Things to do · Tirana
Mother Teresa Square
Sheshi Nënë Tereza
Sheshi Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa Square), one of Tirana’s main public spaces, is named after the nun of Albanian origin who was declared a saint. Open and green, it is ringed by monuments, cafés and cultural venues, good for a stroll or a pause.
Tirana
Check opening hours, access and prices before setting off.
Read the official guide ↗BEFORE YOU GO
Practical information
- Getting there
- At the southern end of Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, about a 15-minute walk straight down the boulevard from Skanderbeg Square; the Polytechnic University closes the view.
- Distance
- About 1.2 km from central Tirana, as the crow flies
- Time to allow
- Under an hour
- Best time to go
- All year round
- Entry
- Free
- Coordinates
- 41.31788, 19.82126
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Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square (Sheshi Skënderbej) reopened in 2017 as a pedestrian space paved with stone from across Albania; the redesign won the 2018 European Prize for Urban Public Space. Odhise Paskali’s Skanderbeg statue (1968) shares it with the National Historical Museum, the Opera and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.
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New Bazaar
The New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri) has been trading around Avni Rustemi Square since 1931. Rebuilt in 2017, its covered hall sells fruit, vegetables, spices and Albanian specialities, next to a restored fish market and a corner for traditional crafts, with cafés and restaurants all around.
Shëngjergj
Shëngjergj
Shëngjergj is a mountain village about 40 km east of Tirana, on the Erzen river and ringed by Mali me Gropa (literally ‘mountain of pits’). Rich in springs, lakes and caves, it draws walkers to its waterfall, castle ruins and Shpella e Valit (Vali Cave).
Tiranë
National Theatre of Opera and Ballet
Albania’s foremost stage institution, the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble was founded in 1953 and sits on Skanderbeg Square. It stages opera, ballet and symphony concerts from world and Albanian repertoire; check the programme.
Petrelë
Petrelë
Petrelë spreads over a hillside by the Erzen river, about 15 km from Tirana, topped by a castle dating from the Byzantine period. Cobbled lanes, views to Dajti and local restaurants and guesthouses with traditional food suit a relaxed day trip.
Tiranë
Blloku
Under communism Blloku was off-limits to ordinary citizens and reserved for the ruling elite; Enver Hoxha’s residence still stands here. After the regime fell it became a favourite with young people, and today it is packed with restaurants, bars and clubs.