Where to stay in Tirana? That was one of my concerns before my first solo travel to Albania, but as it turned out later, I needn’t have worried…. :) 

Before going to Albania, I had spent many evenings wondering if going there would actually be fun. I wasn’t going to visit any friends, neither did I know what the attitude of locals towards tourists is (especially single female ones…). Nevertheless, my excitement was growing day by day and I decided to trust my gut feelings and take the risk (as if there was any other possibility… :-D).

I had only two main concerns.

The first one was that I would have to carry my backpack alone and that I would swear silently that I over packed again. Luckily, that was actually the only time I packed wisely and as soon as I first walked with my backpack longer distance in Warsaw, this concern was gone.

My second concern was feeling lonely. I could not really picture myself spending evenings alone and not being able to talk to anybody, socialise, go out for drinks, have fun. Although I am well aware that I am way more of an extrovert than an introvert and find it easy to strike up conversations with just anybody, I still felt a bit uncertain how my insane plan will work out.

As you know from my previous entries, finding myself company started already on my first day in Albania, at the Shkodra Lake where I spent nearly the whole evening in a company of three guys and one girl from Poland. Next, it was just getting better.

You know about spending two days with Jarmo and Gocha in the mountains. I’ve also mentioned meeting Helen and Lucy, who will reappear on this blog soon. However, I have not told you yet about all the great people I’ve had a chance to meet in the Tirana Backpackers’ Hostel.

Just imagine a place that attracts all the most interesting people who have their passions and lots of stories to tell, who take what’s best in life and are not afraid to take risks that wait outside of their comfort zones. Imagine a place, which attracts people with open minds who, despite having different histories and experiences, share, to an exceptionally large extent, your mindset and approach to life.

The best hostel where you can stay in Tirana, Albania

Of course, they are not the same as you are. Their priorities vary from yours, some of them prefer socializing at parties while others would rather sit down and talk the night out. Each of them comes from a different place and is heading somewhere. You all know that you will spend one, maybe two evenings or days together, so you break the ice quickly and discuss topics you can’t even mention to some of your “stationary” friends.

Each of them brings in a fresh view on old dilemmas. You’re bound to pick up some of them quickly and feel challenged or uneasy by another ones. You’re bound to feel tempted to try out new experiences and test what your limits really are.

Sometimes, you will meet those people and end up on a night-long party in an unknown city. And that’s fine too. And on other days, tired after a whole day of exploring, you will just go to your bed and sleep as long as other guests enter the room and start snoring like a pack of wolves (greetings to the three charming Germans…).

That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Tirana Backpacker Hostel. It is usually full, but surprisingly, they always find you some accommodation. If there are not enough beds, you’ll sleep in the garden. When you enter the hostel, the staff provides you with all the information you might need, starting with transport details, through recommended pubs, to attractions near Tirana. When you visit them for the second time, as I did, they greet you saying “Welcome AGAIN” and are genuinely curious about what was happening when you were away.

Tirana Backpackers’ Hostel – standard, food, and practical information

Somehow, everything at this hostel works as it should. They have a gorgeous garden with lots of sitting places, hammocks and a bar serving both beers and stronger drinks. There’s a lot of greenery which casts desired shade over the place, so that you can cool down even if the whole city is scorching hot.

There’s always some music, which just adds to this holiday atmosphere.

Breakfast is included in the price (toasts, two types of jam, eggs, Albanian cheese, tea, coffee, watermelon), there are enough sockets near each bed to charge all the batteries you carry with yourself, there are no queues to toilets or showers (pure magic) and the interior of the building could be an attraction itself (just check the collection of fish species they store on the ground floor!). Aha, if you’re travelling with a tent, there’s space to pitch it. Wifi works well just everywhere, also in the garden.

And most importantly, there’s a watchword this hostel follows very strictly:

Never be afraid to give someone an opportunity, you never know what can come from it. Create your own world and welcome those who join it.

Tips:

• Address: Rruga e Bogdaneve – 10-minute-walk from the Skanderberg Square, very central
• Carrefour (or some other shop) literally 5 seconds from the hostel, open till 10 pm
• Cafes, street food stands, restaurants within short walking distance
• Dorm beds – 10 Euros
• Double rooms – 30 Euros
• Camping – 6 or 7 Euros
• Breakfast included
• Cute dog walking around
• Computers available to guests, free of charge
• Maps of Tirana with marked bus stations to all destinations you can imagine
• Buses timetables available at the reception
• Bike rental (5 Euros per day)
• Laundry 2 Euros
• Hostel organizes trips e.g. to Kruja

How to get to Tirana Backpackers’ Hostel in Tirana? Directions and a map

Shkodra to Tirana bus

You will most likely get off the bus on the Muhamet Gjollesha Street, just behind the Zogu I Zi roundabout. It’s about 1.4 km to the hostel. Follow the street in the direction of the bus and turn left into Rruga Kavajes. Go down the street until you see a small street on the left: Rruga e Bogdaneve. The hostel gate is well visible.