Ledia's Guidebook
Popular places
You can find nice restaurants and sights of the city in this list. Recommended places are not far from the apartment and can be accessed by walking a few minutes.
Skanderbeg Square is the epicenter of the capital, surrounded by some of the most important buildings of the country.The large square has the interesting shape of a slight pyramid that culminates in its very center. During the summers, water rushes down its sides to refresh the passers-by!
25 habitants recommandent
Skanderbeg Statue
Sheshi SkënderbejSkanderbeg Square is the epicenter of the capital, surrounded by some of the most important buildings of the country.The large square has the interesting shape of a slight pyramid that culminates in its very center. During the summers, water rushes down its sides to refresh the passers-by!
The New Bazaar is a neighbourhood in Tirana, Albania. The name of the neighbourhood stems from the groceries marketplace, which is situated in the area. It is located east of the central boulevard. Along with Mujos it forms part of the Old Town of Tirana and is one of the oldest areas of the city.
You can find nice restaurants and caffes in this area.
110 habitants recommandent
Pazari i Ri
The New Bazaar is a neighbourhood in Tirana, Albania. The name of the neighbourhood stems from the groceries marketplace, which is situated in the area. It is located east of the central boulevard. Along with Mujos it forms part of the Old Town of Tirana and is one of the oldest areas of the city.
You can find nice restaurants and caffes in this area.
The Fortress of Justinian, known simply as Tirana Castle is the only one found in the city centre. The fortress is where at one time the main east–west and north–south roads crossed, forming the heart of the town as it was then. In this cultural and commercial space there are souvenir shops with a focus on Tirana’s history, mosaics, traditional restaurants, etc.
49 habitants recommandent
Kalaja e Tiranës
Shëtitorja Murat ToptaniThe Fortress of Justinian, known simply as Tirana Castle is the only one found in the city centre. The fortress is where at one time the main east–west and north–south roads crossed, forming the heart of the town as it was then. In this cultural and commercial space there are souvenir shops with a focus on Tirana’s history, mosaics, traditional restaurants, etc.
Pedonalja is one of the most unique streets in Tirana. It is next to the city centre of Tirana. The street serves as a main boulevard where cars are not allowed 24 hours daily. Only pedestrians are allowed to walk there. There are a few restaurant-cafes. In different periods of the year the Municipality of Tirana organizes different events.
10 habitants recommandent
PEDONALJA (Shëtitore"
Rruga Sermedin Said ToptaniPedonalja is one of the most unique streets in Tirana. It is next to the city centre of Tirana. The street serves as a main boulevard where cars are not allowed 24 hours daily. Only pedestrians are allowed to walk there. There are a few restaurant-cafes. In different periods of the year the Municipality of Tirana organizes different events.
The most popular area of Tirana.
Blloku (the block) now is an upscale nightlife and shopping hotspot, with hip bars and cafes, and trendy global restaurants alongside luxury boutiques. During the era of Communist rule, it was a closed-off precinct for the party elite, and the villa of long-ruling dictator Enver Hoxha still stands.
132 habitants recommandent
Blloku
The most popular area of Tirana.
Blloku (the block) now is an upscale nightlife and shopping hotspot, with hip bars and cafes, and trendy global restaurants alongside luxury boutiques. During the era of Communist rule, it was a closed-off precinct for the party elite, and the villa of long-ruling dictator Enver Hoxha still stands.
In a bustling city like Tirana it may surprise you to find such sparse and open nature in the heart of the capital. Well, the Grand Park of Tirana offers just that, and so much more.
The Grand Park of Tirana continues to be one of the most popular and frequented spots of the capital city, by tourists and locals alike. The weekend is the peak time in which the park warmly welcomes a multitude of park-goers, those of whom seek recreation in the area’s many open green spaces, promenades, playgrounds and eateries. The Open-Air Theatre is another great spot, where regular stage shows featuring talented artists take place. The Grand Park of Tirana also boasts many multi-functional courts for various sports and leisure activities.
