Grand Park and Artificial Lake of Tirana: Complete Guide
Updated 2026-11-01 · 5 min read · Prices and schedules change — check locally.
How to Visit the Grand Park and Artificial Lake of Tirana
- Walk south along Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard from Skanderbeg Square past Sheshi Nënë Tereza.
- Enter through the main northern promenade behind the University of Tirana.
- Rent a bicycle from an automated city station or walk along the perimeter track.
- Follow the pedestrian path past the Open Air Theatre toward the memorial tombs on the eastern ridge.
- Exit toward the southwestern corner if you plan to visit the adjacent Tirana Zoo.
What is the Grand Park and Artificial Lake of Tirana?
The Grand Park of Tirana (Parku i Madh i Tiranës) is a municipal park covering roughly 289 hectares on the southern edge of central Tirana. Its central feature is an artificial lake created by a dam built in the 1950s.
The park was laid out between 1955 and 1956 around an artificial reservoir constructed to manage water drainage and provide recreational space for the expanding capital. The lake covers an area of approximately 55 hectares. The park grounds consist of forested hills, open meadows, and paved promenades that serve as the main recreational zone for local residents.
Administered by the Municipality of Tirana, the area underwent major renovations after 2015. These projects added a dedicated rubberized running path around the water, modern children's play areas, and landscaped gardens. The park also acts as a green barrier between central Tirana and the southern suburbs of Sauk and Selitë.
What are the main things to do at the Grand Park?
Popular activities include walking or running along the lake trail, cycling, attending events at the Open Air Theatre, and visiting the Tirana Zoo on the southwestern border.
The paved and tartan path surrounding the lake measures roughly 5 kilometers, making it the most popular jogging and walking circuit in Tirana. Cyclists can use the designated concrete tracks that run alongside the pedestrian routes. Several open-air cafes and restaurants operate along the northern and eastern shores of the lake, offering seating overlooking the water.
Within the park boundaries, visitors can find the Teatri Veror (Open Air Theatre), which hosts film screenings, concerts, and theatrical performances during spring and summer. Near the southern end of the dam lies the Tirana Zoo (Kopshti Zoologjik i Tiranës), which was fully renovated in 2022 to offer modern animal enclosures and educational walking paths.
What are the costs for visiting and renting equipment at the park?
Entering the Grand Park is completely free of charge, though bike rentals and nearby attractions require modest fees in Albanian lek or euros.
Access to all public paths, playgrounds, and monuments inside the park grounds is free and open 24 hours a day. Visitors only pay if they rent bicycles, consume food or drink at commercial venues, or purchase admission to adjacent facilities like the zoo.
Bicycle rentals are available from automated kiosks and private vendors near the park entrances. Payment at local cafes and vendors is predominantly in Albanian lek (ALL), though larger establishments accept card payments. Please note that prices change over time based on municipal tariffs and private operator rates.
| Item or Activity | Price Range (ALL) | Price Range (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Park Entry | 0 ALL | 0 EUR |
| Hourly Bike Rental | 100 - 300 ALL | 1.00 - 3.00 EUR |
| Tirana Zoo Entry (Adult) | 300 - 500 ALL | 3.00 - 5.00 EUR |
| Espresso at Lakeside Cafe | 90 - 150 ALL | 0.90 - 1.50 EUR |
| Bottled Water (0.5L) | 50 - 100 ALL | 0.50 - 1.00 EUR |
What historical monuments and landmarks are located inside the park?
The park hosts the Church of Saint Procopius, the British and Commonwealth War Graves, a German war cemetery, and memorials dedicated to prominent Albanian cultural figures.
On the eastern hillside stands the Church of Saint Procopius (Kisha e Shën Prokopit). The original 18th-century church was demolished during the anti-religious campaigns of the communist period in the 1960s, and the current structure was reconstructed on the ridge overlooking the city. Nearby sits the memorial tomb of the Frashëri brothers (Abdyl, Naim, and Sami Frashëri), key figures of the 19th-century Albanian National Awakening.
Further into the woodland, visitors will encounter military cemeteries. The British Commonwealth War Cemetery contains the graves of 46 British and Allied servicemen who died in Albania during the Second World War. A separate memorial site contains the graves of German soldiers killed in the region during the same conflict.
How do you get to the Grand Park from central Tirana?
The park can be reached on foot in 15 to 20 minutes from central Tirana by walking south, or by taking municipal public transit buses.
From Skanderbeg Square, visitors can walk straight down Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, passing the Prime Minister's Office and Sheshi Nënë Tereza. Directly behind the main building of the Polytechnic University of Tirana, stone staircases lead into the park's primary entrance plaza.
Public city buses also serve the park vicinity. The Tirana e Re ring line stops near the stadium and Sheshi Nënë Tereza, while lines headed toward Sauk and TEG run along Rruga e Elbasanit, allowing visitors to disembark along the park's eastern boundary. Taxis from the central square to the park take under 10 minutes, depending on traffic, and generally cost between 400 and 700 ALL (4.00 to 7.00 EUR, prices change).