Albania hosts historic start of Giro d’Italia 2025: Tirana prepares for traffic changes

For the first time in its 108-year history, the prestigious Giro d’Italia officially starts in Albania. Stage one of the 2025 race begins today at 13:10 from the Port of Durrës, launching a historic three-stage Albanian leg before continuing into Italy and concluding in Rome on May 25.

Why is this important: This milestone not only puts Albania in the international spotlight but also underlines its growing capabilities in hosting major global sporting events. The Giro is expected to boost tourism, promote local infrastructure, and elevate Albania’s profile on the world stage.

Public safety and traffic disruptions in Tiranë

Tirana Road Police Services and the police stations under the Tirana Police Directorate have taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth running of the international event “Giro d’Italia,” as well as to guarantee public safety during the two days in which the event will take place in Tirana.

A special briefing was held early this morning for police officers, with a strong emphasis on strict adherence to duty, ensuring security along the race itinerary, and offering guidance and assistance to citizens.

The Tirana Police Directorate urges all citizens and vehicle drivers to show understanding and cooperation in respecting these temporary restrictions, which are crucial to holding the race in optimal safety conditions. The police highlight that the success of the race reflects directly on Albania’s global image.

Stage 1: Durrës to Tiranë – May 9: The race officially begins at 13:10 from the Port of Durrës. Cyclists will warm up along a neutral zone before reaching KM 0 in Durrës, the true race start point. From there, the route winds through key cities and towns, including Mali i Robit, Kavajë, Rrogozhinë, Peqin, Papër, Bradashesh, Gracen, Mullet, and Sauk.

In Tiranë, riders will loop between Surrel, Rruga “Xhanfize Keko,” Bulevardi “Dëshmorët e Kombit,” and back, completing the stage at around 17:03 at “Nënë Tereza” Square.

Road closures and parking restrictions:

📍 SH3 Road (from Gracen village to the TEG roundabout)

📍 TEG roundabout to the Sanatorium roundabout

📍 Elbasan Street

📍 “Bajram Curri” Boulevard

📍 “Ali Shefqeti” Street

📍 “Alajdin Frashëri” Street

📍 Rexhekri Street

📍 “Muhamet Deliu” Street, up to the Fresku roundabout

📍 “Sotir Çaci” Street

📍 “Xhanfize Keko” Street

📍 “Arkitekt Kasemi” Street

📍 “Zhan D’Ark” Boulevard

📍 “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard

📍 Inside the former Republican Guard compound

📍 Street behind the Palace of Culture

📍 “Dëshmorët e 4 Shkurtit” Street

Residential areas with restricted access:

📍 The residential area connected to “Papa Gjon Pali” street will not have access to exit during the hours of 13:00–18:00. The affected streets are: Dervish Hima, Asim Zeneli, Themistokli Gërmeni, Ismail Qemali, Mustafa Matohiti, Jul Variboba, and Fatmir Haxhiu.

📍 The New Bazaar area and Hoxha Tahsim street will not have access to connect with Zhan D’Ark Boulevard but will only have access via Dibra Street, 📍 Pharmacy 10, and exit to the eastern highway.

📍 The area of Student City, Hygiene, the Ballet School, the former electrical market, and Ali Demi will have access to exit via Pasho Hysa Street and Pjetër Budi Street, which connect to Agush Gjegjevica Street, leading to the eastern ring road.

📍 The Kodra e Priftit area will not have access to exit the perimeter due to road closures between 13:00–18:00.

📍 The areas of New Tirana and the Blloku neighborhood will have exit access via Kristo Luarasi Street, the lake dam, and exit to Selita.

📍 The areas of Myslym Shyri Street and Kavaja Street will have exit access via the embassy road, in the direction of Zogu I Boulevard and Mine Peza Street.

Stage 2: Tiranë Circuit – May 10: Tomorrow, Tiranë will host a city circuit beginning at 13:30 in Skanderbeg Square. The peloton will move through “Gjergj Fishta” Boulevard, “Bajram Curri” Boulevard, and then to “Nënë Tereza” Square. The route continues along Elbasan Road toward Sauk and loops back via “Bajram Curri,” through Brryli Bridge and down “Dëshmorët e Kombit.” The finish is again at “Nënë Tereza” Square, expected at 17:15.

Road segments parking ban (08:00–11:00):

📍 “Zogu i Zi” and along the route: Rruga e Durrësit, Fortuzi Street, Dervish Hatixhe Street, Barrikadave Street, and the road behind the Palace of Culture (used for team accommodations).

Affected road segments: traffic and parking ban (10:00–18:00):

📍 “Skanderbeg Square”

📍 “Urani Pano” Street

📍 “Dedë Gjo Luli” Street

📍 “Ibrahim Rugova” Street

📍 “Deshmorët e 4 Shkurtit” Street

📍 “Gjergj Fishta” Boulevard

📍 “Muhamet Gjollesha” Street

📍 “Bajram Curri” Boulevard

📍 “Ibrahim Rugova” Street (again)

📍 “Lek Dukagjini” Street

📍 “Dervish Hima” Street

📍 Elbasan Street – Sauk Roundabout

📍 “Abdyl Frashëri” Street

📍 “Zogu I” Boulevard up to “Fortuzi” Street

📍 The road behind the Palace of Culture, designated for event vehicle staging.

Residential blocks with restricted access:

📍 Residential areas connected to “Papa Gjon Pali” Street will not have exit access during 10:00–18:00. Streets affected: Dervish Hima, Asim Zeneli, Themistokli Gërmeni, Ismail Qemali, Mustafa Matohiti, Jul Variboba, and Fatmir Haxhiu.

📍 The block on “Free Ukraine” Street (Ukraina e Lirë) will also have no exit access from 10:00–18:00.

Traffic diversion guidance:

📍 The New Bazaar area and Hoxha Tahsim Street will not have access to Zhan D’Ark Boulevard, but will have access via Dibra Street, 📍 Pharmacy 10, and the eastern highway, as well as Barrikadave Street.

📍 Kavaja Street and Myslym Shyri Street will connect to the New Tirana area only via Dritan Hoxha Street, toward the New Ring Road and vice versa.

📍 The Student City, Hygiene, Ballet School, former electrical market, and Ali Demi areas have access to Pasho Hysa Street and Pjetër Budi Street, which connect to Agush Gjegjevica Street leading to the eastern ring road. They also have access toward the Shkoza roundabout and the Kodra e Priftit area.

Stage 3: Vlorë to Vlorë – May 11: The third and final Albanian stage begins at 13:15 from Vlorë’s Lungomare. Cyclists will proceed to KM 0 on Rruga “Demokracia,” then head toward Kota, Brataj, Qeparo, Porto Palermo, and Himarë. The route includes a climb over Qafa e Llogarasë before descending to Orikum and finishing along “Murat Tërbaçi” Street. The stage is expected to end at 17:26 on “Sadik Zotaj” Street.