If there’s an underrated city in Europe that is a bit unexplored compared to many other cities, it is Tirana, Albania. As you might already know, Albania was a country that remained close to the rest of the world for 45 years, and just around 30 years ago, it opened its doors to the rest of the world. In this article I will explore the capital and will tell you how to best spend one day in Tirana when you have a limited amount of time available.
Albania is a beautiful country to visit with some of the nicest people in the world. Tirana, even though it is the capital and has that hectic spirit that capital cities worldwide have, still has the essence and warmth that characterize Albanians.
During my last visit to Tirana, I experienced this warmth. I had an incident in which I fell in the street, and many ladies tried to help me, even though we could not understand each other. They tried to comfort me and ensure I was ok, although I don’t speak Albanian, and they didn’t speak English or Italian.
With that said, Tirana is a great city to explore for a day, and its people make it even better. Here are some tips to explore Tirana in one day.
How to Move Around Tirana
If you stay in the city center, you will be close to most of Tirana’s main attractions. The city has a reliable bus system, but it is easy to walk to most places.
Wen you arrive to Tirana through the International Airport, you will find a bus that takes you to the city center for 400 leks (4€). The ride last around half an hour and will take you right next to Skanderbeg Square.
I suggest using the bus specifically to visit BunkArt 1 and Dajti Ekspress. However, walking to most places around the city center is easy, no matter the time of the day. If you decide to visit any bar, I would also suggest taking a taxi to keep yourself safe, especially if you are doing solo female travel in Albania.
When connecting with locals, Albanians, besides their native language, speak either English or Italian widely. It is pretty easy to find people to communicate with in English. Be open to learning courtesy expressions in Albanian, such as “Falemenderit,” which means “Thank you.”
The Perfect One Day In Tirana Itinerary
Morning
Start the morning by getting your breakfast at one of the many cafes in Tirana. One of the leading coffee chains in the city is Mulliri Vjeter, where you can start your day with a great coffee and a sandwich. Also, if you want another alternative, I would suggest starting the day with a Cheese burek from one of the many kiosks that have burek around the city. Usually, Albanians eat their burek with a yogurt beverage. In my case, I eat it with coffee during the morning.
After that coffee, I suggest starting with a Free Walking Tour to experience most of the city’s main attractions and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Normally, free walking tours start at Skanderbeg Square, the city’s main square, dedicated to the national hero Skanderbeg. After that Free Walking Tour, I am quite sure you will be ready to get some lunch.
Morning activities:
- Breakfast at Mulliri Vjeter
- Free Walking Tour in Tirana
Lunch at Ceren Ismet Shehu
Ceren is a restaurant located right at the Toptani Castle, one of the main tourist places in Tirana. This restaurant offers a fixed menu that includes salad, cheese board, bread, meats, and a beverage. It is perfect for exploring the local tastes of Albania and trying a bit of everything that Tirana and the country have to offer in perfect location.
If you need a cheaper alternative to have lunch, I would suggest the amazing Souvlaki places around the city, such as Grill and Souvlaki Stop located inside Toptani Mall. You will find different Souvlaki places all around the city is all about choosing the one that gets your attention the most.
If you are into Street Food, a place that I would also suggest is Laguna Pizza & Ice Cream. This place offers one of the best pizzas in the city and is perfect if you are the type of people who prefer to have lunch sitting in a square watching people passing by.
Afternoon
To begin the afternoon, I would take the bus and make a trip to Dajti Ekspress, the cable car that takes you to the highest point of Mount Dajti, from where you can have some of the best views in Tirana. Once you reach the top, you can have a coffee, relax with the views, and take some hikes. If you are a traveler who loves adventure, consider the Mount Dajti Paragliding Experience.
If you are like me and prefer a plan that is a bit more inclined toward history and culture, you can take the same bus that goes to Dajti Ekspress and visit BunkArt 1. As I mentioned earlier, Albania, for 45 years, remained closed to the world due to Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship. BunkArt 1 is probably the biggest of the 100,000+ bunkers built during the dictatorship. This, specifically, was built for the government officials to protect themselves from an imaginary invasion. This visit is worth it if you want to learn more about Albanian history.
If you want a shorter visit, I suggest visiting BunkArt 2, which is in the city center and contains important pieces of Albanian history. If you choose this option, you will also have time to walk in Blloku, the hip and bohemian neighborhood in Tirana, which was closed to the population during the dictatorship. Walking around this area, I see Enver Hoxha’s house in one of the corners. I would also recommend visiting Reka Pasticceri, a bakery offering some of the city’s best sweets. You can finish the afternoon at Tirana Park and get some lake views.
If neither of these ideas to hop on during the afternoon convenience you, I would suggest either joining a Street Food Tour in Tirana or a cooking class, so you can learn how to make amazing Albanian and Balkan delights such as Burek, Souvlakis, Fergese, and many other dishes.
Afternoon activities
- Dajti Ekpress
- BunkArt 1
- BunkArt 2, Blloku and Tirana Park
- Street Food Tour or Cooking Class
Dinner at Oda Garden
Oda Garden is my favorite restaurant in Tirana. This traditional restaurant offers the most delicious Albanian delights. It is also a great place to have dinner because, during the night, they have a traditional live music show that is a great way to start your night while having great food.
On their menu, you will find traditional Albanian dishes such as fergese, which is made with tomatoes, onions, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and yogurt; lamb; traditional salads; and eggplant dishes. I love the food in this place, and my best advice is to eat it with a Korça beer.
When I visit Oda, I always order a salad, lamb, fergese, and baked cheese. I also suggest exploring the menu for other traditional Albanian dishes.
Night
Compared to other Balkan cities, Tirana’s nightlife is more relaxed. Of course, you can find great bars that serve some Raki and beers, such as Komiteti and Radio Bar in Blloku, my two favorite bars in the city. These offer great cocktails and Raki options that you need to try. Another bar I would suggest is Bunker1944 Lounge, located in a place that used to be a refuge during the dictatorship.
I would also suggest meeting locals on different apps, such as Couchsurfing. Locals always know the best-hidden gems when it comes to nightlife.
Where to Stay in Tirana
As I mentioned, if you are looking for a place to stay in Tirana, my accommodation suggestion would be in the city center since you will be close to everything. I stayed in Tirana at Rooftop Tirana Hotel, a fantastic location in front of Skanderbeg Square. It also offers some of the city’s best views, including a view of Mount Dajti from its balconies.
You can click here to see the latest rates and book your accommodation in Tirana.
Day Trips Outside Tirana
After your day in Tirana, maybe you will be looking to keep exploring Albania or maybe do a day trip. These are the best day trips from Tirana:
- Durres: An amazing coast town just an hour away from Tirana. A great town filled with history that you need to see.
- Albanian Riviera: If you want the best beach destination, visit Ksamil.
Final Thoughts
If you want a vibrant city to spend a day in, that is in Tirana. One day in Tirana to explore allows you to do extraordinary things, from adventure to culture and history, with delicious cuisine and relaxed nightlife.
As I mentioned, the best part of Tirana is the Albanian people. I would recommend Tirana as a place to spend a day and Albania as a country you need to explore at least once in a lifetime.
Author Box: Brenda is a bilingual travel blogger and content creator from Puerto Rico who has written for Traveleira for ten years. She is skilled in international SEO, content strategy, and copywriting, making her great at creating exciting content in multiple languages. Brenda also has experience teaching foreign languages, which helps her connect with readers from different backgrounds.
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