Hello from Albania 🇦🇱 Another country checked off my Balkan adventure list! This post will be a short one since we only had a half-day to explore Albania before continuing our journey to Montenegro. Still, I hope you enjoy reading it!
About Albania
Albania is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered in Southeast Europe. Between Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro—with a stunning coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas—Albania offers a rich blend of nature, history, and culture that feels untouched and authentic.
Albania remains one of Europe’s most affordable travel destinations, making it a great choice for budget-conscious travellers who crave off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Tirana
Tirana, the capital city of Albania, is a vibrant and colourful destination where tradition meets modernity. Known for its lively energy, Tirana boasts a unique blend of Ottoman, Italian, and Communist-era architecture. The city's centre, Skanderbeg Square, is surrounded by key landmarks such as the National History Museum, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower.
Strolling around the city, you’ll notice its quirky art installations and boldly painted buildings, a reflection of its creative spirit. The Bloku district, once restricted to Communist elites, is now a trendy area filled with cafes, restaurants, and nightlife spots. Tirana also offers green escapes like the Grand Park and Artificial Lake. Friendly locals and a laid-back atmosphere make it a charming and unexpected European capital worth exploring.
Attractions
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is the central plaza of Tirana, Albania’s capital city, and a symbol of national pride. Named after the 15th-century Albanian hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the square features a grand equestrian statue of him at its heart. Surrounded by key landmarks like the National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Palace of Culture, the square blends Ottoman, Fascist-era, and modern architecture in one open, expansive space.
In recent years, Skanderbeg Square underwent a major transformation — now a pedestrian-friendly plaza paved with stones from across Albania, symbolising unity. It’s a popular gathering place for locals and tourists, often hosting concerts, protests, public events, and weekend strolls.
Details
Location : Plaza Tirana, Sheshi Skender Beu, Tiranë 1001, Albania.
Business hours : Open 24 hours
Bunk'Art 2
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| ( Photo credit to GetYourGuide ) |
Bunk’Art 2 is a powerful and immersive museum located in a former Cold War-era nuclear bunker beneath central Tirana, right behind the Ministry of Interior. Plan for a 1–2 hour visit, enough time to absorb the heavy and informative exhibits.
Constructed between 1981 and 1986, Bunk’Art 2 spans about 1,000 m² with reinforced concrete walls over 2.4 m thick. It served as a refuge for elite police and interior ministry staff in the event of a nuclear attack. Originally code-named “Objekti Shtylla” (The Pillar), it was kept secret until its transformation into a museum.
Today, you explore a network of roughly 24–40 rooms through narrow, dim corridors that mirror the tense atmosphere of the era.
Details
Location : Street Abdi Toptani, Tiranë, Albania.
Business hours : Mon - Thu (9.30am - 6.00pm) ; Fri - Sun (9.30am - 8.00pm)
Admission fee : 500 Lek
Clock Tower
Right in the heart of Tirana, the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit) quietly watches over the city, standing tall beside the beautiful Et’hem Bey Mosque. Built in the early 1800s by the same man who commissioned the mosque, this historic tower once served as the city’s main timekeeper.
Over the years, it’s had many upgrades—from a German clock to a Roman-numeral face to a Chinese mechanism during the communist era—but it has always remained one of Tirana’s most iconic landmarks.
Pyramid of Tirana
Once a concrete tribute to Albania’s former dictator, the Pyramid of Tirana has gone through a dramatic transformation. From a symbol of power to a playground for locals, it’s now a vibrant cultural and tech hub filled with cafés, studios, and coding spaces. Redesigned in 2023, the once-controversial monument has become a creative space where people can climb, connect, and reshape the past into something hopeful and inspiring.
Details
Location : Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit 5, Tiranë, Albania.
Business hours : Open 24 hours
Alrighty, the first part of my Balkans trip is complete! Now it’s time to work on my Croatia travel vlog before I dive into writing the next part of the journey. Ciao for now!
Travel Vlog
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#ShiniInAlbania
For more photos, search the hashtag #ShiniInAlbania on Instagram. There, you can also find additional details about my personal experiences during the trip.
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