Where to Stay in Tirana: the Best Areas and Places to Stay 2026

Tirana is not a big city, but where you can stay is still important. It’s best to stay in the central area of Tirana, not more than 1 km from Skanderbeg Square, especially if you’re only in Tirana for a couple of days.

As I know Tirana very well, I’ve put together a list of hotels to stay at, organized by neighbourhood. I’ll also tell you a bit about each area, so you can choose the perfect place to stay in Tirana.

Most of Tirana’s things to do are around Skanderbeg Square, considered the central point of Albania’s capital. It’s also a pretty part of the city, with tree lined boulevards, parks and outdoor cafes.

If it’s your first time visiting, you may also want to check out these Albania travel tips for practical advice on things like money, safety, and what to expect.

On my last trip I was working online from Tirana and stayed over a month in the Don Bosco neighbourhood. It’s a great neighbourhood for a longer stay, 20 minutes walk from the centre.

Where to Stay in Tirana: the Best Areas and Hotels

If you’re in Tirana for a few days you’ll want to base yourself close to Skanderbeg Square. It will be easy to walk to the main sites (only a couple are out of the centre), and you’ll be close to Tirana’s best restaurants and eateries.

These are the best neighbourhoods in Tirana to stay in. They are all central, close to the attractions, plenty of restaurants, cafes and other amenities like pharmacies, ATMs and grocery shops.

❗Tirana is undergoing a construction boom, and most projects are massive. There is construction everywhere. Before booking a hotel, consider inquiring if it is beside a new construction site.

If you’re deciding which city to make your base – Tirana or Berat, check out my full comparison here.

Durresit

Very pleasant area named for the main street Rruga e Durresit which leads directly to Skanderbeg Square. Many embassies are located in this neighbourhood, and there’s lots of cafes, restaurants and shops.

This is my favourite area to stay in Tirana. You can walk everywhere in 10-15 minutes. And Rruga Durresit is a lovely street for walking.

My top hotel picks for Durresit, Tirana

• Hotel Colosseo: A terrific 4 star hotel, 10 minutes walk from Skanderbeg Square. Comfortable room with huge windows start at $145, including breakfast. A lot of consular and embassy people stay here because it’s so close to the embassies. The hotel has one of the best outdoor cafes in the neighbourhood. You’ll love the central prime location.
• Albanopolis: Just a 15 minute walk Skanderbeg Square. Hotel is newer with large rooms starting at $65 USD, breakfast included. An excellent bakery and two of Tirana’s best fish restaurants are across the street. Excellent choice within walking distance of all the sites.
• Red Goat Hostel: Gorgeous hostel full of charm, it is run by an NGO that supports Albanian women. Dorm room beds start at $20 USD and privates at $46 USD, breakfast included. Excellent location within a 10 minute walk of Skanderbeg Square. This is the best hostel in Tirana.

21 Dhjetori

An excellent base to explore Tirana from, very central. I spend a lot of time in 21 Dhjetori and have stayed there myself.

It’s a leafy residential area with plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops along the main boulevards. You can walk to Skanderbeg Square and many sites in 10-15 minutes.

Where to stay in 21 Dhjetori, Tirana

• Hotel Mondial: A new boutique hotel located on a busy commercial street. Rooms are elegant and comfortable, starting at $104 USD, including breakfast. You can walk to the centre in 15 minutes, and there’s lots of restaurants and shopping in the area. One of the few Tirana hotels with a pool.
• Vila Koja Boutique Hotel: Pretty boutique property just 10 minutes walk from Skanderbeg Square and within minutes of many restaurants and cafes. Upscale rooms with balconies start from $86 USD and include breakfast. Quiet location close to many sites and amenities.
• Mullaga Stays: Updated modern rooms in a traditional building starting at $65 USD. There is no reception here. The owner will meet you or give you check in instructions. Great location within walking distance of all sites, restaurants and cafes. Charming location.

Tregu Cam

This is a small neighbourhood between Skanderbeg Square and 21 Dhjetori. It’s super central, and a nice area with trees, plenty of cafes, and Rinia Park across the street.

Top hotel pick in Tregu Cam, Tirana

• Hotel La Favorita: Boutique hotel with simple but functional rooms from $70 USD, breakfast included. Located at the end of a cul de sac, there’s almost no traffic. Ask for a room on an upper floor for more light. This hotel offers great value for the area.

Downtown Tirana

This is the main commercial and retail hub of Tirana. But keep in mind Tirana is not that big, so even the downtown area is not super busy.

