About Tirana
Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance. It is among the wettest and sunniest cities in Europe, with 2,544 hours of sun per year.
Places to visit in Tirana
-
Skanderbeg Square
LandmarkTirana's huge central square, framed by the national museum, opera house and an equestrian statue of the national hero Skanderbeg, is the natural starting point for exploring the city.
-
Et'hem Bey Mosque
ReligiousA small Ottoman-era mosque on Skanderbeg Square with fine frescoes depicting trees, waterfalls and bridges, a rare style in Islamic art, and it is open to respectfully dressed visitors.
-
National History Museum
MuseumRecognizable by the large socialist-era mosaic across its facade, this museum covers Albanian history from antiquity through the communist period, giving useful context for exploring the country.
-
Bunk'Art
MuseumTwo museums set in former communist-era bunkers, one on the edge of the city and one downtown, that explore Albanian history and life under the regime.
-
Blloku
NeighborhoodThe former restricted residential area of communist leaders is now Tirana's trendiest district, full of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants, and the former villa of Enver Hoxha stands here.
-
Mount Dajti
ViewpointA long cable car ride climbs from the city's edge to this mountain national park, offering sweeping views over Tirana, forest hiking trails and restaurants at the top.
-
Pyramid of Tirana
LandmarkAn unusual communist-era pyramid structure that has been transformed into a technology and youth center, and visitors can climb the steps up its outer slopes for views over the boulevard.
-
Grand Park of Tirana
ParkA large park around an artificial lake south of the center, popular with locals for walking, jogging and relaxing on its tree-lined paths and lakeside cafes.
Things to do in Tirana by type
28 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
-
Art & culture 11 experiences Ancient Illyrian Code Leke Dukagjini Tour -
City tours 11 experiences Discover Durres - Half-Day Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 8 experiences Budva and Kotor - Full-Day Small-Group Tour
- Over 6 hours 7
- 3-6 hours 2
- Private 18
Top experiences in Tirana
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 28 available.
Tirana Explorer - Half-Day Walking Tour
From $27 per adult
Petrele Castle Half-Day Tour
From $67 per adult
Evening Walk in Tirana
From $36 per adult
Tirana Night Life
From $67 per adult
Communism Dictatorship in Albania - Half-Day Walking Tour
From $27 per adult
Preza Castle Half-Day Tour
From $67 per adult
Kruja: Albanian Medieval Legend - Half-Day Tour
From $56 per adult
Discover Gjirokaster: A World Heritage Site with hotel pìck up - Full-Day Tour
From $88 per adult
Dajti National Park by Cable Car - Half-Day Tour
From $67 per adult
Discover Durres - Half-Day Tour
From $94 per adult
Church of St. Anthony - Half-Day Pilgrimage Tour
From $86 per adult
Explore Berat with hotel pick up - Full-Day Tour
From $70 per adult
Best time to visit Tirana
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Tirana is April, June and September to October, when average daytime highs are around 68–88°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Tirana weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 71° 51° 80%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 56° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 68° 51° 47%
- Sat 24 Oct 69° 46° 7%
- Sun 25 Oct 64° 53° 39%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 52° 38%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Albanian lek (ALL)1 US dollar ≈ L81.2
- Language
- Albanian
- Calling code
- +355
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/TiraneUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Albania
- Independence DayDita e Pavarësisë
- Youth DayDita Kombëtare e Rinisë
- Christmas DayKrishtlindjet
- New Year's DayViti i Ri
- New Year's DayViti i Ri
- Summer DayDita e Verës
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Tirana
These are the airports closest to central Tirana. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- TIA Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Tirana
There are no metros available in Tirana. Feet, buses and taxis are the only options to get around in the city if you do not have private transportation.
On foot
The city centre is small enough to be explored through walking. Walking is a rewarding experience, but beware that there is no continuity in sidewalk width, construction material or condition. Sidewalks frequently end abruptly, have large holes or are very narrow. Pay attention while walking or you may end up spraining your ankle or falling in a hole. Street names are subject to change, so locals rarely know them. It is advised to learn to navigate via landmarks instead of addresses or street names.
By bus
Public transportation in Tirana consists of a number of intra-city bus lines. A single trip costs 40 lek, there are only single tickets available as of 2023, and tickets are sold in the bus by a conductor. Buses marked Green Line - Unaze number 16B are for the ring road and travel in a loop around the city centre. Though, not all Green Line buses are for Unaze. It stops near Emerald Mall with Hamleys and Jumbo. The bus continues onto Tirana Ring Center (mall) note the ice rink has closed down now.
By bicycle
There are combined bus and bike lanes on some main streets. However, cycling in the street can be quite dangerous as lanes are narrow or occupied by parked vehicles (but car drivers have become more careful during the last years). There are bike-only lanes however on Skanderbeg Square, Deshmoret e Kombit Boulevard and on sidewalks along Lana River and Kavaja Street.
Tirana travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Tirana?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Tirana is April, June and September to October, when average daytime highs are around 68–88°F and rain falls on about 9 days a month.
What is the weather like in Tirana?
July is usually the warmest month in Tirana, with average highs of 92°F (34°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 39°F (4°C). The wettest month is typically November, with about 241 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Tirana?
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Tirana.
What currency is used in Tirana?
Tirana uses the Albanian lek (ALL). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ L81.2.
What time zone is Tirana in?
Tirana uses the Europe/Tirane time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Tirana?
There are no metros available in Tirana. Feet, buses and taxis are the only options to get around in the city if you do not have private transportation.
What are the best places to visit in Tirana?
Top sights in Tirana include Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque, National History Museum and Bunk'Art. Tirana's huge central square, framed by the national museum, opera house and an equestrian statue of the national hero Skanderbeg, is the natural starting point for exploring the city.
What are the top things to do in Tirana?
Popular experiences you can book in Tirana include Tirana Explorer - Half-Day Walking Tour, Petrele Castle Half-Day Tour and Evening Walk in Tirana. Destina Holidays offers 28 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Tirana?
The most popular types of experiences in Tirana are art & culture (11), city tours (11), day trips & excursions (8) and cruise & water tours (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
