Plizio Visual Lab

Ethem Bey Mosque

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

monument

Weather…

The Ethem Bey Mosque is a focal point of Tirana's cityscape and a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture in Albania. Construction began in 1789 under Molla Bey and was completed in 1823 by his son, Haxhi Et'hem Bey. The mosque is globally renowned for its unique frescoes decorating the porch and the prayer hall, featuring scenes of nature, such as trees, waterfalls, and bridges, motifs that are exceptionally rare in traditional Islamic religious art. During the communist era under Enver Hoxha, the mosque was closed to the public but spared from destruction due to its status as a cultural monument. On January 18, 1991, despite official prohibitions, approximately 10,000 people gathered and entered the mosque without police interference, an event seen as a milestone for the return of religious freedom in Albania. Located on Skanderbeg Square, the mosque has recently undergone extensive restoration to preserve its intricate artistic details.

Location: Albania
Top sights: National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania · Institute of Italian Culture · Et'hem Bey Mosque
Nearby: Farkë (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	2	3	7	11	15	20	24	24	18	13	8	3
Rain mm	93	83	77	69	64	45	29	27	74	95	109	109

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Ethem Bey Mosque is an active place of worship and can be visited by tourists at certain times. The interior is usually accessible to non-Muslims outside of prayer times.

🕒

Typical hours

The mosque is typically open from morning until the evening prayer, with breaks during the five daily prayers. On Fridays, tourist access is often only possible after the noon prayer.

📷

Photography

Photography inside is usually allowed, but without flash to protect the delicate wall paintings. Photographing people at prayer should be avoided out of respect.

⏱️

Time needed

A visit to the mosque typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. If you want to study the artistic details of the wall paintings in detail, allow a little more time.

➕

Combine with

The mosque is located on Tirana's central Skanderbeg Square, which also houses the National Art Gallery and the Clock Tower. A walk through the nearby Blloku district with its cafes is a nice addition.

🧭

Getting there

The mosque is located in the center of Tirana and is easily reached on foot from Skanderbeg Square. Buses and taxis stop in the immediate vicinity of the square.

💡

Insider tip

Visit the mosque early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the tranquility. Remember to remove your shoes before entering and wear appropriate clothing.

Geography

Coordinates

41.32860, 19.81940

Facts

Construction started in 1789 under the direction of Molla Bey.
The building was completed in 1823 by Haxhi Et'hem Bey.
Frescoes feature rare Islamic depictions of nature and landscapes.
Symbolically reopened on January 18, 1991, by a crowd of 10,000 people.
The mosque is located in Skanderbeg Square, the heart of Tirana.
It was preserved as a cultural monument during the communist period.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bunk'Art 2<1 km · SEExplore →

Grand Park of Tirana2 km · SExplore →

Jabal Shada3 km · SWExplore →

Bunk'Art 13 km · NEExplore →

Paskuqan4 km · NExplore →

Farkë5 km · SEExplore →

Zall-Herr6 km · NExplore →

Vaqarr7 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Ethem Bey Mosque (10)

National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania

Opera house in Tirana, home to the national opera and ballet company.

🌐 tkob.gov.al

Institute of Italian Culture

Cultural institute in Tirana, promoting Italian language and arts.

Et'hem Bey Mosque

Mosque in Tirana, noted for its frescoes and Ottoman architecture.

🕒 Mo-Th,Sa-Su 09:00-12:00,13:30-16:00,17:30-19:00; Fr 09:00-11

Clock Tower

Clock tower in Tirana, a cultural heritage monument of Albania.

Skanderbeg Monument

Bronze sculpture on Skanderbeg Square in Tirana.

Friendship Fountain

Fountain on Skanderbeg Square, symbolizing friendship among peoples.

Friendship Monument

Monument on Skanderbeg Square, celebrating friendship.

Bunk'Art 2🏛 museum

Museum in Tirana, a former communist bunker.

National Historical Museum🏛 museum

Museum in Tirana, built in 1931 after a design by Florestano Di Fausto.

National Theatre for Children

Puppet theatre in Tirana, staging performances for children.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Ethem Bey Mosque?

Yes, it is open to tourists outside of prayer times. Please wear modest clothing and remove your shoes.

What is special about the frescoes?

Unusually for Islamic art, the frescoes depict plants, trees, and landscapes (still lifes).

Where is the mosque located in Tirana?

It is located right on Skanderbeg Square, the central square of the capital, next to the Clock Tower.

When was it built?

Construction began in 1794 by Molla Bey and was completed in 1821 by his son Ethem Bey.

Does entry cost anything?

Entry is free, but a small donation for the mosque's upkeep is appreciated.

Ethem Bey Mosque: where is it located?

Ethem Bey Mosque is located in Albania.

Ethem Bey Mosque: what is there to see?

Highlights include National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania, Institute of Italian Culture, Et'hem Bey Mosque.

Ethem Bey Mosque: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Ethem Bey Mosque: why is it worth visiting?

The Ethem Bey Mosque is a focal point of Tirana's cityscape and a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture in Albania.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe

More places in Albania →