What to Do in 24 Hours in Tirana to Keep it Cheap

If you only have a day in Tirana, don’t worry. Albania’s capital is compact, lively and incredibly walkable, meaning you can pack a lot into 24 hours without feeling rushed. Here’s my Tirana itinerary, and how much it’ll cost you.

If you’re wondering what to do in Tirana in one day, this is exactly how I spent my 24 hours in the Albanian capital – and what I’d recommend if you want to see the highlights. Expect underground bunkers and striking architecture, mountain views and lively food markets, oh, and a futuristic pyramid.

It’s so easy to get the bus from Tirana Airport to Tirana – it cost 200 LEK (£1.80) and took about 45 minutes. The taxi is about 30 mins, and costs around €25.

Morning: start at Skanderbeg Square

The best place to begin your 24 hours in Tirana is Skanderbeg Square, the huge pedestrian plaza at the centre of the city.

Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the square is surrounded by some of Tirana’s most important landmarks. It’s also the perfect place to get your bearings when you arrive in the city.

On one side you’ll see the striking National History Museum, easily recognised by its huge mosaic façade. Nearby sits the Palace of Culture, while just across the square is the elegant Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of the few historic religious buildings that survived Albania’s communist era.

It’s a brilliant place to start your day slowly. Grab a coffee at one of the nearby cafés and watch Tirana wake up. Albania takes its coffee culture seriously – locals linger over espresso for hours (especially men it seemed).

Many of Tirana’s top attractions are within easy walking distance from Skanderbeg Square, making it the ideal starting point for a day exploring the city.

Visit Lake Bovilla for incredible mountain views

If you have a little flexibility in your one day Tirana itinerary, one of the best excursions from the city is Lake Bovilla. I absolutely loved my time here.

The reservoir is around an hour outside of Tirana surrounded by rugged mountains. On the way you’ll have a few stops, including one at this amazing gorge, and another at the waterfall just before you get there. Just watch out for the sketchy bridge – you can see it in the Instagram carousel below if you click through.

Once you arrive, hike up to the viewpoint for incredible panoramic views over the (at times) turquoise water, surrounded by steep cliffs. Stay a while and have a little look round the caves at the top. I just sat and stared at the view for a while – felt like it’d been ages since I’d done something like this.

There’s a restaurant halfway up, serving a range of cuisine and a fully stocked bar. I didn’t feel that hungry but did enjoy a glass of Albanian white while enjoying the scenery.

If you’re visiting Tirana for a couple of days, Lake Bovilla is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Even if you only have 24 hours in Tirana, an early morning trip here can be an unforgettable way to start the day.

This is the Lake Bovilla tour I did with GetYourGuide – 100% recommend (and only £8)!

Afternoon: Visit Bunk’Art 2 for a history lesson

You can’t visit Tirana without confronting Albania’s communist past, and Bunk’Art 2 is one of the most fascinating places in the city to do that.

For decades Albania was ruled by the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. During this period, the government built thousands of bunkers across the country in preparation for potential invasion.

Today, one of those enormous underground bunkers has been transformed into a museum exploring Albania’s modern history.

There are actually two versions you can visit:

• Bunk’Art 1, located outside the city near Mount Dajti
• Bunk’Art 2, located in the city centre

If you only have one day in Tirana, Bunk’Art 2 is the easiest option because it’s just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square. This is the one I went to.

Be prepared though – it’s pretty grim and traumatic down there. Especially given the state of the world right now. I couldn’t help but think how much history was repeating itself.

Walking through the dimly lit tunnels and rooms gives a powerful insight into what life was like during the communist regime and how isolated Albania once was from the rest of the world.

It’s not the lightest attraction in Tirana, but it’s definitely one of the most important. Don’t spend too long down there!

This was relatively expensive for Albania, at around £9. Still worth it though.

Dinner: Explore Tirana Castle

Just off Shëtitorja Murat Toptani Pedestrian Street, you’ll find Tirana Castle (Kalaja e Tiranës). This is a great place to go after the trauma of the tunnel and bunker.

Despite the name, this isn’t a traditional castle with towers and battlements. Instead, it’s a historic walled area that has been transformed into a lively courtyard filled with restaurants, artisan shops and cafés.

