Friendly Tirana, the capital of sunny Albania, is located on a plateau at the confluence of two rivers, 40 kilometers from the port city of Durres. The area is known for the wars that took place here for a long time, but so far few people know about the city as a tourist destination. You can get to Tirana by plane, train, bus or car. The city itself is not so big, it is easy to explore it on foot or by bike.
Geographic location
Albania on the world map, washed by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, seems like a small speck on the outskirts of the Balkan Peninsula. Summers here are usually dry and hot, but a cooling wind blows from the coast, so, as tourists write in reviews, the weather here is conducive to relaxation. Usually the season lasts from late spring to mid-autumn. The sun shines almost 300 days a year. Winter here is wet and cool. The average daily temperature drops to +4 °C. Due to its position, the climate of Tirana is mild and favors an influx of travelers.
The best time forvisits to the Albanian capital - autumn or spring, when the temperature has not yet reached the summer 30–40 ° C. At this time, the Albanian capital can be seen in the bright colors of greenery, the flowering of parks and gardens, or the golden crimson of falling leaves. March and November are rainy, so the weather can ruin travelers' plans.
History lessons
Where is Albania on the map, we have already found out. The territory of the present country was inhabited in ancient times, and then became part of the Roman Empire.
At the end of the 5th century, the Slavic tribes founded the Albanian kingdom here - Arberia. At the beginning of the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Justinian I built a fortress in Tirana, parts of its walls can still be seen in the city center.
Later the Ottoman Empire conquered the country. But in 1442 an uprising broke out under the leadership of Skanderbeg, a man who is today honored as a national hero. After his death in 1479, the Ottoman Empire regained its influence over Arberia.
Only at the beginning of the 17th century Tirana became a real city. In 1614, in honor of the victory over the Persians near Tehran, the Turkish nobleman Suleiman Pasha gave the new city the same name. At the same time, Turkish baths, mosques and bakeries began to be built here.
Until the 20th century, Tirana was a small town that did not affect the life of the country. And the fact that since 1920 Tirana has been the capital of Albania has become a completely compromise solution. It was chosen only because of its geographical position - it lies at the junction of the northern and southern partscountries.
In the 20th century, the city survived the overthrow of King Zogu (1928-1939) the occupation regime of Nazi Italy and Germany (1938-1944) the communist epic of dictator Hoxha (1946-1985) and finally, in 1992, perked up and found hope to improve life.
Architectural sights of Tirana
Buildings painted in different colors are found all over the Albanian capital. But even this was not the highlight of the city. Tirana closely connects its sights with the glorious past of the state. So, a statue of the national hero of the country - Shesha Skanderbeg rises above the central square. And very close is one of the oldest buildings in the city (1820) and the symbol of Tirana - the Clock Tower.
The International Cultural Center (former Enver Hoxha Museum, known as the Pyramid) was built in 1987 by order of Enver Hoxha's daughter. Initially, the museum's task was to perpetuate the memory of the "father of the Albanian people." And this mission was to be undertaken, first of all, by the city of Tirana. Albania calls this project the most expensive construction of the communist era.
Today this abandoned building is half occupied by a TV station. The other wing periodically hosts art exhibitions and other cultural events. In recent years, the Pyramid has been the subject of controversy over the future of this building. Many believe that it must be destroyed, as traces of a dark past, andsome are sure that the building should be reconstructed and preserved as a historical monument.
Religious temples
Ephem Bey Mosque was built for 28 long years and finished only in 1821. This Muslim temple is considered one of the most beautiful in Albania. Both the interior and exterior are distinguished by very interesting decorations and artistic painting.
The Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is a relatively new building in the city. Reviews of tourists report that the temple is distinguished by bewitching architecture and rich interior iconography. No less interesting is the church of St. Peter. It was also built recently. The temple is remarkable for its amazing stained-glass windows and frescoes.
Tirana Museums
On the central square of the Albanian capital there is the main museum of the city and the country - the National Historical Museum. It is easily recognizable by the huge mosaic that stands on top of its façade. The exhibit contains many artefacts from ancient times to the Hoxha regime, including Albania's macabre labor camp system.
The National Art Gallery offers visitors an introduction to the art of the 13th-21st centuries. The exhibition must be seen at least for the sake of the works of the era of socialist realism. At the back of the museum are statues of Lenin and Stalin. Here, a lot reminds of the close friendship of the Soviet and Albanian peoples, and sometimes it is difficult to understand, but Tirana is the capital of which country?
The National Archaeological Museum of Albania showsancient artifacts of the Illyrian and Romanesque tribes. Tourist reviews report that the beautiful mosaics, Roman statues and historical maps presented here make a particularly strong impression on visitors.
An open-air museum can be called the Cemetery of the Martyrs, sometimes this churchyard is called the necropolis of heroes. The remains of 900 partisans who fought for the liberation of Tirana are buried here. In 1985, the Albanian dictator Khoja found his last rest here, but in 1992 his body was exhumed and transported to the Sharra cemetery at the other end of the city.
