The picture shows a large meadow with an equestrian monument in the middle. Several buildings can be seen in the background, including a mosque with a minaret, a high-rise building and a clock tower as well as several elongated, multi-storey yellow houses. A red flag flies on a pole. The sky is slightly cloudy.
The picture shows a large meadow with an equestrian monument in the middle. Several buildings can be seen in the background, including a mosque with a minaret, a high-rise building and a clock tower as well as several elongated, multi-storey yellow houses. A red flag flies on a pole. The sky is slightly cloudy.

Tirana
The Fascination of Albania

Published: 09 January 2025, 09:30

If you like coffee, the capital of Albania is the place to be. The Albanians are known for their coffee culture and Tirana is one of the cities with the most cafés in Europe. Between numerous discoveries, there is therefore always the opportunity to take a relaxing break. Anyone who thinks Tirana is grey and dreary is mistaken: the city in the Balkans is characterized by colourful facades and buildings designed with street art. There is plenty to see on a walk through the city, including the car-free Skanderbeg Square with the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Palace of Culture and the National Historical Museum, which sheds light on the history of Albania. Another plus is the proximity to nature. In the nearby national park, you can go hiking, take a cable car up the Dajti mountain and enjoy the view of the city.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 600,000
  • Official language: Albanian
  • Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL)

A walk through Tirana

The picture shows an equestrian statue in a large square. In the background, there are colorful buildings and a green park with trees and walking paths. The sky is bathed in warm colors.
The first place to go is Skanderbeg Square. This central square, with its equestrian statue and many attractions, is named after the Albanian national hero. © Andrew Mayovskyy/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a large building with a wide façade. Above the entrance is an imposing mosaic depicting a group of people. In front of it is a square with a few people and colorful benches.
The National Museum is located on Skanderbeg Square. The largest museum in Albania offers insights into the country's history from ancient to modern times. © PaulSat/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a mosque with a minaret and a clock tower. The mosque has a vaulted entrance with columns. Next to it is a yellow-and-red building. In the background, there is a modern high-rise.
The call of the muezzin draws visitors to the Et'hem Bey Mosque. This small 19th-century mosque on Skanderbeg Square is known for its pretty wall paintings. © sforzza/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a striking red building with a yellow diamond pattern on the facade. In the background, there is a historic clock tower. The square in front of the building is spacious and has a pattern on the ground. There is a tree on the right side of the picture.
Tirana is known for its colorful facades and artistically designed buildings. The Ministry of Agriculture stands next to the Clock Tower, which offers a magnificent view. © dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a cable car with two gondolas traveling over a green, mountainous landscape. In the background, a wide cityscape extends to the horizon.
Out of the city: accessible by cable car, Tirana's local mountain, Dajti, offers a view of the city and the mountains. It is a popular destination for hiking. © dragoncello/stock.adobe.com

Albania – A destination for the adventurous

This small country in south-eastern Europe, known as “Shqipëri” – the land of the eagle – by the locals, is still an undiscovered gem for many travelers. But those who take the plunge will be rewarded. Albania is located on the Adriatic coast and borders Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece. This Balkan country boasts fascinating natural landscapes. The Albanian Alps in the north attract hikers with their wild, rugged mountains. A boat trip on Lake Koman is one of the absolute highlights. At the same time, the Albanian Mediterranean coast offers beautiful beaches and bays where it is still possible to find a quiet place by the water even in high season. From the capital, Tirana, many attractions are easy to reach. Day trips can be taken to Kruja Castle, Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ottoman architecture, or the coastal city of Durrës with its Roman excavations.

Between the Albanian Alps and the Adriatic coast

The picture shows a village stretching up a green hillside. At the very top of the hill stands an old castle. The traditional houses are white or yellow and have red tiled roofs.
Kruja is the hometown of the national hero Skanderbeg. Here you can visit the castle and museum and stroll through the traditional bazaar of the old town. © Sergii Figurnyi/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a historic townscape with numerous white houses and red roofs, arranged in terraces on a hillside. Each house has many windows. A river flows in the foreground.
The more than 2000-year-old city of Berat is known for its Ottoman architecture and the tightly packed houses with their characteristic windows. © rh2010/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a coastal town with modern high-rise buildings and a striking round building on stilts in the sea. Green hills can be seen in the background.
Head to the seafront promenade of the coastal town of Durrës on the Adriatic, where a Mediterranean flair prevails! In summer, the sea here invites you to take a dip. © JackF/stock.adobe.com
The picture shows a lake surrounded by mountains and green hills. The turquoise water winds its way through the forested hills. Rocky mountains rise in the background.
The Albanian Alps stretch across northern Albania. Lake Komani is nestled in the mountainous landscape of the Drin Valley and is best explored by boat. © Limpovit/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a sandy beach by a blue, crystal-clear sea. Numerous boats are moored at the shore. Houses and sunshades can be seen on the beach. The bay is framed by a rocky coast with green vegetation.
Crystal-clear water, a Mediterranean atmosphere and a rocky coast: the sandy and pebbly beaches in the region around Sarandë are among the most beautiful in the country. © unai/stock.adobe.com

Tirana from BER

Aircraft about to land on the runway

Wizz Air

Pictogram Info-i

Tirana International Airport (TIA) Nënë Tereza

Five travel tips for...

1. Drink raki – there are around 50 varieties of this schnapps.

2. Buy spices as a souvenir at the market.

3. Enjoy a coffee or cocktail in the trendy Blloku district.

4. Watch the world go by on Skanderbeg Square.

5. Take a walk around the artificial lake in Tirana.

1. Visit the museums in the former bunkers Bunk'Art 1 and Bunk'Art 2.

2. Explore Albania's past at the National History Museum.

3. See the beautiful old Et'hem Bey Mosque.

4. Marvel at the unusual, futuristic design of the pyramid.

5. Visit galleries, shops and bars in the trendy Blloku district.

1. Spicy, hearty, popular: Qofte – small meatballs

2. Albanian national dish: Tave Kosi – yoghurt and lamb casserole

3. Hearty snack for any time of day: Byrek – filled puff pastry

4. Hot dish: Fërgesë – stew with paprika, tomatoes and meat

5. Sweet dessert: Baklava – filo pastry with nuts and syrup

Picture Source title:
© Sergii Figurnyi/stock.adobe.com

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