When traveling to Albania, one can find lots of different attractions outside the capital of Tirana. There are other interesting towns to visit, there are excellent hotels and resorts dotted around the country, and of course there are breathtaking Adriatic beaches.
But with a great deal of focus on areas outside of the capital, tourists might be led to neglect Tirana. So we thought we’d point to some of the city’s primary tourist attractions.
Skanderbeg Square
It’s almost hard to miss Skanderbeg Square if you travel to Tirana, but we feel it should be mentioned anyway.
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| Skanderbeg Square |
Though it’s highlighted by a statue of Georg Kastriot Skandebeg, it’s also a lively city center in close proximity to a lot of other attractions. It should also be noted that while you might find images of Skanderbeg Square looking somewhat old or decrepit, it is no longer this way.
The square has been refurbished and is now a nice social gathering spot that goes a long way toward defining the character of the city.
Mount Dajti
This 1,600m mountain in the Skanderbeg range sits on the outskirts of Tirana and is the city’s main natural attraction. It can be enjoyed in numerous ways, but if you have time to ride the cable car (Dajti Ekspres) up to the mountain, it’s something you should do.
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| Mount Dajti |
The views of Tirana and the surrounding hills and mountains are breathtaking. And, once you’re up, you can hike a little further and eventually reach the Dajti Mountain National Park, which is undeniably the prettiest place in the city.
Regency Casino
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| Regency Casino |
All around the world, casinos are becoming at least somewhat obsolete as gaming activity migrates to the internet. This has been true throughout Europe for years, and the trend may even reach America (which could hit the casino industry hard). There are ongoing pushes to expand the legalization of online gambling, which could have ripple effects around the world. In Tirana though you can still find a pleasant brick-and-mortar gaming venue in the form of the Regency Casino. Located just off the Lana River, it’s a fully stocked casino that makes for a fun stop for visitors looking for some indoor entertainment.
The Sky Club
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| The Sky Club |
For another spot for some leisure activity and entertainment, the Sky Club Panoramic Bar & Restaurant has to be considered one of the coolest spots in Tirana. Located on the top floor of the Sky Hotel tower, the restaurant provides a 360-degree view of the city below, and in fact rotates slowly so that you can sit in one place and still see the full view. It offers a full food and drink menu for much of the day and night. It’s more about location and view than the menu itself, but the food and drink are usually reviewed favorably, so you should enjoy what you have even as you take in one of the cooler views of the city.