59 habitants recommandent
Grand parc de Tirana
Rruga Herman GmeinerIn a bustling city like Tirana it may surprise you to find such sparse and open nature in the heart of the capital. Well, the Grand Park of Tirana offers just that, and so much more.
The Grand Park of Tirana continues to be one of the most popular and frequented spots of the capital city, by tourists and locals alike. The weekend is the peak time in which the park warmly welcomes a multitude of park-goers, those of whom seek recreation in the area’s many open green spaces, promenades, playgrounds and eateries. The Open-Air Theatre is another great spot, where regular stage shows featuring talented artists take place. The Grand Park of Tirana also boasts many multi-functional courts for various sports and leisure activities.
Sightseeing
Beautiful places around Tirana
This landmark and symbol of the capital was finally opened for tourists in 1996. Built in 1822, the monument initially housed a bell brought from Venice which chimed every hour! Another Venetian detail is its dome, which highly resembles that of St. Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice. Inside the tower, the 90 steps on a long spiraling staircase take you to its very top, at 35 meters.
31 habitants recommandent
Kulla e Sahatit
This landmark and symbol of the capital was finally opened for tourists in 1996. Built in 1822, the monument initially housed a bell brought from Venice which chimed every hour! Another Venetian detail is its dome, which highly resembles that of St. Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice. Inside the tower, the 90 steps on a long spiraling staircase take you to its very top, at 35 meters.
Right next to the Clock Tower, stands Et’hem Bey Mosque, another iconic monument of the city. It is the only surviving mosque from the eight built-in Tiranë during the 18th-19th centuries. Its foundations were constructed by Mulla Bey in the 18th century while the shrine was completed by his son, Haxhi Et’hem Bey, in the first quarter of the 19th century. It represents a typical object of oriental architecture, exhibiting very beautiful intricate murals.
47 habitants recommandent
Et`hem Bey Mosque
Sheshi SkënderbejRight next to the Clock Tower, stands Et’hem Bey Mosque, another iconic monument of the city. It is the only surviving mosque from the eight built-in Tiranë during the 18th-19th centuries. Its foundations were constructed by Mulla Bey in the 18th century while the shrine was completed by his son, Haxhi Et’hem Bey, in the first quarter of the 19th century. It represents a typical object of oriental architecture, exhibiting very beautiful intricate murals.
Parc Rinia
Historic places
Places where you can learn about Tirana's history.
One of Tirana’s most recognizable landmarks, this structure is one of Albania’s most treasured historical and architectural objects. Inaugurated on October 28, 1981, this museum is the largest in Albania! Its front façade is marked by a giant mosaic designed to show the developmental stages of Albanian people throughout the centuries. Its creation gathered the top experts of history, linguists, archaeology, ethnography, cartography, architecture and art in Albania.
167 habitants recommandent
Musée national d'histoire
7 Sheshi SkënderbejOne of Tirana’s most recognizable landmarks, this structure is one of Albania’s most treasured historical and architectural objects. Inaugurated on October 28, 1981, this museum is the largest in Albania! Its front façade is marked by a giant mosaic designed to show the developmental stages of Albanian people throughout the centuries. Its creation gathered the top experts of history, linguists, archaeology, ethnography, cartography, architecture and art in Albania.
An excellent re-imagining of a Communist-era nuclear bunker, Bunk’Art 2 museum and art space reflects Tirana’s initiative to use culture to celebrate the birth of a new era, whilst remembering its solemn past. The unearthing of this underground tunnel in the center of Tirana, echoes the uncovering of ancient ruins in any of the world’s most fascinating historical cities. Each discovery like this breathes new life into a city, recalling times past – marking the end of one era, and the beginning of a new. Bunk’Art 2, at approximately 1000 m2 in size, is the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that has recently transformed into an interactive artistic space. Located on the main block of ministerial buildings in the city’s center, this underground shelter was hidden from the public eye until to its recent unveiling in 2015. Secretly built from 1981-86, beneath the Ministry of Internal Affairs along the city’s main boulevard, the underground structure was given the code name ‘Objekti Shtylla’ (Object Pole) in order to keep its construction undetected.
