Is the Mount Dajti cable car worth it in Tirana, Albania?
As the cable car moved up the mountain and unveiled the beautiful greenery, it was hard to believe that this was only a few miles from the city centre of Tirana!
It was awesome to experience another spectacular Balkans setting on my first solo adventure!
Albania is an underrated part of Europe, and its capital ‘Tirana’, is a combination of Albanian traditions mixed in with modernity, as the city catches up with other famous European cities. One aspect of the city which is truly epic is the beautiful nature which surrounds the city.
Mount Dajti is only 15 minutes away from the bustle of the city, and it offers a breathtaking escape, so it is a must for any Tirana itinerary.
If you are heading to Tirana soon and need to know if Dajti Mountain cable car is worth visiting, then this blog has got you covered!
The cable car ticket office.
The history of the Mount Dajti Cable Car in Tirana.
The Dajti Express cable car is the only cable-way in Albania.
The first of its kind was constructed in 2005 in order to increase mountain tourism in the country. Tirana boasts the longest cable-way in the Balkans, which is a testament to the skills of the Austrian company (Dopllemayr) that built it.
The cable car ride now offers a different perspective of the Albanian capital for visitors, as it connects the rural part of the city to some of the most beautiful nature in the Balkans.
Riding over a lake on cable car.
How to get to the Mount Dajti Cable Car from Tirana.
Mount Dajti Express is located around 5km from the city centre of Tirana, therefore, the three main options of transport are bus, taxi, or walking.
Public bus.
The departure point for the bus is located outside the clock tower near Skanderbeg Square, and the bus leaves around every 15 minutes. If you are struggling to find the bus stop, lookout for the Cultural Museum, as it is just round the back of it.
The L11 bus is the one you need to catch, which is blue, so quite easy to spot. If you aren’t sure, you can ask the driver. I paid 100 Albanian Lek (£1) for a return ticket.
The bus does make a lot of stops, so it takes between 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
The Porcelan bus route from Tirana city centre to Dajti Express cable car.
Taxi.
Grabbing a taxi will be more expensive but more efficient, if you are on a tight schedule, or don’t want to be crammed in with the locals. You can expect to pay around 500-1000 Albanian Lek (£5/£10) each way.
Walking.
If you are visiting Mount Dajti in the summer months, then walking is a viable option. I walked back to Tirana city centre after I finished exploring Mount Dajti and Bunk’Art. It was enjoyable to observe the local life in the Albanian city. I also had dinner in one of the local restaurants on the way back to the city, which was delicious, and very cheap!
Walking to catch bus near Skanderbeg Square.
The drop off point near the Dajti Express ticket office.
Dajti Express important information.
Dajti Express opening times:
Open every day except Tuesdays from 9am until 5.30pm weekdays (6pm weekends).
(Weather permitting).
Dajti Express cable car tickets.
You can only purchase your Dajti Express tickets at the ticket office at the bottom of the mountain, where the car park is. I paid 1400 LEK (£12) for the return ticket.
The view of the city from the ticket office car park.
What to expect on your Dajti Express adventure.
Riding the Dajti cable car was one of the highlights of my visit to Tirana. I did get lucky with beautiful weather when I visited in June. It was really warm temperatures and clear skies, which definitely made my experience better.
I think the cable car is around one mile long, and it did seem to take a long time to reach the top. It kept revealing new sections where higher parts of the mountain appeared.
This is one side of the panoramic views, but on the other side there were clear views of the whole city. This was an awesome experience, as the city looked a lot bigger from this perspective.
Starting point.
There were no queues on my visit to Mount Daji, so it took only a few minutes from purchasing my ticket to embarking on the cable car.
I had the cable car to myself, which is rare compared to other tourist spots where I have used cable cars - I am usually crammed in!
As you can see in the photo, the glass on the cable cars is scratched, however, this did not ruin my views.
The whole journey upwards took around 15/20 minutes.
Getting closer to the top.
What can you do at the top of Mount Dajti?
Once you arrive at your destination at the top of Mount Dajti, the first thing you should do is go to the viewing platforms to admire the beautiful views of Tirana.
Other activities at the top include:
Dining with a view in the restaurant.
Stay in the hotel located at the top.
Enjoy a drink in the bar.
Play mini golf.
Start a hike/bike ride descent down the trails - A fun way to get back down the mountain!
Awesome views from the top of Mount Dajti.
Fancy experiencing the Bunk’Art Museum while you are there?
The widespread construction of Bunkers by Albania’s paranoid leader is a unique aspect of the nations’ past, which is worth learning about while you are visiting the capital. Bunk’Art is a quirky museum which takes you on an interesting hands-on journey through Albania’s communist past.
The museum is built inside one of Hoxa’s bunkers that he had built to protect himself and his family incase of the war that never came.
This is an activity that adds a bit of fun to your Tirana itinerary.
It is within a 5 minute walking distance of the Dajti Express Cable Car.
Bunk’Art 1 is close to the cable car ticket office.
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