Tirana Flights and Travel Guide

Tirana

General Information

Tirane

19.81600000

41.32600000

Central Europe St...
(GMT +2 hrs)

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Tirana - Introduction

Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania. It lies on the river Ishëm, 32 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea.

The city was established in 1614 by Sulejman Pasha Bargjini, a native feudal lord, but the area had been populated since the Paleolithic times.
More recently, Tirana was made a temporary capital of the independent Albania on February 8, 1920, and was made the permanent capital on December 31, 1925.

Tirana is a charming, colorful, leafy town with a vivid nightlife. It is slowly shedding its communist-era appearance and is undergoing large-scale renovations. Many of the city’s dull buildings were painted in bright colors, under the initiative of the mayor Edi Rama.
The city’s history is reflected in relics from an Ottoman, Italian and communist past, where minarets rub shoulders with socialist murals.

Next: Tirana Climate »

Tirana - Climate

Tirana has a typical Mediterranean climate. It has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. July and August are the hottest months when temperatures can reach around 31° C. January and February are the coldest months when temperatures can plunge as low as 2° C. Most precipitation falls in October.

January average temperature 5 deg Celsius 155 mm rainfall
February average temperature 6 deg Celsius, 145 mm rainfall
March average temperature 8 deg Celsius, 114 mm rainfall
April average temperature 12 deg Celsius, 97 mm rainfall
May average temperature 16 deg Celsius, 104 mm rainfall
June average temperature 20 deg Celsius, 69 mm rainfall
July average temperature 22 deg Celsius, 38 mm rainfall
August average temperature 22 deg Celsius, 41 mm rainfall
September average temperature 18 deg Celsius, 66 mm rainfall
October average temperature 15 deg Celsius, 102 mm rainfall
November average temperature 10 deg Celsius, 175 mm rainfall
December average temperature 7 deg Celsius, 163 mm rainfall

Next: Tirana Getting There »

Tirana - Getting There

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PLANE

Tirana is served by Nënë Tereza International Airport, located at Rinas, 26km from the city center.

Transfer: an hourly bus connects the airport to Skanderberg Square, operating from 6 am to 6 pm.
Taxis are also available.

 

Getting Around

TAXI

Taxi stands are found all over the city.
A ride within the city costs from 400 lekë (during the day) to 600 lekë (at night).
Settle the price with the driver before departure.

CAR

Do not attempt to drive a car in the city, the traffic is hectic and drivers are aggressive.

WALKING

The city center is quite small and can be explored on foot.

Next: Tirana Activities »

Tirana - Activities

Mt. Dajt

From the top of Mt Dajt visitors can enjoy scenic views of the city.

 

Cafés

The many sidewalk cafes offer an opportunity to taste the traditional Albanian food and discover the Turkish influence on the cuisine.

Next: Tirana Attractions »

Tirana - Attractions

Sheshi Skënderbej / Skanderbeg Square

The massive Skanderbeg Square is Tirana's main square plaza. It was built with support from the Soviet communists, but when the Soviet-Albanian relationship deteriorated, the money also stopped. This left the square unfinished and the Chinese were called in to finish the job.
Today the square features several historic buildings such as the red-brick National Bank and the Et’hem Bey Mosque. The National History Museum and clock tower are also in this area. In the square stands a statue of the Albanian national hero, Skanderbeg who is revered for having resisted the invading Ottoman Turks for over 30 years.

 

Et’hem Bey Mosque

The mosque was built in the 19th century and designed by the maker of the clock tower, Haxhi Et’he Bey and the interior boasts beautiful intricate designs. It survived the WW II bombings and the communist-era atheism campaign so the mosque is still functional today.

 

Clock Tower

The tower was built in the early 19th century, and was designed by Haxhi Et’he Bey.
Originally it featured a bell from Venice. During the bombing raids of WW II the clock was destroyed and was replaced by the current clock, which came from China.
The top of the tower features an observation deck for a lovely panoramic view of the city.

