Looking to spend one day in Tirana, and need help creating the perfect itinerary?
Then you’re in the right place!
Tirana is the capital of Albania and the country’s largest city. Having just visited, I can also say it has a great vibe and is full of interesting things to do and see.
If you’re wondering whether Tirana is worth visiting, I’d say absolutely. Even one day here lets you see its best highlights.
It’s a city full of contrasts, with communist-era buildings sitting alongside modern restaurants, street art, and lively public squares.
Once gray and tightly controlled under dictator Enver Hoxha’s rule, it has reinvented itself since the 1990s into a colorful and creative place, and you’ll have many opportunities to explore both its past and present.
In this one-day itinerary, I’ll help you experience the best of Tirana—including can’t-miss attractions like Skanderbeg Square and the Pyramid of Tirana, a fun day trip option to Bovilla Lake, delicious local eats, and a bit of nightlife to cap things off.
On that note, let’s dive into how to spend 24 hours in Tirana, Albania!
Quick tips:
Pronunciation: tee-RAH-nah
Airport transfer: Click here to pre-book your airport transfer
Stay connected: Saily eSIM (5% off with code “jessie5”)
Currency: Albanian Lek, but Euros are accepted too
Getting around: The itinerary below is fully walkable (outside of the day trip), but Tirana also has a public bus service or you can use a taxi app like Speed Taxi to order a private ride
Sightseeing: See the main attractions on a Tirana City Tour
Best time to visit: Summer & autumn, which are also great times for trekking the Albanian Alps
Language: Albanian, though many people speak English, particularly at hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions
Is One Day In Tirana Enough?
Tirana is a relatively small city, so you can see the major attractions within 24 hours easily.
That being said, adding another day or two allows for fun day trips like Bovilla Lake or Dajti Mountain National Park.
But even with just one day, you can do and see a lot in Tirana. It’s also a great stop before heading out to do the Peaks of the Balkans trek or visit the beaches along the Albanian Riviera.
One Day Tirana Itinerary Map
Before diving in, here’s a handy Google Map with all the stops from this Tirana itinerary pinned for you:
You can also grab this map as well as other destination maps, itineraries, budget calculators, and travel planning resources in my free Ultimate Travel Planning Toolkit.
One Day In Tirana Itinerary
While exploring Tirana in one day, we’ll be basing ourselves in the city’s trendy Blloku District.
Breakfast: Brunch at Hana Corner Cafe
Start your day with breakfast at one of the Blloku District’s many cafes. My personal recommendation is Hana Corner Cafe, which serves espresso-based coffee drinks and beautifully-plated brunch items like avocado toast topped with cucumber and ricotta and brie with fresh fruit.
Morning: Exploring Tirana’s history & culture
After breakfast, walk about 20 minutes to Skanderbeg Square. Once a symbol of communist power, Skanderbeg Square is now a lively, open plaza named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, who resisted the Ottoman Empire.
Surrounded by landmarks like the National Historical Museum, Palace of Culture, Kulla e Sahatit (Clock Tower), and Et’hem Bey Mosque—and framed by views of the Dajti Mountains—it’s the perfect starting point for exploring the best things to do in Tirana.
You’ll also find Bunk’Art 2, a Cold War-era bunker turned museum on Albania’s communist past. This is a good place to spend some time, as it provides interesting history.
From here, you’re also within a 10-minute walk of:
- National Gallery of Arts, a museum featuring Albanian art, including notable socialist realist works
- The Cloud, a striking steel art installation near the National Gallery
- Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, one of the largest in the Balkans
- Tirana Castle, a hidden courtyard filled with cafés, artisan shops, and local charm
- House of Leaves, a former secret surveillance center turned museum that exposes the methods of the communist-era secret police
Tip: Many of these attractions can be visited on a Tirana City Tour, which has the added benefit of getting deeper insights from a local guide!
If you’re like me, you probably need another coffee by now. Head to n’Dritero, a cafe bookstore with tasty java drinks and an outdoor patio. It’s located right across from the House of Leaves and adjacent to the Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral.
If you’re interested in shopping, Rruga Murat Toptani is a pedestrian shopping street that runs between Skanderbeg Square and Tirana Castle, lined with boutiques, bookstores, cafés, and local souvenir stands.
Lunch: Have a traditional Albanian meal at ODA
ODA Restorant serves traditional Albanian cuisine and is worth the slight detour — about a 10-minute walk off your route. The restaurant has a rustic interior with traditional decor and is known for hearty dishes like spinach pie, stuffed peppers, and freshly baked bread.
