Brigades Palace, Tirana

Historic Building in Tirana

Palace of Brigades Tirana
Palace of Brigades Tirana
CC BY-SA 30 / Theoden sA

The Palace of Brigades, also widely referred to as the Royal Palace or the Presidential Palace, sits on the green slopes near Tirana's Grand Park and is one of the city's most intriguing “usually closed, occasionally open” landmarks. It's important not to confuse it with the Office of the President near Mother Teresa Square, because this palace is associated with ceremonies and the president's official residence functions rather than day-to-day administration.

Even if you never step inside the building itself, the weekend opening of the Royal Gardens makes the visit worthwhile: tree-lined paths, fountains, sculptures, and a surprisingly tranquil atmosphere just minutes from central Tirana. For many visitors, this spot becomes one of the must-see places in Tirana precisely because it offers a different pace from the city centre, and it works well as a detour on a walking tour of Tirana if you plan your day around the weekend access.

History and Significance of the Palace of Brigades

The palace was commissioned by King Zog I as his official residence and designed in the late 1930s by Italian architects, including Giulio Berte, during a period when Tirana’s public architecture was being reshaped with monumental, formal lines. Construction finished around 1941, but the political reality had already shifted: Zog had fled Albania, and the building’s original royal purpose was overtaken by war and occupation.

In the post-war era, the palace's identity changed again. From 1946 onward, it became a government venue for official ceremonies and state receptions, and during the communist period it was widely known as the Palace of Brigades, a name tied to the partisan units celebrated by the regime.

Today, the palace remains a symbol of Albania’s layered 20th-century story, moving from monarchy to occupation to communist statehood and then to the modern republic. Visiting it with that timeline in mind helps the gardens and architecture feel less like a pretty backdrop and more like a living witness to shifting power and public memory.

Things to See and Do in the Palace of Brigades

The main experience for most travelers is the Royal Gardens, which are the part you can actually enjoy when the grounds are open. Treat it like a slow, restorative walk: shaded avenues, carefully placed statues, and small landscaped pockets that feel designed for wandering rather than rushing.

Look out for the decorative details that hint at the palace’s ceremonial role, including formal approaches, fountains, and curated viewpoints that frame the property in a deliberately “state” way. If you enjoy quiet city green spaces, it’s a very different mood from the busy central squares and can feel like an easy reset in the middle of a packed itinerary.

Because access can be limited and the interiors are not reliably open for general touring, it’s best to arrive with the mindset that you’re visiting a historic estate landscape first and foremost. Combine it with nearby park time so the outing feels complete even if your visit stays entirely outdoors.

How to Get to the Palace of Brigades

The Palace of Brigades sits outside the tight city-centre loop, so most visitors reach it by taxi, a local bus, or a longer walk from the Grand Park area. If you're coming from Skanderbeg Square or Blloku, a taxi is often the simplest option, especially if you're aiming to arrive early on a weekend.

The nearest airport is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), and the easiest approach is to transfer into the city by taxi or airport bus, then continue by taxi or city bus toward the Grand Park and Rruga e Elbasanit area. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Tirana on Booking.com.

There is limited practical value in relying on trains for this stop, as rail connections within Tirana are not the most useful option for a typical visitor itinerary.

If you’re taking buses, ask locally for the most straightforward route toward the Grand Park/Rruga e Elbasanit side of the city, then plan for a short walk from the nearest stop depending on where you get dropped off.

If you’re driving, treat it like a weekend green-space outing and plan ahead for parking near the park-side roads rather than trying to stop right at the entrance. If you are looking to rent a car in Albania I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Palace of Brigades

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: (Summer) Saturday – Sunday: 09:00–20:00; May – September.
    (Winter) Saturday – Sunday: 09:00–16:00; October – April.
    Closed Monday – Friday.
  • Official website: https://www.visit-tirana.com/locations/palace-of-brigades-in-tirana/
  • Best time to visit: Go early on a weekend for the calmest paths and the most relaxed garden atmosphere, then pair it with time in the nearby park area.
  • How long to spend: Plan 60-90 minutes for a slow garden walk, longer if you want to linger for photos and quiet breaks.
  • Accessibility: Paths are generally walkable, but expect a mix of paved and garden surfaces, so slower pacing helps for anyone with mobility concerns.
  • Facilities: Bring water and basic essentials; facilities can be limited on-site, so treat nearby cafés and park-side stops as your main support options.

