Things you shouldn’t miss while visiting Tirana: tips by a travel blogger

A backpacker couple visited Tirana recently. For each destination they write an article about everything you need to know, travel tips and etc. Tirana, the city full of contrasts impressed the couple with the history, monuments and museums. The “Travel of a Bookpacker” blog, describes attractions and other things to do in Tirana such as: climbing the Pyramid of Tirana, learning  about Albanian communism in recently opened museum, spotting colorful buildings of the city and much more.

Photo source: Travel of a Bookpacker

Things to do in Tirana as listed by Travel of a “Bookpacker”:

The pyramid of Tirana

This was originally built to house a museum dedicated to Enver Hohxa but after the fall of communism it was abandoned. The building sits in the middle of Tirana and has been used as several other things such as television studios but now it just sits. It's a funky building but nobody really knows what to do with it. So for now it makes a weird tourist attraction and great slide! Climbing to the top is doable in decent shoes or bare feet. It's pretty steep though!

Learn about Albania’s history at Bunk’Art museum 

Another slightly weird but also awesome thing to do in Tirana is head out to an abandoned bunker and learn about Albania's history. It costs 500L (around €4.50) to enter but this was actually a museum I don't regret paying for. Some of the rooms are set up with relics from the time of Hoxha including his office and bedroom. There are also a range of exhibitions spanning the last 100ish years in Albania. There's some random art display's dotted around too. The bunker is (obviously) underground and has long dark corridors with small rooms coming off. It's spooky and a bit chilly. I didn't love it down there but found it really interesting. Think twice about going if you're claustrophobic or with young kids.

Take the cable car up mount Dajti

This is right next to BUNK'ART so it makes sense to do both of these in the same day. The Dajti Express Cable Car takes around 15 minutes and has some amazing views of the city. At the top there is a hotel and a restaurant. This is meant to be a good area to hike for the day and enjoy the views. We decided to eat and enjoy the views!

We had a decent meal at the restaurant. It was a little more expensive than places in the city but still Balkan budget prices. A meal for two with drinks cost us €20. We were there quite early to enjoy the sunset views. The Dajti express costs 600L return per person and the last one goes at around 9pm but double check this on their site as it changes depending on the season.

Take a walking tour

A walking tour is a great way to get to know a city and nothings beats free when you're travelling on a budget! The Tirana tour is really interesting as much of the history is really recent and there are plenty of intriguing places to stop around the city. It's also great to have a local to ask all your burning questions to like, 'Why are there bunkers everywhere?!'

This is one of my favorite novelty attractions of all time. At the top of the sky tower (take the lift to the restaurant and walk up the stairs) is a bar with awesome views of the city. And.....it rotates! How cool is that?! Sit there with a beer or a coffee and see a whole 360° view of Tirana from above without getting out of your seat. 

Spot the electric box street art and colorful buildings

This is a great project which involves every electrical box in the city being painted with some kind of cartoon or famous person. There are literally hundreds so make sure to look out for them as you walk around the city. I spent my whole day trying to spot as many as I could.

There are also lots of colourful buildings in Tirana. This was started by the mayor who was also an artist in an attempt to jazz up the old soviet buildings. Walking along the banks of the river you'll be sure to spot a few!

Marvel at Skandergbeg square

This is the central plaza of Tirana and you'll no doubt pass through here at some point during your stay. It is home to the National Historical Museum, the Opera, the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the Skanderbeg monument dedicated to the Albanian nobleman who resisted the Ottomans.

See full article: https://www.travelsofabookpacker.com/blog/tirana-city-things-to-do