Where to Stay in Tirana (For All Budgets and Travel Styles)
If you are wondering where to stay in Tirana, you have come to the right place. In this post, I will give you all the information you might need, highlight the best areas in Tirana to stay in as a tourist or digital nomad and give you my personal recommendations for the best hotels and hostels in Tirana.
Tirana is a very walkable city and the majority of the best hotels and hostels in Tirana are located within walking distance from most important landmarks. Additionally, Tirana is very safe so even staying in slightly non-touristy areas will be cheaper and cause no issues whatsoever.
I love Tirana and think it is one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It is vibrant, colourful, surprising in many ways and packed full of great activities, cafes, bars and very affordable restaurants. Whether you are staying in Tirana for two days, two weeks or two months, this guide to the best places to stay in Tirana is for you.
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Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Tirana, Albania
Best Areas to Stay in Tirana
In this chapter, I will line up all the best areas to choose from when staying in Tirana. If you want to see the hotel and hostel recommendations, skip to it by clicking here.
The Best Area to Stay in Tirana for Tourists
The fact is that in Tirana, unlike in many other capitals of the world, it does not make much difference in which neighbourhood you will stay when it comes to safety and vibe.
There is always a café, a bakery or a local restaurant around the corner in Tirana. The only difference is how touristy you want the area to be and how far you are willing to walk – because you will be fine walking most of the time.
If you are only staying in Tirana for a few days, it is best to stay in the centre so you can visit as many places as possible without taking too much time to get there. For this reason, the best areas to stay in Tirana are Blokku, Zona 1 Pazari i Ri, Ali Demi, 21 Dhjetori and the whole area along the Rr. Myslym Shyri.
You can see these areas marked on the map below. All these areas of Tirana are within walking distance from places like Skandenberg Square, BunkArt Museum and Tirana Pyramid.
I bet if you are only staying in Tirana for a few days, it does not matter what the neighbourhood is called, all that matters is that you are not too far away. So I made it simple for you. Anything within the boundaries of the neighbourhoods I mentioned (and marked on the map) is just fine.
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Best Areas to Stay in Tirana for Digital Nomads and If You Are Staying for Longer
As mentioned above, Tirana is a very safe and walkable city and affordable throughout. If you are staying longer in Tirana, I still recommend the central parts of Tirana which allow you to walk to all the sights, great cafes, bars and restaurants. However, it’s also great to stay a bit outside of Tirana and blend into the local community and feel like you are home and living a normal life for a little bit. As a full-time traveller, I can relate to this very well.
The best neighbourhoods to consider in Tirana for longer stay and outside of Tirana centre:
Brryli – I really liked the vibe of Brryli. Although not totally far from the centre and you can get to Pazar it Ri in a 10-minute walk, it already feels very local. In the bars, cafes and restaurants in this area, you will mostly see locals and when I spoke to the cashier in the supermarket the cashier asked me if I lived there. It was so unlikely for her to see a typical tourist. But the area is vibrant and great to walk around.
Liqeni i Thatë – this is a lovely area located near the lake, and I really enjoyed strolling around there. There are lots of great cafes and restaurants and it’s so close to the lake and park. The area is also pretty local, although you see more travellers there.
You can also rent a room or apartment somewhere along the route of the blue Dajti Express bus. This bus runs very frequently between the centre of Tirana and Dajti Express, and all neighbourhoods along the route are safe and very local, so you are never too far from the action. The bus fare is 30Lek.
Komuna e Parisit is a very residential neighbourhood of Tirana, but very close to the trendy Blokku neighbourhood and the Tirana artificial lake. This area is excellent for families or those who want to live a bit outside the city, but still have excellent access to most essentials. Here you will find quite a few great restaurants and plenty of accommodation options.
Now that we know what are the best areas to stay in Tirana for those visiting for a few days, I will tell you what are the best accommodation options depending on your budget and travel style.
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Best Hotels and Guesthouses in Tirana
Best Apartments and Hotels in Tirana for Budget Travellers:
Sonce – The best value for money for solo travellers staying in Tirana on a budget. It is slightly outside of the centre but boasts everything you might need for a comfortable stay.
Dion Apartment – Excellent apartment near the Tirana center. Great facilities, kitchen a washing machine! Do I need to say more?
VILLA 53 – Cozy and welcoming. Excellent location and great value for money.
Lovely one bedroom studio in Tirana – As the name suggests, it is indeed a lovely studio offering unbeatable value for money. In a great area in the centre of Tirana.
Guesthouse Hygge – Cozy guest house in a great location with a homie vibe. Breakfast is included. Outside space in the fruit garden and the house is an oasis of calm 10 minutes walk from the centre.
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Best Mid-range accommodation in Tirana
Studio Apartments 365 – Great if you are looking for an affordable and beautiful studio in a less touristy area. Very comfortable.
Blloku Unique Apartments – Beautifully decorated apartments in the hip Blokku neighbourhood. Apartments are soundproof and feature a balcony and a washing machine among other great facilities.
