Bunk'Art 2
Bunk'Art 2
4.5
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Bunk'art 2 reconstructs the history of the Albanian Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1912 to 1991 and reveals the secrets of “Sigurimi”, the political police that was the harsh persecution weapon used by the regime of Enver Hoxha. Bunk'art 2 is the first major video museum exhibition dedicated to the victims of communist terror.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Bunk'Art 2
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,076 within 3 miles
Attractions
93 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Jason SMelbourne, Australia2,180 contributionsUnique experienceSuch a great thing to see and experience, smaller than BunkArt 1 but still very good to see. Being closer to city centre is much busier so see it early in the day if possible. Make sure you have cash as they didn’t accept card (hard to believe being a museum). Great insight in the history of the Albanian people.Hello dear, Thank you for your kind review and for your giving useful information to our potential visitors. We are glad you enjoyed your visit also at our museum. Best Regards KristianaWritten September 23, 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2023Traveled soloWritten September 22, 2023
- DukeHove, United Kingdom166 contributionsUnderground labyrinth hides a dark sinister pastBunk’Art 2, is the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that has recently transformed into an interactive museum and art space. Located on the main block of ministerial buildings in the city’s center, this underground shelter was hidden from the public eye until to its recent unveiling in 2015. Secretly built from 1981-86, beneath the Ministry of Internal Affairs along the city’s main boulevard, the underground structure was given the code name ‘Objekti Shtylla’ (Object Pole) in order to keep its construction undetected. This structure was held as a “great accomplishment” by the Communist regime. This bunker represents one of the last installments of Enver Hoxha’s paranoid ‘bunker project’ in Albania during the 1970s. The movement involved the creation of more than 700,000 bunkers across the country, and an even larger underground tunnel at the edge of the capital, which is now Bunk’Art 1. Bunk’Art 2 serves as a museum and history to the many Albanians who suffered (and died) during the regime. It’s a must to visit if you want to dig into the dark past of Albania.Hello dear, Thank you for your kind review and for your giving useful information to our potential visitors. We are glad you enjoyed your visit also at our museum. Best Regards KristianaWritten January 5, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 8, 2023
- ianx17489Inverurie, United Kingdom962 contributionsA must visit museum, with excellent details and explanations throughout.Excellent museum right in the centre of town. It gives a very detailed (perhaps too much if its busy...), overview of the troubled history that many ordinary people had to live and suffer through. To do the museum justice and read the majority of story boards will take well over an hour.... Quite aneye opener to see it all laid out in such graphic detail. Certainly a "must" visit if your in Tirana.Hello dear, Thank you for your kind review and for your giving useful information to our potential visitors. We are glad you enjoyed your visit also at our museum, we really hope you will visit us again at the near future. Best Regards KristianaWritten January 5, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 22, 2023
- CLSP62Sao Paulo, SP949 contributionsYou should read something about the Enver Hoxha regime before going there.The only reason why I don't rate it 5 is because the English translations of the very informative and interesting texts about the whole socialist period and its repression are so poor and unclear it makes you wanna cry. I have seen someone mentioning this somewhere. You guys, your admission fee should be enough for you to hire a NATIVE speaker who is a translation professional. Like someone said, e.g., when they are talking about torture, they use MEAT instead of flesh.,,, VERY conveniently located in the very city center.Hello, Thank you for your visit! We are glad that you liked the tour at our museum and sorry for any inconvenience about the translations inside. Hope to see you again in the near future, where we may add also some other futures. All the best, Kristiana.Written January 29, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2023Traveled soloWritten January 13, 2024
- SarnyBexleyheath, United Kingdom935 contributionsCommunist history explained very wellVery interesting and informative about the communist regime. I did not know much about the history before entering but found the information boards well written and easy to digest. Some of the rooms are very poignant and done well. Well worth a visit.Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 4, 2024
- AlexandraUnited States176 contributionsA Must-Visit in TiranaThis is a must visit if you are visiting Tirana. This museum does a wonderful job of shedding light on a very dark period of time for Albania. It’s so interesting to see the difference between the past once you step inside the bunker, and the present when you exit it. Highly recommend.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten March 7, 2024
- Neale1810Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom3,213 contributionsWell worth a visitWe had originally planned on visiting Bunk Art 1 near the cable car but it was closed on the day we were over in that part of Tirana. Bunk Art 2 is apparently much smaller but for most people it’s probably large enough to get a perspective of life in Albania over the past century. I thought the exhibits were fairly good and having all the commentary in English too allowed us to appreciate the contents. It’s a difficult story to tell but is done well. It’s just unbelievable what has gone on in this beautiful city. You won’t leave the exhibit particularly happy but you will know far more about Albania and its peopleVisited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 3, 2024
