On Sunday, Tirana will once again enter a regime of heavy traffic restrictions due to the Tirana Marathon. According to the official announcement by the Municipality and the Police, from 08:00 to 16:00 there will be road closures and diversions across a large part of the main routes, while some urban bus lines will be suspended or will change their route.
From the city center to the Middle Ring, the list of affected routes
According to the plan published by the local authorities, the restrictions will extend from Mother Teresa Square along Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard and further onto a series of roads and boulevards linking the city center with some of the capital’s busiest junctions.
The map of affected routes includes, among others, Gjergj Filipi Street, Papa Gjon Pali II, Ismail Qemali, George W. Bush, Urani Pano, Ismail Ndroqi, Abdi Toptani, Zog I Boulevard, the New Boulevard, Ded Gjo Luli Street, Durrësi Street, Kavaja Street, Myslym Shyri, as well as segments of Zhan D’Ark, Bajram Curri, Gjergj Fishta, Ibrahim Rugova and Lek Dukagjini boulevards.
Mandatory directions at several key intersections
Beyond the direct road closures, the official version also provides for mandatory traffic directions at a number of intersections, which is expected to further weigh on traffic during the morning and midday hours.
The measures also affect segments of the Middle Ring, Luigj Gurakuqi, Dibra, Barrikadave, Mine Peza, Vaso Pasha and Abdyl Frashëri streets. Mandatory directions have also been announced at junctions such as Elbasani Street with Zhan D’Ark Boulevard, the intersection of Dibra Street, 21 Dhjetori, Vasil Shanto, as well as links with Pjetër Bogdani, Adem Jashari and Ibrahim Rugova streets.
What happens to urban buses
The changes do not affect only private vehicles. Urban transport will also operate with diversions and partial suspensions, creating additional difficulties for residents traveling in Tirana on Sunday.
According to the announcement, lines 1/A and 1/B will be temporarily suspended. Line 2 will be diverted to Willson Square, line 3 to 21 Dhjetori and Karl Topia Square, while line 4 will also be diverted to Karl Topia Square. Lines 5/A and 10/A will be diverted to the Elbasani Street bridge, 5/B to Karl Topia Square, while line 6 will be diverted to Zogu I Boulevard.
Line 8 will be diverted to Elbasani Street and the Student City roundabout, line 9 will be temporarily suspended, while line 11 will also be suspended. Lines 12/A and 12/B will be diverted toward 21 Dhjetori, the Vasil Shanto bridge and the Arrow Buildings, with other parts of the route suspended. Lines 13, 15 and 16 are also affected by the changes, with line 16 temporarily suspended.
Ban also for some categories of vehicles
In addition to the restrictions on roads used by the event, the authorities have announced that on November 15, 2026, from 08:00 to 16:00, the circulation of mixed transport, technological and passenger transport vehicles will be banned within the outer ring, with the exception of urban city transport vehicles.
In practice, this means movement in Tirana will be conditioned across a wide area of the city, not only on the segments where the marathon takes place. For residents, this translates into the need to plan routes and travel time in advance.
The Tirana Marathon is holding its 10th edition this year, but beyond the sporting aspect, the weekend also brings a familiar test for traffic management in the capital.
Residents with planned travel in the city center and on connecting routes on Sunday will face numerous diversions, line suspensions and restrictions affecting a large part of the road network.