Tirana is a charming and intriguing city. It has unique monuments and history. It is a melting pot of cultures dating way beyond the Ottoman times through the Italian occupation and a long-lasting totalitarian regime. Lonely Planet and other prestigious travel platforms and magazines describe Tirana as an intriguing, vibrant and lovely city, but complicated and unique in its kind. Expect to be surprised by the variety and contrasts you will find here. Relics of the old regime, grey and abandoned set against new colourful constructions. This is our city, this is Tirana!
Skanderbeg Monument in Skanderbeg Square has been regarded for more than half a century as the very centre of Tirana. It commemorates the 15 th century nobleman, and hero of the nation for resisting the Ottomans. He is our King Arthur, our William Tell. The sculpture, created by Odhise Paskali, is 11 metres (36 ft) tall, and was inaugurated in 1968 on the 500 th anniversary of the death of Skanderbeg. The square that bears his name is a meeting place for all Albanians. It is the place where many of the most important cultural sites of Tirana and Albania are located—the National Museum, the Clock Tower, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Palace of Culture, National Library, Theatre of Opera and Ballet, and Bank of Albania—while at his back are lined up most of the government buildings.
Many of you have heard about the Presidential Palace in Tirana, the former Royal Palace and nowadays known as “Palace of Brigades”. The Royal Palace is open for the public only in weekends. The Royal Garden is truly amazing with big trees, colorful flowers and statues. This palace has been surrounded by high walls and guards, and no one can come close to it without an invitation from insiders. The palace designed by three Italian architects, including Giulio Berte on 1936. Due to the outbreak of World War II, and the 1939 Italian Invasion of Albania, King Zog I fled Albania and never had a chance to see the Palace fully constructed. The Italians finished construction and used the Palace mainly for the Army Headquarters. The building was redesigned and completed in 1941, by the Florentine architect Gherardo Bosio. 1 The latest decades the Palace serves – even now- as the official residence of the President of the Republic of Albania and hosting State Receptions and Ceremonies, such as the annual end-of-year "Presidential Ball". On 8 October 2016, inside the premise of the Presidential Palace was organized the wedding reception of Prince Leka II with Ms. Elia Zaharia.
The Cloud is an art installation placed in front of National Gallery of Arts in Tirana, Albania. Since 2016, the Cloud has served as modern art space for cultural events in Tirana. The Pavilion is a delicate, three-dimensional structure; each unit comprises fine steel bars of 800 and 400 mm rectangles. It forms a semi- transparent, irregular canopy, simultaneously protecting visitors from the elements while allowing them to remain part of the landscape. The footprint of the structure is 350 square-metres and the Pavilion has two entrances. A series of stepped terraces provide seating areas that allow the Pavilion to be used as a flexible, multi-purpose social space. The delicate quality of the structure, enhanced by its semi-transparency, creates a geometric, cloud-like form, as if it were mist rising from the undulations of the park.
Arena Center is a new authentic and modern experience that includes everything in one place in the heart of Tirana. It is one of the most interesting and modern buildings is Arena Center, part of the New National Stadium Complex "Air Albania Stadium". Near Mother Teresa Square, stands Arena Center one of the tallest and most magnificent a giant red and black complex, with the colors of Albanian flag. This area has already become the trendiest corner of Tirana, not only for the largest Albanian stadium and its history and importance, but also for the whole pleasant surrounding complex from the famous columns of the Museum building.
The New Bazaar is located at Avni Rustemi Sqaure, only 8 minute walk from the center of Tirana and quickly became the newest attraction of the city. Before the Inauguration, even though it kept the same name, the New Bazaar area was a chaotic place where vendors were selling their products not in good conditions. New Bazaar was a much needed investment for the city, replacing the decrepit one. It hosts some contemporary painted buildings, but it respects tradition, and is giving back to the city the beauty and authenticity. The New bazaar is already turned into a major attraction of the city due to the unique facades that have preserved the Italian architectural style, the decoration with Albanian motives, as well as public spaces to enjoy fresh food and rest. From the inauguration day the visitors in this area are increased, not only for the beautiful buildings but for also for the nice café and open bars. Local market offers a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood and meat. It is a nice place for people to spend time with their family or friends. During weekends various activities are organized here such as fairs, concerts and open theatres for kids.
It is absolutely an important tourist attraction. As a symbol of a notorious communism, it resisted some attempts to be destroyed by previous governments. But it is still there, unrestored, a symbol of the mixed and contradictory history of Tirana. It was inaugurated on October 14, 1988, as the mausoleum of the dictator, Enver Hoxha. The pyramid form was designed by a group of architects led by the daughter and son-in-law of the dictator. Construction began in 1986 and ended in 1988. It did indeed serve as a mausoleum for Hoxha, until 1991, after which it became a conference and fair centre. It took its name—The Pyramid—during the student revolt of December 1990, both from its form but also as a symbol of dictatorship. Today, it is officially known as the Pjeter Arbnori International Cultural Centre, and stands out as a remarkable piece of architecture and legacy from communism. It is not a museum and you can walk around outside it any time of day or night. You can even climb to the top of it. Many children use it as a slide.