Where to Stay Close to the Palace of Brigades

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself centrally near Skanderbeg Square or along the main boulevard so museums and landmarks stay walkable; if your trip's main focus is green space and a calmer pace, staying closer to the Grand Park and the Rruga e Elbasanit side of the city makes this palace visit simpler.

A strong, well-located choice is Rogner Hotel Tirana, which keeps you close to the boulevard sights while still making a taxi ride to the palace quick and easy. For a stylish stay that also works well for Blloku evenings, Xheko Imperial Luxury Hotel & SPA is a convenient base near the park side of the centre. If you want a classic full-service option right by the park and major institutions, Mak Albania Hotel places you in a practical location for both culture stops and greenery.

Is the Palace of Brigades Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you time it correctly and treat it as a gardens-and-context visit rather than a guaranteed palace interior tour. The setting gives you a rare glimpse of Tirana’s ceremonial side, and the gardens provide a peaceful contrast to the city’s faster, denser centre.

It’s especially worth it for travelers who like places with layered political history, because the palace’s story spans monarchy, occupation, communist repurposing, and the modern republic. If your schedule is tight, it becomes a “nice-to-have” rather than essential, but on a weekend with good weather it can be one of the most pleasant, low-effort outings in the city.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This works best for families as an outdoor roam rather than a formal history stop, because kids tend to enjoy the space, statues, and fountains more than the political backstory. Keep it flexible, bring snacks, and pair it with nearby park time so the day has a clear “run around” component.

If your children are older, a simple explanation about why it changed names and roles over time can make the visit surprisingly memorable. Focus on the idea that buildings can outlive regimes, and let the gardens do most of the work in keeping the mood light.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the Royal Gardens are the main draw: quiet paths, shaded corners, and a more private-feeling atmosphere than central Tirana. It's a good choice when you want a slower hour together that still feels distinctly “Tirana” rather than just another city park.

Make it part of a gentle half-day: gardens first, then a café stop back toward Blloku or the park edge. The contrast between formal grounds and casual city life gives the outing a pleasing rhythm.

Budget Travelers

This is an excellent budget stop because it’s free and offers a high “time well spent” factor if you plan transport efficiently. Walking part of the way and using a short taxi hop can keep costs down while still saving your energy for the gardens.

It also helps you balance a museum-heavy itinerary with something outdoors that doesn’t add ticket expenses. Treat it as a weekend bonus rather than a must-do, and you’ll avoid the frustration of arriving when access is limited.

History Buffs

History-focused travelers will appreciate how the palace encapsulates Albania’s 20th-century transitions in a single site, from King Zog’s royal ambitions to communist-era symbolism and modern state ceremonies. The name “Palace of Brigades” alone is a clue to how regimes reinterpret architecture for their own narratives.

To get the most from it, read a little about Zog-era Tirana planning before you go, then connect this stop with other period landmarks in the centre. Even without an interior visit, the setting and layout still communicate a lot about state image-making.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (41)

Brigades Palace on Rruga e Elbasanit is set within well-tended royal gardens that visitors praise for large trees, colourful flower beds, winding paths, a labyrinth garden and peaceful spots like the Daphne garden; the grounds are dotted with notable sculptures by Odhise Paskali and others, and there's a café on site, though access to the palace itself can be limited.

DavidAg デビド
7 years ago
"The best place for relaxing.Filled with beautifull sculptures made by Odhise Paskali,like the “Daphne” or “fertility” or other sculptures mede by anitalian sculptor named Antonio who made the four statues of music.This place is a must see in Tirana.Theres also a café for all you coffee lovers.The best spot thre in my opinion is the Daphne garden. OPEN(Sundays and Saturdays)n09:00-16:00(October-April)n09:00-20:00(May-September)..."
Silvia Çala
8 years ago
"Impressed by the Royal Garden. It is truly amazing with big trees, colorful flowers and sculptures. There is a forest’s path, the labyrinths gardenand a garden of flowers. The Royal Palace is open for public every weekend...."
Elton Kadriu
6 years ago
"In 1945, it ceased to serve as a royal residence because the monarchist regime was substituted by a Communist-ruled government. Since 1946, it hasbeen used by the government of Albania for holding official ceremonies and state receptions. In 2013, the Palace became an official residence once again, when President Bujar Nishani and his family moved into a reconstructed villa inside the grounds of the Palace...."