- ossie54_8Oxford, United Kingdom18 contributionsA great history lesson in a unique settingAn interesting journey through Albania's history, full of great information, and much bigger than I was expecting. Unfortunately we got caught up with a few tour parties, which made it quite a hectic, busy experience - hard to navigate and read everything you wanted and I skipped some rooms altogether as it was impossible to get into them. In quieter periods, I think this would be a better experience but still we enjoyed it.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten May 13, 2024
- Tahir Y81 contributionsOne of the Main Attraction in TiranaExcellent Tour of Bunk Art 2. Located just few footsteps from Main Skenderbeg Square and Behind Ethem Bey Mosque. It is the Mueseum of Albania and about the History. It is about the People of Albania and their Suffering from Different Times. Realized that they had a miserable History and suffered a lot. The Mueseum is displayed in underground and the Exhibitions in Many Different Rooms. When we there it was Wednesday and it was Crowded and it took about 30 mins to reach inside the Mueseum. May be because on Tuesday and Wedn sday the Bunk Art 1 is closed.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 31, 2024
- B RussellCalgary, Canada60 contributionsMust see museumBrilliant idea to use actual bunker as setting. So much to learn about what Albanian people had to endure during socialist/communist dictatorship of 40 years. Emotional in terms of impact on everyday life, families and living, dying, in brutal labour camps/prisons, torture. 40 years….and it ended only 33 years ago. Made me respect Albanians even more….Visited June 2024Traveled soloWritten June 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
815 reviews
Excellent
434
Very good
280
Average
71
Poor
17
Terrible
13
AlexSwallow
Sheffield, UK1,656 contributions
Aug 2021
The place itself was great and it is incredible how central it is, a stone's throw from Skanderbeg square, would totally recommend a visit.
The problem started when I tried to leave. I had a combined ticket for Bunk Art 1 and 2, we had already been to Bunk Art 1 (which seems logical to me!) and so didn't need to retain the ticket.
I was surprised when we got to the exit that to leave you needed to scan your ticket against a machine. I had scrunched mine up in my pocket as there had been no indication I would need it again. When I got to the exit it didn't work. The member of staff (who didn't speak much English) just told me it didn't work. I thought great, but surely you can let me out? To my surprise, he told me I'd had to go all the way back to the entrance and ask for a new ticket. He also took my ticket off me. I went back to the entrance, which wasn't much fun as it was quite crowded and I had to shout to the attendant to help me as I was stuck the other side of the barrier. She asked to see my ticket. I told her that her colleague had taken it off me. She told me to go and get it. At this point I'd had enough- not only did I not want to go all the way back (my wife was waiting outside) but her colleague was unlikely to understand me. I told her to tell her colleague to bring it. She went and spoke to him on the phone. She told me that she had sorted it with him and that although he couldn't leave his post he would give me the ticket to give to her. I went all the way back. He didn't seem to know what was going on at all. He asked me for my ticket. I told him he had my ticket (actually he'd given it to my wife). In the end he let me out, so he could have done it from the beginning.
I then went back into the entrance from the outside to explain to the lady at the front what had happened so that she wouldn't think I was rude and would know the situation was sorted. She was surprised to see me- it turned out they had thought because I had a ticket for both venues I needed it back, when all I had needed was to get out!
All an unnecessary palaver. I don't mind at all if they don't speak English, but not letting people out of the facility when they want (it is underground, lucky I'm not claustrophobic) isn't a good idea and I think the staff should be retrained if they don't realise this.
The problem started when I tried to leave. I had a combined ticket for Bunk Art 1 and 2, we had already been to Bunk Art 1 (which seems logical to me!) and so didn't need to retain the ticket.
I was surprised when we got to the exit that to leave you needed to scan your ticket against a machine. I had scrunched mine up in my pocket as there had been no indication I would need it again. When I got to the exit it didn't work. The member of staff (who didn't speak much English) just told me it didn't work. I thought great, but surely you can let me out? To my surprise, he told me I'd had to go all the way back to the entrance and ask for a new ticket. He also took my ticket off me. I went back to the entrance, which wasn't much fun as it was quite crowded and I had to shout to the attendant to help me as I was stuck the other side of the barrier. She asked to see my ticket. I told her that her colleague had taken it off me. She told me to go and get it. At this point I'd had enough- not only did I not want to go all the way back (my wife was waiting outside) but her colleague was unlikely to understand me. I told her to tell her colleague to bring it. She went and spoke to him on the phone. She told me that she had sorted it with him and that although he couldn't leave his post he would give me the ticket to give to her. I went all the way back. He didn't seem to know what was going on at all. He asked me for my ticket. I told him he had my ticket (actually he'd given it to my wife). In the end he let me out, so he could have done it from the beginning.
