The beautiful thing about Tirana is that it’s still waiting to be discovered.
It’s no secret that Albania has become Europe’s newest travel destination, with the country averaging tens of thousands of foreign visitors a day in 2024.
With so many newcomers to this tourism hotspot landing in Tirana on WizzAir and RyanAir flights, many are looking for quick, affordable weekend getaways.
Whether you’re a cultural enthusiast, a backpacker, a history buff or a nature lover, Tirana has a little something for everyone interested in leaving their routine and discovering a new destination.
For those travelers looking for a quick weekend getaway, this is your perfect 3-day Tirana itinerary:
Day 1: Exploring Tirana
The touristic center of Tirana is tiny, comprising Skanderbeg Square, Blloku and the Grand Park.
The square is the main access point to Tirana’s major attractions. From here, you can visit the best Tirana museums and cultural experiences, such as House of Leaves and Bunk’Art 2, both of which are located a few minutes of walking away.
The Grand Park of Tirana is the city’s largest park. Located in the heart of Albania’s capital, the park encircles the enchanting Artificial Lake of Tirana. Exploring the lake and its environs provides a much-needed natural reprieve from the densely-populated urban center. As one of the top things to do in Tirana, this expansive green haven offers a mix of tranquility and leisure as well as opportunities for exercise with its basketball and tennis courts, 6 kilometers of dedicated running lanes and a long, winding bike path. Low key ways to enjoy the park include a walk in its forest or a lakeside picnic on a sunny day.
The Grand Park of Tirana is a great spot to connect with others and make new friends as people come here to escape the concrete jungle. But some things never change – much like life in the city proper, Albanians love to keep things slightly chaotic with cyclists taking up the running lane and pedestrians walking in the biking path. The park is also a favorite spot for people watching: Albanians young and old love to relax here, and the contrast between the city’s Western-minded youth and the older generation that grew up during Communism is on full display, here!
Once you’re done with the city center, head over to Albanian Night, Tirana’s first-ever ethnocultural center teaching visitors all about Albanian culture and history. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to dress up in traditional Albanian clothes as you experience what life in a Northern Albanian village from the times of the Kanun, the country’s most vaunted legal codex governing social hierarchies and familial relations, looked like!
Albanian Night’s show immerses visitors in the country’s beautiful traditions of dance, music and hearty food. This cultural show happens every night at 19:00 in the center of Tirana. We recommend booking your spot at Tirana’s top nightly performance ahead of time!
Once you’re done with your nightly show and have enjoyed the traditional Albanian dinner, there’s no end to the packed and lively venues to check out in Blloku, the former Communist government neighborhood where Enver Hoxha ruled the country with an iron fist.
How fitting that it’s now where Albanians and foreigners alike go to unwind and have a great time out on the town! Charl’s and The Code are close to each other and are great spots for dancing, whereas KINO, Colonial and Nouvelle Vague offer high-end cocktails in chic and laidback settings.
Day 2: Biking Tirana’s Villages
If you aren’t hungover from a late night out, the countryside of Tirana offers verdant hills and picturesque little villages perfect for exploration by bike on a sunny day.
Our recommendation is to head towards Alltatë. This bike ride lasts around 90 minutes on a relatively well-paved concrete road that takes you uphill to the Lapidari Communist obelisk overlooking the city. Make sure to stop here at the London-doubledecker-turned-cafe to take a beautiful picture of the city below!
You’ll then continue downhill towards Picall, through the fertile countryside of Tirana, where you’ll see villagers raising turkeys and harvesting spinach to be sold in the capital’s bustling markets. We recommend stopping at this picturesque cafe to admire the rolling hills if you need another break on your way to Alltatë.
A hidden gem right outside of Tirana, the waters of Lake Alltatë (Liqeni i Alltatës) are a shocking, otherworldly hue of blue that contrasts sharply with the surrounding beige limestone. Chances are you will be the only visitor to this artificial lake, and can enjoy a few hours sunbathing in complete privacy in this secluded, charming spot.
Day 3: Cape of Rodon
You won’t want to miss this mix of hiking, history and beaches. Rent a car and drive fifty minutes northwest to the Cape of Rodon, or Cape of Skanderbeg. This rocky peninsula extends into the Adriatic Sea, offering breathtaking views of the water and hosting a magnificently-preserved church and medieval-era castle ruins.
Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero whose statue adorns Tirana’s main square, chose the Cape of Rodon as the location of his humble abode, and construction began in 1450. While the centuries have taken their toll on the castle, today visitors can still see its outer walls on the right side and the tower where the two intersect.
Back on solid land lies St. Anthony’s Church. Originally a Byzantine monastery from 1418, this church got a new look with Romanesque-Gothic style and was later dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. After an earthquake in 1852, it stayed in ruins until it was rebuilt in 2000. Visitors can enjoy the depictions on the church walls of a Stradioti (15th century Balkan mercenary) on a horse, a picture of Mamica, Skanderbeg’s sister, intricate frescos and a carving of a double-headed eagle!
Once you’re done exploring the castle ruins and church, you can clamber over the bunkers on your way to the beach. On a clear and sunny day, you can see Montenegro and Northern Albania in the distance across the water.
A small and delicious family-run seafood joint on your way back to Tirana is a great way to end the day, with freshly-caught and affordable seafood served well into the night. A full meal with starters and a glass of wine shared among a group of friends here can come out to around ten euros a person!
Albania is a land of hidden gems. Whether you’re looking for undiscovered villages, pristine beaches or cultural treasures, Albania has something to offer every type of tourist.
Tirana is the gateway to discovering these incredible experiences. Subscribe to our mailing list if you want to get more inspiration for Albania itineraries, or visit us in-person at Albanian Night if you have any questions about where to go in Albania.
