Although TIA Tirana Rinas Airport is located outside of the city centre, a taxi will get you into the city centre in less than half an hour. The city centre is small enough to be explored through walking. There's lots to see and experience, so take advantage of any extra time to see what you can.
Take time to see the clock tower and museum
The Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit) can be found at Skanderbeg Square (the main city square). Positioned in the city centre, this tower has become a symbol of Tirana. It is one of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820's. Don't forget to visit the nearby Clock Towers of Albania Museum featuring Clock Towers from around Albania. Closed Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
National Historic Museum
Located in the centre of the city, on Skanderbeg Square, the National Historic Museum is easily recognizable because of a huge mosaic standing on top of its front facade. It contains many artifacts ranging from ancient times through Hoxha's regime. Repeated looting in the 1990s has robbed the museum of many artefacts, but it remains the best place in Albania to learn its history. Closed Mondays.
Murat Toptani Street
Murat Toptani Street is a recently opened pedestrian only street east of Rinia Park constructed with stone and located nearby Tirana Castle walls. Traditional houses, cafes, and a local park are found here.
Visit the Taiwan Complex
For a more modern twist, drop by the Taiwan Complex (Kompleksi Tajvani), a beautiful place in the heart of downtown Tirana. It includes restaurants, casinos, bars, a club, etc. It is surrounded by a huge lit water fountain with a glowing bridge that reaches to the restaurant, and is an ideal place for all ages. Children enjoy gourmet ice cream and iced European soft drinks, whilst adults can enjoy fun casinos.
Go for a bike ride
The ecovolis bicycle sharing program launched in 2011. Bicycles can be rented from a number of locations at Rinia Park and along Deshmoret e Kombit Boulevard. Full day ride costs ALL 100. The system is not electronic in that you must interact with a salesperson. Cycling in the street can be quite dangerous and thus not advisable. However, new combined bus and bike lanes have been opened recently on some main streets. Bike only lanes however are located on existing sidewalks along Lana River, and on Kavajes Street.
Visit the skate park
The Ali-Demi Skate Park is a great place to go with your family because there is a nice park on one of the sides next to the skate park, there are markets, and a beautiful café shop with a playground for small children with typical swings and benches and soccer fields in the back. The skate park is full of people on bikes, roller skates, and skate boarders. The Skate Park is very good for beginners, but the skaters are also fun to just to watch.
Catch the view
The Sky Tower Rotating Bar is considered a must by many. But the rotation is a bit jerky (!) and may leave you slightly seasick
(you have been warned!).
Tip: Don't be surprised to come across Rruga Presidenti George W. Bush. or Bush Street. Located across from Parliament Building and Murat Toptani Street, the street was named after US President George W. Bush in honor of his 2007 visit.
As always, make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to TIA Tirana Rinas Airport and clear security in time for your connecting flight. Enjoy your transit city rather than whiling away the time leaning up against your luggage in the departures lounge.