Mother Teresa Square, Tirana

Square in Tirana

Mother Terasa Square Tirana Albania
Mother Terasa Square Tirana Albania
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Anila amataj

Mother Teresa Square (Sheshi Nënë Tereza) is Tirana's broad, ceremonial plaza at the southern end of Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, framed by major cultural and academic institutions. It feels less like a “square you stumble upon” and more like a deliberate civic stage: wide stone paving, clean lines, and sightlines that make the city feel spacious and modern.

Because it sits beside the University of Tirana, the Polytechnic University, the University of Arts, and the Archaeological Museum, it's one of the top attractions in Tirana for travelers who like to combine architecture, museums, and people-watching in a single area. It also fits neatly into a walking tour of Tirana, especially if you're linking the main boulevard sights with the Grand Park and the Blloku district.

History and Significance of the Mother Teresa Square

Mother Teresa Square was designed by Italian architect Gherardo Bosio between 1939 and 1941 during the Italian occupation, as part of the city's rationalist-era planning and the creation of the grand boulevard. The architecture around the square still carries that planned, monumental feel, with institutional buildings arranged to emphasize symmetry and civic presence.

The square’s name honors Mother Teresa, the Albanian Catholic nun and missionary known worldwide for her work with the poor in Calcutta. Although she was born in Skopje to a Kosovar Albanian family, her Albanian heritage is central to why the square carries her name, and it often registers as a point of national pride as well as a public landmark.

Today, the square’s role is both practical and symbolic: a gathering place for events and ceremonies, and a calm, open space that anchors a cluster of museums and universities. Even if you don’t arrive with a specific plan, it functions as a natural “reset point” in the city where you can decide your next direction.

Things to See and Do in the Mother Teresa Square

Start by taking a slow loop around the plaza to appreciate the scale and the way the buildings frame the open space. The square’s wide paving and uncluttered layout make it feel airy compared to denser parts of the centre, and it’s a good place to notice Tirana’s mix of rationalist planning and contemporary city rhythm.

If you want to turn the square into a culture stop, build your visit around the Archaeological Museum on the edge of the plaza and the nearby university buildings, which give the area its distinctive academic energy. Even without going inside, the setting feels curated, as if the city intentionally placed knowledge and public life side by side.

For a lighter visit, treat it as a people-watching and photo stop, especially when the city is active with students and local foot traffic. If there’s an event or performance happening, the square shifts from quiet monumentality to a lively civic stage in minutes.

How to Get to the Mother Teresa Square

From Skanderbeg Square, the simplest route is to walk straight down Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard toward the south; the walk is typically 15-25 minutes depending on your pace and stops. Taxis are easy if you'd rather save your steps for museums and parks.

The nearest airport is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), with straightforward transfers into the city centre by taxi or airport bus, then a short walk or taxi to the square. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Tirana on Booking.com.

Train travel is not the most practical option for most visitors, as services and station connections are limited compared with buses and taxis, so plan to rely on road transport and walking once you’re central.

If you’re driving, expect central-city traffic and prioritize a paid parking option nearby, then walk the last few minutes to keep the visit stress-free. 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 Mother Teresa Square

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon is ideal for softer light and a livelier atmosphere, while early morning feels calmer and more spacious.
  • How long to spend: 20-45 minutes works well as a standalone stop, or longer if you’re pairing it with nearby museums and the park.
  • Accessibility: The plaza is flat and open with wide paths, generally suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though surfaces can feel hard underfoot.
  • Facilities: You won’t find “on-site” facilities like a ticket office, but cafés, museum amenities, and services are close by in the surrounding area.

Where to Stay Close to the Mother Teresa Square

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself centrally along the main boulevard or near Skanderbeg Square for maximum walkability to museums and landmarks; for a trip focused on restaurants and nightlife, base yourself in Blloku so evenings are effortless and you can still reach the square on foot.

A reliable nearby option is Rogner Hotel Tirana, which places you close to the boulevard institutions and makes morning walks to the square easy. If you want a higher-end base with quick access to both the square area and Blloku, Xheko Imperial Luxury Hotel & SPA is a strong choice for comfort after a full day on foot.

For a sleek, central stay with convenient access to the pedestrian core and city services, Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana works well, especially if you want a simple taxi hop to the square and a very walkable base for the rest of Tirana.

Is the Mother Teresa Square Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you want a clean, central-feeling “anchor point” that connects Tirana’s museums, universities, and boulevard architecture in one place. It’s not a single-ticket attraction with a fixed route, but it’s a strong stop for understanding the city’s layout and for building an easy cultural loop without overplanning.

It's also a useful pacing stop: start here before museums, pause here between neighbourhoods, or end here before heading to the park or Blloku. Even a short visit adds texture to a Tirana itinerary because the square shows how the city presents itself in its most formal, public-facing spaces.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (352)

Mother Teresa Square sits at the end of Tirana's main boulevard and offers a spacious, contemplative open space surrounded by government buildings and within a short walk of many restaurants; visitors note it commonly hosts seasonal events, bazaars and stages for celebrations, and can feel important yet a little confusing to navigate on foot.

