If you asked me to name one city that caught me completely off guard—in the best possible way—it would be Tirana. Albania’s capital isn’t the kind of place that tops the average travel bucket list. Most people don’t even know how to pronounce it, let alone place it on a map. But I promise you this: once you land in Tirana and feel the city’s rhythm, you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
From concrete bunkers turned art museums to mountaintop cafes with jaw-dropping views, Tirana is a city full of contrasts. It’s raw and colorful, chaotic and peaceful, nostalgic and unexpectedly modern. And it’s not just about pretty photos—there’s depth here, history, flavor, and a bold personality you won’t forget.
Let me take you through the six reasons why I think Tirana should be on your radar.
1. Architecture That Tells a Story
You won’t find Versailles-style palaces or meticulously preserved old towns here. What Tirana offers instead is an architectural time capsule—one that captures centuries of foreign influences, from the Ottoman Empire to Italian fascism and brutalist communism.
The star of the show? The Pyramid. Originally built in 1988 as a museum to honor dictator Enver Hoxha, this strange, angular structure was almost demolished after communism collapsed. Instead, it was recently reinvented into a sleek tech and cultural center with open staircases you can climb for panoramic views. It’s weird, wonderful, and very Tirana.
Another place that stunned me was Skanderbeg Square. This is the beating heart of the city, watched over by a proud statue of Albania’s national hero.
Around the square you’ll see the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture, and the Et’hem Bey Mosque—one of the few Islamic landmarks that survived Albania’s atheist regime.
I stood in the square at sunset, listening to the faint call to prayer and watching the locals skate across the wide-open plaza, and it felt timeless.
“Architecture is the city’s memory,” a local told me. “Ours remembers everything.”
2. The Most Colorful Capital in Europe?
Tirana used to be gray. Really gray. But in the early 2000s, former mayor and artist Edi Rama decided enough was enough. He launched a bold urban makeover and painted over the monotony with wild colors, patterns, and street art. Entire buildings became murals, and neighborhoods turned into open-air galleries.
To this day, I’ve never seen so much pink, orange, teal, and purple on city blocks. Even government buildings look like they were attacked by a rainbow—and I mean that in the best way. There’s real joy in it. And surprisingly, this splash of color did more than brighten the mood. Crime rates dropped, public pride increased, and Tirana got its groove back.
If you love snapping photos of unexpected beauty (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), this is your kind of place.
3. Bunkers, But Make It Art
Albania is the land of bunkers. During the paranoid dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, up to 750,000 concrete domes were built across the country—on beaches, in forests, and yes, right in the middle of cities.
None were ever used for war, but they’ve remained as ghostly reminders of a dark past.
In Tirana, two of these bunkers have been transformed into something deeply moving. Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2 are immersive museum spaces that dive into Albania’s communist history and the everyday lives of people who lived through it. Walking through these underground tunnels, hearing personal stories, seeing old photographs—it’s not easy, but it’s necessary. I left with a lump in my throat and a lot more empathy.
If you plan to visit, Bunk’Art 2 is right near Skanderbeg Square, while Bunk’Art 1 is further out near Mount Dajti (more on that soon).
💡 Travel tip: Tirana’s museums and public Wi-Fi spots often block international media. I always recommend using a VPN when traveling. With Surfshark, I was able to browse safely and access everything I needed without interruptions—even when working from cafes.
4. Food That’s Way Better Than You’d Expect
I’ll be honest—I didn’t go to Tirana for the food. But by the end of my trip, it became one of my favorite reasons to stay.
Albanian cuisine is this beautiful collision of Turkish, Greek, and Italian flavors, with a distinct Balkan twist. It’s fresh, rustic, hearty, and sometimes a little unexpected.
Think grilled lamb, stuffed vegetables, creamy cheeses, olives, seafood, and warm bread served with everything. The local dish fërgesë tirane—a baked mix of peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and spices—was love at first bite.
I tried some of the best traditional meals at Oda and Era (both super cozy, with prices that feel like a time machine). If you want something quicker, check out the small grills labeled “zgara” where you can grab hot kebabs and spicy sausages wrapped in soft bread. Oh, and for fresh produce and street snacks, Pazari i Ri—the New Bazaar—is a total gem.
Coffee lovers, you’re in for a treat. Tirana takes its café culture seriously. Whether you prefer a smoky Balkan-style espresso or a matcha latte in a hipster hideout, the café scene is buzzing. I spent hours people-watching in shaded courtyards, and never once felt rushed.
“Albanians live in cafés,” my waiter joked one afternoon. “We talk, we work, we fall in love—all over coffee.”
5. The Blloku District: Past and Present Collide
Blloku (pronounced Blocku) is Tirana’s most stylish neighborhood—and easily one of the most fascinating. Today it’s packed with cocktail bars, indie boutiques, rooftop lounges, and trendy restaurants. But just a few decades ago, ordinary Albanians weren’t even allowed to step inside.
This was the gated residence of the communist elite. It’s where dictator Enver Hoxha lived, in a villa you can still see behind a fence. Right across the street? One of the first KFCs in Albania. Talk about irony.
The area gets lively after dark, and the mix of music floating through the air—jazz, funk, deep house—is honestly intoxicating. I ended up at SkyBar, a rooftop lounge inside a 17-story tower that slowly rotates, giving you a 360° view of Tirana’s lights. The view, the vibe, the mojito? Pure magic.
6. A Quick Ride to the Sky
Most capital cities don’t have a national park right on their doorstep. Tirana does.
Just 15 minutes from the center, you can hop on the Dajti Ekspres, a 4-kilometer-long cable car that glides up to the Dajti Mountain at around 1,000 meters above sea level. The ride itself is serene, offering dreamy views over Tirana’s patchwork rooftops, green hills, and, if the sky’s clear, even the Adriatic Sea.
At the top, there’s more than just a scenic lookout. You’ll find a relaxed restaurant, a mini golf course, horseback rides, and even options for paragliding if you’re feeling brave. I went up in the afternoon and ended up watching the sunset from a quiet bench, sipping on Albanian lemonade with mint and honey.
That moment felt like the whole trip wrapped into one: unexpected, gentle, and strangely beautiful.
Planning Your Trip to Tirana
I booked my flight through Kiwi.com, since they let me filter low-cost options easily and combine airlines that usually don’t work together. Flying into Tirana International Airport (TIA) is simple, and the airport is only about 25 minutes from downtown.
For accommodation, I stayed in a cozy apartment near Pazari i Ri that I found on Booking. But there are plenty of hotels, guesthouses, and boutique stays to choose from. I met another traveler who loved her stay at a funky art hotel in Blloku—if you’re into design-forward places, this neighborhood is worth considering.
And don’t forget to get your digital security sorted. Whether you’re browsing on public WiFi, watching content from back home, or just booking your next adventure online, a VPN is a must. I used Surfshark during my whole trip—it worked flawlessly and even let me access my home Netflix library without a hiccup.
Final Thoughts
Tirana isn’t trying to impress you with polished perfection. It doesn’t have the grand cathedrals of Western Europe or the picture-perfect coastlines of the Mediterranean. But what it does have is honesty, warmth, and a pulse that makes you feel alive.
It’s a city that remembers its past without being trapped in it. A place where bunkers become museums, gray walls turn into murals, and strangers turn into friends over a strong cup of coffee.
If you’re even a little bit curious, go. Let Tirana surprise you the way it surprised me.
✅ VPN I used in Tirana: Surfshark – 87% off + 3 months free
✈️ Flights to Albania: Kiwi.com flexible search
🏨 My favorite stay: Booking.com options in Tirana
