Tirana, the Youthful Capital

Surrounded by mountains and coastlines, nestled in the heart of Albania, Tirana bridges the old and the modern, preserving and offering treasures of national and European culture, making it a welcoming destination for global tourists.

A Bit of History

Tirana was declared the capital relatively late, in 1920, influenced architecturally by Italian and Austrian names, who contributed to the then-modernization of Albania’s capital.

Before becoming the capital, Tirana, or ‘Terana’ as called by our Illyrian ancestors, dates back to the Paleolithic era, 10,000 to 30,000 years ago. The ancient history of Tirana goes back to when Sulejman Pashë Bargjini declared it a city in 1614, which marked the beginning of city infrastructure with the construction of a mosque, a bathhouse, and the first bakery. Approximately 200 years later, Tirana began to be governed by the Toptani family, one of the oldest local families. The initial evidence of a newly born city post-1920 were the initiatives of renowned Italian architects who contributed to the design of Tirana’s historical center with 20th-century buildings.

“Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard, which today extends through the center of Tirana and serves as a connector between the monument of the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg and Nene Tereza Square, was also constructed during Tirana’s renaissance as the capital.

Harmony of the Old and the Modern – Must-Visit Destinations

Tirana is a city of many colors. Whether you’re passionate about history, gastronomy, culture, tradition, nightlife, or general exploration, it offers a range of destinations that should not be missed during your stay.

Skanderbeg Square

Your journey ideally begins with Tirana’s historical center, particularly Skanderbeg Square, which unites three iconic monuments representing our capital: the bust of Skanderbeg, the Tirana Clock Tower, and the National History Museum. Each monument has a story to tell and events to recount.

A Not-So-Ancient Pyramid Transformed

A walk from Tirana’s center brings you to the city’s pyramid, built in the ’80s as a museum dedicated to a dictator.

Today, the Pyramid has transformed into the city’s Innovation and Technological Capacity Center, with internal IT offices and startups, as well as the TUMO Entertainment Center for all ages, and a surrounding environment of colorful bars and restaurants. The Pyramid’s exterior stairs also help visitors reach its summit, where tourists can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Albanian capital.

The Grand Park of Tirana’s Artificial Lake

This wooded and watery park is a favorite relaxation spot for locals and tourists alike. At the Artificial Lake, you can easily find fishing enthusiasts, picnickers, people relaxing in lakeside bars and restaurants, exercising, or enjoying the sounds of local artists performing in the park’s greenery. The park is a giant playground for all ages visiting it.

Tirana Castle

With a range of service units lined up on both sides of the pedestrian street, this space, where the old meets the modern, has become a strong voice in promoting cultural and material heritage as a culinary and artisanal environment.

Built near the ancient Justinian Castle, one of the few archaeological remains still present in the heart of the Albanian capital, the Castle is owned by the Toptani family, one of the wealthiest families in Albania and the Balkans, originally from the beautiful city of Krujë, who moved to Tirana in the 17th century. Some members of the Toptani family were ordered by the Ottoman Empire to govern the then-Ottoman territories in Albanian land during their reign. Now, the Toptani house has transformed into an oasis welcoming every family from Albania and the world.

Mount Dajti

Part of the capital’s tourist panorama, Mount Dajti offers breathtaking views with its diverse activities. If you’re wondering if there’s excitement outside the city, rest assured that if you enjoy heights, Mount Dajti offers a variety of activities including climbing/hiking, endurance games in Dajti’s forest trees, and the famous cable car ride at an elevation of 1600 meters above sea level.

As the Sun Sets

Tirana’s nightlife scene gradually grows each year, and the city’s clubs, mainly located around the former Block area, vary greatly in theme and atmosphere. Whether you prefer Latin music, techno, Albanian or international commercial music, Tirana, especially in the elite part of the Block, welcomes every musical taste.

Bunk’Art

Bunk’Art is a massive bunker built during the communist period, now a museum and tourist attraction. Built by Enver Hoxha, who ruled Albania for about 50 years as a shelter in case of war, BunkArt demonstrates how a dark past can illuminate the present.

Today, the bunker is open to visitors and serves as a monument to Albania’s communist past. A walk through the bunker’s corridors thoroughly immerses you in one of the most important periods of the communist regime in Albania.

The New Bazaar

The New Bazaar, one of the oldest neighborhoods of the Albanian capital, got its name from the food market located in this area.

Here you can find a variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and traditional Albanian spices. The vendors’ joy at the New Bazaar is evident not only in helping you choose the freshest products but also if you’re interested in the hidden stories of this