I then went back into the entrance from the outside to explain to the lady at the front what had happened so that she wouldn't think I was rude and would know the situation was sorted. She was surprised to see me- it turned out they had thought because I had a ticket for both venues I needed it back, when all I had needed was to get out!
All an unnecessary palaver. I don't mind at all if they don't speak English, but not letting people out of the facility when they want (it is underground, lucky I'm not claustrophobic) isn't a good idea and I think the staff should be retrained if they don't realise this.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you for visiting Bunk'art 2 during your recent trip to Tirana.
We are sorry to hear about the misunderstood situation that has occured, inthe museum. We will keep that in mind.
As visitors satisfaction is what we strive for and we are pleased to learn that our exhibition met your expectations.
We are looking forward to welcome you back in any future visit in Tirana.
Sincerely,
Kristiana.
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beatriz M
Düsseldorf, Germany5,677 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Great museum. I think if you are in Tirana, in one day you can visit both Bunkart museums and Dajiti cable car and do a little tour of the center of the city if you start early. Trust me, I did this. I recommend visiting Bunkart 1 before Bunkart 2 though, because it explains the whole history of recent Albania, whereas Bunkart 2 is more focused on the secret services and forced labour camps, torture, prisoners during the dictatorship. Very interesting museum with videos of survivors. You can spend a lot of time there, really. 2 hours. It makes you reflect about a lot of things! Great for anyone who is into politics, human rights.
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello dear,
Thank you for your visit, your kind feedback and for your helpful information, which may help our potential visitors.
Hope you visit us again in the near future!
Wishing you all the best!
Kind Regards,
Kristiana.
Written October 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Terence B
East Sussex, UK268 contributions
Sep 2022
Too crowded...hot, sweaty, claustophobic....nevertheless very interesting insight into Albanian history, and there is a lot of information to take in. If you are 60+ there is a discounted entry price (300LEK not the adult price of 500LEK)...plus you may be able to book online because several people pushed past us in the queue brandishing tickets.
Written September 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you for your visit and your feedback regarding our museum.
We feel sorry if you faced any inconvenience in our museum.
At the moment the tickets can be bought only at the ticket office.
Feel free to visit us again and be our guest!
Best regards,
Kristiana
Written October 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Imogen
London, UK114 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
Bunk’art 2 is located right in the centre of Tirana, just 30 seconds walk from Skenderbeg Square. Based inside a real communist era bunker, it tells the story of the Sigurimi and the terror the Albanian people endured during the communist times. The price is reasonable and good value for money.
It was very informative, with information in both Albanian and English. The exhibits are extremely moving and stayed with me for a long time afterwards. If you want to understand the modern history of Albania, this is the place to start.
But a warning - if you are claustrophobic this might not be for you. Since I went on my own even I got a bit scared at points! :)
It was very informative, with information in both Albanian and English. The exhibits are extremely moving and stayed with me for a long time afterwards. If you want to understand the modern history of Albania, this is the place to start.
But a warning - if you are claustrophobic this might not be for you. Since I went on my own even I got a bit scared at points! :)
Written December 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear imogentraveller1,
We have read with pleasure your positive review about your recent visit at Bunk'art 2. We really appreciate all your kind comments regarding our museum. Thank you also for providing useful details about the bunker to other potential visitors. We hope to welcome you back soon in a near future.
Sincerely,
Kristiana.
Written December 7, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Harry R
Ramat Hasharon, Israel391 contributions
May 2022
Chilling historical tour of the dictatorship era of post WWII Albania in the underground bunker built for the Ministry of the Interior.
Being underground the oppressiveness of of the security apparatus is vividly and emotionally experienced.
Some of our group had to cut the visit short nd go up for air.
Very impressive and worthwhile.
Being underground the oppressiveness of of the security apparatus is vividly and emotionally experienced.
Some of our group had to cut the visit short nd go up for air.
Very impressive and worthwhile.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello dear,
We have read with pleasure your positive review about your recent visit at Bunk'art 2.
We really appreciate all your kind comments regarding our museum.
Kind Regards
Kristiana
Written July 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Luca N
Brindisi, Italy218 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
The ticket office doesn't accept payment by card.
We're not particularly surprised, nobody does. Even though... Even a museum?
The price for the whole family is 22.000 lek. We only have euros. "Ok, 22 euros then".
We have been dealing with this crooked "1 to 1" conversion system for 2 weeks now,and we don't mind paying a little extra to local activities.
But a museum, a place of cultural promotion, replying (literally) "we are not an exchange office"?
No, thank you.
Too bad, this was supposed to be the highlight of our stop in Tirana, but all the same, bye bye.
We're not particularly surprised, nobody does. Even though... Even a museum?
The price for the whole family is 22.000 lek. We only have euros. "Ok, 22 euros then".
We have been dealing with this crooked "1 to 1" conversion system for 2 weeks now,and we don't mind paying a little extra to local activities.
But a museum, a place of cultural promotion, replying (literally) "we are not an exchange office"?
No, thank you.
Too bad, this was supposed to be the highlight of our stop in Tirana, but all the same, bye bye.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you for your review.
We have made notifications about the payment that is only cash possible everywhere.
You can also check it before you enter to our museum.
As for the payment in Euros it is 1 to 1, there is a notification on the office table as well.
If you are planing to visit us in the near future do not hesitate to contact us at our email bunkart2@gmail.com where we can give you further information about your visit or by phone at our official phone number: 067 207 2905.
Have a good day!
All the best,
Kristiana
Written January 5, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SrAl90
111 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Very good museum. The place is really interesting and how they explain that times tragedy mixed with the ambience makes the place unique.
The normal ticket is 700lek per person, a price everybody can afford in this must see.
The normal ticket is 700lek per person, a price everybody can afford in this must see.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello dear,
Thank you for your kind review and for your giving useful information to our potential visitors.
We are glad you enjoyed your visit also at our museum.
Best Regards
Kristiana
Written September 23, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CLSP62
Sao Paulo, SP949 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
The only reason why I don't rate it 5 is because the English translations of the very informative and interesting texts about the whole socialist period and its repression are so poor and unclear it makes you wanna cry. I have seen someone mentioning this somewhere. You guys, your admission fee should be enough for you to hire a NATIVE speaker who is a translation professional. Like someone said, e.g., when they are talking about torture, they use MEAT instead of flesh.,,,
VERY conveniently located in the very city center.
VERY conveniently located in the very city center.
Written January 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Thank you for your visit!
We are glad that you liked the tour at our museum and sorry for any inconvenience about the translations inside.
Hope to see you again in the near future, where we may add also some other futures.
All the best,
Kristiana.
Written January 30, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dusko M
Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia71 contributions
May 2021 • Family
the place is really fun, especially for the kids, the short history of the albanian interior ministry and the work of their spy service. plenty of exhibits and nicely decorated rooms that further enhance the impression. staff very friendly
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Visitor,
Glad to know you had a good time in our video- exhibition.
We wish to visit us again in a near future.
Sincerely,
Enkeleda
Written May 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,657 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
We stopped by the BunkArt2, which is located towards the city center, nearby the mosque and large horseman statue. The entrance is just like going into a bunker. So much history there, not at the holocaust museum level, but somewhat similar according to their history. Well worth visiting.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Visitor,
Thank you so much for your kind review.
We really hope to visit us again.
All the best to you!
Enkeleda
Written October 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Where can I buy a ticket? And is it still 500 lek?
Written March 8, 2024
You can pay on entry. Get a combo ticket if you plan on visiting BunkArt 1 & BunkArt 2 as it works out cheaper.
Written April 7, 2024
Apparently as of the 28th of august 2023, it's only cash
Written August 28, 2023
If you have visited BunkArt1, is it worth visiting BunkArt2 as well? Or do they show pretty much the same thing n different locations?
Thanks!
Written August 15, 2021
We didn’t get to BunkArt1, but I believe it’s different enough to warrant a visit, it’s close to Mount Dajti. You can also take a short taxi ride to Ceren Ishmet Shehu, a great restaurant nearby. Those 3 can fill up a good portion of your day.
Written August 16, 2021
Hello, how and where to buy a ticket for this museum? What is the price?
Written November 17, 2019
Found it. It is 500 lek for all.
Written November 17, 2019
Is it ok for children to visit it? Thank you !
Written July 3, 2019
Bunk'Art 2
Tirana, Albania
Hello,
Thank you for asking us.
Yes is suitable even for children.
Greetings,
Enkeleda
Written July 13, 2019
Bunk'Art 2
Tirana, Albania
Hello,
On Google you have a lot of information about our city.
Greetings,
Enkeleda
Written July 13, 2019
Bunk'Art 2
Tirana, Albania
Hello there,
Thank you for asking us.
Bunk'Art 2 is a museum.
All the best,
Enkeleda
Written July 13, 2019
Showing results 1-7 of 7
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing