Tirana is the chameleon among European capitals, combining what doesn’t work elsewhere: Hustle and bustle and serenity, yesterday and tomorrow, the Mediterranean and the Central European. Here at the foot of the Dajti, the sun warms you all year round and provides a climate that certainly doesn’t make a visit dependent on the weather. Those who live here welcome strangers with open arms, as hospitality runs through the veins of the Albanians like the infamous raki, for which you would need a gun license elsewhere. Altin Mici has lived here for 20 years. Time to collect his tips.
Hotels in Tirana
Of course, you can stay in one of the big hotels in Tirana, such as the Hilton , the Plaza or the Mak Albania Hotel. But there are also cozier options, such as the Arté Boutique Hotel, located in the hipster district of Blloku, where there are now also many great private accommodations, or in one of the stylish apartments from Visionapartments. If you’re on a tight budget, a room at the Art Hostel Tirana is a better option.
Hilton, Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta 146, Tirana 1001, Albania, www.hilton.com
Plaza, Rruga 28 Nëntori 18, Tirana 1001, Albania, www.plazatirana.com
Mak Albania Hotel, Sheshi Italia 2, Tiranë 1019, Albania, www.makalbania.com
Arté Boutique Hotel, Rruga Ibrahim Rugova 32, Tirana, Albania, www.artehotel.com
Visionapartments, Rruga Murat Toptani, Ish Pallati Pionereve, Tirana 1001, Albania, www.visionapartments.com
Art Hostel Tirana, Rr. Vllazën Huta, No. 79 Tirana Tirana, 1017, Albania, www.arthosteltirana.com
Restaurants in Tirana
The concentrated energy of Albanian cuisine is concentrated in the Era restaurant, where köfte or traditionally spiced sausages are served alongside stuffed eggplant or hummus with pita. If the weather is right, a spot on the terrace of the Xheko Imperial is on our wish list. The halls of Padam, Tiku&Mato and Amor are more exquisite. The best cocktails are also mixed by the bartenders behind the counter at the Colonial, and the largest selection of Albanian raki can be found at the Komiteti Kafe Muzeum.
Era, Rruga Ismail Qemali, Tirana 1000, Albania, www.era.com
Xheko Imperial, Rruga Ibrahim Rugova Nr.56/H2 Tirana AL, 1019, Albania, www.xheko-imperial.com
Padam, Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II, Tirana, Albania, www.padam.com
Tiku&Mato, Pranë Kopshtit Zoologjik, Tiranë, Albania, www.tikumato.com
Amor, Rruga Komuna e Parisit, Nd.10, H.9, Tiranë 1022, Albania, www.facebook.com
Colonial, Rruga Pjetër Bogdani 3, Tiranë 1000, Albania, www.colonialtirana.com
Komiteti Kafe Muzeum, Rruga Fatmir Haxhiu, Tiranë, Albania, www.facebook.com
Shopping in Tirana
If the weather is not good enough for shopping, we recommend a trip to one of the two centers TEG or Coin , where major fashion brands as well as independent boutiques await you. Altin Mici ‘s store is to Tirana what the tailors on Savile Row are to London: tailor-made suits for every occasion. A great place to discover traditional crafts and Albanian designers is Kalaja e Tiranes, more village than shopping center.
TEG, Rruga Nacionale, Autostrada Tiranë – Elbasan, Tiranë 1045, Albania, www.teg.com
Coin, ABA Business Center, Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II, Tirana, Albania, www.instagram.com
Altin Mici, Rruga e Durrësit 11/1, Tirana 1001, Albania, www.altinmici.com
Kalaja e Tiranes, Murat Toptani St, Tirana, Albania,www.kalajaetiranes.com
Party in Tirana
When it gets dark, the streets in Blloku are full. This is where party animals and night owls come when they want to really step on the gas at the weekend. In the two best-known and best clubs in Albania, Lollipop and Folie, table reservations are mandatory. Afterwards, however, you party until dawn – or as long as your legs will carry you.
Lollipop, Rruga Pjetër Bogdani, Tiranë, Albania, www.instagram.com
Slide, Shëtitorja Murat Toptani, Tiranë, Albania, www.facebook.com
Quarters
It’s not just the hipsters who are concentrated in the Blloku district of Tirana, but also the boutiques and fashion stores where you can make good money. If you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city, take the one and a half hour drive and visit Mrizi I Zanave, the Hamptons of Tirana.
Must do
Taking the cable car up Mount Djat is for Tirana what a visit to the Eiffel Tower is for tourists in Paris.
Events
Tirana Photo Festival 2020
23. to 31.10.
The best photographers from local designers are exhibited for a week at the National History Museum.
Altin Mici
is a fashion designer.
loves good friends, good food and beauty.
hates dishonest, deceitful and hypocritical people.
www.altinmici.com