Tirana
Tirana, the beautiful capital of Albania, the extra ordinary city that surprised me from the moment we arrived. It felt so modern, colorful, and full of energy, with bold architecture standing alongside historic buildings, creating a city that constantly blends the old with the new.
After exploring the beautiful Ohrid region, we had originally planned to continue to Mavrovo National Park. But then we looked at the map and realized how close we were to Albania. We thought, Why not make the most of it and spend the day exploring Tirana? So instead of driving straight to Mavrovo, we crossed from the Ohrid border into Albania, spent the day discovering Tirana, then re-entered North Macedonia through the Debar border before continuing to Mavrovo. It added a few extra hours to our road trip, but it was one of those spontaneous decisions that we never regretted. After all, how often do you get the chance to add another capital city to your itinerary?
Albanian Car Wash
As we crossed the border and began driving on Albanian roads, something unusual caught our attention. Along the route to Tirana, people of different ages were standing by the roadside, holding hoses or water pipes, signaling for cars to stop. At first, we didn’t understand what they were doing until we noticed signs reading “Lavazh.” It became clear they were offering car washes, trying to stop cars to clean them in exchange for money. Some of these setups were quite makeshift, while others were surprisingly fancy, with car shades and proper signs advertising their services. It was interesting to see this mix of informal roadside car wash.
Albanian Orthodox Church
When I first spotted it from a distance, I was convinced it was a mosque. With its large central dome and tall bell tower, it immediately reminded me of Ottoman architecture. Imagine my surprise when I got closer and realized it was actually the Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the main cathedral of the Albanian Orthodox Church.
Completed in 2012, the cathedral is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans and symbolizes the revival of Christianity in Albania after decades of religious suppression during the communist era. Its bright interior make it well worth stepping inside, even if you’re simply curious to admire its architecture.
Et'hem Bej Mosque
Et’hem Bey Mosque is one of Tirana’s oldest and most treasured landmarks. Standing right in the heart of Skanderbeg Square, and was built between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it is admired for its beautifully painted interior and Islamic art.
During Albania’s communist era, when religious practice was banned, the mosque remained closed for many years. It later became a symbol of religious freedom when it reopened in 1991. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth stepping inside for a few minutes to admire its peaceful atmosphere and remarkable artwork.
Bunk'Art 2
Bunk’Art 2 is an underground labyrinth that was originally built as a Communist-era nuclear bunker for government officials and the Ministry of Internal Affairs during the Cold War. Today, it has been transformed into an interactive museum, documenting Albania’s communist past through photographs, documents, personal stories, and multimedia exhibits. I don’t find it an art as they name it, as walking through its long concrete corridors is very emotional, showing the darkest periods of the country’s history.
Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is the heart of Tirana and the city’s main gathering place. Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the square is dominated by his impressive equestrian statue, standing proudly at its center.
The square is surrounded by some of Tirana’s most important landmarks, it is the perfect place to begin exploring the city. Here you’ll find the historic Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National Historical Museum with its striking mosaic façade, and several government and cultural buildings. Despite being steeped in history, the square also reflects Tirana’s modern side, where contemporary architecture blends surprisingly well with the city’s historic landmarks.
Vibrant Urban Atmosphere
Some buildings:
Tirana was a big surprise for me. I’ve visited many cities over the years, but I had never seen architecture quite like this. Almost every building seemed to have its own personality. Some were bold and futuristic, others colorful and artistic, making the city feel like an open-air gallery. Many of the older buildings were painted in bright colors as part of a revitalization project that transformed Tirana into one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals.
Walking through the city center was one of my favorite parts of the visit. I found myself constantly looking up, admiring the unique buildings, passing cozy cafés, and discovering little green spaces tucked between the streets. Even the coffee shops felt special. It wasn’t just about having a good cup of coffee, every café had its own style, creative décor, and artistic atmosphere that made you want to stay a little longer.
Tirana has so much more to offer than what we managed to see in one day. Between its museums, galleries, historic landmarks, and lively neighborhoods, it’s a city that deserves more time than we had. It definitely left me wanting to come back and discover the places we had to leave for another visit.
Some coffee shops:
One thing I really loved about Tirana was its café culture. Every café we passed seemed to have its own personality. It wasn't just about serving coffee, it was about creating a beautiful space where people could relax and enjoy their time. Many cafés were decorated with artwork, stylish furniture, plants, and creative details that made each one feel unique.
