Last updated on December 18, 2023.

The city center of Tirana may seem short on sightseeing, but between the museums, religious buildings, and the Blloku area, there’s enough to keep a visitor busy for a day or two.

 

Skënderbej Square

A good place to start is Skënderbej Square (Sheshi Skënderbej), the main square in Tirana. It’s surrounded by several government buildings, the National Historical Museum (Muzeu Historik Kombëtar), Palace of Culture (Pallati i Kulturës), and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.

Skënderbej Square in Tiranë, Albania
Skënderbej Square
Skënderbej Square in Tiranë, Albania
Skënderbej Square

In the center of a grassy area in the square sits a large Albanian flag and a monument dedicated to Gjergj Kastrioti, also known as Skënderbej. He led a revolt against Ottoman forces that kept Albania free for 25 years, and is hailed as the “Savior of Christianity” by some because his revolt prevented a full-scale Ottoman attack of Europe. There were once statues of Joseph Stalin and Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha, but they were removed after the fall of communism.

Skënderbej Square in Tiranë, Albania
Skënderbej Square

 

National Historical Museum

On one side of the square, the National Historical Museum (Muzeu Historik Kombëtar) is easily noticed by the giant mosaic on the front, titled “The Albanians”. It’s the largest museum in Albania and opened in 1981. I didn’t visit, but I was told it was worth the time. Admission is 500 lek (as of July 2023) and it’s open daily except Mondays.

National Historical Museum in Tiranë, Albania
National Historical Museum
National Historical Museum in Tiranë, Albania
National Historical Museum

 

Palace of Culture

On another side is the Palace of Culture (Pallati i Kulturës), which holds the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the National Library of Albania. The first stone of the building was laid by Nikita Krushchev in 1959 and it was finished in 1963.

Palace of Culture in Tiranë, Albania
Palace of Culture

 

Monuments

A short walk east of the square is the TID Tower, which is the tallest building in the city at 25 stories. In its shadow sits a statue of Sulejman Pashë Ballgjini, the Ottoman general who founded Tirana in 1618. A few steps away is the Unknown Partisan Monument, dedicated to the Albanians who died fighting fascism. It was erected on the former site of the Sulejman Pasha Mosque, built in 1614.

TID Tower in Tiranë, Albania
TID Tower
Statue of Sulejman Pashë Ballgjini in Tiranë, Albania
Statue of Sulejman Pashë Ballgjini
Unknown Partisan monument in Tiranë, Albania
Unknown Partisan monument

 

Tomb of Kapllan Pasha

Across the street is another Ottoman landmark, the tomb of Kapllan Pasha, built in 1817. Kapllan Pasha was the ruler of Tirana in the early 19th century. The tomb was under restoration during my visit.

Tomb of Kapllan Pasha in Tiranë, Albania
Tomb of Kapllan Pasha

 

Fortress of Justinian

The Fortress of Justinian, a Byzantine fortress built in the 6th century when Tirana was just an outpost, is located a block south of the tomb of Kaplan Pasha. It’s located on a nice pedestrian street lined with a few cafés.

Fortress of Justinian in Tiranë, Albania
Fortress of Justinian
Fortress of Justinian in Tiranë, Albania
Fortress of Justinian

 

Albanian Parliament

East of the fortress is a small park with views of Albanian Parliament (Kuvendi i Shqipërisë), and the oddly-named George W. Bush Street. Across Bush Street is the former headquarters for the politically persecuted Albanians, Shoqata Mbarëkombëtare e të Përndjekurve Politikë Shqiptare.

Albanian Parliament in Tiranë, Albania
Albanian Parliament
George W. Bush Street in Tiranë, Albania
George W. Bush Street
Former headquarters for the politically persecuted Albanians in Tiranë, Albania
Former headquarters for the politically persecuted Albanians

 

Tanner’s Bridge

Continuing along the road past the building is the Tanner’s Bridge (Ura e Tabakëve), an Ottoman footbridge built in the 18th century over the Lanë River. It used to be the main connection between Tirana and the eastern highlands. When the Lanë River was rerouted in the 1930s, the bridge lost its importance.

Tanner's Bridge in Tiranë, Albania
Tanner’s Bridge
Lanë River in Tiranë, Albania
Lanë River

 

Rinia Park

Between Skënderbej Square and the river is Rinia Park (Parku Rinia). It was developed in 1950 during communist times and now has a building full of restaurants and cafés. After the fall of communism, the park was filled with over 130 illegal buildings that were demolished in 2000.

Rinia Park in Tiranë, Albania
Rinia Park

 

Roman Mosaic

A bit out of the way and perhaps not worth seeking out is a 3rd century Roman mosaic. I ended up getting lost in Tirana’s back streets trying to find it. When I finally arrived, I was a bit disappointed. The mosaic was not as spectacular as I was expecting, but it was a Roman mosaic nonetheless, and the locals are very proud of it. The remains of foundations are also at the site.

Roman mosaic in Tiranë, Albania
Roman mosaic
Roman mosaic in Tiranë, Albania
Roman mosaic
Foundations at the Roman mosaic in Tiranë, Albania
Foundations
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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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