Tirana is a city that stuns. A guide by French bloggers

Tirana is a city that stuns when discovered day by day. The beautiful contrast of communism style and modern buildings makes it a fantastic mix city. These are impressions by two French travelers who visited Tirana and wrote about it on their blog Black & Wood.

“At first, we were not at all charmed by its large boulevards encumbered by cars and its disconnected downtown. And then by exploring it more in depth, we began to appreciate it, with its colorful facades, Electric wires in all directions and its beautiful hidden corners.”

Credits: Black & Wood

What to see and do in Tirana?

Discovering the Communist History of Albania at the Bunk'Art

It is difficult to visit Tirana without taking an eye in the history of the city and the country. It is here in the capital that one finds the most interesting museums on the tormented history of the country.

Albania lived under the communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha from 1945 to 1991. And the best way to learn more about this period is to visit two Museums called Bunk'Art 1 and 2 .

Today, from this hard dictatorship, only the many monuments and arrangements of communist style remain.

And of course it starts with the Skënderbej square (during pedestrianization during our stay), a gigantic square used for large military gatherings (of the same kind of what can be seen in North Korea today). All around it are the Hotel Tirana International (which hosted foreign dignitaries during the Communist era), the Palace of Culture , full of ministries and the National History Museum, all built in the characteristic communist style .

To continue the visit of the Communist Tirana, go down the enormous Boulevard of the Martyrs of the Nation (Bulevard Dëshmorët e Kombit), which goes as far as the Mother Tereza square (Nënë Teresa). By the way, one discovers the National Gallery of Art and the Pyramid(which is in a rather deplorable state).

 

Credits: Black & Wood

For the nightlife go to Blloku

The area we really liked most about in Tirana is definitely the Bloc(Blloku), a place reserved for the political elite at the time. Today, the neighborhood is the trendiest of Tirana and all the young people meet there to go out and have a drink. 

Credits: Black & Wood

The small bonus for the air: the Dajti Express cable car

To take a little height on the city, go east of the city, right next to the Bunk'Art 1. A cumulative ticket exists besides with this one.
The cable car makes it possible to climb up to the National Park of Dajti  which sits above Tirana at 1613 m of altitude. We really enjoyed the climb but we did not have time to hike on the trails offered up there. A restaurant also offers on-site dining, with panoramic views of the entire Tirana region.

Credits: Black & Wood

Sky Tower

It is not the most beautiful bar but it is on the top of a large building. And the little extra: the Sky Tower rotates on itself 360 degrees. Perfect for watching sunset and this developing city.

Credits: Black & Wood

See full article:  https://www.blackandwood.fr/visiter-tirana-cityguide/