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What Comes to Mind When You Think of the Albanian Capital? You might think of many things—but do murals in Tirana make that list? You’ll find plenty of them scattered throughout the city, though they’re just one part of the vibrant street art scene waiting for those who visit this extraordinary place.
Location and Getting Around Tirana
The murals are spread all over the city, but I was able to visit most of them on foot—without needing a car or public transport. Some are located right in the heart of the city, near Skanderbeg Square, while others require a bit more walking. I’d say that with good planning and a love for walking, you can see most of the more interesting murals in a single morning.
Of course, Tirana’s street art scene is much larger than just the artworks I marked and visited. Murals can be found in many corners of the city, and the ones I explored were from my very first visit to the Albanian capital.
While hunting for murals, you also get the chance to explore Tirana itself. Many artworks are located near notable attractions, and as you search, you’ll discover just how diverse this city truly is. You’ll come across small houses, towering skyscrapers, mosques, Orthodox churches, Catholic churches, supermarkets, and backyard market stalls—helping you get a deeper sense of the city’s unique character.
Murals in Tirana
Not long ago, Tirana was the capital of a country that had just emerged from communist rule, and much of its architecture reflected that bygone era. In recent years, however, the city has seen a wave of modernization, with new buildings rising and murals—large-scale artworks often covering entire sides of multi-storey blocks—appearing on older structures (and not only those). While the density of murals isn’t particularly high, there are definitely more than a dozen that are worth seeking out.
Various artists have taken on the task of adding color to Tirana’s buildings, and the results can still be admired today. The city even hosts Mural Fest Tirana, during which new pieces are continually created. Since the festival began, over 30 artists have contributed to enriching Tirana’s urban space. The murals in Tirana don’t follow a single style. As you explore the streets, you’ll come across geometric designs, portraits, comic-style works, and many other creative expressions.
One particularly interesting piece, created during the festival, features a green dog, painted to raise awareness about the issue of stray animals (located on Myslim Shyri Street). This work includes a Polish connection as well—its creators are the Polish-Portuguese art collective Mots.
Another standout mural, especially for fans of the Avengers, is “Spiderman / I Have to Go.” Created by Italian artists Flavio Solo & Diamond, the piece comments on the modern-day struggle of never having enough time. Another notable work is “Kathmandu Girl,” a mural symbolizing the dreams of the younger generation, as well as their ties to cultural roots.
In the second photo below, you can see a piece by Serbian artist Artez, titled “Don’t Judge.” This mural, like many others in Tirana created by international artists, explores the theme of how easily we judge others—reminding us that things are rarely as they seem at first glance.
Below are a few murals in Tirana that I personally found most striking—and even more await you at the end of this article.
The Most Famous “Mural”
When you think of murals in Tirana, modern art and the desire to express personal or social themes likely come to mind. However, the city’s most iconic “mural” doesn’t quite fit that description. On the façade of the National Historical Museum, you’ll find a massive socialist realist mosaic, created in 1981. It’s located right on Skanderbeg Square and is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The mosaic was designed by Josif Droboniku, and it covers a surface of 400 square meters. It depicts 13 figuresrepresenting various key periods in Albanian history.
While it isn’t exactly a piece of street art in the traditional sense, many visitors associate it with the murals mentioned in this article—thanks to its scale and visibility in the urban landscape. And rightly so: you simply can’t miss it!
Street Art
Tirana, the capital of Albania, is a true paradise for street art lovers. While it’s the stunning murals in Tirana that initially attract many visitors, the city holds far more than meets the eye. Don’t be fooled by just the large-scale works—Tirana is also home to hundreds of smaller, yet equally captivating expressions of urban creativity.
As you stroll through the city’s narrow streets, pay attention to humble electric boxes or urban kiosks—these often become unexpected canvases for local artists, transforming dull and ordinary objects into colorful art. They breathe life into the city, turning Tirana into an open-air gallery. You might come across playful images of familiar cartoon characters that bring a smile to your face and turn something as mundane as a morning bread run into a small adventure.
There’s a certain spontaneity and authenticity in Tirana’s street art. Works often appear unexpectedly, in places you wouldn’t normally think to look. That’s what makes every walk an exciting exploration. It’s worth putting the map or phone aside and simply wandering—between residential blocks, down alleyways, or near playgrounds. It’s in these unexpected corners that Tirana’s street art reveals its true nature—vibrant, unpredictable, and bursting with imagination.
Let your steps be guided by curiosity and instinct, because they may lead you to the most inspiring discoveries. Whether it’s a mural spotted by chance or a subtle piece painted on a utility box, every fragment of street art in Tirana tells a story and forms part of the city’s larger narrative. Discover the murals and street art of Tirana, which are just as essential to the city’s spirit as its historical landmarks.
What Else Is Worth Seeing in Tirana?
Tirana is definitely a city worth visiting. It’s a place of contrasts, and the murals in Tirana are just one expression of this rich diversity. While exploring the city, make sure to visit Skanderbeg Square, where you’ll find the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the impressive National Historical Museum with its iconic mosaic, and the Clock Tower.
A stop at the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri) is also recommended—here you can try some local flavors and experience everyday life in Tirana.
If you’re interested in Albania’s communist past under dictator Enver Hoxha, don’t miss the two bunker complexes: Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2. One is located on the outskirts of the city, while the other is right in the center. Near Bunk’Art 1, you can also visit the House of Leaves, a museum dedicated to the activities of Sigurimi, the former Albanian secret police during Hoxha’s regime.
Murals in Tirana – Some of the Most Interesting Works:
