Tirana

Tirana, Albania

Tirana is a mixture of Western Europe and old Russia, interspersed with influences from the Middle East. The city has overcome its recent troubled past and risen as a gem of Eastern Europe. The modern Tirana is full of restaurants, nightlife and hotels, and has rediscovered itself and become an energetic, vibrant and cosmopolitan city that it is worth exploring.

Population:

City: 420, 000

Currency:

1 Lek = 100 qindarka

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 129
Ambulance: 127

Opening Hours:

Opening hours vary, but shops are generally open between 9am and 6pm. Some shops are closed on Saturdays while others are closed on Sundays.

Newspapers:

Tirana Times
Albanian Daily News

The City

The 1992 elections in Albania ended 47 years of communist rule. The shaking off of the restrictive weight of the communist regime is expressed in the attitudes of freedom and fun found in the Albanian people, and the untamed colour schemes of the newly redecorated buildings here are a visual demonstration of this energetic rebirth. The oppression that stifled life here for years has been discarded and a "new lease on life" attitude is evident in this city.

Tirana itself is an enticing mix of stern Soviet Bloc cement buildings, Ottoman minarets and 1930's Italian architecture, which juxtapose the wild colour schemes of newer buildings that have been redecorated by local artists. The religious buildings in Tirana are a wonderful mix of Christian and Muslim shrines, which speaks to its varied heritage and multi-cultural present. There is also a pulsing nightlife scene and Tirana is famous for its all night café culture.

Do & See

Old Communist Regime relics have become popular tourist attractions and are a severe reminder of the recent past. Street signs are still up and coming as tourism develops here. If you ask a local for directions they are given in terms of landmarks. The addresses listed in this guide are often street names only – building numbers do not exist universally here.

Dining

Tirana has a number of versatile dining options. European cuisine, especially the Italian, has gained great influence because of Italy's relationship with Albania. There are many traditional Albanian food outlets to choose from, too.

Cafés

Visiting cafés is one of the most popular pastime of many locals and all throughout the day and well into the evening people are sipping expresso and chatting with friends. The neighbourhood Blloku is currently the hub of café culture in Tirana and here you will see people often sit for hours drinking and gossiping. After a long day of sightseeing, grab a cup of coffee and relax with the locals at one of the many cosy cafés the city has on offer.