Marin “SayanMk” Kolev
a year ago
"It's good that it's used for various events. Was currently in preparation for new year's eve and had a bazaar and a stage set up with a few smallamusement park amenities...."
Svetlana Margetová
4 months ago
"We passed through this square on our way from Tirana Lake to the city center. It felt really spacious and open, but I honestly wasn’t sure whereexactly to cross the road. It’s one of those places that feels important in the city, but also a bit confusing when you’re just walking around...."
Hovha es Minasyan
2 years ago
"Mother Teresa Square in Tirana is a serene and contemplative urban space that pays tribute to the humanitarian legacy of the beloved figure it'snamed after. The location is not just a tribute to Mother Teresa's humanitarian work but also serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and selflessness in our world today. Whether you're a local seeking a tranquil moment or a visitor interested in Tirana's cultural landmarks, Mother Teresa Square provides a meaningful and contemplative experience...."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This is an easy, low-effort stop for families because it’s open, spacious, and not confined like an indoor attraction. Pair it with the nearby Grand Park so kids can reset with space to move, and keep the square itself as a short “city landmark” moment rather than a long history lesson.

If you’re adding museums, use the square as a staging point: one museum, then a break outdoors, then decide whether to continue. That rhythm tends to work better than stacking multiple indoor stops back-to-back.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is the atmosphere: broad open space, elegant city lines, and good light for photos, followed by an easy transition to a café or dinner nearby. It’s a pleasant place for an unhurried stroll when you want something calm between more intense sightseeing.

Make it part of a simple loop that ends in Blloku for dinner or drinks, so the day shifts naturally from cultural Tirana to evening Tirana without extra transport or planning.

Budget Travelers

Mother Teresa Square is ideal on a budget because it's free, central, and works as a connector between multiple walkable sights. Use it to structure a low-cost day: walk the boulevard, choose one paid museum if you want, then spend the rest of the time exploring on foot.

If you’re watching spending closely, treat the square as a “map checkpoint” that helps you avoid taxis, since it’s a clear landmark for orienting yourself as you move between the centre and the park.

History Buffs

History-minded travelers will appreciate the square for its rationalist-era planning context and its place within the 1939-1941 redesign of Tirana’s boulevard axis. It’s also a useful vantage point for reading the city’s institutional layout, where universities and museums cluster around the same civic space.

To deepen the story, connect it with other boulevard-era sites and add at least one museum stop nearby so the architecture and the exhibits reinforce each other.

FAQs for Visiting Mother Teresa Square

Getting There

It’s at the southern end of Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, surrounded by universities and the Archaeological Museum. It’s a straightforward landmark once you’re on the main boulevard.
Walk straight down the main boulevard from the Skanderbeg Square area toward the south, keeping to the same axis the whole way. It’s an easy navigation walk with clear city landmarks along the route.
A taxi is usually the simplest option to reach the boulevard area quickly if you’re arriving with luggage. Once you’re nearby, the last part is best done on foot.

Visiting Experience

Do a full loop of the plaza, then pick one edge to explore: the museum side, the university buildings, or the boulevard viewpoint. A short visit works best when you treat it as an orientation stop rather than a destination that needs a long schedule.
Yes, because it helps you understand the city’s main axis and links naturally with nearby museums and the park. It’s an efficient stop that doesn’t eat into a one-day plan.
Pair it with the Archaeological Museum, then continue toward the Grand Park for a change of scenery. If you want a city-life finish, continue afterward toward Blloku for food and cafés.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many city walks pass through or near it because it’s on the boulevard and close to major institutions. It’s often used as a natural waypoint between the centre and the southern sights.
Independent is perfectly fine because the square is visually clear and easy to navigate. A guided tour becomes worthwhile if you want deeper context on the boulevard plan, architecture, and how the area evolved over time.

Photography

Yes, especially for wide shots that show the scale of the plaza and the institutional buildings around it. It’s also a good place for clean “city lines” photos with minimal visual clutter.
Late afternoon gives softer light and a warmer tone on stone surfaces, while morning often feels cleaner and less busy. If you want atmosphere and movement, visit when students and locals are active.

Accessibility & Facilities

Generally yes, because it’s open, flat, and has wide pedestrian space. The main consideration is surface comfort over longer distances, so pacing and nearby breaks help.
Yes, the surrounding area has benches and nearby venues where you can pause briefly. If you need a longer rest, head toward cafés in the adjacent streets or the park area.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Blloku is a reliable choice for cafés and casual meals and is close enough to reach on foot. The streets around the universities also have convenient options when you want something quick between sights.

Safety & Timing

It’s a well-trafficked civic area and generally feels comfortable in the early evening. As with any city, pay attention to traffic and keep normal awareness in busier moments.
Early morning feels calm and spacious, which suits a reflective walk and clean photos. Later in the day brings more city energy and a better sense of local rhythm.

Nearby Attractions to the Mother Teresa Square

  • Blloku: The best nearby district for cafés, dinner, and evening atmosphere after your daytime sightseeing.
  • Archaeological Museum of Tirana: A convenient museum stop right by the square for a quick cultural deep-dive.
  • Grand Park of Tirana: The city's main green escape, ideal for a walk or pause after boulevard sightseeing.
  • Pyramid of Tirana: A distinctive landmark that mixes recent history with a modern urban hangout vibe.
  • Skanderbeg Square: Tirana's central square and the most useful starting point for a city walking loop.

The Mother Teresa Square 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!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit Tirana, Albania
Tirana: 1 km

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