FAQs for Visiting the Palace of Brigades

Getting There

It’s on the park-side slopes beyond the central boulevard area, in the direction of the Grand Park and Rruga e Elbasanit. It feels close on a map, but it sits outside the core “walk everywhere” loop.
A practical approach is to walk toward the Grand Park area first, then continue on foot if the weather is good and you have time. If you want to keep it simple, walk partway and finish with a short taxi ride.
From Blloku, a taxi is the easiest and usually the quickest, especially on a weekend when you want to arrive without hassle. If you prefer public transport, head toward the park-side routes and expect a short walk at the end.
Driving can work on weekends if you’re already using a car for wider day trips, but it’s rarely necessary just for this visit. Parking availability varies, so it’s usually less stressful to combine walking with a short taxi ride.

Tickets & Entry

Yes, general visitor access is typically focused on the gardens and grounds rather than a ticketed interior experience. Think of it as a free weekend garden visit tied to an important state site.
For a standard visit, booking is not usually part of the process, but access can depend on official schedules and events. If it’s a high-profile weekend in the city, consider having a backup plan nearby.
Interiors are not consistently open for general tourism, so you should not plan your day around an indoor tour. If the building is closed, the gardens still make the trip worthwhile.

Visiting Experience

If you keep it focused, a solid visit can be done in about an hour, including a slow garden loop. Add time if you want a relaxed pace and photo stops.
Pair it with a walk in the Grand Park and then return toward Blloku for food and cafés. That combination gives you history, greenery, and a lively finish without complex logistics.
In heavy rain, it’s less enjoyable because the main experience is outdoors and the paths can feel slick or muddy in places. If the forecast looks bad, prioritize indoor museums and keep this as a fair-weather weekend option.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

It’s not always a standard walking-tour stop because it sits outside the tight centre and access is schedule-dependent. Some private or themed tours include it when weekend entry aligns.
A guide helps most if you want deeper context on Zog-era architecture and the palace’s shifting political role. Independently, it works best as a calm garden visit with a bit of background reading beforehand.

Photography

Yes, especially in the gardens where paths, statues, and fountains create strong compositions. Aim for wide shots that capture the formal layout rather than only close-ups.
Late afternoon typically gives softer light through the trees, while morning can feel quieter and cleaner for compositions. Choose based on whether you want atmosphere or minimal crowds.
Because this is a sensitive state site, you should be discreet and follow any on-site guidance if areas are marked off. If staff or signage indicates limits, treat that seriously and keep photography focused on public garden areas.

Accessibility & Facilities

It can be manageable if you take it slowly, but expect longer distances and a mix of surfaces. If mobility is a concern, prioritize the flatter paths and avoid turning the visit into a long, uphill walk from the centre.
Facilities are not the main feature of this visit, so plan as if you may need to rely on cafés and venues back toward the city centre. Bring water, especially in warmer months.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Blloku is the most convenient area for cafés and casual meals once you’re back toward the centre. If you want something quieter, look for park-edge cafés that keep the green-space mood going.

Safety & Timing

It generally feels calm and residential-park-like, but it’s less busy than the centre. Keep standard city awareness and avoid empty stretches after dark if you’re walking.
Earlier visits tend to feel more peaceful and cooler in summer, while later visits can have better light and a more relaxed weekend vibe. The best choice is the one that aligns with your transport plan and the day’s weather.

Nearby Attractions to the Palace of Brigades

  • Postbllok Memorial: A powerful open-air installation on the main boulevard that adds historical depth to a Tirana itinerary.
  • Grand Park of Tirana: The city's main green escape with walking paths and lake views, ideal to pair with a palace-gardens visit.
  • Mother Teresa Square: A monumental civic plaza lined with universities and museums, useful as a cultural anchor on the boulevard.
  • Blloku: Tirana’s best district for cafés and evening dining, perfect for decompressing after a quieter outdoor stop.
  • Pyramid of Tirana: A distinctive landmark that mixes recent history with a modern urban hangout atmosphere.

The Brigades Palace appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Tirana!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

(Summer) Saturday - Sunday: 09:00-20:00; May - September.

(Winter) Saturday - Sunday: 09:00-16:00; October - April.

Closed Monday - Friday.

Price:

Free.

Address: Brigades Palace Rruga e Elbasanit 58 Tiranë 1019 Albania
Tirana: 2 km
Official Website

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs