This guide to the top 10 museums in Albania highlights the country’s most important cultural, historical, and artistic institutions. Albania is a small country with a surprisingly rich network of museums. From archaeology to medieval art, photography and independence history, its museums help visitors understand how this country has changed over thousands of years.
In this guide, you’ll discover ten museums that are perfect starting points for any culture-focused trip to Albania.
1. National History Museum, Tirana
Located on Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum (Muzeu Historik Kombëtar) is the largest museum in the country. Its pavilions cover Illyrian civilization, medieval Albania, the independence period, communist history and more. It’s the best “first stop” if you want a complete overview of Albanian history.
2. National Gallery of Arts, Tirana
The National Gallery of Arts presents more than 4,000 works, including paintings, sculptures and contemporary installations. You’ll see everything from national renaissance portraits to socialist realism and modern art. It’s a must for art lovers.
3. Archaeological Museum of Tirana
This museum shows how far back Albanian history goes. You’ll find prehistoric tools, Illyrian ceramics, ancient sculptures and objects from early medieval settlements found across the country.
4. Skanderbeg Museum, Kruja
Inside Kruja Castle, this museum is dedicated to Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. Exhibits tell the story of his battles against the Ottoman Empire and explain why he is still a powerful symbol of resistance.
5. Ethnographic Museum, Kruja
In a traditional Ottoman-era house, this museum shows how a wealthy Albanian family lived in the 18th–19th century. The rooms, clothes and tools make history feel alive.
6. Marubi National Museum of Photography, Shkodër
The Marubi Museum holds Albania’s biggest historical photo archive, with more than 500,000 images. It’s perfect if you want to see how life looked in northern Albania 100+ years ago.
7. Onufri Iconography Museum, Berat
Located inside Berat Castle, this museum displays icons and church art from the 16th century and later. The works of Onufri and other masters are famous for their strong colors and expressive faces.
8. Ethnographic Museum, Berat
This museum is set inside a beautiful old house and shows how citizens of Berat dressed, cooked, worked and celebrated in past centuries.
9. National Museum of Medieval Art, Korça
With thousands of icons and religious objects, this museum is one of the most important in the Balkans. The modern interior and lighting make it easy to enjoy the details of each piece.
10. Archaeological Museum of Butrint
Inside a Venetian-style building in Butrint National Park, this museum explains the story of one of the most important ancient cities in the region. It is the perfect complement to walking among the ruins.
Final tips
Try to combine museums with walks around each historic city. Many of these museums are close to castles, old town streets or viewpoints, so you can turn every visit into a full cultural experience.
