this building. The building was the most expensive erected under communism, but by 2017 it had been empty and derelict for some time and threatened with demolition, instead it was saved and rebuilt.

6. Stop 6 · 7 min walk

   Blloku or Ish-Blloku

   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.

Eat · Tasty: An authentic and plain cantine-like restaurant with a great choice of inexpensive, genuine Albanian dishes.

1. Stop 1

   Tirana Zoo

   Visiting this zoo is an odd experience; there are few animals but you will see them at remarkably close range. Nearby is the Botanical Garden featuring the best of Albania's fauna.

2. Stop 2 · 33 min walk

   Martyrs' Cemetery

   This is the cemetery where the remains of 900 partisans that fought for Tirana are buried. Here one can also find the 12-m statue of Mother Albania built in 1972 (Monumenti Nëna Shqipëri). Hoxha was buried here in 1985 but exhumed in 1992 and moved to the other side of the city.

3. Stop 3 · 82 min walk

   Petrela Castle

   This is one of Albania's best-preserved castles. It is known as an ancient settlement 2000 years old and was commanded by princess Mamica, the sister of the national hero, Skanderbeg.

4. Stop 4 · 330 min walk

   Preze Castle

   This 15th-century castle is on the picturesque hills of Preze village west of Rinas airport.

5. Stop 5 · 301 min walk

   Dajti Castle ruins

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

6. Stop 6 · 338 min walk

   Ndroqi Castle ruins

   Located on a pyramid-shaped hill. A cobblestone paved pass lead to the castle.

Eat · Te Dhuri: Only daily lunch menu available, no à-la-carte. Simple but delicious. Though, it seems a little Albanian might be needed to communicate your needs.

1. Stop 1

   Shkodër

   Listed as a next stop from Tirana. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Montenegro

   Listed as a next stop from Tirana. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Albanian Alps

   Listed as a next stop from Tirana. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.