World Wings: Tirana

Tirana Albania

Tirana is by far the largest city in Albania and its administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Today, it is an interesting and fascinating city, with a lively nightlife. Tirana is where old and new Albania meet. There is an imposing Ottoman mosque and its towering minaret near Skanderbeg Square, the main square of Tirana. The construction of the Ethem Bey Mosque began in 1798 and was completed in 1821. Closed under the communist regime, the mosque reopened as a place of worship in 1991. Look at the frescoes outside and in the porch depicting trees, waterfalls, Ottoman houses, and bridges, motifs rarely seen in Islamic art. The center of Tirana is a delightful area of wide tree-lined avenues and large squares, populated by unforgettable brutalist architecture and sometimes extremely colorful. It also has some great examples of heroic and socialist realism, such as the huge mural on the facade of the National History Museum. Tirana is a fascinating city and the capital of a fascinating country. It is very relaxing, with friendly and hospitable people, some great restaurants, and a lively nightlife. You can practically see everything the city has to offer in a day or two, but it's a great place to start exploring nearby places, like Durres and Kruja.

Recommended airport

Tirana Rinas (TIA)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations