Expatriates Forums in Albania

NIGHTLIFE IN ALBANIA / ALBANIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Albania Info — Fri May 04, 2007 8:21 am

Author: Albania Info

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:21 am

NIGHTLIFE IN ALBANIA

GENERAL

Tirana's nightlife scene has dramatically changed recently, with some great new clubs and even a clubbing organisation. Tirana may not be one of Europe's nightlife hotspots yet, but it's certainly improving fast. The fun starts with the lively xhiro (mass evening stroll) ending at the bllok's bustling cafes and bars. Cultural life takes the form of theatre, opera and concerts. Albanians prefer sipping coffee to serious drinking, and foreign types are often the only sad souls knocking back the hard stuff.

The new English-language www.TiranaByNight.com website is an excellent new initiative exploring and promoting nightlife in Tirana. The site has photos of parties and events, a fast-growing web community, information about clubs and bars and TbN also organises its own parties, inviting foreign and local DJs to Tirana.

PLACES TO UNWIND

Buda Bar
Rr. Ismail Qemali,
Tirana
Tel: +355 68 205-8825

Calvin
Rr. Elbasanit 118/1,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 379-999

Charl's Bistro
Rr. Pjeter Bogdani,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 242-272

Flex Bar
Rr. Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit 56/2,
near the Sky Tower,
Tirana
Tel: +355 68 229-0152

Insomnia
Rr. Ismail Qemali,
Tirana
Tel: +355 69 212-7001

Living Room
Rr. Punëtorët e Rilindjes 16,
near Parliament,
Tirana
Tel: +355 69 203-3224

Rosafa Palace
Rr. Arkitekt Kasemi,
Ish Markata,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 343-656

Venue Dance Club
Rr. Sadik Petrela 20,
Tirana
Tel: +355 68 301-2113
Website: www.venuedanceclub.com

Wine Shop
Rr. Hoxha Tasin,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 264-347

FOOD & DINING IN ALBANIA / ALBANIA DINING GUIDE

Albania Info — Fri May 04, 2007 8:09 am

Author: Albania Info

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:09 am

FOOD & DINING IN ALBANIA

GENERAL

The Albanian cuisine, as the Balkans in general, has primarily a Turkish influence in its cuisine. This influence stems from over 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region. Recent influences after the fall of communism in the early 1990's has been from Italy and generally Western Europe. Most of what is available in neighbouring countries such as Greece and Italy will be available in Albania, particularly in the larger cities. Private restaurants are appearing rapidly in Albania. In the more popular places, it is necessary to reserve a table and to be punctual.

National specialties

• Fërgesë tirane, a hot fried dish of meat, liver, eggs and tomatoes, and tavë kosi or tavë elbasani, a mutton and yogurt dish.

• The koran, a trout from Lake Ohrid and the Shkodra carp.

• In summer, tarator, a cold yogurt and cucumber soup, is particularly refreshing.

• Popular Albanian desserts include oshaf, a fig and sheep’s milk pudding, cakes soaked in honey and candied fruits or reçel.

• Guests of honour are quite often presented with a baked sheep’s head.

• A favourite in the south is kukurec (stuffed sheep’s intestines).

• Continental breakfasts are usually served in hotels, but in the country the Albanian breakfast of pilaf (rice) or paça (a wholesome soup made from animals’ innards) may not be to everyone’s taste.

National drinks

• All bars and restaurants serve raki, local red and white wines and different liqueurs.

• The Albanian cognac, with its distinctive aroma, is also popular.

• Many imported drinks can also be found, including Austrian canned beer, Macedonian wine and ouzo from Greece.

• Turkish coffee (kafe Turke) is popular with Albanians, but many bars also serve Italian espresso (ekspres).

Tipping: Previously frowned upon by the authorities, tips are gratefully received in restaurants or for any service provided.

PLACES TO DINE

Apollonia
Blv. Deshmoret e Kombit,
Rogner Hotel,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 235-035

Berlin
Rr. Vaso Pasha 7,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 273-863

Era
Rr. Ismail Qemali,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 257805
Email: era_delivery@yahoo.com

Espagna
Rr. Nikolla Tupe 5/9,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 240-771

Green House
Rr. Jul Varibova 16,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 251-015

London
Blv. Zogu I, 51,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 238851

Metropolitan
Sheshi Italia,
Sheraton Hotel,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 274-707

Napoli
Rr. Durresit 2,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 231-567
Website: www.restorantnapoli.com

Patisserie Francaise
Rr. Dëshmorët e 4 Shkurtit, 1,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 251-336

Piazza
Rr. Ded Gjo Luli 1,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 230-706
Website: www.kompaniabardha.com

Primavera
Rr. Pjetër Bogdani 7,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 260737

Qendra Stefan
Rr. Hoxha Tasim 1,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 234-748

Rozafa
Rr. Luigj Gurakuqi 2,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 239-114
Website: www.rozafa.com.al

Sarajet
Rr. Abdi Topani,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 243-038

Serendipity Café
Rr. Dëshmorët e 4 Shkurtit, 21,
next to Hotel President,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 259-377

Sky Club
Rr. Dëshmorët e 4 Shkurtit, 5,
Sky Tower,
Tirana
Tel: +355 4 221-666

SHOPPING IN ALBANIA / ALBANIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Albania Info — Fri May 04, 2007 7:15 am

Author: Albania Info

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 7:15 am

SHOPPING IN ALBANIA

General

Special purchases include carpets, filigree silver and copper, woodcarvings, ceramics and any kind of needlework. Old markets are often worth exploring. Bartering is very much the order of the day for foreigners as well as for locals. Some of the tourist hotels also have shops.

Shopping hours

Generally Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900 (although regional variations are possible). Many shops are also open Sunday.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1600.

Currency

Lek (ALL) = 100 qindarka. Notes are in denominations of ALL5000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of ALL50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Currency exchange

Currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and banks. US dollars are the preferred foreign currency.

Credit & debit cards

Rarely used. Cash is preferred in nearly all cases. However, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted by some banks and hotels.

Traveller's cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Euros. They may not always be easily changed in all places.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is permitted up to US$5000 or up to the amount declared on arrival.