Tirana’s Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral is not just a Cathedral. It is the third-largest such structure in the Balkans and is located close to the centre of Tirana. The construction of the building, south-west of Tirana Centre Plaza, was completed in 2012. It was officially opened on 24 th of June that year. The cathedral complex comprises the cathedral itself, the chapel of the Nativity, bell tower, the residence of the Holy Synod, cultural centre, a library, two other chapels and a small museum. The cathedral's dome reaches 32.2 metres above ground, with the bell tower reaching 46 metres. Following its construction the cathedral has become a major tourism attraction in Tirana
Peace Bell- This is an interesting monument situated near to the Pyramid, not very large, but very meaningful. This bell is a reminder of the past. It is made from gun shells spent during the unrest of 1997, when hundreds of people lost their life after the collapse of the pyramid schemes. Children of the Catholic Zadrima community gathered the shells and the monument was built. It sends out a message of peace, contrasting life with death.
Postblloku (Checkpoint), the Memorial to Communist Isolation, commemorates the country’s political prisoners who suffered under the Hoxha regime. It is situated on the main boulevard opposite the government building. Co-created by the writer and former dissident Fatos Lubonja and the artist Ardian Isufi, the monument is made up of three main elements including one of the small concrete defensive bunkers that litter the country, several concrete supports from the mine at the notorious Spaç labour camp where thousands of political prisoners suffered between 1968 and 1990 and a brightly painted section of the Berlin Wall from Postdamer Platz that once split Germany in two.
The monument placed in Rinia Park next to the capital’s central boulevard was inaugurated on 28 th November 2012 as a symbol of Albania’s century of independence. The monument, some 6.5 metres high, 5.5 metres wide and weighing 15 tons, was created by artists Visar Obrija and Kai Kiklas in Austria. This monument is a symbol of Albanian nation’s resistance in difficult times and wars. It is in a shape of an open tower, symbolizing the opening of Albania toward
independence. ”It represents two shapes that together make an open air and round tower. One part is the ceiling, and the other the floor. If you join together they create one rectangular tower. Looking at the first part, the visitor gets the impression of repression, isolation of Albanian people, while the floor tower echoes the freedom and independence’- the artist Obrija explains the idea behind this statue. This symbol is also a gratitude to all those heroes who fought for Albanian independence. The statue of Ismail Qemali, the man who declared Albania’s independence by raising the flag in Vlora in 1912 is situated in the same Boulevard, close to Post Blloku Monument.
Mount Dajti National Park (1,611m above sea level) is easily accessible from the city, just 25 km to its east. A weekend trip there is a very popular activity for people from Tirana. The cable car station is just 20 minutes by car or bus from centre of Tirana, and from where you take the cable car to have a wonderful experience. A quarter of an hour later and you are near the top of the mountain where there are wonderful panoramic views of the city, villages, forests, the sea, and traditional houses, as well as quirky idiosyncrasies such as the bunkers. It’s a perfect place to relax and breathe in fresh air, taking you far from the buzzing city below. There are many restaurants on the mountain where you can enjoy delicious food or alternatively you can take a picnic with friends and family to the park. Mount Dajti National Park is a wonderful place throughout the year, but especially in summer, a place to breathe fresh air, while in winter the mountain and park are covered in snow. Mount Dajti is one of the best destinations you can have when visiting Tirana.
1. Hotel Boutique Vila 135 (4*) (7 minutes on foot)
2. Hotel Colosseo (4*) (15 minutes on foot)
3. Freddy’s Hotel (3*) (5 minutes on foot)
4. Hotel Stela Center (4*) (10 minutes on foot)
5. Eler Hotel Tirana (4*) (15 minutes on foot)
1. Bus
LU-NA shpk offers a shuttle service from TIA to Tirana and vice versa. The bus is stationed behind the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The rate for a single fare is 300 Albanian Lek.
E-mail: bilbilrakipi@yahoo.com; lu_na@yahoo.com
Mobile: +355 69 57 27 261 / +355 69 29 82 128
Service Hours:
Tiranë – TIA: every one hour starting from 07:00 until 23:00
TIA – Tiranë: every one hour starting from 08:00 until 24:00
2. TIA Taxi
The fastest way to get to TIA is by taxi which is accessible in all cities and urban areas. The journey from Tirana International Airport to Tirana’s center takes 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs about 2500 Leke (20 EUR) one way. Tirana Airport taxi service is provided by Auto Holiday Albania (AHA). AHA
specializes in transfers between Tirana Airport and all Albanian cities for both individuals and groups. The service offered is professional and courteous at affordable prices, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To reserve taxis in advance, online please use the website www.tiataxi.al and fill out the form by clicking on the link below to book your transfer now.
Note:
We would recommend that passengers use only licensed taxis, which are yellow with the Auto Holiday Albania logo and the airport logo on both sides of the vehicle. At the airport, these taxis park in front of the terminal and also at the pick-up area of the terminal.
Call center:
+355699999300
+355696065444
+355696065333
Email:
info@tiataxi.al
operations@tiataxi.al
Website: https://www.tiataxi.al/
