Tirana – General information

Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. More than 1/4 of the overall population of Albania permanently live in Tirana. It is a very dynamic city, where the heart of the country beats. It is a city of contrasts, where the modern lifestyle meets old traditions. Still rapidly growing Tirana is a busy commercial and administrative center with many comfortable hotels, restaurants, discos, pubs and a rich cultural life.

Tirana has a Mediterranean climate. The average temperature varies from a low of 2°C in January to a high of 32°C in July and August which are also the driest months, each with around 3 cm of precipitation on average. The wettest months are November, December, and February averaging between 15 to 20 cm. The main cultural and artistic institutions of Tirana are the National Theater, the Theater of Opera and Ballet, the National Gallery of the Arts (Galeria Kombëtare e Arteve), and the Ensemble of Folk Music and Dances. Another cultural event includes performances of reknown world composers performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of the Albanian Radio and Television. The city has been a venue for the Tirana Biennale and Tirana Jazz Festival.

Tirana became capital of Albania in 1920.

Tirana – Sightseeing

While visiting Tirana you should definitively go and see the following sights:
The Fortress of Pertrela It is located at south of Tirana on the right side of national road linking capital with the city of Elbasan. It was built up by the middle age. The castle was under the command of Scanderbeg sister, Mamica Kastrioti.
The fortress of Preza, belongs to the XV century. It has a very nice and dominant position in front of Kruja mountain.
The Mosque of Ethem Bey is situated just at the center of Tirana. It was constructed in 1789. Together with the Clock Tower ( 1830). they make a important historic part of Tirana.
Ministries represents architectonic values. They were built in the year 1930, when Albania was a kingdom.
After the Second World War several buildings were erected. The Palace of Culture, the Palace of Congresses, the National Historic Museum, the Centre of International Culture etc.
The bridge of Tabakeve is situated along the boulevard “Zhan Dark”. It belongs to the XVIII century.

Museums
Gallery of Fine Arts (closed at Mondays)
The Museum of National History (phone +355 223446 / 228389 )
Archaeological Museum
Museum of Albanian Philately
The Museum of Natural Sciences

Tirana – How to get there

Tirana is around 30 minutes by car from the civil airport ‘Mother Teresa’. Buses circulate regularly from the airport to the city center. Taxis or rented cars can be easily found at the airport.

The 2019 bus schedules (inter-city) are available [here]