Tirana Holidays

City breaks to Tirana

Tirana’s climbing the rungs of Europe’s city-break ladder, with more and more visitors passing through its borders each year. It’s not rocket science as to why – the city has a lower cost of living than most other European capitals, and its compact-and-colourful city centre is guaranteed to fill your camera roll with plenty of snaps fit for your Insta feed.

National beauty

Just a 20-minute drive away, you’ll reach Mount Dajti National Park, which has explorer’s paradise written all over it. Take in the fresh air on the hiking and cycling trails that run all the way from the bottom to the top of the mountain – although if you’re set on hiking, check in with a guide as some of the routes are a little obscure. For an easier ascent, jump in the Dajti Express cable car and head to the (almost) top in around 15 minutes.

Modern history

There’s lots of war history in Tirana, but the city has done its bit to celebrate its successes. A huge former army bunker has been turned into a museum, called Bunk’Art, and is a monument to Albania’s communist history. There’s also Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero who helped the country gain independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The city’s main sights – including Et’hem Bey Mosque and a Venetian-style clock tower – sit just off the square, so it’s easy work ticking them off in a day.