Your stay — Olimpic Hotel
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The Property — Olimpic Hotel
The Olimpic Hotel is a no-frills 3-star property on Tirana's main boulevard, a ten-minute walk from Skanderbeg Square. You get clean, functional rooms with modest furnishings—think practical laminate floors and white tiles—plus a decent buffet breakfast that includes local cheese, olives, and strong Turkish coffee. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location over luxury: you step out the door onto the city's central drag, with the National History Museum and Blloku nightlife within easy walking distance.
Chronicles of Tirana
Tirana was founded in 1614 by Ottoman general Sulejman Bargjini, who built a mosque, a bakery, and a hamam to attract settlers. It became Albania's capital in 1920, then endured a dreary half-century of Italian fascist and communist rule, leaving a legacy of brutalist concrete blocks. The post-1991 boom painted the city in bright colours: former prime minister Edi Rama, then mayor, famously splashed buildings with pinks, yellows, and greens. Today, Tirana is a chaotic, caffeine-fuelled jumble of Ottoman, Italianate, and socialist-realist architecture, where outdoor cafés on Blloku's streets hum until midnight.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tirana guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm, sunny days (24–30 °C) with lower chance of rain; crowds are thin because peak summer hasn't fully arrived or has just ended.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak; temperatures hit 32–38 °C, and the city fills with diaspora Albanians visiting family. Hotel prices can double from off-peak. Events: Tirana Summer Festival (late July) with concerts in Skanderbeg Square.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer moderate 18–24 °C weather, far fewer tourists, and rooms often 30–40% cheaper than July. You'll find pleasant walking conditions and quieter restaurants.
Weather & packing
Tirana has a Mediterranean climate with a dramatic day-night temperature swing: summer days can hit 38 °C, but evenings drop to 18 °C. Pack light linen or cotton for daytime, plus a thin jacket or cardigan for evenings and air-conditioned interiors.
Live City Briefing — Tirana
- Tirana's new tram line (Line 1, from the bus terminal to Skanderbeg Square) began testing in May 2026; expect occasional road closures and rerouting on Rruga e Elbasanit through July.
- The Toptani pedestrian plaza expansion is ongoing; workers are adding new benches and trees, so the section near the Clock Tower will have construction barriers until August.
- July 2026 brings the 40th anniversary of the Tirana International Film Festival (actually a week-long event starting June 30), so the city centre will have extra security and street closures around the Palace of Congresses.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Olimpic Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (southwest side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but low enough for reliable lift access; the courtyard side blocks most traffic noise from Rruga Liman Kaba.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the street on the 1st or 2nd floor — Rruga Liman Kaba is a busy thoroughfare in Tirana, so lower front rooms get traffic noise (especially early morning deliveries) and less privacy. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the old lift can be loud.
Best views
The best view is from upper floors facing the inner courtyard — you overlook the garden/parking area, with a glimpse of the city skyline beyond. Front-facing rooms look directly onto the street and opposite buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 (top floor). The hotel has 6 floors and a lift; these upper floors are furthest from street noise and lobby activity. On floor 6, request a room not directly under the roof terrace (if there is one) to avoid footsteps.
🔊 Noise notes
Street traffic on Rruga Liman Kaba is the main source — expect car horns, motorbikes, and occasional trucks from early morning (6am) to late evening. The lift is old and clatters, especially when passing floors 1–3. There may be noise from the breakfast room (ground floor rear) starting around 7am.
Insider tips
1. Park in the hotel's rear courtyard if you have a car — it's safer and quieter than street parking. 2. Request a top-floor courtyard room at least 48 hours before arrival — the hotel staff are usually accommodating if you call directly (English spoken). 3. The lift is small (3 people max), so if you have heavy luggage, ask for a ground-floor room or help from reception.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Olimpic Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout (up to 10 Mbps, login via room number and surname). Premium 50 Mbps tier available: 500 ALL per 24 hours
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical papers; digital newsstand not available. TV lobby shows news channels
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (free, luggage room); late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 50% of room rate until 18:00
Free in locked luggage room at reception; no coin lockers
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door (main entrance has two steps). Lift fits standard wheelchair; no adapted rooms or grab rails in bathrooms
On-site parking: 10 spaces, 1,000 ALL per night (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: 'Parking Qendra' at Rruga e Elbasanit, 300 m away, 800 ALL per 24 hours. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 150 ALL per person per night, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full pre-payment due 7 days before arrival; 5,000 ALL incidental hold placed on card at check-in returned upon check-out if no damage
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Xhamia e Tiranës së Re (680 m · ~9 min walk)
- Mosque: Xhami (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Kisha e Krishterë Ungjillore e Vëllezërve (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Kisha e Jezu Krishtit e Shenjtorëve të Ditëve të Mëvonshme (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Kristal Center — 705 m · ~9 min walk
Parku Zoologjik i Tiranës — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Muzeu Arkeologjik i Tiranës — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Amphitheatre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Sheshi Rekreativ Blloku 1 Maji — 797 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 682 m · ~9 min walk
Orange Farmaci — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Gersi Market — 246 m · ~3 min walk
Terminali i Autobusave Ndërkombëtar — 2.7 km · ~34 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Use ATMs inside banks (e.g., Raiffeisen or Intesa Sanpaolo) for the best rate; avoid airport and central bureau de change kiosks that take a big commission.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most supermarkets and mid-range restaurants; contactless is widespread but cash is still king in bakeries, street stalls, and some local bars.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in sit-down restaurants; not expected in taxis, but drivers appreciate keeping the change; hotel porters get 100-200 Lek.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a neighbourhood bar: 60-80 Lek.
