Tirana Historic Centre Walking Tour: From Communism to Today
Introduction to Tirana—its history and culture in the city centre: we trace the city’s story from Ottoman roots through communist rule to modern Albania. The walk begins at Skanderbeg Square with the Et’hem Bey Mosque and National History Museum, continues past BUNK’ART 2 and the Pyramid of Tirana, and ends in the lively Blloku district, once the exclusive quarter of the communist elite.
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Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English, German, Spanish, Italian (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Left side of the Opera House Nearest public transport: Pallati i Kulturës bus stop; Teatri bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by TIRANA Free Tour guides. Look for the guide with the Tirana Free Tour" red badge.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 10€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Embark on a fascinating journey through the heart of Albania’s colourful capital, Tirana. From the remnants of its communist era to its rapid transformation into a bustling modern city, Tirana’s unique blend of history, art, and culture will leave you captivated.
The tour begins at Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero who fought against the Ottomans for Albania’s freedom. As the city’s central hub, the square is surrounded by a mix of modern and historic architecture like Et’hem Bey Mosque, Opera House or the Clock Tower and the impressive National Historical Museum. Among the others, the Museum hosts the exhibit dedicated to the most famous Albanian, Mother Teresa – born in Skopje, today’s North Macedonia, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for her humanitarian work as a catholic nun. She remains a symbol of compassion and national pride.
Continuing we’ll explore the area around BUNK’ART 2, a former communist-era bunker transformed into a contemporary art space. It is the best place to learn about Albania’s dark past as one of the most isolated and repressive regimes in Europe often compared to North Korea, and its transformation into a creative hub. The topic of Albanian communism is long and complicated, so in order to understand it, we recommend joining the Tirana Communist Tour after this tour. Our next stop will be the Pyramid of Tirana, an architectural marvel that serves as a testament to the city’s tumultuous past. Originally intended as a museum dedicated to the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the Pyramid now stands as a symbol of Tirana’s resilience and transformation. Finally, we’ll stroll through the lively Block district, once an exclusive enclave for communist elites, now a bustling area filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants. Our guides will introduce you to the vibrant atmosphere of this unique place, where you can feel the pulse of modern Tirana and dive into its nightlife. You might even hear the sounds of Dua Lipa, an Albanian-British singer and songwriter who has taken the international music scene by storm.
Highlights
- 1
Skanderbeg Square
Tirana's central hub, named after the national hero who fought the Ottomans for Albanian freedom.
- 2
Et’hem Bey Mosque
A historic mosque and a key architectural landmark located on the city’s central Skanderbeg Square.
- 3
National History Museum
An impressive museum on Skanderbeg Square, featuring an exhibit dedicated to the beloved Albanian, Mother Teresa.
- 4
BUNK'ART 2
A former communist bunker, now an art space telling the story of Albania's isolated and repressive regime.
- 5
Pyramid of Tirana
Originally a museum for dictator Enver Hoxha, now a symbol of Tirana’s resilience and transformation.
- 6
Blloku District
A former exclusive enclave for communist elites, now a bustling area with bars, cafes, and nightlife.
7Mother Teresa
The most famous Albanian, Nobel Peace laureate known for her humanitarian work and symbol of national pride.
Map
Left side of the Opera House Nearest public transport: Pallati i Kulturës bus stop; Teatri bus stop
