Albania’s capital and the surrounding area offer many wonderful options for family-oriented fun and entertainment. Tirana has changed a great deal in the past couple of decades, quickly becoming a contemporary international center, welcoming new businesses and people, and rapidly increasing in size. As such, it also incorporates many locations with a relaxing atmosphere, which offer a temporary escape from the bustle of the city. From natural parks to family restaurants, below you will find our pick of the top places to visit with your family!

Grand Park of Tirana on the Artificial Lake

The Grand Park of Tirana has been and continues to be one of the most popular spots of the city! Especially during the weekend the park warmly welcomes and accommodates its visitors in the open and large green spaces, promenades, playgrounds, restaurants and cafes. Some other great spots in the park are the Open Air Theatre, which stages regular shows with talented artists, and the multisport courts, among many others. More than just a recreational space, the park holds a significant part of the city’s history with memorials commemorating the great names of Albanian literature alongside martyrs of World War II. In the valleys surrounding the artificial lake, one can see the remains of the Church of St. Procopius, where the visitor gets a beautiful view of the lake! Other entertainment complexes lie at a small distance from the park. The Swimming Pool Complex, with pools for all age groups, the Tirana Zoo with 25 different species and wide green spaces, and the Botanical Gardens offering a beautiful haven of flowers and trees.

Grand Park of Tirana, photo by Intoalbania

Dajti National Park

This wooded park is our second suggestion for a fun-filled family activity. The Dajti Mountain is one of the most iconic places of the city! Its plains and fields with meadows can be reached by following the Tirana- Durres highway or by taking the cable car, for a better view and a higher dose of adrenaline. The Balcony of Tirana offers a panoramic view of the city at 1000 meters above sea level. At the heart of Dajti’s main terrace, one can find the Adventure Park, the first of its kind in Tirana. Here, children and adults can partake in different activities: climbing trees, skating, rope walking, and more. The Dajti National Park is also ideal for cycling aficionados or for those who love hiking in nature. The many paths are a real challenge and will serve as a way to exercise and grow hungry before the requisite visit to one of the traditional restaurants of the park. There, the entire family can enjoy a hearty meal before returning to the capital.

Dajti National Park, Photo Credits: wikimedia.org, Irma Tollmi

The New Bazaar

The newly renovated bazaar, situated in the heart of a historic neighborhood not far from the center of the capital, is a must-visit for the entire family! Full of restaurants and cafes with patio sitting, playgrounds, shops with unique artisanal items, this lively spot is one of Tirana’s most frequented. Its name alludes to the local farmer’s marketplace situated at the center, where more than 300 farmers sell their fresh fruits, vegetable, meats, seafood, spices and much more. In its wonderfully social atmosphere, you can try some of the best traditional Albanian cuisine and fast foods as well as get to know some of the locals. A great place to take a leisurely stroll, people of all ages and professions get together in this newly revived old neighborhood of Tirana, a great mix of the modern and the traditional! (For our extended article on the New Bazaar click here)

Tirana’s New Bazaar, photo by Intoalbania

The Promenade

Tirana’s Promenade is another place where, in addition to the countless coffeehouses, restaurants and pubs, one can find an interesting configuration of contemporary cultural and historic spots. Here, the family can spend an entire day, away from cars and in the company of people! As a starting point, we have Tirana’s Castle and its 305 year-old ruins, a fascinating historic object located at the very heart of the long pedestrian road. The nearness of the ruins to a popular nightclub make for an interesting sight! A few steps further, you will find yourself in the gardens across the city’s most popular movie theater, Cinema Millennium. This is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying some refreshments. The cobbled path of the promenade leads to the main boulevard, taking the visitor directly to the National Gallery of Arts which houses, among others, works from the 19^th and 20^th centuries as well the most significant Social Realist paintings. Across the street from the gallery, the family can enjoy a play at one of the two theaters located there.

Tirana’s Promenade, photo by Intoalbania

Family-Friendly Restaurants and Complexes

The multifunctional center Taiwan at the very center of the capital, is a huge space that offers entertainment for the entire family. Surrounded by one of the city’s largest parks, this center is full of restaurants, activities and games, both inside and outside. The courts next to the Selman Stermasi Stadium are another place where children, young people and adults may play football or basketball. One of the most popular restaurants in Tirana, Pizza Saporita, is close by. Claiming the best pizza in town and a cozy atmosphere, this restaurant is an ideal place for a family lunch or dinner.  If you find yourself in the very popular and overpopulated Bllok area, you can escape in the backyard of Lincoln Center, a calm and peaceful place where children can play in the playground while the parents enjoy a refreshing drink under the shadow of the tall trees. The famous Sofra e Ariut Restaurant-Park is located in the city’s periphery. Every weekend, families rush to the place for its coffee and delicious food as well as for the playground in which children can play to their hearts’ content.

Castle of Petrela

The Petrela Castle is located a few kilometers southeast of Tirana. Although standing at the top of a hill, the castle is easily reachable by visitors of all ages. The visit to the castle is beneficial for both body and mind, as it incorporates a walk in the open, fresh air and a visit to the historic castle. The castle’s fortification, observation towers and its interiors are highly valuable historic objects for children and adults alike. Around the castle grounds, there are several restaurants where, at the end of the day, the visitors can stop and try the delicious traditional food.

Petrela Castle, Tirana, photo by Intoalbania