Shopping Tirana has caught up with the rest of us and now boasts more or less everything the modern shopper requires, much of it for sale in modern shopping centres. A more authentic Albanian retail experience can be had in the cheap and cheerful neighbourhood shops staffed by grinning proprietors, many of them more concerned with where you’re from and if you have a husband or wife than what you want to buy. Around the Pazar i Ri market, the bustling streets cater to singular tastes such as bicycles, secondhand clothes and furniture.
CASH IS KING Even a global pandemic couldn’t turn Albania into a card-carrying country, so come prepared with cash lek in almost all bars and restaurants. Whilst some venues more accustomed to foreigners are slowly catching on, you should be aware that staff may not know the intricacies of payment machines, and tips should always be in cash.
BOOKS Tirana’s bookshops rarely offer many English-language titles, with the two listed here the main exceptions. ADRION INTERNATIONAL BOOKS The best selection of English-language books in (and about) Albania, including a wide selection of novels, art books, guidebooks, maps and an ever-increasing selection of translated Albanian literature and titles on local history and culture. Also at the airport.QE‑4, Sheshi Skënderbej, Palace of Culture, tel. +355 4 450 26 06, www. adrionltd.com. Open 08:00-21:30. A BOOKLAND A large selection of English-language novels can be found at this colourful shop on the 3rd floor of the ETC.QG‑5, Blvd Bajram Curri, Galeria ETC, tel. +355 68 409 91 99, www.bookland.al. Open 9:00-21:00. A
FASHION Before the arrival of the large shopping centres, Rruga Myslym Shyri and surroundings used to the the go-to place for fashion - and it still offers a decent clothes shopping experience. IL CAMMINO Elegant shoes.QG‑3, Rr. Ibrahim Rugova, tel. +355 69 557 52 21, www.ilcammino.al. Open 9:00-21:00; closed Sun. A ILLYRIAN BLOODLINE Urban fashion by Albanian hiphop artist Rigels Rajku, aka Noizy. Albania’s first fashion brand uses organic cotton for its comfortable hoodies, T-shirts and more, often featuring big letters and graphics inspired by Albanian history. On the eastern side of the National Stadium.QI‑5, Rr. Dervish Hima, tel. +355 69 440 41 88, www.illyrianbloodline. com. PERLA SHOP Albania’s largest online female fashion boutique, with a great selection, good prices, delivery within 24 hours in Albania and an Instagram channel with 250 thousand followers (which means basically everyone who has a phone in Albania) following the riveting adventures of the five Perla models.Qwww.perlashop.al. 48 Tirana In Your Pocket
TWENTY FIVE Modern fashion, shoes, bags and accessories for contemporary women. Also at Rr. Sami Frashëri. QI‑4, Rr. Abdyl Frasheri 7, tel. +355 69 862 69 67. Open 09:00-21:30. ZERO ABSOLUTE Quality ladies’ fashion at reasonable prices.QI‑3, Rr. Sulejman Delvina, tel. +355 69 208 00 70, www. zeroabsolute.com. Open 08:00-21:30.
GIFTS & SOUVENIRS The best souvenir shopping is in Kruja, where shops are full of jewellery, antiques and knickknacks. In Tirana, the Pazar i Ri market has good souvenir options and kiosks at the southern end of Rr. Barrikadave sell Albania mugs, dolls and bunker ashtrays. Albanian cheese and other foodstuffs also make excellent gifts if you can get them home without eating them all on the plane. ART FOREVER Folk costumes, antique chests, wood carvings and old books, near the corner of Blv. Bajram Curri.QG/H‑4, Rr. Vaso Pasha 99, tel. +355 4 224 63 86. Open 10:30-21:00; closed Sun. A HODA The “House of Design Albania” offers striking, large paintings of Albanians in traditional dress, beautiful carpets, pottery and furniture.QF‑5, Rr. Murat Toptani, Tirana Castle, tel. +355 68 200 78 80. Open 09:00-21:00. PIRRO SOUVENIRS A good selection of handicrafts and souvenirs; flags, T-shirts, and mugs depicting Enver Hoxha, King Zog and Mother Teresa.QI‑4, Rr. Abdyl Frashëri, tel. +355 4 222 55 87. Open 09:00-21:00. A TRADITA POPULLORE EDLIRA Traditional Albanian costumes for women and men for sale. You can also try these on for a photo session at the Tirana Castle souvenir shop.QCasa Italia, Tirana-Durres highway, tel. +355 68 309 91 09. Open 08:00-21:00; closed Sun.
