Unexpectedly Captivated by Tirana’s Architecture
One of the biggest surprises of our time in Tirana was its architecture. We are not usually the type of travelers who seek out famous buildings or study architectural styles, but the city’s bold and imaginative skyline made it impossible not to notice. Everywhere we looked, there seemed to be another building telling a story about Albania’s past, present, or future.
The Kubo Kiosk
Okay, no architectural significance with these "cube" newsstand kiosks, but this is our favorite building with my surname, Kubo, on it all over Tirana. 😂 I contributed to the Kubo bottom line by purchasing some Albanian beer and Doritos cool ranch.
Skanderbeg Building
In the heart of the city, there’s a recognizable landmark that proudly celebrates Albanian identity. The Skanderbeg Building, also known as “Tirana’s Rock,” was designed by the Dutch firm MVRDV using curving balconies to create the likeness of Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Downtown One Tirana
Nearby, Downtown One Tirana takes patriotism a step further, with its pixelated façade forming a giant map of Albania! Every protruding section represents a different Albanian town or city, turning the entire skyscraper into a tribute to the nation.
Rainbow Center | MET Tirana | Alban Tower
Other buildings showcase Tirana’s embrace of internationally renowned architects and contemporary design. The cube-shaped Rainbow Center, designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, stands out as a sleek and modern business hub, while the MET Tirana Building (Tirana Bank) features a dramatic spiraling façade wrapped with green terraces that give it the appearance of a living plant climbing toward the sky. Alban Tower adds another layer of creativity, its branching form inspired by a tree canopy and clad in iridescent panels that shift color as the light changes throughout the day.
Forever Green Tower
This is a modern addition to the city's downtown skyline with a mosaic-like exterior, meant to imitate ancient traditional regional fabrics. This façade is composed of panels in shifting shades of green and blue, creating a vibrant, rhythmic visual effect.
Pyramid of Tirana
Perhaps nowhere is Tirana’s transformation more visible than at the Pyramid of Tirana. Originally built in 1988 as a museum dedicated to communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the structure has lived many lives—as a museum, NATO base, nightclub, and event space. Today, after a remarkable redesign by Dutch architects MVRDV, the once-controversial monument has been reimagined as a vibrant community space. Brightly colored additions contrast with the original concrete shell, and visitors can climb staircases built into the sloping sides for panoramic views over the city.
Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana
The city’s modern developments also demonstrate a thoughtful respect for history. The Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana rises dramatically above the city with its sculptural form, yet its design carefully preserves and incorporates the 18th-century Kapllan Pasha Tomb into the base of the building. It is a striking example of how Tirana is choosing to move forward without erasing its past.
Arena Kombëtare
Even the national stadium reflects this blending of tradition and innovation. Arena Kombëtare’s red-and-black exterior references the colors of the Albanian flag, while its geometric patterns draw inspiration from traditional folk motifs. Marriott Hotel tower rises from one corner of the stadium, creating a multifunctional complex that is both a sporting venue and an architectural landmark.