It’s a great place to wander for half an hour, especially if you want to browse local crafts or stop for a drink.

I stopped at Lezet Restaurant for the traditional Albanian food. I ordered the speciaility Fërgesë – red peppers, tomatoes, and salted cottage cheese (locally gjizë) or feta. Absolutely delicious with a sausage on top. And then, baklava.

I know I sound like a mega tourist but I really liked how you scanned the QR code and it took you to their menu in English, with pictures. It just helps!

I’d originally stopped at another restaurant down the back but there was so many people smoking around me, I had to move. And I’m so glad I did. The food and service at Lezet was just what I wanted.

Oda Restaurant, ERA Restaurant Pizzeria or Kapalet all seem to be good options according to all the blog posts about Tirana I read!

Sunset drinks at The Monarc Hotel

As evening approaches, head to The Monarc Hotel for a drink. This stylish rooftop bar is one of the best places in Tirana to watch the sunset over the Namazgah Mosque – check out my TikTok post about it.

The atmosphere is relaxed, the cocktails are excellent, and it’s the perfect place to chill after a day exploring the city. Had a lovely sit down.

My Aperol Spritz was 550 LEK (about a fiver).

Evening: climb the Tirana Pyramid

One of the most unusual buildings in Tirana is the Tirana Pyramid.

Originally built in the late 1980s as a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, it’s also been a monument and an abandoned ruin, but now it’s a renovated cultural and tech hub. Looked like lots of offices to me.

But the reason Tirana tourists go is to climb up the sides of the pyramid via staircases to reach the top, for the great views across the city.

It’s one of Tirana’s most distinctive landmarks and a powerful symbol of how the city has reinvented itself since the fall of communism.

Walk through Pazari i Ri Market

After exploring Tirana’s history, lighten things up with a trip to Pazari i Ri Market, also known as the New Bazaar.

This colourful market area is one of the liveliest places in the city. You’ll find stalls piled high with fruit, vegetables, olives, nuts and local produce, alongside restaurants and cafés where you can sit down for your dinner.

It’s a great place to try traditional Albanian dishes such as:

• grilled meats
• stuffed vegetables
• fresh salads
• flaky pastries

Or simply grab a drink and people-watch. Don’t expect unique sellers and quaint homemade items – it’s more mass produced Albania football shirts, and ‘Albania’ emblazoned drums, pens and bags, but it’s still a great area with some nice looking restaurants around.

Where I stayed

I booked two nights at Villa Noem. Mainly because it was the cheapest, best looking one near the centre I found – and it ended up being an excellent choice.

I felt safe and cosy, and it was quiet and spacious. I had a balcony which I imagined using a lot more than I actually did, and there was free juice and coffee in the morning. It was only about ten minutes walk from Skanderberg Square and had a few great cafes nearby, and a traditional, family run byrek shop a few steps away too.

What I’d do differently in Tirana next time

If I visited Tirana again – which I definitely would – there are a couple of things I’d add to my itinerary.

Firstly, I’d love to do a proper architecture walk around Tirana. The city has a fascinating mix of styles, from Ottoman remnants and Italian-influenced buildings to stark communist-era concrete blocks and colourful modern architecture, and I’d love some context and direction to enjoy them more.

I’d also make time for the House of Leaves Museum – which a few people had told me was the best museum. It’s about the spying and surveillance devices used across Albania during communism.

I’d also plan my trip more around food – maybe do a cooking class? Mugo Restaurant, Arka Restaurant and Salt Tirana were all on my list to visit. And I’d do the Djati Express too, oh, and get some wellness treatments. They look great value here compared to British prices.

Cost of Tirana

Check out my Instagram post for all the costs, and how much I ended up spending in total!

24 hours in Tirana

Tirana genuinely surprised me.

Before visiting, I didn’t really know what to expect. Albania is still relatively under the radar for many travellers, and Tirana doesn’t often appear on the typical European city-break lists.

But that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

Where else can you climb a former communist monument, explore an underground bunker museum, sip espresso in a lively market and watch the sunset from a rooftop bar – all in the same day?

If you only have 24 hours in Tirana, you’ll get a brilliant introduction. But chances are, like me, you’ll leave already planning when you can come back. I think next time I’d either combine with the beaches of the south or the stunning lakes of the north.