What to do in January 2021 in Tirana

It is the first month of the New Year. The pandemic is still around, but with the vaccine coming in Albania, though in small amounts, there are hopes that this terrible Covid era is going to end.  There are still many restrictions due to this situation, so people can’t move freely. People can travel to neighbouring countries such as Kosovo, Macedonia without any request for Covid Tests, but they are urged to respect all the measures each country has in place due to this situation.

There is a curfew of movement in Albania. From  20.30p.m – 6.00 am people are not allowed to move in the streets without a permission that can be ensured through www.e-albania.al

The cultural events are cancelled, so no concerts or other activities in open spaces. But there are galleries and museums, which will be open during the month. Many activities are held online, in a new trend forced by pandemic situation. Our suggestion for this month is to visit the exhibition of the French photographer Michel Setboun at COD center, government building, “40 years of stories in the land of Eagles”, opened until 20 February 2021.

Where to go in January 2021 in Tirana?

Well, Tirana is full of unexplored outdoor attractions. Even citizens living in Tirana have not visited yet all these places. There are many guides organizing tours around natural attractions in Tirana. Even though in the city there is no snow, in the mountains close to Tirana, you can enjoy the snow, hiking in mountains, organizing picnics around the fires etc.

Here are our suggestions for January

• Going to Mount Dajti. This is the easiest trip you can do without a guide. You can take the Cable Car to Mount Dajti, and then to walk around and hike around, enjoying the snow, or having a ride with horses there.
• Hiking to Mali me Gropa. There are some guides organizing tours to this Mount which is a continuation of Dajti Mount. You cant go by your own, but it is better to have an experienced guide to head you there
• Going to Shengjergj. Shengjergj village is reachable with a bus from Tirana. Then you can decide to go to Shengjergji Waterfall, or to go to Lepuri Lake and other beautiful places around. In Shengergj you can go even without guide, but it is better to ask locals about the difficulties of the roads if they are good due to rain and snow.
• Traveling to villages of Tirana. You can go to Baldushk, Preza, Petrela, Peza, Ndroq, Vaqarr etc. All villages have good roads and you can go using Google map apps. In every village you can find good traditional restaurants, enjoying nature and the delicious food.

If you need more information, you can find plenty tips here: http://www.visit-tirana.com/explore-tirana/outside-tirana

Of course Tirana is still decorated, probably until end of January. So walking in the streets, in many bars and restaurants in the main hotspots of the city, is a good thing to do. The bars are all cozy and you can enjoy very good coffee and food with friends in every corner. Have a healthy and happy January from Visit Tirana. Don’t forget to post photos in Instagram of this winter, with the hashtag: #TiranaWinter2021. Good luck!