Who wants to catch that feeling of Berlin after the Wall fall, must Visit Tirana today!

"Arm aber sexy' (poor but sexy) was a quote used from the Berlin’s Mayor a decade ago to attract tourists in the city. And it worked perfectly in that time. “Now who wants to catch that feeling again, must go in Tirana today”. This is the subject of an article published by dutch media “Trouw”, describing the capital of Albania, Tirana. But while in Berlin the communist heritage is cherished, polished and opened to tourists, Tirana seems focused on the future. Tourists usually travel straight to the vast coast or the rugged mountains in the north. Still the country is not using the dark history of communism to attract more visitors.
But anyway Tirana gives tourists the chance to pick the historical layers in the city itself, by exploring the screaming 21st century cafes to discover the gray communist blocks. Or looking for the remains of the fascist period in which the architects of Mussolini designed tight boulevards and stately government buildings for Tirana.

Bunk Art is one of the few remnants of communism that have been transformed into a tourist attraction. You can walk around the long corridors of the old bunkers of dictator Hoxha, converted to a museum on the outskirts of the city. Concerts here are being organized in the Chamber at which Parliament convened at that time. The horrendous music in the background and warning signs that the power can fail, make a visit to an impressive experience…

Walking in Tirana

Walking is a good way to get to know the city. There are also buses, including some copies from the Netherlands, but the stops are poorly indicated. Also, the city does not have a train station. Bike paths have been built here and there but they sometimes end very abruptly. In addition, you must also be a real ‘hero’ to cycle in the traffic jungle. During the communist dictatorship, only the main personalities in the party had a car… As obscure as traffic, so chaotic is also the urban development. Every free space is full here… On every corner of the street there is a Frappuccino or a latte with soy milk. The big shops and catering chains that make up all cities in Europe have not come in Tirana (yet). The two golden arches of McDonald's have not been rewarded here yet. Well, a local equivalent - Kolonat - where you can get Mediterranean snacks next to hamburgers. The many cafés and bars in Bllok - the district where the elite lived during communism - are crowded with young people behind cocktails. And whoever still lacks 'Berlin feeling' can walk to the edge of Blokk's nightlife district, where in a green park is placed a piece of concrete of the Berlin Wall.

Hospitable people
'First the guest and then the owner', is an expression that you often hear as a tourist in Tirana. Hospitality is high in the many hotels, restaurants and cafés. Restaurants are simple to chic, from Italian and Turkish to Japanese. But a quick simple bite as a draw can be found everywhere. And whoever loves coffee never has to walk far.


See full article: https://www.trouw.nl/home/wie-het-arm-aber-sexy-gevoel-wil-vangen-moet-naar-tirana-~abed7524/