15 Things to Do in Tirana on Your Dental Trip (2026 Guide)

Things to Do in Tirana on Your Dental Trip: The Complete Guide

Planning a dental trip to Tirana? You’re not just saving thousands on world-class dental care — you’re visiting one of Europe’s most underrated capital cities. Tirana has transformed over the past decade into a vibrant, colourful, and incredibly affordable destination that consistently surprises first-time visitors. Whether you have a free afternoon between appointments or a couple of full days to explore, there are plenty of things to do in Tirana during your dental trip.

At Empire Dental Clinic, our patients regularly tell us that discovering Tirana was the unexpected bonus of their dental journey. Located in the heart of the Blloku district, our clinic puts you steps away from the city’s best restaurants, cafés, and cultural attractions. Here are 15 things you absolutely must experience.

1. Explore the Blloku District (Where Your Clinic Is)

The Blloku district — known locally as “The Block” — is Tirana’s most fashionable neighbourhood and the beating heart of the city’s social scene. During the Communist era, this area was an exclusive residential zone for party elites, completely off-limits to ordinary citizens. Today, it’s the exact opposite: an open, buzzing quarter packed with pavement cafés, independent boutiques, cocktail bars, and some of the best restaurants in Albania.

Since Empire Dental Clinic is located right in Blloku, you can grab a morning espresso before your appointment, stroll the tree-lined streets during your lunch break, and enjoy aperitivo at sunset — all within a five-minute walk. Start your exploration on Rruga Pjetër Bogdani, the neighbourhood’s main artery, and let the side streets pull you in.

2. Visit Bunk’Art 1 & Bunk’Art 2

Tirana’s most extraordinary museums are housed inside Cold War-era bunkers. Bunk’Art 1, built into the side of Dajti Mountain, is a massive five-storey underground complex that was designed to shelter Albania’s political elite during a nuclear attack. It now features powerful exhibits on Albania’s Communist history, with over 100 rooms to explore. Allow 2–3 hours.

Bunk’Art 2, located in the city centre near Skanderbeg Square, is a smaller mushroom-shaped bunker focused on the history of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Sigurimi (secret police). Both museums offer a sobering, fascinating insight into a chapter of European history that most Western visitors know little about.

Practical Tip

Bunk’Art 1 is about 20 minutes by taxi from Blloku. Combine it with the Dajti cable car (see #3) for a half-day excursion. Entry is around €5 per person for each museum.

3. Ride the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car

The Dajti Ekspres is the longest cable car in the Balkans, carrying you from the eastern edge of Tirana up to the summit of Mount Dajti at 1,613 metres. The 15-minute ride offers panoramic views over the entire city, from the tower blocks of the centre to the Adriatic coastline on clear days.

At the top, you’ll find the Dajti Tower Belvedere Hotel, several restaurants, walking trails through pine forests, and a small adventure park. It’s the perfect half-day escape — particularly pleasant in spring and autumn when the mountain air is crisp and the views are sharp.

4. Stroll Skanderbeg Square

Skanderbeg Square is Tirana’s grand central plaza, one of the largest public squares in Europe. Named after Albania’s national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, the square was redesigned in 2017 with a stunning minimalist layout of pale stone and geometric patterns. Surrounding it are some of the city’s most important buildings: the National History Museum (with its iconic mosaic façade), the Et’hem Bej Mosque, the Opera House, and the clock tower.

In the evening, the square fills with families, joggers, and street performers. It’s car-free and utterly photogenic, especially at golden hour.

5. Discover Tirana’s Food Scene

Albanian cuisine is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets — a Mediterranean fusion influenced by Ottoman, Italian, and Greek traditions. During your dental trip, you absolutely must try:

• Tavë Kosi — Baked lamb with yoghurt and eggs, Albania’s national dish
• Byrek — Flaky filo pastry stuffed with cheese, spinach, or meat
• Qofte — Grilled meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices
• Fergese — Baked peppers, tomatoes, and cottage cheese
• Baklava — Layers of pastry, nuts, and honey syrup
• Raki — Albanian grape brandy, served as a digestif everywhere

Restaurant Recommendations Near the Clinic

In the Blloku district, try Oda for traditional Albanian home-cooking in a beautifully restored Ottoman house, Mulliri Vjeter for upscale Albanian cuisine, or Era for a fine-dining experience with modern twists on traditional recipes. For Italian food (yes, excellent Italian in Tirana), head to Serenata or Il Gusto. Most main courses cost €5–€15, and a three-course dinner with wine rarely exceeds €25 per person.

6. Walk Through the Grand Park (Parku i Madh)

Tirana’s Grand Park, centred around an artificial lake, is the city’s green lung. It’s perfect for a morning walk or jog before your dental appointment. The park features shaded paths, outdoor cafés, a botanical garden, and St. Procopius Church. Rent a bicycle and circle the lake, or simply find a bench and watch Tirana go about its daily routine.

7. Experience Tirana’s Nightlife

Tirana has a surprisingly lively nightlife scene, especially in and around Blloku. From rooftop bars with panoramic views to underground clubs playing techno, there’s something for every taste. Popular spots include Radio Bar for craft cocktails, Nouvelle Vague for a sophisticated crowd, and Hemingway for a classic Blloku evening. The best part? Cocktails typically cost €4–€7, a fraction of London or Rome prices.

