Two Day Tirana Itinerary – How to Spend A Weekend in Tirana
Planning a trip to Tirana, Albania? Lucky you! Two days is a great amount of time to spend in Albania’s capital city. Tirana is a relatively small city but it is packed full of history, art, a stunning mix of architecture and tonnes of amazing places to eat and drink. Despite its small size, the city is bustling and busy and can be a bit of a culture shock for western tourists. We have put together a thorough guide to help you navigate a weekend in Tirana and we have created a fabulous two day Tirana itinerary for your inspiration.
Arriving for Your Weekend in Tirana
Most people arrive into Tirana by air. You will touch down at the Tirana International Airport in Rinas, north of Tirana. The easiest way to get from here to the city is to take a taxi. This will take about 30 minutes and cost from 1,900 – 2,100Lek (€17-€20). Always agree a price before you get in the cab.
You might see the Tirana buses too. They are just outside of the arrivals hall and they will have Tirana on the windscreen. If you choose to take the bus, it costs 400lek and you need cash. The bus will drop you just beyond Skanderbeg Square in the centre of town.
If you arrive late, there is a good choice of hotels within walking distance from the airport. A good night’s sleep will set you up well for your weekend in Tirana.
Now that you’ve made it in to the city, let’s look at your two day Tirana itinerary.
Two Day Tirana Itinerary – Day 1
On your first day in a new city, taking a walk is a great way to get your bearings. For this reason, we recommend you begin your Two Day Tirana Itinerary by taking a free walking tour. These usually cover most of the sights in the city. You just leave a tip depending how much you enjoy the tour. These usually last a couple of hours, giving you the chance to return to any locations you might want to visit in more detail after the tour has finished.
After working up an appetite, we recommend heading to the Tirana castle region for lunch. There is loads of choice in this central part of the city and it has a really nice vibe.
Day 1 – The Afternoon in Tirana
In the afternoon, depending on the weather, we would recommend either a walk around the beautiful Grand Park of Tirana or, if it’s raining, head to the House of Leaves spy museum. This fascinating museum in Tirana is one of the most unusual and is not to be missed. Albania’s very recent history is pretty dark with the autocratic State controlling and monitoring every move of it’s citizens.
On a nice day, the Grand park is one of the best places in the city. There is plenty to see among the nearly 300 hectares of land, including a botanical gardens, a small zoo and an artificial lake.
Day 1 Evening – The Evening in Tirana
To round off your first full day in Tirana, we would suggest heading to Era for dinner in the Blloku District. Era serves traditional Albanian food which includes a lot of grilled meats and vegetables and some delicious desserts.
After dinner, you can head over to Tribeca bar for some drinks. The bar is really nicely decorated with a great vibe and there is a nice selection of pretty fancy cocktails.
Two Day Tirana Itinerary – Day 2
For the second day of your weekend in Tirana, we would recommend Bunk’art – an underground atomic bunker! It’s pretty cool and really interesting to learn some of Albania’s turbulent history. To get there from the city centre, take bus towards “Linzë” for about 35p each or jump in a taxi for about £5.
Bunk’Art is a large military bunker designed for Political and Military bigwigs of the time. It sits quietly on the outskirts of Tirana, Albania. Recently, it has been converted into an exciting exhibition detailing the modern history of Albania. In 2014 this former atomic bunker reopened as a museum containing authentic objects, reconstructed rooms and tonnes for fascinating information.
Day 2 Afternoon – The Afternoon in Tirana
After exploring the bunker, and if weather is clear, take the Dajti Ekspres cable car up the mountain. The cable car terminal is only a 10 minute walk from Bunk’art. This cable car is the longest of its type in the Balkans at 4.7km and in 15 mins you will travel far above Tirana up Dajti Mountain. The cars are Austrian made and very safe but this is not a trip for the faint hearted.
The views of the city are incredible and as Tirana fades into the distance you pass over small, rural houses and farms, a little lake and plenty of greenery. Mount Dajti National Park is located near the summit. You can stop for refreshments at the Dajti Tower hotel. There is a rotating bar and a viewing terrace where you can gaze over Tirana and beyond. Restaurant Ballkoni Dajtit is also near the cable car terminal. This cosy place serves traditional Balkan food in a log cabin style setting.
