Mali i Dajtit
A national park at the capital's doorstep – 1,613 m above sea level with cable car and hiking trails
Mount Dajti (Mali i Dajtit) is a 1,613-meter mountain on the eastern edge of Tirana. It forms the centerpiece of Dajti National Park (293 km², established in 1966) and is covered in beech and pine forests, home to deer, wild boar, and foxes.
The summit is reached via the Dajti Ekspres cable car – the longest in the Balkans at 4.7 km. The ride takes 15 minutes; the lower station is 25 km from central Tirana. City bus line 11 (40 ALL / ≈ $0.40) or a taxi (700–1,000 ALL / $7–10) will get you to the station.
A return cable car ticket costs 1,500 ALL (≈ $16 / €15). At the top: a panoramic restaurant, rotating bar, mini golf, adventure park, and hiking trails of varying difficulty. Plan 3–5 hours for a full visit.
The Austrian-built Dajti Ekspres carries passengers in enclosed gondolas – typically one family per cabin. During the ascent, you pass over farmhouses, small lakes, pine forest, and limestone cliffs. From the upper station, the panorama sweeps across all of Tirana, the surrounding valleys, and the Adriatic Sea on the horizon (on clear days).
At the summit, the Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant complex sits on a cliff edge with city views. The Dajti Tower Hotel features a rotating bar on the 7th floor – a full 360° turn takes 45 minutes. Active options include the Dajti Adventure Park (forest obstacle courses), an 18-hole mini golf course, horseback riding, roller skating, and a shooting range. Picnic areas and playgrounds are available for families.
Hiking trails start from the upper station. The easy Mali i Dajtit Loop covers 3 km with several viewpoints. The moderate trail to Tujani Peak (1,580 m) takes about 2 hours one way through oak forest. From the peak, you can see Bovilla Lake and the inland mountain ranges. Trails are marked with white-and-red blazes, though markings can be patchy – an offline map is recommended.
Elevation – 1,613 m above sea level, roughly 800 m above the cable car's lower station
Cable car – 4.7 km, the longest in the Balkans, 15-minute ride
National park – 293 km², established in 1966; beech and pine forests, deer, wild boar
Hiking – easy (3 km loop) to moderate (Tujani Peak, 2 hrs); marked trails
Panorama – Tirana, the valley, and the Adriatic Sea on clear days
Activities – adventure park, mini golf, horseback riding, rotating bar
Dajti National Park was established in 1966 to protect the mountain forests and biodiversity of central Albania. The mountain has been used for centuries: ruins of the medieval Kalaja e Dajtit fortress survive on the summit, once a strategic lookout point. During World War II, partisan units operated in these mountains.
In 2005, the Austrian-built Dajti Ekspres cable car was completed, transforming the mountain from a destination for a few hikers into the capital's top nature attraction. In 2006, the park was expanded to 293 km². Since then, the Dajti Tower Hotel, the Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant, the adventure park, and other infrastructure have been added to the summit area. Mount Dajt remains the most accessible mountain destination in Albania.
Dajti Ekspres cable car:
Adult (return): 1,500 ALL (≈ $16 / €15)
Adult (one-way): 400 ALL (≈ $4)
Children 5–12 (return): 400 ALL (≈ $4)
Children under 5: Free
Combo tickets:
Cable car + mini golf or Adventure Park – discounted when purchased at the lower station
Tickets are sold only at the lower station (cash and cards accepted). No online booking available.
National park entry: Free
Adventure park, mini golf, horseback riding: Separate fees, check on-site
The cable car does not operate in strong wind or storms – check Dajti Ekspres social media (Facebook, Instagram) for status updates. Closed every Tuesday (except during national holidays). Hiking trails require proper trekking shoes – paths are rocky and steep in places. Summit temperatures are 10–15°C cooler than in the city – bring a jacket. Trails can be icy in winter.
At the summit:
Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant (Albanian and international cuisine, meal 1,500–3,000 ALL / $15–30)
Rotating bar on the 7th floor of Dajti Tower Hotel
Toilets near the upper station
Playgrounds, picnic areas
Parking: Free at the lower cable car station.
Wi-Fi: Available at the restaurant and hotel. Mobile signal on the summit can be patchy.
Accessibility: The cable car accommodates strollers. Hiking trails are not wheelchair-accessible – terrain is mountainous.
From central Tirana to the lower station (25 km, 20–30 minutes):
– City bus line 11 (blue) from the Biblioteka stop behind Skanderbeg Square to the Porcelan terminus – 40 ALL ($0.40), every 5–20 minutes, 5:30 AM–midnight. From the bus stop, 5 minutes uphill on foot to the station.
– Taxi via app – 700–1,000 ALL ($7–10). Negotiated rate with Merr Taxi: 650 ALL.
– Rent a car – free parking at the lower station
At the summit:
From the upper station to the restaurant – 2 minutes on foot. To the trailheads – 5–10 minutes.
Season: April–June and September–November offer the best visibility and comfortable hiking temperatures. Winter (December–February) brings snow to the summit – scenic but trails are slippery. Summer (July–August) is hot at the base; the summit is 10–15°C cooler.
Time of day: Morning (9:00–11:00 AM) – shortest queues for the cable car. Sunset – best light for panoramic photos of Tirana.
Duration: 3–5 hours for the cable car + walk + lunch. Full day if hiking to Tujani Peak.
Avoid: Snowy winter weekends – long cable car queues. Tuesdays – cable car is closed.
Practical answers about visiting, routes and time on site.
Return ticket: 1,500 ALL (≈ $16 / €15) for adults, 400 ALL for children 5–12. One-way: 400 ALL. Children under 5 ride free.
Daily 9:00 AM to 6:00–6:30 PM, except Tuesdays. May close in strong wind or storms – check Dajti Ekspres social media for updates.
City bus line 11 from the Biblioteka stop behind Skanderbeg Square to the final stop – 40 ALL, 20–30 minutes. Then a 5-minute uphill walk to the cable car station.
Panoramic restaurant, rotating bar, mini golf, adventure park with forest courses, horseback riding, and playgrounds. For hikers – trails from 3 km loops to a full 2–3-hour trek to Tujani Peak.
For the area around the upper station, any comfortable shoes are fine. For the hiking trails, trekking shoes with non-slip soles are recommended – paths are rocky.
Yes. The cable car is safe for kids, and the summit has playgrounds, mini golf, and the adventure park with courses for different ages.
10–15°C cooler than Tirana. Summer: 20–25°C. Winter: snow is possible. Bring a jacket and an extra layer.
Yes. Dirt trails lead up from the base – the climb takes 3–4 hours. Trail markings are inconsistent in places, so an offline map is recommended.