The Wilson Tirana – Very comfortable apartments in the heart of Tirana and a great option for digital nomads. The location is great and the apartments feature a desk and a small kitchenette.
Best Boutique Hotels in Tirana
Ebel Boutique Hotel – A wonderful boutique hotel offering incredible value for money. It is stunningly decorated, has a beautiful bar and terrace, the included breakfast is delicious and plentiful and the rooms are soundproofed.
Amansar Boutique Hotel – Great boutique hotel on the outskirts of Tirana. Beautifully furnished rooms with balconies and great views.
Hotel Boutique Restaurant Gloria – A wonderful hotel located in the centre of Tirana. Excellent breakfast is included and WiFi is fantastic. There is also a very nice rooftop restaurant and the service is top-notch.
Best Luxury Hotels in Tirana
Hotel Elisa Tirana – A beautiful, sleek and modern 4-star hotel featuring a spa and wellness centre, on-site restaurant and super comfortable rooms.
Ambassador Skyline Apartments – Beautiful and Modern apartments boasting incredible views and located right by the Tirana City Park.
Sar’Otel Boutique Hotel – A family-owned hotel in the heart of Tirana. It is beautifully decorated, has a great terrace, great breakfast is included and even a small gym.
Best Hostels in Tirana
Albania has an amazing hostel scene and Tirana is home to a few of the best hostels in Albania. Here are my personal (and traveller friends’) recommendations:
The Red Goat Hostel – A fairly new hostel in Tirana, just opened this year, but it is quickly making it onto the list of the best hostels in Albania.
It is an absolutely stunning hostel, run by Lora with a lot of love and purpose. The decor is very eclectic and fits the artistic vibe of Tirana. It is a wonderful place to meet other travellers and chill during your travels. You will love it there, guaranteed!
Tirana Backpacker Hostel – Undoubtedly not only one of the best hostels in Tirana but also one of the best hostels in Albania. It is a beautifully yet rustically decorated hostel that perfectly fits Tirana’s vibe perfectly. It has been a favourite among travellers for a long time.
It has a great garden, plenty of social spaces, a shared kitchen, and an on-site bar. Everything a backpacker might need. Breakfast is also included. They offer a very affordable dinner as well.
Trip’n’Hostel – A legend in Tirana especially among those looking for a party/social hostel. It is probably the liveliest hostel in Albania so if you are looking for a hostel with good social vibes, this should be your choice.
Although amenities can be quite simple, no one comes to Trip’n’Hostel for that. The largest dorm fits 12 beds, and although it is quite comfortable, they are pretty crammed. But you will get a lot of common space, including the garden, and even plenty of room to work. If you are so inclined.
Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel– A stunning boutique hostel earning raving reviews from travellers. It has excellent facilities and is a modern and tastefully decorated hostel in Tirana. You will receive recommendations as to what to do and where to eat in Tirana and sleep well at night in comfy beds. Great hostel!
Mosaic House Hostel – Although this hostel hardly ever makes it to the best hostels in Tirana list it is a great choice for budget travellers looking for a clean, modern and well-equipped hostel with breakfast included! I stayed there for a few days and even tho it didn’t give out a social vibe outright, I met many travellers and had a great time there. Worth considering!
Best Eco and Alternative Accommodation Outside of Tirana
If you are looking to stay outside of Tirana in more alternative accommodation I have a few recommendations for you as well. Here are a few great farm, eco or outright alternative stays outside of Tirana:
Kulla Hupi Agriturism – Housed in a restored two-hundred-year-old traditional tower house, Kulla Hupi offers a really unique stay. Located in the small village of Fushe-Bulqiz offers accommodation, delicious traditional and homemade food, and several activities such as horseback riding or hiking. Rooms are small but beautifully renovated while retaining authentic charm with stone walls, old wooden roof beams, and lots of old relics. The surrounding grounds are also beautiful as well and the food is delicious.
The House in the Village – This is a wonderful option if you want to stay not too far from Tirana and enjoy the wonderful countryside. It is located 23 km away from Tirana centre and offers free breakfasts and optional shared homemade meals. It has a variety of accommodation options like dorm rooms, private single rooms and family rooms so you will find what you need there and more! The area offers great hikes to waterfalls and river caves. You will not want to leave!
VILA DISHA – Located in the countryside, 35 km away from Tirana this accommodation is family-run and offers a great retreat far from the city.
It boasts a big garden, with big terraces where you can enjoy the beautiful nature and the surrounding mountains. The house is cosy and traditionally decorated. It’s a great hiking area and the owners offer guided hiking trips. You dont even need to rent a car to get there as there are direct buses running from Tirana. Breakfast is included and all produced is locally sourced.
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Exploring more of Albania?
If you are visiting Shkoder, be sure to read my complete guide to all the wonderful things to do in Shkoder. And if you are planning a visit to Theth and hiking the Albanian Alps I have you covered too!
Heading to the beach? Great idea! Here is the list of all the most beautiful beaches near Himare!
Finally, if you are wondering where to stay, here is the list of then ost iconic hostels in Albania!