 

The Church of the Holy Evangelist

This orthodox church is one of the few religious structures that survived the communists’ atheism campaign waged during the 1960′s. During this time places of worship were either destroyed or converted into public buildings.

 

Blloku

Blloku is Tirana’s trendy neighborhood noted for its painted facades, shopping areas, trendy bars, elegant restaurants and the delicious coffee of its cafes.It is considered the playground of Albania’s newly rich.

 

Central Market

The central market is the place to soak up the local atmosphere, browse fresh produce and get to know the culture. Do not forget to haggle!

 

National Museum of History

The museum features many of Albania’s best artifacts. Numerous archeological treasures can be seen here, many dating as far back as 100,000 BC.
The exhibited items cover a vast time span, from ancient past up to the country’s communist era.

 

Next: Tirana Events »

Tirana - Events

Tirana International Film Festival

Date: 13-18 December
Web:
http://www.tiranafilmfest.com/

This annual 10-day international festival, held in the middle of December, features over 700 movies from 80 different countries as well as promotes works by Albanian artists.

 

Tirana Jazz Festival

Date: early July (check webpage for details)
Web:
http://www.movingculture.org/

The festival was initiated in 2000, with the objective of promoting collaboration between local and international artists.

 

T.I.C.A.B – Tirana International Contemporary Art Biannual

Date: October (biannually, last was held in 2009)
Web:
http://www.tica-albania.org/TICAB/

TICAB is the self described, “largest international art event in Albania, working with contemporary art as a tool to analyze our contemporary condition and as a critical voice in the social discourse.”

Next: Tirana Night Life »

Tirana - Night Life

Tirana has a vast selection of bars, restaurants, discotheques, nightclubs, and casinos, and enjoys a lively nightlife.

The main entertainment areas in Tirana include Dibra Street, the Rinia Park region, around the International cultural center, the Parliament, and the American Embassy.

However, the most popular area with both tourists as well as locals is the Bllok, the city’s trendiest neighborhood. This area features some elegant clubs, cozy lounges and enticing bars.

For a more noisy, vibrant atmosphere, head to Rruga Elbasan, an area popular with the city’s student population. These hotspots usually play hip hop, jazz and electronic music.

During the weekends, expect nightclubs to be packed!

Next: Tirana Etiquette »

Tirana - Etiquette

Women travelers should note that Albanian society is still quite conservative towards women so modest clothes and behavior are highly advisable.

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not well accepted or tolerated either. Avoid public displays of affection.

There are harsh penalties for drug-related crimes.

Note that Albanians nod to indicate ‘no’.

Next: Tirana Safety »

Tirana - Safety

Albania is a very safe destination. Violent crime towards tourists is almost non-existent.
It is, however, advisable to avoid traveling at night.
Be vigilant with your personal belongings as occasional thefts are reported from hotels and public transport.

Drink only bottled water as tap water is not safe to drink.

Secure a comprehensive travel insurance including an emergency air evacuation, as medical facilities in Albania are in very poor condition.

If visiting during the wetter months, a yellow fever vaccine is a must.

 

Emergency Phone Numbers
Police: 129
Ambulance: 127

 

US Embassy in Tirana

Pnone numbers:
From elsewhere in Albania: 0-4-247-285
From outside Albania: [355] (4) 247-285

 

Next: Tirana When To Go »

Tirana - When To Go

The best time to visit is during the summer months of July and August when the weather is sunny and dry.

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Current weather in
Tirana
A few tstorms. Mostly cloudy. Mild.
23°C
14°C

Wednesday
A few tstorms. Mostly cloudy. Mild.
Chance of Precip.: 54 %
Wind: SSW 7 km/h

Showers early. Cloudy. Warm.
27°C
17°C

Thursday
Showers early. Cloudy. Warm.
Chance of Precip.: 40 %
Wind: SSW 6 km/h

Passing showers. Broken clouds. Mild.
24°C
17°C

Friday
Passing showers. Broken clouds. Mild.
Chance of Precip.: 60 %
Wind: WSW 8 km/h

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