The Torre dell’Orologio di Tirana, officially called the Clock Tower of Tirana, stands beside Et’hem Bey Mosque near Skanderbeg Square.
The tower dates to the early nineteenth century, and you can climb its stairs for a view over the square and beyond. From Hotel Italia, the city centre is about a 20-minute walk; the hotel is a three-star hotel in Tirana.
- Location: Beside Et’hem Bey Mosque, near Skanderbeg Square.
- History: Built in 1817–1818 in Ottoman style and reconstructed in 2018.
- Climb: A staircase of 90 steps leads to the top.
- Planning: The national tourism agency suggests allowing 2–3 hours for the historic centre, including the square and tower.
Finding Tirana’s Clock Tower
The Clock Tower sits beside Et’hem Bey Mosque, close to Skanderbeg Square in central Tirana. The mosque and tower form an architectural ensemble, so they make a natural pair to see during the same stop. The tower is also a useful point from which to orient yourself around the square.
A short history of the tower
The Clock Tower has shown the time in Tirana since 1822. The national tourism agency describes it as a Category I Cultural Monument built in Ottoman style in 1817–1818 and reconstructed in 2018.
Its builder also built Et’hem Bey Mosque, linking the two landmarks beyond their position side by side. The tower has a place in the city’s civic identity too: a municipal travel brochure describes it as a symbol in the Tirana Municipality emblem.
Access and visiting conditions
You can climb 90 stairs to the top of the Clock Tower for a view of Tirana’s main square and beyond. Opening days, hours, admission prices and access rules can change or vary, so check the official site before you go. The national tourism agency’s pages do not provide those practical details.
What to see around Skanderbeg Square
Skanderbeg Square is one of Tirana’s important and well-known public spaces, and the Clock Tower, Et’hem Bey Mosque and government buildings feature together in the national tourism agency’s suggested historic-centre visit.
The agency allocates 2–3 hours to this central area. The one-day Tirana itinerary from Hotel Italia also combines the square and tower with the mosque and surrounding government buildings.
Linking the square with other central stops
Continue along Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard from the central area towards Rinia Park and the Taiwan complex, both included in the national tourism agency’s suggested central itinerary. The National Gallery of Arts is another nearby stop named in that itinerary. Bunk’Art 2 is another Tirana attraction to consider, with visitor information about Bunk’Art 2.
FAQs
How many steps lead to the top of the Clock Tower?
The climb to the top involves 90 stairs.
When was the Clock Tower built?
It was built in 1817–1818 in Ottoman style and reconstructed in 2018.
What can you see from the top?
The view takes in Tirana’s main square and extends beyond it.