We were only here for a short time but I can definitely make some recommendations based on my experience there.
For less than €30 per night, we had a full apartment with small kitchen, stove tops, washing machine and dryer. The service was second to none - we were invited for a coffee or a raki at their offices, the latter we took up the offer. The apartment was very comfortable and in quite a good location. Be aware that the location on the booking sites is for the head offices. Our apartment was located near the gymnasium on the other side of the river.
There's a number 1 nearby, but number 2 is the one that came up on all best restaurant searches. They looked quite similar from the outside but we went to number 2. The menu was all in Albanian but the waiter kindly gave us some recommendations. We chose the chicken wings and a local Tiranian plate which turned out to be a local dish, some steamed veggies and of course a half carafe of wine. We were given complimentary bread which was light and fluffy.
The food was incredible. I cannot describe how tasty the local dish was, just that I couldn't get enough of it and was mopping up the sauce with my bread. The wine was so cheap, about €2.50 for a half carafe so we ordered another. The veggies were done with lemon and had a great zing to them, and the chicken wings - always messy, were delicious too. We found out later that chicken is a bit of a delicacy here as the staple meat for years was pork or beef.
Our whole meal came to about €12 including tip. Divine!
Kolonat
Albanian fast food, this company used to have a logo rather similar to some very famous Golden Arches with many things on the menu quite similar. Also does pizza. A cheeseburger will cost you 200lek and a meal with drink and fries 400lek. Some of the appeal is now lost because the logo has changed but if you're in the area, it is interesting to see their fast food. Cash only, the only one we found was located near pyramid.
This starts outside the Opera House everyday at 10am and lasts between 2-2.5 hours. It's a great way to get your bearings on the centre of the city - and was an utterly fascinating way to get a first hand account of what living in the city is like now and what it was like under communist control. Highly recommend. Our tour guide Gazi, who organises the tours (Altho he may have other guides on other days) was incredible, quickly humorous and super knowledgable.
Bunkart 1 and 2
We only had time to visit one of the two, and the recommendation was to do 1 over 2. It's a bit complicated to get to - you have to go to the main bus station on the other side of the main square (behind the mosque) and then catch a blue bus headed towards Porcelan. Tickets are purchased onboard are 40Lek. The bus stops right infront of the Bunkart. Well worth a visit, the walls are adorned with historical information as well as art, and shows what it would have been like had there been a nuclear attack on Tirana. Tickets cost 500lek to enter. Note that the site closes at 4pm and you'll need at least 2 hours inside.
Bunkart 2 is in the middle of the city and is open to 6, so is more convenient but apparently not as interesting, but a good option if you can't get to the other.
Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
The longest cable car in the Balkans, the journey from base to top takes a full 15 minutes and the start is very close to Bunkart 1. It is open until 7pm. Amazing views of the city (Altho it because very far away the higher you go) as well as the lush green mountainside. At the top are a few restaurants and hiking trails. Return tickets cost €6.
National Art Museum
This was a surprising addition and one we are so glad we popped into. Located near Bunkart 2, the gallery is full of communist propaganda art and shows an amazing insight into how the communist regime brainwashed its citizens. Tickets cost 200lek, and you'll need approximately 30-60 minutes here.
Climb the Pyramid
No visit to Tirana is complete without scaling the pyramid. Initially a museum to the dead communist leader built by his daughter, it was turned into a cultural centre and then left to ruin. People now scale it for a free view over Tirana and also a place to hang out. You need non-slippery shoes and the third slope around is the least steep. Note: I am not condoning anyone climbing this structure and am not responsible for any injuries sustained in the attempt.
Try Raki!
Albanian raki is quite different from the spirit made in other countries as the country because completely closed off so they developed their own recipes and flavours.
Accommodation
Choose Balkans ApartmentsFor less than €30 per night, we had a full apartment with small kitchen, stove tops, washing machine and dryer. The service was second to none - we were invited for a coffee or a raki at their offices, the latter we took up the offer. The apartment was very comfortable and in quite a good location. Be aware that the location on the booking sites is for the head offices. Our apartment was located near the gymnasium on the other side of the river.
Restaurants
Tek Zgara Tirones 2There's a number 1 nearby, but number 2 is the one that came up on all best restaurant searches. They looked quite similar from the outside but we went to number 2. The menu was all in Albanian but the waiter kindly gave us some recommendations. We chose the chicken wings and a local Tiranian plate which turned out to be a local dish, some steamed veggies and of course a half carafe of wine. We were given complimentary bread which was light and fluffy.
The food was incredible. I cannot describe how tasty the local dish was, just that I couldn't get enough of it and was mopping up the sauce with my bread. The wine was so cheap, about €2.50 for a half carafe so we ordered another. The veggies were done with lemon and had a great zing to them, and the chicken wings - always messy, were delicious too. We found out later that chicken is a bit of a delicacy here as the staple meat for years was pork or beef.
Our whole meal came to about €12 including tip. Divine!
Kolonat
Albanian fast food, this company used to have a logo rather similar to some very famous Golden Arches with many things on the menu quite similar. Also does pizza. A cheeseburger will cost you 200lek and a meal with drink and fries 400lek. Some of the appeal is now lost because the logo has changed but if you're in the area, it is interesting to see their fast food. Cash only, the only one we found was located near pyramid.
Things to do
Free walking tourThis starts outside the Opera House everyday at 10am and lasts between 2-2.5 hours. It's a great way to get your bearings on the centre of the city - and was an utterly fascinating way to get a first hand account of what living in the city is like now and what it was like under communist control. Highly recommend. Our tour guide Gazi, who organises the tours (Altho he may have other guides on other days) was incredible, quickly humorous and super knowledgable.
Bunkart 1 and 2
We only had time to visit one of the two, and the recommendation was to do 1 over 2. It's a bit complicated to get to - you have to go to the main bus station on the other side of the main square (behind the mosque) and then catch a blue bus headed towards Porcelan. Tickets are purchased onboard are 40Lek. The bus stops right infront of the Bunkart. Well worth a visit, the walls are adorned with historical information as well as art, and shows what it would have been like had there been a nuclear attack on Tirana. Tickets cost 500lek to enter. Note that the site closes at 4pm and you'll need at least 2 hours inside.
Bunkart 2 is in the middle of the city and is open to 6, so is more convenient but apparently not as interesting, but a good option if you can't get to the other.
Dajti Ekspres Cable Car
The longest cable car in the Balkans, the journey from base to top takes a full 15 minutes and the start is very close to Bunkart 1. It is open until 7pm. Amazing views of the city (Altho it because very far away the higher you go) as well as the lush green mountainside. At the top are a few restaurants and hiking trails. Return tickets cost €6.
National Art Museum
This was a surprising addition and one we are so glad we popped into. Located near Bunkart 2, the gallery is full of communist propaganda art and shows an amazing insight into how the communist regime brainwashed its citizens. Tickets cost 200lek, and you'll need approximately 30-60 minutes here.
Climb the Pyramid
No visit to Tirana is complete without scaling the pyramid. Initially a museum to the dead communist leader built by his daughter, it was turned into a cultural centre and then left to ruin. People now scale it for a free view over Tirana and also a place to hang out. You need non-slippery shoes and the third slope around is the least steep. Note: I am not condoning anyone climbing this structure and am not responsible for any injuries sustained in the attempt.
Try Raki!
Albanian raki is quite different from the spirit made in other countries as the country because completely closed off so they developed their own recipes and flavours.
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