Free tour

Albanian Tirana: A Complete Guide to the Hidden Treasures, Culture, and History of the Capital

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Tirana

Duration: 3 hours

Languages: English, French and Italian

Guru: Xhon John

Registered on 13 March 2025

Hello, my name is John, and I am a nationally certified tour guide. Born and raised in Tirana, I see this city not just as a place of monuments and streets, but as a living conversation between the past and the present. Every story I share carries a question — about who we were, who we are now, and how history still shapes our everyday lives, often without us noticing. I love to explore how a simple street name, an old building, or a local dish can reveal the spirit of an entire generation. For me, guiding is not only about showing what’s visible, but also about uncovering what time has tried to hide. So let’s walk through Tirana together — not just to see it, but to understand it. 🌿

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

As the title says, this is the most comprehensive tour of Tirana!

Together we will explore all the main attractions of the city, from antiquity to the present day.

We will start the tour in front of the Puppet Theater in the main square of Tirana, which is named after the Albanian national hero; this is a must-see destination for all visitors.

After discussing the history of Albania, Tirana, and the main square, we will continue to explore the city's most important sites. Our itinerary includes:

National Puppet Theater (The starting point)
Tirana City Council
The Ministry Complex
Et'hem Bey Mosque
The Clock Tower
The Palace of Culture
International Hotel of Tirana
National History Museum
Statue of the national hero Skënderbeg
Bank of Albania
Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
The "House of Leaves" (Museum of Secret Surveillance)
Bunk'Art 2 – the former anti-nuclear tunnel of the Ministry of Interior
Sarajet – The former royal residence of the Toptani family
Parliament of Albania
Downtown One (the tallest building in Albania)
St. Paul's Catholic Cathedral
Tirana Castle
Former Hotel Dajti
The Pyramid of Tirana
Office of the Prime Minister
The Presidency of the Parliament (Kuvendi)
The "Checkpoint" Memorial
Blloku District: the neighborhood of the former dictator and his cabinet
The Office of the President of Albania
Palace of Congresses

NOTES: 1. Dear guest, in case the tour is booked by 4 people or less, I am really sorry, but the tour will likely be canceled. We will try to find a solution so that we can do the tour. However, I will notify you the day before the tour.

2. Dear guest, the tour is scheduled to last about 3 hours, but depending on the walking pace of all participants, it may take longer.

3. Dear guest, for our convenience, the start time of the tour may change depending on the weather, especially during the summer to avoid the heat or when bad weather is expected. We will decide and agree together the day before the tour.

4. Dear guest, free tours do not have a set price and each person leaves at the end of the tour to the guide, the amount they deem appropriate (depending on the level of satisfaction) but the minimum required is 12 euros per person (although Guru Walk suggests 15 euros) considering that I as a guide pay the Guru Walk platform a commission of 2.25 euros for each person participating in the tour.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

All guests are warmly welcomed — including LGBTQ+ people.

I look forward to meeting you soon! 🌈

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Sheshi Skënderbej, Tiranë, Albania

I'll be in front of the Puppet Theater in Skanderbeg Square.

Outside visit

Tirana Free Tour

The heart of Tirana, featuring the statue of Albania’s national hero.

Outside visit

Museo storico nazionale

Outside visit

Moschea Et'hem Bej

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).