“I came to Tirana for dental implants and ended up falling in love with the city. The nightlife alone is worth the trip!” — James T., London

8. Day Trip to Durrës Beach

The Adriatic coast is just 30–40 minutes by car from Tirana. Durrës is Albania’s second-largest city and home to long sandy beaches, a Roman amphitheatre (one of the largest in the Balkans), and a charming old town. Between May and October, the beaches are warm and inviting — perfect for a relaxing day between dental appointments.

If you prefer something quieter, head south to Golem or Spille beach for crystal-clear water and fewer crowds. Your Empire Dental concierge can arrange a driver for the day.

9. Visit Kruja Castle & the Old Bazaar

Kruja, perched dramatically on a mountainside 40 minutes north of Tirana, is one of Albania’s most atmospheric towns. The medieval castle was the stronghold of Skanderbeg, who defended Albania against Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Inside the castle walls, you’ll find the Skanderbeg Museum (designed by the daughter of Enver Hoxha) and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Below the castle, the Old Bazaar is a beautifully preserved Ottoman-era market where you can buy handmade souvenirs, antiques, traditional Albanian textiles, and local honey, olive oil, and raki.

10. See the Colourful Buildings of Tirana

One of the first things visitors notice about Tirana is the explosion of colour on its buildings. In the early 2000s, then-mayor Edi Rama (now Prime Minister and a trained artist) launched a project to paint the city’s grey Communist-era apartment blocks in bright, bold patterns. The result is a cityscape unlike anywhere else in Europe — Instagram-worthy on every street corner.

11. Explore the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri)

Tirana’s New Bazaar is a beautifully renovated market area dating back to the Ottoman period. Today it combines a fresh produce market (great for fruit, cheese, and olives) with trendy restaurants, wine bars, and artisan shops housed in restored buildings. It’s the perfect spot for lunch or an afternoon wander — about 10 minutes on foot from Blloku.

12. Visit the National History Museum

Dominating the northern side of Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum is recognisable by its enormous mosaic depicting Albanian history from Illyrian times to the present. Inside, galleries trace the country’s story from ancient civilisations through Ottoman rule, independence, World War II, the Communist era, and the democratic transition. It’s an essential visit for understanding Albania’s unique and often turbulent history.

13. Take a Cooking Class

Several operators in Tirana offer half-day Albanian cooking classes where you visit the market, select fresh ingredients, and learn to prepare traditional dishes like tavë kosi, byrek, and baklava. It’s a wonderful way to connect with Albanian culture and bring a taste of your trip home with you. Classes typically cost €30–€50 per person including all ingredients and a full meal.

14. Wander the Former Communist Quarter

For history enthusiasts, a walk through the former government quarter offers fascinating insight into Albania’s Communist past. See the Pyramid of Tirana (originally built as an Enver Hoxha museum, now being redeveloped as a technology centre), the former residences of party officials in Blloku, and the many Socialist Realist monuments scattered throughout the city. Free walking tours cover these sites and are an excellent way to learn the context.

15. Relax at a Spa or Hammam

After your dental treatment, treat yourself to some proper relaxation. Tirana has several excellent spas and Turkish-style hammams offering massages, thermal baths, and beauty treatments at remarkably low prices. A full-body massage typically costs €20–€30 — the perfect way to unwind after your visit to Empire Dental Clinic.

Practical Tips for Dental Tourists in Tirana

• Currency: Albania uses the Albanian Lek (ALL), but euros are widely accepted in Tirana, especially in hotels, restaurants, and clinics. Empire Dental Clinic quotes all treatments in euros.
• Language: Albanian is the official language, but English is widely spoken in Tirana, especially by younger people and in the Blloku district. Italian is also very common. Our team at Empire Dental speaks fluent English, Italian, and Albanian.
• Getting around: Tirana is very walkable in the centre. Taxis are cheap (€2–€5 for most city rides). Use the local Bolt app for reliable, metered rides.
• Safety: Tirana is one of the safest capital cities in Europe. Petty crime is rare in tourist areas, and violent crime is virtually unheard of.
• SIM cards: Buy a local SIM at the airport from Vodafone Albania or ONE for €5–€10 with generous data allowances.
• Best time to visit: April–June and September–October offer the best weather. July–August can be hot (35°C+). Winter is mild but grey.

Plan Your Dental Trip to Tirana

Ready to combine world-class dental care with an unforgettable city break? At Empire Dental Clinic, we offer a full concierge service for international patients: free airport transfers, hotel recommendations, city tour suggestions, and of course, premium dental treatments backed by our 5-year guarantee.

Check our transparent pricing to see how much you can save, explore our full range of dental services, or read more about our dental tourism packages.

Contact us today to start planning your Tirana dental trip:

• Message us on WhatsApp for a free consultation
• Call: +355 69 619 3302
• Email: info@empiredentalclinic.al
• Visit: Contact page

Your smile — and your Tirana adventure — starts here.