Passport Symphony | Travel Off The Beaten Track Blog

Tirana may be one of Europe’s most fascinating capitals, but most visitors barely scratch the surface before moving on to nearby attractions like Mount Dajti or day trips around Albania. Beyond the famous Skanderbeg Square, colorful boulevards, and iconic landmarks like the Et'hem Bey Mosque, a quieter side of the city awaits. From secret gardens and local viewpoints to overlooked neighborhoods and unexpected cultural corners, these hidden gems in Tirana reveal a different side of Albania’s capital. Visit a Gabi for a different experience Beksat Gabi We start this guide to hidden gems in Tirana with its gabi markets. You can’t brag that you visited a street market if you haven’t explored the flea markets of Tirana. Locally known as “Gabi”, these markets are the place to be for deal hunters. Many tourists aren’t aware that these markets exist and, frankly, they can be difficult to find. The biggest Gabi (Beksat Gabi) is located at Rruga Kongresi i Manastirit Street, behind the Medical Center of Mother Teresa. It’s an open street market where a lot of street vendors sell Italian high-quality cast-offs. A lot of bigger stores in Tirana buy the clothes from here and resell them; hence, if you’re good at bargaining, this is one of the best hidden gems in Tirana to get a great deal. A lot of the vendors don’t speak English, but if they see you are interested in something, they will find a “translator” faster than you can say, Jack Robinson. If you want to feel the atmosphere of Beksat Gabi at its fullest, visit around noon- around this time, there are a lot of people around. On the other hand, if you want to explore the market in a quieter atmosphere, without rubbing elbows with locals, try to visit early in the morning. If you want to explore more of Tirana's everyday life, Garden Boutique B&B is a lovely family-run place to stay, with a peaceful garden and a welcoming atmosphere away from the busy streets. See amazing samples of socialist realism National Gallery of Arts I won’t be telling you anything extraordinary if I suggest you visit the National Gallery of Arts. It’s the place to be if you want to see (or even participate in) new art exhibitions and events. However, in this gallery, you can learn a lot not only about Albanian art but also about history. On the second floor of the gallery, you’ll find some rare specimens of socialist realism, featuring famous Albanian artists, such as Sali Shijaku, Kel Kodheli, and Pandi Mele, among others. What’s interesting about these paintings is that they were used by Hoxha’s regime for propaganda purposes. Every piece of art comes with a detailed description of why it was created and what the intentions of the regime were in creating and using that particular piece of art for propaganda. That’s right- in Hoxha’s era, even art was used for propaganda purposes. This is the main reason why a lot of people aren’t very fond of this socialist realism, but one thing is certain. The paintings on the second floor of the National Gallery of Arts in Tirana that feature some of the most are a great delineation of everyday life during Hoxha’s rule, and as such are a fascinating historical record of life in Albania during this era. For a comfortable stay close to the city's main cultural attractions, Castle Boutique Hotel offers a charming setting within the historic walls of Tirana Castle. Learn about the Bektashi order Bektashi World Center In case you didn't know, the Bektashi Order is a dervish sect that fuses elements of Shia and Sufi in a unique blend of Islamic philosophy. This order was founded during the Ottoman era but was banned by the authorities in Turkey (after the Young Turk revolution), and later in Albania during Hoxha's regime. Today, most people don't know a lot about this sect and even more aren't aware that the main center of Bektashism is located in Tirana, and that the Bektashi Dede of Tirana is the spiritual leader of Bektashis across the globe. As such, this is the best place to learn about this Sufi community. The people in the center will make you feel welcome and are there to answer all of your questions. In the center, you’ll find several tombs of different Bektashi Dedes, the Odeon/Tekke where Bektashis gather for prayers, and a museum dedicated to the history of this sect that features some of the most important artifacts related to the Bektashi Order. If you're planning to explore this lesser-known side of Tirana, Faces & Places Boutique Hotel is a wonderful choice, with locally inspired interiors and rooms celebrating