One must-order item is the fërgesë, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, and yogurt.
Another favorite is the zog fshati në saç me pilaf, slow-cooked free-range chicken in rice pilaf.
Pair your meal with a craft beer or Albanian wine.
Afternoon: Enjoy beautiful city views and nature
From ODA Restorant, it’s a five-minute walk to the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), a market square full of colorful produce stalls, local foods, cafes, and souvenir shops that caters mainly to tourists.
After shopping, walk 10 minutes over to the historic Tanner’s Bridge, an 18th-century Ottoman-era stone footbridge that once connected Tirana’s old trade district to surrounding villages.
From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the unique Pyramid of Tirana. Once a museum to communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the now-transformed Pyramid is a striking symbol of Albania’s past—and rebirth. Its controversial origins make it historically significant, while its sloped sides offer a fun climb and 360-degree views over the city.
Afterward, walk about 20 minutes to Tirana Lake Park (Grand Park) to explore the more natural side of the city.
Tip: If you skipped the above-recommended lunch spot, you’ll have another delicious option along the walk to the park, Era Vila. It also serves traditional Albanian food in a more modern setting and with a larger menu.
Once in the park, you’ll have 714 acres (or 289 hectares) of green space to explore.
Best of all, it sits on an artificial lake, with many waterfront paths and picnic areas offering lovely views. You’ll also find several al fresco eateries to grab a coffee, spritz, or snack.
Dinner: Savor delicious Italian eats in Blloku
Tirana’s Blloku District has no shortage of delicious restaurants, particularly serving Italian food. My personal favorites included:
- Time. A hip spot with warm wood tones, woven pendant lights, and lush green plants serving delicious pizzas, pastas, steaks, and risottos. I loved the “Vegetarian” pizza with peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, and mozzarella, paired with a glass of wine.
- Fresh Garden Cafe. A relaxed Italian eatery with ambient music and plenty of greenery, offering beautifully plated pizzas, pastas, risottos, soups, and salads. I tried the Pirate’s Linguine (seafood pasta) with a spritz—so good!
Nightlife: Cocktails, music, and more
If you’d like to enjoy Tirana’s nightlife after dinner, the Blloku District is full of great options, like:
- Destil Creative Hub. A hip community hub in Blloku with occasional live music events, film screenings, or open mic nights, plus a great café and bar.
- Radio Bar. A super popular retro-themed cocktail bar with a vintage vibe, great music, and a creative drink list.
- Padam Boutique Hotel Restaurant Lounge. Upscale but laid-back, with an outdoor terrace that transforms into a classy cocktail spot at night.
Tirana Itinerary Alternative: Day Trip To Bovilla Lake
Prefer to swap out the morning or afternoon activities (or both) with a day trip from Tirana? I highly recommend a hike up Gamti Mountain for an epic view of Lake Bovilla, a stunning turquoise lake surrounded by endless peaks.
It’s an easy 40-minute hike, and the tour typically also includes a photo stop at Bovilla Canyon and a beer/coffee break.
Numerous tour operators offer this Tirana day trip, typically between 9am and 3:30pm. Here are some top-rated options:
- Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain Hiking Day Trip (10am & 3:30pm departures)
- Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain Viewpoint Hike (9am departures)
Click here for a full list of Bovilla Lake tours.
Top Tirana Tours
One of the best ways to explore Tirana when you’re short on time is with a guided tour. A few top-rated tours of Tirana include:
Tirana Travel Tips & Logistics
Now that you know the best things to do with one day in Tirana, let’s go over some important travel logistics to help you plan your trip:
Best time to visit Tirana
The best time to go to Tirana is during the summer and autumn months, especially May through October. You’ll enjoy sunny weather, lively outdoor cafés, and easy access to day trips or multi-day treks in the nearby Albanian Alps.
While summer brings the warmest temps and longest days, autumn is slightly cooler and often less crowded.
How to get to Tirana
Most travelers arrive in Tirana via Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), located about 17 km (10 miles) from the city center. You can fly in from major European hubs like Rome, Vienna, Istanbul, or London.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling through the Balkans, there are long-distance buses connecting Tirana with cities like Shkodër, Berat, Sarandë, Ohrid (North Macedonia), Prizren (Kosovo), and more.
Getting from the airport to the city center
There are a few easy options for getting from Tirana Airport to the city:
- Pre-book a private transfer. This is especially recommended if you’re someone who values extra comfort and air conditioning.
