Experience in Tirane, Albania by Aida

What is it like to live in Tirane? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Tirana is the a capital city and like all the capital city has so many oppotunities. Its a big city and you can find anything you want. Its well arranged and you can easily move around the city, it has a great transport with low prices. It is a city where you can work and live, cos just 40 minutes away is the beach and in 15 minutes you can get yourself in Djati mountine where you can find teh funiclar railway (you can see the hole city from there). To tell the truth it's a little bit noisy but I love to live there.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tirane?

As a student you may have different needs and Tirana can get all of them comleted for you. Just need to know where to find them. Colleges offer time schedules that can give you time to work, have fun and study.

How much does it cost to live in Tirane?

For an Albanian its not that cheep, I mean seeing the economic level of Albania. But if you find yourself a job you can live there. Speaking from the experience you can easliy live in Tirana with 2000$ per year. All included!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Tirane? Is there any advice you can give?

Tirana offers two kind of accommodations: Dormitories- the governement has them and they are really cheep, 40$ per mounth all year they are located in different part of the city mostly near the colleges. You might have one or two other people in the room and they are cool. And the other way are houses for rent- you can find them through the newspaper "celesi" its online also, or with real estate agencies, all kind, all over the city, all the prieces. It depends on you.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

As a capital city it has all kinds of kitchens (chinese, italian, english, turkish, greek and of cours Albanian). And as a mediteran I love Albanian, Greek, Turkish ones mostly.

What places would you recommend visiting in Tirane?

As I said its so near the sea, it has its own mountine (great view form up there) it also has other places around the city like musemus, opera,castels, The park of the artifical lake.

Is it good to eat out in Tirane? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Its pretty safe and good. You can use fast foods or restorants. I can mention a few: "kolonat" "Pizzer Era" "Yuvenilia" "Big Bite" etc.

Is the nightlife good in Tirane? Where is good to go?

In Tirana there is a well known place called "Blloc", you can find all kinds of pub, discos and live music. It depends on you, what kind of music you prefere or what places. In the first moment you get to Tirana you can see the posters that announce the up coming parties! :)

What advice would you give future students heading to Tirane?

Just keep it simple and enjoy your time!