news
Tirana — the most-improved Balkan capital of the decade
From grey, polluted post-communist capital to pedestrianised, painted, cafe-lined city in 15 years. Tirana's transformation is one of Europe's under-told urban stories.
By myAlbania Editorial·April 28, 2026·2 min read
When Edi Rama (then-mayor, now PM) ordered apartment blocks repainted in vivid colours in the early 2000s, the world laughed. Today Tirana has:
- A pedestrian core larger than most Balkan capitals.
- The reborn Pyramid of Tirana as cultural centre.
- New parks (Grand Park, Skanderbeg Square).
- A young creative scene driving cafés and design studios.
- A skyline that's adding towers but with public space mandates.
It's no longer a layover. It's a destination.