Tirona vs Tirana alias the new and the old town

Born and raised in Tirana, we know this city inside out — and we’re here to show you the Tirana most visitors never see. Most people that come here visit Tirana but they rarely see, experience and enjoy the real one – the one locals call Tirona. Most people don’t even know it exists. In many cases they forget or are insensitive to it. Well this is the real authentic side. The real reason you decided to visit this country and its capital. 

This isn’t just a tour; it’s a journey through the heart of a city that’s equal parts chaotic, charming, and endlessly surprising. From lively streets to hidden corners, from old stories to new trends, and from hearty local flavors to modern treats, there’s always something to discover.

We’ll mix the familiar with the unexpected, the historic with the contemporary, and the walked paths with drives through secret spots. And yes, food is absolutely part of the plan. Who said drinks aren’t!? 

While we have plenty of ideas ready, the tour is yours to shape as well. Want more tastings, quirky stops, or hidden gems? Just say the word. With us, exploring Tirana is more than sightseeing — it’s an adventure full of laughter, surprises, and local secrets.

Itinerary:

We approach the day the way Tirana itself does: avash-avash.

We start around 9:30, when the city has found its rhythm but hasn’t yet rushed into the day. The first part of the walk takes us through central neighborhoods where Tirana’s story unfolds naturally — from its early beginnings to the layers added by history, politics, and everyday life. Nothing is rushed, nothing is forced; the city reveals itself as we move through it.

At the right moment, we pause. A proper Tirana break means good coffee, something carefully chosen to eat, and time to sit and observe. These moments are not extras, but part of understanding how people live here — how conversations happen, how friendships form, how the city breathes.

From there, the tour becomes more personal. If time allows, we move away from the familiar routes and into local surroundings where Tirona (in this case) feels lived-in and intimate. Small streets, old houses, quiet courtyards, and the people who give them life become the setting for stories, encounters, and tastes that don’t make it into guidebooks.

There is no fixed script. The experience follows the pace of the day, shaped by the city, the people we meet, and the curiosity of the group. By the end, Tirana feels less like a place you visited and more like a place you spent time in — which, for us, makes all the difference.

We shall visit: the Skanderbeg Square, the Block, the Mother Teresa Square, the New Bazaar, the Shebeg Street, the Red Hill neighbourhood, Communist Party House (watch out – this is the name of a neighbourhood and not a museum or something), a couple of sufi shrines, some socialist realism art, loads of modern street art, street food, lovely coffees, the garden of the house of Sali Shijaku (famous Tirana born painter) etc etc etc etc. 

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