To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I landed in Tirana. I read so many conflicting accounts of this city that I didn’t know what I was getting into. It took barely 1/2 day to completely fall in love with this city. The history, the people, the food, the cocktails-all of it was engaging, interesting and delicious. It is not a classically beautiful European city but you will be charmed by the quirkiness, colorful street art and kind people. Let this Tirana, Albania travel guide help you build a wonderful four days. It is perfect for a short trip or weekend break. This guide is filled with the best things to in Tirana and, of course, the best restaurants to visit. It includes tips and tricks for Tirana, the best restaurants, where to stay and exciting things to do. So keep scrolling for the best things to do and eat for four days in Tirana, Albania.
Here at Pragmatic Travelers, I only recommend what I actually do and experience. All photos were taken with my trusty cell phone. This page contains affiliate links of products/hotels that I trust. This means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase/book a hotel through my links, at no cost to you. Again, I only recommend products and places that I have used/stayed and trust.
Looking for more Albanian travel guides? Check out my time in Berat and in Himara.
Tips and Tricks for Tirana
- Ditch the car (if you can). This is a great city to walk in. If you need your car or are visiting for the day, parking was quick and easy. We parked underneath Skanderbeg Square (so heart of the city) and it was affordable/easy to find.
- The exchange rate is very good for Americans. Right now 1 Dollar = 118.82 Lek. So if a meal costs 2000 Lek that will cost you $16.83.
- There are no McDonald’s nor Starbucks here.
- Speaking of Starbucks, get into the coffee scene. Coffee is a huge part of Albanian culture. So find a cute bar or café, sit and enjoy your trip.
- Be careful when you cross the street, some drivers ignore the crosswalk signal.
- The food here is incredible, don’t be nervous to branch out and try all the food.
- Tirana (like the rest of Albania) prefers cash over credit card at restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. We had no problem finding ATMs all over the city.
- Check with your bank on withdrawal fees. We use Schwab which takes care of withdrawal fees for you.
Best Hotel in Tirana
E’bel Boutique Hotel: This is a wonderful small hotel. Charming, well decorated, comfortable and clean hotel room. The room and bathroom were much larger compared to other hotels in Europe. It was about a 15 minute walk to the center of city which was perfect for us. Breakfast was included and it was plentiful/delicious. You could also sit outside on the terrace if you wanted. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.
Want some more options? Check out more hotels in Tirana, Albania. I can only recommend E’bel as that is the one I stayed at.
Best Restaurants in Tirana
(This was the ceviche and AMAZING cocktails. I ate the sushi too fast to take a picture. Oops!)
- Artur Restorant, Tirana: This is a special restaurant close to the square. Gorgeous and high end with excellent seafood options. We were able to pick the fish from the case and how we wanted it cooked. They gave us complimentary mussels. The white wine and coffee-amazing. Everything was delicious and special. A bit expensive for Albania but worth it! We ended up sharing a whole fish which saved some money.
- Fish Time-Restorant Peshku Tirana: Excellent seafood options. (THE SHRIMP!) Family friendly and close to Ebel Boutique Hotel.
- MORSI, Tirana: Perfect stop for quick lunch in Blloku. They serve paninis and flatbreads.
- Salt, Tirana: Located in Blloku. This was BY FAR my favorite restaurant. The ceviche and sushi was some of the best I have ever had. Seriously! Don’t be that person who is like, “Sushi in Albania??” It was amazing. AND the cocktails! Innovative with freshly made liquors and syrups. It is expensive compared to other restaurants but so worth it.
- ODA Restorant, Tirana: Delicious traditional Albanian food. Their spinach pie was fantastic! Charming terrace to enjoy and cats roaming around. A great spot to try traditional food.
- Mama’s Bistro, Tirana: Near the Ring Center and Ebel Boutique Hotel. The homemade sausages were very good. Nice spot to sit and enjoy an affordable meal.
Best Coffee and Cocktails in Tirana
- Noor Coffee and Fine Food, Tirana: Next to Bunk’Art 2. Great spot to relax with a coffee. Coffee was quite good.
- Komiteti Kafe-Muzeum, Tirana: Across the street from the Pyramid. Excellent Turkish coffee. Exciting/fun atmosphere to enjoy a coffee and/or drink.
- Radio Bar Tirana, Tirana: Located in Blloku. We went here nearly everyday for a cocktail. The cocktails were absolutely fantastic. If the menu, lists fruit then you get fresh fruit in your cocktail. Fun vibe and decorations. Highly recommend.
- Colonial Cocktails Academy, Tirana: Located in Blloku. Good cocktails and decent vibe. Not as good as Radio Bar but decent.
Things to do in Tirana
- Tirana Free Walking Tour: This was an excellent 2 hour tour around the historical center of Tirana. I learned so much about the history of Communism in Albaniaand how hard they have worked since it ended in 1991. Tours are given in multiple languages. Don’t forget to tip. This is definitely a must do!
- House of Leaves, Tirana: This is a museum on the different methods the Sigurimi (secret surveillance group) used to spy on its citizens. It contains many artifacts, documents and information on surveillance and interrogation techniques. It is a difficult museum to walk through. You learn a great deal of the pain and suffering many Albanians went through at the hands of their government. I do consider this a must visit. You should learn this history. It is a bit more expensive then other museums in the area.
- Bunk’Art 2, Tirana: This is the smaller of the Bunk’Art museums however it is in the center of city so easier to get to. It was an underground nuclear shelter constructed by Enver Hoxha during his paranoid bunker project. (This lead to over 700,00 bunkers being built across Albania.) Now it is a museum consisting of 24 rooms that will teach you about the political persecution of thousands of Albanians. Another difficult museum to visit particularly because this regime just ended in 1991. It is another must visit and very affordable.
- Postbllok Memorial, Tirana: This memorial is in a park near the entrance to Blloku. It includes a checkpoint (one of the many bunkers built across Albania), a piece of the Berlin Wall and concrete pillars from a forced labor camp.
- Skanderbeg Square, Tirana: The very large main square of Tirana named after the national hero Gjergi Kastrioti Skenderbeu. It is home to several tourist attractions like the Opera House, Palace of Culture, Ethem Bey Mosque, National Historical Museum, the Clock Tower, etc.
- While visiting the square, make sure to visit the Clock Tower and Ethem Bey Mosque. You can go in both and even climb the Clock Tower.
- Visit Blloku: Small and easily walkable neighborhood filled with restaurants, bars, cafes and shopping. Definitely spend some time exploring this area. You can also walk by Enver Hoxha’s house.
- Rest and exercise at the Grand Park/Artificial Lake: Beautiful area to have a picnic, rest or take a walk.
- Tirana Castle: Not much history to see here but several restaurants and shops to visit.
Your Thoughts…
This is the best things to do and eat in Tirana, Albania on a four day trip. What are your favorite things to do while in Tirana? Do you have any favorite restaurants? What are you excited to visit? Share your thoughts below.
