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Tirana
Day One:
Our adventure in Tirana began with a bus ride from Montenegro (which you can read about here), where we shared a brief but memorable encounter with a fellow passenger. Despite the language barrier, a simple request to borrow our phone charger and an exchange of smiles, nods, and chewing gum was all it took to form a fleeting bond. It’s moments like these that make travel feel so universally human.
When we arrived at the Tirana bus station, we were immediately greeted by a swarm of taxi drivers offering rides. Politely declining, we started the 45-minute walk to our apartment. However, the state of the bus station left a lasting impression—crumbling infrastructure, overfilled bins, and even rats scurrying nearby. Realising it was already 10:00pm, we opted for a taxi, negotiating a fare of €8. After a bit of back and forth, we got our change from a €10 note and continued on to our street.
Once there, we encountered some difficulty finding our apartment, but once we did, it was a relief to discover it was quite nice. After dropping off our bags, we ventured out in search of food, using our basic Albanian skills to order a meal despite the language barrier. A quick stop at a nearby Spar for coffee rounded off our night as we headed back to rest up, ready to explore Tirana the next day.
Day Two:
On our second day in Tirana, we set out to explore the heart of the city—Skanderbeg Square. Just a short 10-minute walk from our apartment, we were immediately struck by how Tirana’s architecture reflects its rich history. Ottoman, Soviet, and modern buildings stand side by side, showcasing the city's diverse past and rapid transformation.
Realising we needed printed tickets for our return trip to Montenegro, we found a print shop, despite it being Eid. The shop owner was incredibly kind and printed our tickets for free, he was actually just about to close as he was only there to sort some bits out before heading out to celebrate the public holiday so we were really taken aback by his friendliness and hospitality! We also noticed that he was playing some awesome metal music—perfect for us as fellow metalheads, bonding over our love of music. We chatted with him some more, and he recommended a visit to the old bazaar and suggested some local food to try too.
With that in mind, we headed off to replace Bob’s broken backpack and dive into an Albanian food tour!
After filling up on delicious Albanian food our adventure continued with a visit to the iconic Tirana Pyramid, followed by a stroll through the local spots and just generally being in awe of such a beautiful city!
As evening fell, the city truly came to life. The streets lit up with vibrant lights, and we found ourselves enjoying a relaxing evening at a café. Tirana’s nighttime atmosphere was lively, yet safe, and the warmth of the people made the experience even better. It was a day full of great discoveries and positive vibes!
Day Three:
On our final day in Tirana, we decided to explore the more residential areas, stepping away from the usual tourist spots to experience the city’s laid-back suburban life. The peaceful atmosphere in the suburbs offered a refreshing change from the bustling heart of the city. We always enjoy getting a glimpse of everyday life, and this was no exception.
But soon, it was time to head back to the notorious bus station. As we vlogged our experience, we shared our thoughts, urging the people of Albania to demand better conditions at the station. Despite receiving some backlash, our goal was to inspire change, knowing that even as a small channel, our voice might reach the right audience. Tirana is such a beautiful city, and it deserves better representation.
Reflecting on our time in Tirana, we were thrilled with our visit. The city had so much to offer, and we left with fond memories. We can’t wait to return to Albania in the future, especially after hearing so many recommendations for other must-see places around the country from the helpful people of Albania who had kindly taken the time to watch our videos and give us useful feedback! ❤️🇦🇱
We headed back to Podgorica heading straight to our apartment to sleep for the final day before our trip back to England, want to read about that? You can find it here.
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