Location: Tirana
Top Things to do in Tirana
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10 Free Things to do in Tirana That You Shouldn't Miss
Tirana, the Republic of Albania's largest city, is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, a plethora of beautiful churches and lush parks. Founded in 1614, some striking Mussolini-era architecture dots the city center. Walk between sights such as Skanderbeg Square's 1789 Et'hem Bey Mosque, the 1830 Sahat-Kulla (Clock Tower) and the Puppet Theater, once home to King Zog's puppet parliament. Visit the Peace Bell, built with old cartridge shells, a reminder of Tirana's stormy past.
Restaurants in Tirana
1. Gallery 43
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Gallery 43 is the only one in Tirana with authentic artworks from the famous albanian artist Rakip Shabani. The gallery has 2 floors with 94 unique paintings. You can visit it for free just to take a glimpse of the Albanian history, culture and nature. The paintings represent different lifestyles of the Albanian culture and not only. The artworks timeline varies from 1969 to January 2020.
Reviewed By Mbjeshova
I can safely say this is one of the best galleries in town. Each painting I saw was unique. The environment was very inviting and friendly and I had an excellent time. I would totally recommend visiting this place and buying art there.
2. Grand Park (Parku i Madh)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By kiwibuddy1 - Grand Bend, Canada
The 230 h Grand Park is located in the southern end of Tirana. it is a beautiful place to walk, stroll, bike, jog or run, depending on one's energy level! Regardless of your chosen activity, the park is a pleasant escape from the crowded city centre and a chance to enjoy fresh air, nature and tranquility.
3. Skanderbeg Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,367 reviews
Reviewed By Abeckydeen - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Loved this square and although, we weren't able to stay until the Christmas market was fully built, it would have been so good! (From what was built) Points of interests are easy to find from this historic square.
4. Kapllan Pasha’s Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By experiencetirana - Tirana, Albania
Kapllan Pasha’s Tomb is located in the centre of Tirana. This is a very interesting history in that time. In front of Kapllan Pasha tomb has been located the first mosque (old Tirana City Center) built by Sulejman Pasha the first ruler of Tirana. Tirana was founded in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini Pasha, a local ruler from Mullet who constructed a mosque, a bakery and a hamam in the old city center of Tirana. Built in 1614, it was the oldest mosque of the city of Tirana and was one of the oldest mosques in Albania. The mosque was destroyed in the Second World War,its remains and its minaret which still stood were destroyed in 1967 by the new Communist dictatorship under Enver Hoxha. The monument of the "Unknown Soldier" (Albanian: Ushtari i panjohur) was constructed on its site instead. The reason why Kapllan Pasha tomb is in the middle of the town relates with the help that he gave to Bargjini Family. Sulejman Bargjini was killed in Bagdad. It was his son Ahmed died because of an illness, he left four daughters in young age. Their relatives sought protection with Kapllan Pasha of Kruja, offering him to marry his sons to the four orphaned daughters of the Bargjini clan. Kapllan Pasha, accepted the offer, since the Bargjini daughters were wealthy and owned lands around Tirana. Kapllan’s sons moved to Tirana and all the family used Toptani as their last name. In Turkish Toptan means together. The legend has it that when the family moved to Tirana, Kapllan Pasha said: Now they are all together. Hence the name Toptan. Kapllan Pasha Tomb It formed part of a monumental cemetery complex of the first Tirana mosque, which was destroyed during the Second World War. The complex at that time included six other similar monumental graves, of varying dimensions. Dating from 1817, this eight-columned tomb is a reminder of the city’s Ottoman period. It has an octagonal shape and is four metres in height. Kapllan Pasha’s remains were later exhumed and reburied in Istanbul. The tomb is empty but the structure remains a cultural monument, a remnant of the first Tirana mosque. The monument has recently been restored.
5. Catholic Church of St. Marie
6. Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
We really thought that this was the best peice of architecture in all of Tirana. The modern look, as well as the bright colors makes it stick out in the heart of a city that has so much old Yugoslavia architecture all around. Beautiful inside too, with great paintings all around!
7. Clock Tower
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By TheBalkansandBeyond - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Stunning Venetian inspired clock tower just off Skanderbeg Square. Many different types of architecture around the square so definitely worth a look. At 35 metres (115 ft) tall and was the tallest building in the city when it was built in 1822.
8. Et`hem Bey Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 594 reviews
Reviewed By arjancarja - Tirana, Albania
The Et'hem Bey mosque is one of the oldest and beautiful mosque in Albania , the imam there is very friendly and a good person.
9. Skanderbeg Statue
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 505 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
The equestrian statue of Skenderbeg is in the very center of Tirana, overlooking the vast main square also bearing his name. Skenderbeg is an Albanian national hero who first resisted the Ottomans. Gjorg Kastrioti, which was his native name was an Albanian nobleman who was educated and served the Ottoman empire for 20 y advancing in positions there, but at some point turned against them and became their opponent, leading medieval Albania and uniting it against the Turks. Skenderbeg is also a symbol of Albania multi religion (which was banned for 4 decades during Enver Hohxa rule) as he was born Orthodox, then converted to Islam during his service to Ottomans and later became Catholic during the Venetian against Ottoman empire wars, which he led and where he lost his life. The statue is a great photo op, and a famous Albanian brandy bears his name - worth trying.
10. Rruga Murat Toptani
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By highimpactuk - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
This is a lovely, shaded, charming pedestrianised part of Tirana. It is a great place to take a stroll or walk off a large meal.
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