Et'hem Bey Mosque (Xhamia e Et'hem Beut) Tours and Tickets

Yes, many people visit Et’hem Bey Mosque (Xhamia e Et’hem Beut) on a tour. Located on Skanderbeg Square, right next to the 19th-century clock tower, the mosque is a popular stop on virtually all Tirana tour itineraries. If you’ve booked a city walking tour, chances are you’ll be visiting this small Ottoman-era mosque.

Et’hem Bey Mosque is very small, so your visit shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes—and that’s it you’re taking your time. If you’re in a rush, you can pop your head in and see the historic interior in five minutes.

As with all mosques, visitors are instructed to remove their shoes before entering Et’hem Bey Mosque. Women should cover their heads—veils are typically loaned to those without a scarf or shawl on hand—and dress modestly: keep shoulders, chests, and knees covered up. Men should wear long pants; leave the shorts and tank-tops at home.

Yes, a visit to Et’hem Bey Mosque is worth it. Not only is it one of Tirana’s oldest buildings, but the quaint mosque also features landscapes frescoes both inside and above the exterior doorway—a rarity in Islamic art. It is well worth a stop, especially as it’s centrally located.

Et’hem Bey Mosque typically remains open all day, so you can come when convenient; since tourists tend to make brief visits, it never feels particularly crowded. Just be sure to avoid Muslim prayer times, when it’s typically closed to visitors for around 45 minutes.

Yes, you can visit Et’hem Bey Mosque independently. While the mosque is still regularly used by worshippers, its caretakers are happy to show visitors around inside. That said, visiting with a guide is recommended if you’re interested in learning about Tirana’s Ottoman heritage or Albania’s turbulent modern history.