different Albanian cities. Eat KFC next to a former dictator's home KFC Tirana Enver Hoxha is one of the most notorious communist leaders and a man who kept an entire country in isolation for 41 years. During his rule from 1944 to 1985, Albania was easily the most isolated country in the world. People weren’t allowed to travel abroad, 75% of the population thought the authorities were spying too much, and Hoxha was a sworn enemy of capitalism. That’s why it’s kind of ironic that the only international fast food chain in Albania, KFC (they don’t have McDonald’s or Burger King), was opened right opposite Hoxha’s old house. Unfortunately, the house is closed to the public today, but at least you can have the unique experience of eating a KFC meal right across the road from where Hoxha was giving all of his orders. If you want to enjoy this rare experience, keep in mind that the place gets busy around lunchtime, as KFC quickly became very popular among the locals, but you can still go for a late-night snack and enjoy the view while no one is around. And if you want to spend more time exploring this fascinating neighborhood, Boutique Hotel Kotoni is a charming family-run hotel that combines traditional Albanian hospitality with a convenient location in Blloku. See the Albanian Statue of Liberty Martyr's Cemetery Martyr’s Cemetery is located at the top of Rruga e Elbasanit. This is where around 1000 partisans who died in WWII are buried. Initially, Enver Hoxha was also buried here, but his body was exhumed and moved to a regular cemetery after the fall of communism in 1992. This is a unique site because not too many cities in the world can say that you can enjoy the best view of the city from a cemetery. Martyr’s Cemetery is also home to the Mother Albanian statue, the Albanian version of the Statue of Liberty. As you might be guessing, the statue was erected during Hoxha’s rule in 1971 to serve as a monument of everlasting glory to the homeland's martyrs. The graveyard and the statue also have a symbolic meaning, as they symbolize the partisans and Lady Liberty looking over Tirana, both literally and figuratively. For those who want to explore this quieter side of the capital, Iliria Boutique Hotel offers a cozy, family-run atmosphere and easy access to Tirana's beautiful Grand Park. Get off the beaten track at Erzen Canyon Erzen Canyon The tourists discovered the Pellumbas village on the outskirts of Tirana, but most of them didn’t make it to the Erzen Canyon (yet). Erzen River is the largest and most famous river that flows through Tirana. It’s around 109 kilometers long and has created some spectacular canyons throughout the years. The crystal-blue waters of the river look very appealing, and you can even swim in the canyon. The hike itself is worth it, even though it requires getting off the beaten track on a not-so-well-marked trail. On the trail, you can also find a few waterfalls and several natural pools. The hike is relatively easy, but you should still get some comfortable shoes and an extra bottle of water as you’ll have a lot of walking to do. A highly recommended activity for adventure seekers and nature lovers. If you want to spend more time enjoying the surrounding countryside, Hotel Restorant Agriturizëm Rozmarine Pëllumbas is a lovely family-run retreat where you can relax with beautiful mountain views and traditional local food. Visit the most underrated museum in town Mezuraj Museum The Mezuraj Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Tirana and a must-visit if you are into arts. What makes the museum so unique is that it’s a great mix of the old and the new. The museum displays many fascinating archaeological objects but is also home to some of the best modern, contemporary pieces of art in Albania. It’s a great place to learn more about Albania’s history but also to get introduced to some of the finest modern art in the country. The museum has an impressive collection of ceramic vases and amphoras dating back to the Bronze Age. However, even though they aren't as old, the paintings and sculptures in the museum aren’t to be underestimated either. For some reason, the museum (still) doesn’t attract many foreign visitors, despite being located close to the city center, but I would definitely recommend you visit it. Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to hidden gems in Kotor. And if you're looking for somewhere equally interesting to stay, Museum Boutique Hotel Tirana offers a cozy atmosphere and comfortable accommodation within easy reach of the city center. Reconnect with nature at Bovilla Lake Bovilla Lake Lake Bovilla is one of the most beautiful sights you can see in and around Tirana. The lake covers a surface of 326 hectares and is a major water reserve for the growing population of Tirana. Locals call the area surrounding the lake the “Swiss Park,” and the name is actually quite suitable- for a moment you might feel like you’re in Switzerland instead of Tirana. In case you didn’t know, Albanians have a deep respect for Switzerland as a country and its beautiful nature, and every time an Albanian compares something to Switzerland, understand it as a compliment. The park is tucked away in the Mount Dajt National Park that has been getting an increasing number of visitors but Lake Bovilla still appears to be relatively unknown among travelers. If you want to visit, keep in mind that pubic transport isn’t available and the best way to reach the lake is to take a taxi to Zall-Herr and continue to the lake on foot. If you're planning to explore more of the natural beauty surrounding Tirana, Garden Boutique B&B makes a peaceful base where you can unwind after a day of hiking and sightseeing. Take a self-guided wine tour Shesh Village Shesh Village is famous among locals as the village that produces the finest wine in Albania. If you knew Albanian, you would realize that this place is a real wine paradise only by hearing its name. The village actually got its name from the varieties of grapes that have been cultivated here for centuries, Sheshi Bardhe and Sheshi i Zi. Despite the fact that the wine produced in Shesh is a favorite for the locals, very few foreigners know about it. Trying the wine of Shesh and strolling through the vineyards is a reason enough to visit, but the village is also great if you want to get away from the city hustle and enjoy some beautiful views of the surrounding cities, as Shesh is situated 460 meters above sea level. A great place to taste this wine is the Kokomani winery and, starting in 2018, Shesh’s very own annual wine festival. The village is pretty small and easy to get around, but there aren’t any public transport options from Tirana; hence, the only choice is to either rent a car or hire a driver. For a more authentic countryside experience, staying at a locally run guesthouse near Shesh is a great way to enjoy the region's rural atmosphere and traditional Albanian hospitality. See one of Europe’s rarest karst phenomena The Mountain with Holes Last but not least, we conclude this guide to hidden gems in Tirana with Mali me Gropa (the Mountain with Holes); a very rare natural phenomenon and a sight visible only in a handful of places in Europe. There are a lot of karst pits scattered across the mountains, with depths that range from five to over a hundred meters. And it gets even better during the winter! Can you imagine the dramatic views from the top when the mountains are covered in snow? The highest point of the mountain is around 1850 meters high, and it’s a great destination for mountaineering enthusiasts. There aren’t any signs leading to the top, but there are several easy-to-follow trails. You can reach the mountain via two different routes: Tirana -Qafëmollë and Tirana – Shenmeri. There are a couple of guided tours that take day trips to Mali me Gropa, and there are no public transport options, but of course, you can also explore independently if you rent a car or hire a driver for the day. If you’re planning to hike to the top of the mountain, you should get some hiking boots and enough drinking water and snacks- the journey can be exhausting, especially in the hot summer months. If you're planning to explore the mountain trails, Gaia Park offers a charming nature-focused retreat in the hills outside Tirana, although you'll still need transportation to reach the mountain itself. How did you like this guide to hidden gems in Tirana? Did you ever visit any of these places? Do you know of other places in Tirana off the beaten track that you think we could include in this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

11 Hidden Gems In Tirana For A Different Experience

11 Hidden Gems In Tbilisi You Have To Discover

Goal-Based Banking: The New Way to Save for Travel, Homes, and Emergencies

You’re on a Bad Tour — and You Don’t Even Know It

15 Best Sunset Spots In San Diego You Must Visit

Are Helicopter Rides Worth It? What Travelers Should Know Before Booking

Is AirHelp Legit? A Complete Review of AirHelp

Seven Island Cruises Review: Beautiful Islands, Disappointing Service

16 Hidden Gems In Sofia You Have To Discover

13 Hidden Gems In Sarajevo For A Different Experience