195 habitants recommandent
Bunk'Art 1
Rruga Fadil DeliuAn excellent re-imagining of a Communist-era nuclear bunker, Bunk’Art 2 museum and art space reflects Tirana’s initiative to use culture to celebrate the birth of a new era, whilst remembering its solemn past. The unearthing of this underground tunnel in the center of Tirana, echoes the uncovering of ancient ruins in any of the world’s most fascinating historical cities. Each discovery like this breathes new life into a city, recalling times past – marking the end of one era, and the beginning of a new. Bunk’Art 2, at approximately 1000 m2 in size, is the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that has recently transformed into an interactive artistic space. Located on the main block of ministerial buildings in the city’s center, this underground shelter was hidden from the public eye until to its recent unveiling in 2015. Secretly built from 1981-86, beneath the Ministry of Internal Affairs along the city’s main boulevard, the underground structure was given the code name ‘Objekti Shtylla’ (Object Pole) in order to keep its construction undetected.
An unassuming villa in the centre of Tirana, the building known as the House of Leaves, used to be home to Albania’s communist-era secret service, the Sigurimi. Now the facility has been transformed into a museum of secret surveillance, offering insight into a dark period of Albanian history.
The name of this house is not a metaphor, and nor is it a coincidence. The house was carefully hidden from the public by a dense layer of trees and leaves, a proven camouflage technique normally seen in warfare. But for the conspiring Communist leaders, it was deemed effective enough to keep the secrets of the house obstructed from public gaze.
“This museum is dedicated to those innocent people who were spied on, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and executed during the communist regime,” reads a sign at the entrance to the museum, which housed the Gestapo during Albania’s occupation in the Second World War (1943 — 44) and was later used as the Sigurimi’s interception headquarters until the collapse of the communist regime in 1991.
Now visitors can traverse the museum’s 31 rooms to discover the equipment and techniques used by the Sigurimi to spy on and gain information about suspects. At the centre of things lies a huge collection of surprisingly advanced monitoring equipment, belying Albania’s poor financial situation and isolation at the time.
52 habitants recommandent
House of Leaves
An unassuming villa in the centre of Tirana, the building known as the House of Leaves, used to be home to Albania’s communist-era secret service, the Sigurimi. Now the facility has been transformed into a museum of secret surveillance, offering insight into a dark period of Albanian history.
The name of this house is not a metaphor, and nor is it a coincidence. The house was carefully hidden from the public by a dense layer of trees and leaves, a proven camouflage technique normally seen in warfare. But for the conspiring Communist leaders, it was deemed effective enough to keep the secrets of the house obstructed from public gaze.
“This museum is dedicated to those innocent people who were spied on, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and executed during the communist regime,” reads a sign at the entrance to the museum, which housed the Gestapo during Albania’s occupation in the Second World War (1943 — 44) and was later used as the Sigurimi’s interception headquarters until the collapse of the communist regime in 1991.
Now visitors can traverse the museum’s 31 rooms to discover the equipment and techniques used by the Sigurimi to spy on and gain information about suspects. At the centre of things lies a huge collection of surprisingly advanced monitoring equipment, belying Albania’s poor financial situation and isolation at the time.
Food scene
Suggestions on where you can eat around Tirana
Ceren Ismet Shehu
Oda - Traditional Albanian Cuisine
3 Rruga Luigj GurakuqiMon Amour
Rruga e BarrikadaveTartuf Shop
Shëtitorja Murat ToptaniE Jona
Restaurant Piceri Era "Blloku"
Rruga Ismail QemaliArtigiano at Vila
9 Rruga Papa Gjon Pali IIArtigiano
Pastaria Tirana
Rruga Sami FrashëriProper Pizza "Rruga Kavajes" (Proper Place Vila)
123 Rruga e KavajësOPA Greek Street food
15 Rruga Sami Frashëri