I just got back from Tirana, and wow—it's this whirlwind of a place that really caught me off guard. I mean, I'd heard things about it, those mixed opinions some people throw around like confetti, but I wasn't expecting much. Still, I thought, “Why not?” So, I booked my flight and off I went, ready to dive into one of those ‘best things to do in Tirana' kinda adventures.
This spot? Total surprise.
So, picture this: I'm wandering aimlessly through the streets, trying to find my bearings but mostly just savoring the colors and the noise. The buildings were a bit of a hodgepodge—some drab, some vibrantly painted. It felt alive, you know? And then I stumbled upon this little café, Café de Paris. I don't know why I ended up there; it was just this fluke of a moment when I noticed the outdoor seating and the way the sun was hitting the tables just right.
I ordered a cappuccino and what turned out to be the best slice of baklava I've ever had. I mean, WOW. It was like I was tasting the gooey goodness for the first time. The café was small and cozy, filled with locals chatting away, and I just sat there, soaking it all in. It made me realize how much these little moments can really surprise you, right when you least expect it.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
One afternoon, I decided to explore the Blloku area. Honestly, I had no clue what I was in for. It started out a bit shaky—my bad sense of direction had me wandering down a street that felt like it had no end. I was getting a little frustrated, thinking, “Why am I even here?” But then I stumbled upon Pyramid of Tirana.
Now, the pyramid has this history that's all sorts of convoluted, but at that moment, I didn't care. I just stood there gazing at it, feeling a sense of wonder creep in. You don't see architecture like this everywhere, and being there felt like stepping into a time capsule of sorts. I climbed some of the crumbling steps leading up, which was kind of sketchy, but who can resist a bit of urban exploration, right?
And here's where the unexpected joy hit: some local kids were playing, laughing and just being, well, kids! They ran circles around me, completely unfazed by this random tourist lurking on the pyramid. One of the girls waved and pulled me into their game of tag. I was too old for this, but you know what? I played along and let out this ridiculous laugh that surprised even me.
It was one of those moments—completely unplanned but somehow crafted by the universe, reminding me that joy often finds you when you least expect it.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
And speaking of direction, you know, sometimes I think I have a built-in GPS that just… fails me. I almost missed going to Skanderbeg Square, which turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip. I was meandering, trying (and failing) to locate some fancy museum that I'm sure would've been interesting but probably just gave me a good reason to get lost instead.
But then I saw this huge space open up—out of nowhere—like a breath of fresh air among the city's chaos. The square is massive and filled with people chilling, chatting, taking photos, and just enjoying life. There's this beautiful statue of Skanderbeg right in the middle, and I just stood there for a moment, taking it all in—so much history wrapped up in a vibrant scene, like a tapestry of life.
I ended up lying down on the grass for a bit, even though it felt slightly awkward at first. But it was just the thing I needed. Imagine my surprise when I found myself chatting with an older gentleman sitting beside me. His English was broken, but we somehow talked for at least an hour. He shared stories about his youth under communism and how much the city has changed. It was like I was diving into the soul of Tirana, and I had nearly missed it.
Something that left a strong impression
When it comes to meals, there's one that still lingers in my mind—qanak, a sort of meat pie. I stumbled upon this small tavern, Taverna Tujani, while avoiding the rain one evening. It wasn't fancy; just warm lighting and welcoming faces. I walked in, and the aroma that hit me was something else entirely. I decided to try their specialty, and oh man, it was like a hug in food form. The flaky pastry, savory filling, and slight spiciness… it felt homemade, comforting, and just perfect after a long day of wandering.
I ended up chatting with the owner, who insisted I try his homemade rakija (a local fruit brandy) as a “digestif.” Let's just say that was a lot more kick than I was prepared for, but it was done with such warmth. We laughed about my awkward attempts to speak Albanian (which were horrendous, but he appreciated the effort). By the time I left, I felt like I had made a new friend and a memory I'd treasure.
So, as I sit here sipping my coffee, the memories keep swimming around in my head. Tirana—it felt raw and real, and I loved that about it. This adventure revealed parts of me I didn't know needed to be uncovered. From the spills of laughter at the pyramid to the heartfelt conversations over qabuli, every moment added a delightful layer to my experience.
It's not just about the best things to do in Tirana; it's the unexpected paths we take and the people we meet along the way that create a picture that's uniquely ours. I don't think I'll ever forget it.
