One of the advantages of Lalzi Bay is that you can enjoy a quiet beach base while still being close enough to Tirana, Durrës and several very different Albanian landscapes.
A day in Tirana
From Lalzi Bay, Tirana is easy to reach. Allow around one hour by road depending on traffic. We also did the return trip with Blue Taxi for around 56 €, but prices should always be confirmed in advance.
Tirana is full of energy and changes quickly. It mixes cafés, construction sites, restaurants, colourful buildings and the feeling that the city is reinventing itself in real time.
What to see
- The Pyramid of Tirana, now one of the symbols of the capital’s transformation.
- Skanderbeg Square, the monumental heart of the city.
- Grand Park and Tirana Lake, a large green escape with cafés by the water.
Where to eat
- Still Fish, a strong address for fish and refined cooking.
- The pedestrian area around Tirana Castle, including Tartuf Shop for truffle-based dishes and Ceren Ismet Shehu for traditional Albanian cuisine and good meat.
- Millennium Garden, a pleasant place for cocktails and food before heading out for the evening.
Going out in Blloku
We like starting with a drink at Millennium Garden before moving towards Blloku and letting the evening unfold. Blloku is probably one of the best areas to feel contemporary Tirana: terraces, music, cocktails, late conversations and a lot of movement.
For explorers: two escapes from Lalzi Bay
If you have more time, two trips stayed in our memory.
North · Lake Shkodër
Spending one night in the area allows you to enjoy it properly. Do not miss Rozafa Castle, perched above the landscape and full of history. For a stay by the water, places such as Restaurant Panorama Zogaj offer a few rooms. Just know that access is via a dirt road — more soft adventure than red carpet.
South · Himarë and Dhërmi
Further south, the atmosphere changes. Himarë and Dhërmi offer landscapes closer to Greece in the light and on the plate, with beautiful pebble beaches and a more Mediterranean feeling. It is a nice option for one or two nights if you want to vary the scenery.
Swiss Sweet Apartment is a private 97 m² holiday apartment in San Pietro Resort, in the Lalzi Bay / Gjiri i Lalëzit area, a few minutes from the beach.
How far is Tirana from Lalzi Bay?
Tirana is usually around 45 to 60 minutes from Lalzi Bay by car, depending on traffic and the time of day.
What can you see in Tirana in one day?
For one day, focus on Skanderbeg Square, Blloku, cafés, a relaxed lunch and one or two museums or viewpoints rather than trying to see everything.
Where can you go out in the evening?
Tirana is the best choice for a livelier evening, while Durrës and the Lalzi Bay area are easier for a more relaxed dinner.
Are day trips from Lalzi Bay realistic?
Yes. Tirana, Durrës and Shkodër work well as day trips. Himarë and Dhërmi are better planned as part of a longer Albania itinerary.
Use Lalzi Bay as your base
Enjoy the beach, discover Tirana, explore Albania — or simply do nothing for a while. Sometimes, doing nothing in a beautiful place is already an ambitious plan.
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