On the graveyard you can also find a twelve-meter statue of Mother Albania (the monument was erected in 1972). It stands on a beautiful mountain slope near the road leading to the city of Elbasan. From here you have a magnificent view of the capital of Albania.
Where else to go in Tirana?
Tirana, the capital of Albania, offers many opportunities to explore. In the reviews, tourists write about visiting the zoo a. Animals are allowed to be seen at arm's length. Next to the zoological park there is a botanical garden, which contains the most interesting representatives of the country's fauna.
In the evening you can visit the Opera and Ballet Theatre. One large concert hall allows you to enjoy the sounds of a symphony orchestra, professional singing and choreography.
Mount Dajti is another popular recreation area. Get inyou can get to it with the help of a funicular built by the Swiss. There are few restaurants and hotels upstairs, so it will not be possible to spend the night. But this place is perfect for a walk in the fresh air. In winter you can go skiing, and in summer you can ride a bike or just get away from the bustling city for a while.
The area of Ish-Bloku before the fall of communism was a closed territory, which allowed only party bosses and their entourage. Today it is a trendy youth district of Tirana. The best cafes, shops and restaurants, bars, clubs, discos are open among residential buildings. Here you can also find the villa of the former dictator Enver Hoxha.
Be sure to climb the Skytower skyscraper. At the top is a cafe on a rotating platform. Drinking good coffee, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tirana. Reviews of tourists who have been here are full of enthusiastic stories about the surrounding mountains of colorful buildings, and at night - the lights of the big city.
Holidays and festivals
Every year, Tirana becomes the arena for many interesting events of regional and global scale. The sights of the capital and events attract the participation of the international community. Summer Festival is celebrated on March 14 and Independence Day on November 28. A number of prestigious festivals have recently entered the city calendar.
These include:
- Tirana International Film Festival takes place in late November - early December. It highlights the work of ethnic Albanian directors.
- International Exhibition of Contemporary Art The Biennale is celebrated in Tirana once every two years. The best masters of contemporary art are invited to participate.
- Art Days in Tirana take place in various city centers. Within 3 days, there are 25 events ranging from exhibitions to film screenings.
- The sports marathon includes running and cycling along the main streets of the capital.
- Ethnic festival-fair provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the fruits of farm labor.
- Jazz Festival represents this musical direction.
- Wine Festival gives you the opportunity to taste a drink made from grapes made in different regions of Albania.
Gastronomic Features
Tirana, the capital of Albania, has many good and inexpensive cafes, restaurants and pizzerias in its arsenal. Most of them are located in the Blloku district - the epicenter of the city's nightlife, as well as the presidium of the parliament and the presidential palace. Service staff often communicate in English. Often there is also a menu in British language. Catering establishments represent European (French, Italian, American) and Oriental (Chinese, Japanese, Thai) cuisine.
Traditional Albanian dishes include fried sausages and chicken, souvlaki, burek with cheese and spinach, doner, potato pies, fishand lobster, homemade bread, wines and fire brandy. Reviews of tourists note that theme evenings are often held in restaurants, vocal and instrumental groups perform.
Visitors can hear live songs from folk to jazz and rock and even dance. Most establishments guarantee professional service, and some offer scenic views of the city.
Souvenirs and shopping
Tirana, the capital of Albania, offers customers many small shops and several huge shopping centers located on the outskirts of the city. Free buses run to them. In the capital you can find almost everything: clothes, food, musical instruments, works of art. The decoration and shoes are very expensive and, for the most part, imported from Italy. In the markets you can find products cheaper and simpler. The bazaars here are exclusively in the Turkish style - you need to bargain before the second coming. Sellers love and appreciate it, and also willingly give in.
Souvenirs: magnets, key chains, cups, plates, T-shirts, postcards, guidebooks - are sold in special kiosks. The city of Tirana is distinguished by such shopping. Reviews of tourists claim that even in the capital, most currency exchange offices accept the currency of not all countries. Euros, dollars, pounds sterling and other major currencies are accepted everywhere and without problems. Many shops accept euros, but prices can be slightly higher. The city has manyATMs accepting Cirrus / Maestro and VISA.
10 ideas to stay in Tirana
- Enjoy Albanian hospitality.
- Check out the colorful houses of the capital.
- Taste great coffee and local beer, as well as delicious pastries and ice cream.
- Learn a moralizing story about the national Albanian hero - Skanderbeg.
- Visit museums.
- See the Pyramid of Tirana - a monument to the era of Stalinism.
- Relax in the Big Park by the lake with a fishing rod in hand.
- Make a day trip to the Adriatic Sea.
- Go away from the noise of the city to Dajti National Mountain Park.
- Dance in one of the many nightclubs.
What do travelers say?
Those who have already been lucky enough to visit the Albanian capital respond enthusiastically about their vacation. So, reading the reviews of tourists, we can come to the conclusion: Tirana enchants with beautiful parks, open markets, historical buildings, and also gives a strange feeling of a unique meeting of Europe and the Middle East. Here at times it is very difficult to understand where the city of Tirana is located. After all, this, in fact, a Muslim country is territorially located after all in Europe.