Byrek (savoury pastry) from a bakery or a fast-food pita: 250-350 Lek.
Grilled meat main with salad and fries at a local xhiro (taverna): 600-800 Lek.
Blloku area and the pedestrian Rruga Murat Toptani have a cluster of byrek shops, kebab stands, and crepe carts for quick, cheap eats.
Conad, Spar, and Supermarket Alba are the common budget chains in this part of Tirana.
The market stalls along Rruga e Kavajës and the 'QTU' shopping centre offer affordable high-street brands and knock-offs.
Public bus (rrjeti urban) at 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the 'Rinas Express' bus (400 Lek) or a shared van (furgon) from near the bus terminal for around 500 Lek.
Drink espresso standing at the bar counter (half the price of table service); buy fresh produce at the morning farmers' market near Pazari i Ri; refill a reusable water bottle at public fountains (tap water is drinkable in Tirana).
Emergency Contacts
TiranaTirana, Albania uses a unified emergency number (112) for all emergency services. Alternative numbers: Police (129), Ambulance (127), Fire (128). Tourist Police available 24/7.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tirana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Olimpic Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 682 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Orange Farmaci — 543 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Nënë Tereza International Airport (TIA) → Skanderbeg Square / City Center (walking distance to Oxford Hotel)
💡 Budget option but luggage-friendly. Buses run less frequently in off-peak hours. Have coins ready.
Various throughout Tirana → Oxford Hotel area and surroundings
💡 Get a contactless card (ZAPP) from kiosks for discounts. Routes are well-marked; ask locals for direction confirmation.
Airport or anywhere in Tirana → Oxford Hotel, Tirana
💡 Most reliable option for airport transfers with upfront pricing. Widely available; drivers speak English. App shows live tracking.
Nënë Tereza International Airport (TIA) → Oxford Hotel, Tirana City Center
💡 Use official airport taxi ranks or pre-book through your hotel. Negotiate fare before entering unmarked taxis.
About Tirana
Wikipedia ↗
Tirana ( tih-RAH-nə, Albanian pronunciation: [tiˈɾana]; Gheg Albanian: Tirona) is the capital and largest city of Albania. It is located in the centre of the country, enclosed by mountains and hills, with Dajti rising to the east and a slight valley to the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Olimpic Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (southwest side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but low enough for reliable lift access; the courtyard side blocks most traffic noise from Rruga Liman Kaba.
Which rooms should I avoid at Olimpic Hotel?
Avoid rooms facing the street on the 1st or 2nd floor — Rruga Liman Kaba is a busy thoroughfare in Tirana, so lower front rooms get traffic noise (especially early morning deliveries) and less privacy. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the old lift can be loud.
Is Olimpic Hotel noisy?
Street traffic on Rruga Liman Kaba is the main source — expect car horns, motorbikes, and occasional trucks from early morning (6am) to late evening. The lift is old and clatters, especially when passing floors 1–3. There may be noise from the breakfast room (ground floor rear) starting around 7am.
Which rooms have the best views at Olimpic Hotel?
The best view is from upper floors facing the inner courtyard — you overlook the garden/parking area, with a glimpse of the city skyline beyond. Front-facing rooms look directly onto the street and opposite buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Olimpic Hotel?
1. Park in the hotel's rear courtyard if you have a car — it's safer and quieter than street parking. 2. Request a top-floor courtyard room at least 48 hours before arrival — the hotel staff are usually accommodating if you call directly (English spoken). 3. The lift is small (3 people max), so if you have heavy luggage, ask for a ground-floor room or help from reception.
What time is check-in at Olimpic Hotel?
Check-in at Olimpic Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Olimpic Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout (up to 10 Mbps, login via room number and surname). Premium 50 Mbps tier available: 500 ALL per 24 hours
Is there a city or tourist tax at Olimpic Hotel?
150 ALL per person per night, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Olimpic Hotel?
Byrek (savoury pastry) from a bakery or a fast-food pita: 250-350 Lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Olimpic Hotel?
Public bus (rrjeti urban) at 40 Lek per ride; from the airport, take the 'Rinas Express' bus (400 Lek) or a shared van (furgon) from near the bus terminal for around 500 Lek.
When is the best time to visit Tirana?
May, June, September: warm, sunny days (24–30 °C) with lower chance of rain; crowds are thin because peak summer hasn't fully arrived or has just ended.
Top Attractions in Tirana
💡 Visit outside prayer times (12:30–13:30 and sunset). Women must cover heads and shoulders – a box of scarves is kept at the entrance. Photography allowed but no flash.
💡 Climb the west side at sunset for a clear view over the city. Graffiti on the east wall changes weekly – the best street art is often by artist Tefik Kërluku. Free zip-line on weekends.
💡 Go at dusk when the floodlights hit the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the square fills with locals playing football and rollerblading. The fountain show starts at 8pm on summer evenings.
💡 Hire a bike from the kiosk by the lake entrance (200 lek/hour) and cycle the full 5km perimeter path. Pack a picnic – the café at the south end has overpriced iced coffee.
💡 Buy a combined ticket for Bunk'Art 1 and 2 – saves about 200 lek. The museum shop sells cheap Soviet-era propaganda posters and replica Enver Hoxha pin badges.