- Head to the taxi stand outside arrivals. A ride to the city center costs about 2,000–2,500 Lek (~20–25 Euros).
- Luna shpk offers an hourly 24/7 shuttle service that takes you from the airport to the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in the city center (and vice versa) for 400 Lek (~4 Euros).
How to get around Tirana
The city center is very walkable, and you can easily explore the main attractions on foot. For longer distances:
- Use Speed Taxi for safe, quick rides. It’s similar to Uber.
- Tirana has over 20 public bus lines departing from various points around the city center. The cost is 40 Lek (~0.40 Euros).
- Book a Tirana City Tour to cover more ground with a local guide.
Staying online
Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés, but for reliable internet on the go, I recommend getting a local eSIM. I personally use Saily eSIM, which works well in Albania and many other countries—and you can get 5% off with code “jessie5”.
You can also pick up a physical SIM card at Vodafone or One stores, but eSIMs save you the hassle of visiting a shop.
Where To Stay In Tirana
For this Tirana one day itinerary, I recommend basing yourself in the trendy Blloku District. Once a restricted area reserved for Communist Party elites, Blloku (meaning “block”) was completely off-limits to ordinary Albanians during Hoxha’s dictatorship.
Today, it’s one of Tirana’s liveliest neighborhoods, full of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and nightlife. There are also a number of great hotels here to fit every budget, including:
Enzo Hotel & Apartments (budget). While the property is no-frills, it’s very comfortable and clean and even includes some appreciated touches like in-room WiFi, air conditioning, blackout curtains, and a rain shower. While there isn’t a coffee machine, you’re near lots of cafes to get your caffeine fix. Plus, it costs less than $60 per night!
Metro Hotel Tirana (mid-range). This boutique hotel features large rooms with private bathrooms, blackout drapes, and modern comforts like a minibar and tea/coffee setup. Guests can enjoy a continental buffet breakfast, free bike rentals, and free parking.
Rogner Hotel Tirana (luxury). This stylish resort-style property is known for its spacious, modern rooms and relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens, a palm-fringed outdoor pool, wellness facilities like a sauna and spa, and multiple restaurants and bars.
Click here for a full list of top-rated hotels in Tirana, or check out the map here:
Albania Travel Insurance
When visiting Albania, or anywhere else in the world, it’s important to protect yourself and your trip with travel insurance.
If you’re looking for something straightforward, comprehensive, and budget-friendly, SafetyWing is an excellent choice. They offer two plan options:
Essential, for mid-to-short-term travelers
- Covers emergency medical care, trip delays, and evacuations
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Click here to compare plans and protect your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Tirana
Now that you know what to do in Tirana as well as important travel tips, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Q) Is Tirana worth visiting?
Yes! Tirana is one of Europe’s most underrated capitals, offering a mix of vibrant street art, rich history, café culture, delicious restaurants, fun nightlife, and even a bit of nature. It’s a fascinating glimpse into Albania’s past and present—and perfect for a short city break or a starting point for a longer Balkan trip.
Q) What is Tirana known for?
Tirana is known for its colorful buildings, Cold War bunkers, the Pyramid of Tirana, and its transformation from a closed communist city to a lively cultural hub. It’s also famous for its unique blend of Ottoman, Italian, and communist-era architecture.
Q) Is Tirana safe?
Yes, Tirana is generally very safe for travelers, including solo travelers. Violent crime is rare, and petty theft is relatively low compared to other European cities.
Q) Is it safe to walk around Tirana at night?
In most central areas, yes. Neighborhoods like Blloku, Skanderbeg Square, and the main pedestrian streets stay active well into the evening. As always, use basic precautions and avoid poorly lit or unfamiliar areas late at night.
Q) Can you drink the tap water in Tirana?
While many sources say the tap water is safe to drink, it’s generally not recommended. The combination of very high mineral content and aging infrastructure—like old lead pipes in some buildings—can cause issues, especially for travelers with sensitive stomachs. Stick to bottled or filtered water to be safe.
Q) What currency is used in Albania?
The official currency is the Albanian Lek (ALL), though you can also use Euros.
Q) Are credit cards accepted around Tirana?
Credit cards are accepted at many hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but cash is still king—especially at local markets or smaller cafés. Paying with cash also helps you avoid extra credit card fees.
Q) Is English widely spoken in Tirana?
English is commonly spoken in the tourism industry—especially among younger Albanians, hotel staff, and restaurant servers in central areas. Learning a few basic Albanian words is appreciated, but you’ll generally get by just fine in English.
What would you add to this one day Tirana itinerary?