Day 2 Evening – The Evening in Tirana
After a busy day, dinner at Oda makes for the perfect evening. Oda offers an awesome menu of authentic, Albanian cuisine. It came recommended to us by a friend so we decided it was worth a visit, we were not disappointed. The cosy rooms are decorated with traditional Albanian pictures, wood panelling, shelves of wines and spirits and rows of garlic.
OR…
Alternatively, if you have had your fill of hearty traditional Albania food, try Salt restaurant. Salt is another restaurant located in the Blloku region of Tirana. It is one of these places that has become instantly popular. The menu is varied but everything is great quality. You can sit inside or outside on the terrace on the second floor. We have been for brunch a few times and the food is always delicious! If you plan to visit in the evening, smarter clothes are recommended. We would also suggest making a booking in the evenings and at weekends.
The End of Your Weekend in Tirana
If you have an afternoon flight, and some time to spare, why not try Çoko Bistro Bar for a relaxing, pre flight brunch. After a satisfying meal, head to the bus stop behind Skanderbeg Square to return to the airport. The buses depart every 30 mins, it is a 30 minute journey and a ticket costs 400lek. Remember to keep enough cash to buy the ticket!
Tirana airport isn’t huge but make sure you arrive 3 hours before flight. You can’t check in online and there are queues for EVERYTHING, check in, security, passport control, coffee, boarding…
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Tirana
There are loads of amazing hotels, apartments, B&Bs and hostels in Tirana. Weather you want to blow the budget or live on a shoestring, you’ll be able to find the perfect pad. We have created a post specifically to help you with accommodation in Tirana – click HERE for more.
Your Weekend in Tirana – What Not to Miss
To add to your Two Day Tirana Itinerary, don’t miss these amazing sights –
- Toptani Mall
- Tanner’s bridge
- Skanderbeg Sq
- Skanderbeg monument
- Namazgjah Mosque
- Et’hem Bey Mosque
- Enver Hoxha house
If you decide to do the walking tour, most of these places will be included.
Albanian food is amazing, we could honestly spend the whole weekend just eating! These are some of the best foods to try during your two days in Tirana –
- Buyek (pastry with cheese, spinach or meat)
- Grilled meats
- Ice cream – it’s everywhere!
- Baklava
- Rakia (but go easy, that is some powerful booze)
Coffee shops to try during your weekend in Tirana
- Le Bon
- Mulliri
- Le Chateau
Useful information for a Weekend in Tirana
You can only get Albanian currency in Albania, or maybe in Italy if you order in advance. The local currency is Albanian Lek. There are ATMs at the airport. However, all banks charge about €5-6 to withdraw money. But the exchange places in town usually do a decent rate.
There is no Uber in Albania. However, here are some other taxi apps you can try – UPS Taxi App, Speed Taxi App or Taxi.al App
You can’t drink the tap water in Tirana, so make sure you buy bottled.
Many Albanians in the cities speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Albanian. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:
Hello Tungjatjeta (toon-jah-TYEH-tah)
Please Ju lutem (yoo LOO-tehm)
Thank you Faleminderit (fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet)
Yes Po (poh)
No Jo (yoh)
Goodbye Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem)
Tirana is beautiful all year round and has very seasonal weather. Definitely something to consider when researching your Two Day Tirana Itinerary. The summer is scorching hot, reaching temperatures into the 40s, and there is a often snow during the winter months. Spring and autumn are mostly mild and less extreme and this is probably the best time to visit. However, it can also be a bit rainy in the spring.
What to Pack for your Weekend in Tirana
We have put together a basic packing list for your weekend in Tirana –
- Comfy boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Insect repellent if you go hiking
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Charging pack if needed
- Decent camera (phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Cash Albanian Lek
- Passport and travel docs
- Driving licence – if hiring a car
Where to go Next
Ready for another Albanian adventure? If you have some more time in Tirana, why not try check out these amazing Day Trips from Tirana? There is plenty of history and culture to discover in beautiful Tirana.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Tirana or Albania? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
Short on time? Save “Two Day Tirana Itinerary – How to Spend A Weekend in Tirana” for later by pinning the image below.