Although bustling, this is still a great area to explore Tirana from. It’s next to Skanderbeg Square, and you can walk to most sites within 15 minutes. There’s lots of dining and shopping nearby.

Where to stay in downtown Tirana

• Central Inn Hotel: Located just a 5 minutes walk from Skanderbeg Square. Newly renovated in late 2023, this is a terrific boutique hotel. Rooms are modern and comfortable, starting at $105 USD. Breakfast on the rooftop terrace is included. This hotel offers great value in the centre of Tirana.
• Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana: Tirana’s best 5 star hotel, next to Skanderbeg Square. Sleek and luxurious rooms start at $180 USD, with breakfast available for an extra $27 USD. There’s a lounge on the 28th floor with great views of the city. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Tirana!

Zona 1

A very local, but nice area not far from Tirana’s main market, Pazari i Ri. It’s within walking distance of many sites, and next to the Lana River.

Best Accommodation in Zona 1, Tirana

• Vila Jasmine: Just a 10 minute walk from Skanderbeg Square and close to many sites. Rooms are simple but updated starting from $45 USD in this small property. Ask for a second floor room – they have more light and nicer views. Great budget option with central location.

Pazari i Ri

A very central area where Tirana’s main market is located, Pazari i Ri. This is a busy pedestrian area, and it’s even more busy now because of a major construction project right in the middle of the central roundabout.

Where to Stay in Pazari i Ri, Tirana

• Faces and Places Boutique Hotel: A renovated traditional villa on a quieter street near the main market. Rooms are updated and comfortable, starting at $80 USD, breakfast included. Charming hotel in a historic part of Tirana.

Don Bosco

A nice residential neighbourhood just outside of the ring road. Depending on where you stay, it’s a 20-30 minute walk from the centre. Not too many tourists here, but it has all the amenities, including an excellent fruit and vegetable market.

I stayed here for over a month and found it very convenient.

This is the Airbnb I stayed at in Don Bosco, which I thought was great.

Best hotel in Don Bosco, Tirana

• Bujtina e Gjelit: A 30 minute walk to the main sites. Very charming hotel, full of Albanian character with comfortable rooms starting at $105 USD, breakfast included. Hotel has a lovely outdoor pool – a rarity in Tirana. You’ll be charmed by the traditional ambience of this hotel.

Blloku

During the communist dictatorship the public was not allowed to enter this neighbourhood. It was reserved for the political elite and guarded by armed militia. Now it is a lively area full of cafes, restaurants and bars.

Most of Tirana’s sites are within 15 minutes walk, and you’ll love the cafe vibe. It can be noisy at night because of the bars.

Best Hotel in Blloku, Tirana

• Boutique Hotel Kotoni: Located in the greenest part of the centre. Rooms start at $132 USD, including breakfast. Excellent location for exploring Tirana. Restaurants, parks, shopping are all a short walk away. Excellent mid-priced choice in the prettiest part of Tirana.

Pyramid

This area is known by its most famous landmark, the Pyramid.

It’s on the other side of the Lana River from Skanderbeg Park, but still an easy walk to most sites in 15 minutes or less. While still very central, there’s more apartment buildings here and it’s higher density than 21 Dhjetori or Durresit.

Where to stay in the Pyramid area of Tirana

• La Suite Boutique Hotel: Located 200 metres away from the Pyramid, and within a 15 minute walk from all the major sites. Rooms are simple, but updated and most have a terrace or balcony. Starting at $90 USD, including breakfast. Great location in this neighbourhood.

Downtown/Arena

This is a busy part of Tirana with a lot of banking and government buildings near Grand Tirana Park. It’s more of a business area, but you can still walk to the main sites in 20 minutes.

The best place to stay in Downtown/Arena, Tirana

• Tirana Marriott Hotel: A luxury 5 star hotel 200 metres from Grand Park of Tirana. Spacious and modern rooms starting from $170 USD, breakfast available for an extra $28 USD. Some rooms overlook the sports stadium – perfect if you want to see the game without a ticket. Fantastic views of Tirana from the higher floors.

Planning a longer trip to Albania? See how I fit Tirana into this two-week highlights of Albania itinerary, with both car and bus versions.

Last Words on Where to Stay in Tirana: the Best Areas and Hotels

As long as you stay somewhere central, there’s no bad area in Tirana.

With its walkability, welcoming locals and lively neighbourhoods, it’s worth visiting Tirana to experience Europe’s most under-rated capital city.

Tirana is a safe city, and its compact size ensures you will be within walking distance of most points of interest, restaurants, cafes and banks.

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