Parks:
Another thing that caught my attention was how green Tirana felt. For a capital city, I was surprised by the number of parks, trees, and gardens scattered throughout the center. It created a pleasant balance between the modern buildings and nature. As we wandered through the streets, we often found ourselves taking a short break on a bench or walking through one of the green spaces before continuing our exploration. It gave the city a relaxed and welcoming feel that I wasn't expecting.
Cute souvenir store
One of the things I enjoyed most about walking around Tirana was stumbling upon its little surprises. The city is full of cute souvenir shops, but the one that really caught my attention was a souvenir shop inside a parked bus right in the city center. I'd never seen anything like it before. Of course, I had to step inside and have a look. It was such a creative idea and made souvenir shopping much more fun. I also loved coming across the small art galleries and outdoor art displays scattered throughout the streets. They added so much character to the city and blended beautifully with the colorful buildings making every walk through Tirana a little more interesting.
Bovilla Lake
The main reason for our trip to Albania wasn’t actually Tirana. We had planned to visit Lake Bovilla after watching a YouTube video where an Albanian creator described it as one of the country’s hidden gems. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments of our trip. It reminded me that not everything you see online reflects reality, and sometimes the most important details are left out in the pursuit of beautiful footage.
What frustrated me most wasn’t the lake itself, but the lack of honest information. The video never mentioned that Lake Bovilla is an artificial reservoir created by a dam, nor did it warn viewers about the road. The drive was extremely rough, with a long, narrow gravel road full of deep potholes and construction trucks. We kept telling ourselves, the road must get better soon, but it never really did. By the time you realize what you’re getting into, turning around isn’t exactly easy.
The photos and videos also made the lake look much more spectacular than it did in person, almost like the vivid turquoise lakes you'd find in the Canadian Rockies. That simply wasn't our experience.If visiting Lake Bovilla is still on your itinerary, my advice is simple: go with realistic expectations and, ideally, a proper off-road vehicle. You may end up loving it, but at least you'll know exactly what you're signing up for before making the journey.
Best Tips For One Day Visit To Tirana
1. Hit the road early: If you're visiting Tirana as a day trip, leave as early as possible. The earlier you arrive, the more you'll be able to see without feeling rushed. We still ran out of time, and there were several places we had to leave for another visit.
2. Choose your day-trip destination wisely: If you're coming from North Macedonia, think carefully before committing to a detour. I had wanted to visit Berat, the famous City of a Thousand Windows, but we chose Lake Bovilla instead, and I honestly wish we had gone to Berat.
3. Park near Skanderbeg Square: Most of Tirana's main attractions are within walking distance of the city center, so once you've parked the car, you can easily explore the rest on foot.
4. Wear comfortable shoes: You'll be doing a lot of walking. Tirana is one of those cities that's best discovered by wandering through its streets rather than constantly driving from place to place.
5. Don't skip the cafés: Even if you're only stopping for a quick coffee, take the time to sit in one of Tirana's beautifully designed cafés. They're part of the city's charm.
6. Have lunch in Tirana: Albanian food was one of the nicest surprises of our trip. Even the sandwiches and simple fast food tasted fresh and delicious, so don't rush out of the city without trying something local.
7. Carry some cash: Cards are widely accepted, but it's always handy to have some cash for smaller cafés, souvenir shops, or local purchases. There are plenty of exchange offices in the city center.
8. Leave some time just to wander: Don't plan every minute. Some of my favorite moments in Tirana were simply walking around, admiring the colorful buildings, browsing the little souvenir shops, and soaking up the atmosphere.
9. Avoid driving through the city center during rush hour: If possible, plan to leave before the late afternoon traffic builds up. It will make the journey back much less stressful.
10. Accept that one day isn't enough: A day trip is enough to see Tirana's highlights and get a feel for the city, but it will probably leave you wanting to come back. It certainly did for us.
11. If you're planning to visit Lake Bovilla, be prepared for the road. The road conditions are much worse than they appear online, with long stretches of gravel, deep potholes, and heavy trucks along the way. I highly recommend going with a proper off-road vehicle and realistic expectations before making the trip.
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