We never made a plan to come to Albania, or to visit Tirana. It just kind of happened. Sometimes the best things in life happen by accident.
Our time here in Tirana so far has been great.
Come Join us for a Sunday out in the city and ill share some of what we are enjoying.
The first thing is all the green spaces. It seems around every corner there is another park.
But the main park in Tirana is called the Grand Park of Tirana (Parku i Madh i Tiranës), also known as Parku i Liqenit or Lake Park. It covers around 230 hectares and includes an artificial lake at its center, making it a key recreational area for residents and visitors. With path ways through it that seem endless, and so many recreational activities…we have been using the 400 meter sports track and playing ping pong on the cement tables. There are also monuments and memorials, and large botanical gardens, really easy to spend your days in this park as we have.
Check out how big it looks compared to the rest of the city.
We didnt really have a plan for this Sunday, just a wee wander. Check out some of the green spaces we found along our walk.
We walked first along the The Lana River which is the canal-like waterway that runs through the heart of Tirana. It was once a natural river, but over the years, due to urbanization and pollution, it has been modified into a canal system to manage the flow of water through the city. The river begins in the mountains east of Tirana and flows westward, cutting through the city before eventually joining the Tërkuza River. Makes for a pleasant way to walk through the center of a city.
Then we found our way to Taiwan park where Mom and the P-man goofed around.
We stumbled upon an art sculpture in the downtown. And realized they allowed you to climb on it. So of course thats what the Monkeys did.🐒
When i got home i looked up what that sculpture was and some info about it. It is called ‘The Cloud’. It was Designed by Japanese artist Sou Fujimoto, it is next to Skanderbeg Square.
“The Cloud” is a temporary pavilion made of a light, lattice-like metal structure that resembles a cloud. Its open, airy design invites interaction, making it a favorite spot for kids. (Well that was true for my kids)
It was originally installed as part of the Tirana Architecture Week and has become a symbol of modern art in the city. The structure represents the idea of merging architecture with nature. Honestly it was pretty sketchy seeing the kids so high up while i stood on the cement floor beneath. Somehow it seemed it shouldn’t be allowed to climb it, but the security guard stood watching and didnt seem phased.
Mom could only handle the stress for so long though and called the kids down. So on we walked….
Next up….Skanderbeg Square (Sheshi Skënderbej), the main plaza in Tirana, Albania, and serves as the heart of the city’s public and cultural life. Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbej.
The square was redesigned in 2017, transforming it into a pedestrian-friendly space with wide open areas, fountains, and greenery. It is surrounded by some of Tirana’s most important landmarks, including the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the National History Museum, the National Opera House, and Bunk’art 2.
We are a World Schooling family. Our kids have been doing their schooling online for many years now. This means we are not location based and can be anywhere in the world and our kids are still getting a quality education. One of our philosophies is that you can learn more via direct experience than sitting in a classroom and reading from a text book. So we like to find things that are fun and also provide education. In the case of Bunk’art 2 we found a nice mix of Albanian history and art.
Bunk’art 1 is just outside the city and meant to be bigger and the original. But it is what inspired the creation of Bunk’Art 2, which is a museum and art space located in downtown just next to the square we were visiting. It is a massive slightly stinky underground bunker built during the communist era. Originally designed to protect government officials in the event of war, the bunker has been transformed into a museum that documents Albania’s political history under Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship. It features exhibits on the secret police (Sigurimi), political persecution, and the extensive network of bunkers built during that time. The space also hosts contemporary art installations, blending history with modern culture.
The kids enjoyed it more than we expected, several of the rooms were 16+, they seemed to like that they were getting to learn about the rougher bits of Albanian history. Dealing with hangings, firing squads, internminant camps and spying on its own populations. I was not fully aware of the extremes that communism put its people through. 1930-1990 was not a pleasant time to be a citizen here. Tourists were even subjected to having their hotel rooms bugged and forced to get haircuts if they wanted to come.
It took us 2 hours to get through the museum. It ended in a modern art exhibition, allowing the population to process their nations experience through art. We lingered around in here for longer, there were some really nice pieces on how easy it was to warp perception.
It was a mix of art and heavy history, which initially peaked the kids interest but by the end they were ready to be out of these smelly dungeon like rooms. The art and interactive aspects of the end got them engaged again, but upon leaving it was time for a treat.
Which brings us to another part of Tirana that we have really enjoyed. The coffee culture. It is hard to walk a few steps without finding another coffee shop, with high quality cappuccinos and espressos for very affordable prices. I’m not sure how so many coffee shops can all be full of so many people all day long…but they are. Some of the places also have extravagant deserts. And so we ended our little Sunday tour enjoying some cheese cakes and cappuccinos for mom and Dad.
Many might not know much about Tirana or Albania in general, and it’s not such a known tourist destination that im aware of. But i just want to say that it is well worth a visit. In Tirana you will find a very affordable city with much to do and see. With a friendly culture and tasty food all surrounded by nature. We got stuck here. What was initially meant to be a few day pass through turned into a 10 day visit.
If you have been to Albania and have any suggestion of other places not to miss. Let me know!