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Tirana

Tirana is the vibrant and energetic capital of Albania that is nestled in the country's heartland. This fascinating city is known for its colorful Ottoman-, Fascist- and Soviet-era architecture that illustrates the city's eventful past. Visitors can immerse themselves in a mix of eastern and western cultures, visiting the grand National History Museum with exhibits ranging from antiquity to post-communism or the pyramid-like National Art Gallery. Dotted around the city are lavish mosques and churches such as the 18th century Et'hem Bey Mosque and the modern Resurrection Cathedral. Mount Dajti's cable car ride rewards with panoramic views of the city, while a burgeoning cafe culture and a burgeoning nightlife scene pulsate in the city's streets. Tirana, vibrant and bursting with life, is an undeniably compelling urban destination.

4 /5

Based on 4 experiences

3.9 /5

Based on our research

3.8 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Safe

Tirana is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. Despite being the capital city, it maintains a relatively low level of crime. It's advisable, however, to remain vigilant about your belongings as pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas. Like any other destination, it's safest to avoid poorly-lit or deserted areas at night. The locals are friendly and hospitable. As long as you practice common sense and awareness of your surroundings, you should have a pleasant and secure visit.

Transport:Easy

Navigating around Tirana is quite manageable. Though it might feel a little chaotic with the bustling traffic and absence of street signs, many attractions are within walking distance in the city center. There are several public transport options available for longer distances, including buses and taxis. The city is also introducing a bicycle sharing system. However, language can be a barrier sometimes as not everyone speaks English, but locals are generally helpful. It is recommended to have a map or GPS for better navigation.

Things to do:Interesting

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is rich in history and culture. It has a bustling city vibe, with a wide variety of architectural styles, ranging from Ottoman to Soviet-era structures. You can visit the Et’hem Bey Mosque or explore Communist-era bunkers at Bunk'Art. The heart of the city, Skanderbeg Square, is a lively meeting point with numerous cafes, and the nearby artificial lake, 'Parku i Madh', offers calm and serene walks. Local bazaars offer unique shopping experiences. Don't miss out on a cable car journey up Dajti Mountain for stunning panoramic views. The city also has an emerging contemporary art scene. However, it's still off the main tourist routes, which can sometimes limit organized activities.

Food:Above average

The food in Tirana is quite admirable. It's a blend of traditional Balkan cuisine touched with Italian and Ottoman influences, the selection is reasonably diverse, from their local dishes like Tavë Kosi to an abundance of seafood, fresh fruits, and meats. The city is evolving and so is its food scene, you can find a nice mix of fine dining and street food places. Some of the food is rich and hearty, whereas other dishes are light and zestful. While broadening, it still lacks a certain level of global cuisine diversity.

Budget:Affordable

Tirana is quite budget-friendly for solo female travelers. The cost of living is relatively low with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation. Local meals are cheap and delicious, and a guided tour is not necessary as it is easy to explore on your own. However, the cost can increase if you decide to visit more upscale attractions or restaurants.

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 4 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4/5

Safety

3.8/5

Food

3.7/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

Solo travel experience

I was a bit intimidated to go to Albania because people told me it was not safe, but I’m so glad I went anyway! Tirana was the first spot I ever solo travelled and I fell in love! It’s a really fascinating city and the people are so nice and happy to have you there as a tourist! I stayed at the Milingona City Center Hostel and loved it! Very pretty and chill! I walked to and from there at night and early morning alone and always felt safe!

Posted: April 3, 2024

Things to do: 4/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 4/5

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Solo travel experience

Tirana is really safe for women traveling alone. I can recommend different views points (pyramid, clock Tower, cable car), to visit the BunkArt to learn more about Albanian political history, to hang out in Blloku and to walk around the Tirana park and its lake!

Posted: March 17, 2024Experienced: February, 2024

Things to do: 5/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Tirana is one of the most amazing cities I have visited. Clean, safe, colorful and charming. The people I met there were some of the most hospitable people I have met during my travels. Moreover, the city is very cheap. I highly recommend visiting.

Posted: July 30, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Things to do: List of places I've visited and recommend seeing: - Skanderbeg Square - Et’hema Bey Mosque - National Historical Museum - Bunk'art - Kalaja e Tiranes Food: Albanian food is fantastic, if you love meat. Safety: Tirana is very safe. I never felt that I was in danger. Accommodation: I stayed at the Trip'n'hostel and met some great people. The place was not near the bus station, but close to everything else. Recommendations: Learn a few basic words, Albanian is a very difficult language to master, but locals really appreciate it if you can say a few words in Albanian.

Posted: July 16, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Meet local women in Tirana who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Tila

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Hey, I'm Tila and I'm interested in art, camping, culture, dancing, live music, nature and swimming

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Laura_X

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Hello, My name is Laura_X and I'm interested in business, culture, dancing, digital nomad, education, events & social, health, nature, sightseeing, solo travel, sunbathing, art and swimming

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Stay with local women in Tirana who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.

Emma

Tirana

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7 days

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Hello, My name is Emma and I live in Tirana

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Danela

Tirana

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi all. I do like getting to know new people and exchange culture and good vibes. I also have a cute big dog, which is with me wherever I am.

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Giulia

About Me

Hey there! I' m Giulia, a 25 years old girl from Italy, I love to travel and I often do it alone. I am very open minded and excited about learning new cultures. I like social events such as concerts and festivals since I love music and to meet new people but I'm also a chill person who likes art and going to a museum, to the cinema, to get lost in the nature or by the sea. Always down for cool and random things! 🤙🏻

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DERYA

About Me

This is Derya from Antalya (also born and raised Antalya), Türkiye. 23 years old medial engineering student in Istanbul. I can speak English fluently. I know where to eat, where to sleep, where to see both in Antalya and in Istanbul. Call me I’ll be there 😀