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Useful info about Tirana, Albania
Here you will find useful info, culture tips, and basic phrases for tourists visiting Tirana, Albania.
Albania Currency Exchange
Exchanging currency in Albania is straight forward. There are many licensed currency places in Tirana with quite a few located around the centre just behind the National historic Museum. We advise you always ask for a receipt from the exchange place.
People and culture of Albania
Albanians are Mediterranean people who are passionate and animated so do not be put off, if hearing loud discussions in buses, cafés etc. It is just a normal thing. One of the most noticeable differences once you arrive will be the head shake. When approving something Albanians will shake their head from side to side, but in a round sort of motion while to deny things they will nod their head up and down in a short movement. This is changing however and it applies more to older generations, as many of the young people who have lived abroad apply the international head signs.
Some basic phrases in Albanian and their comparable English pronunciations:
Miredita = meer-detae = Good Day
Mirmengjes = meer – men – jazz = Good Morning
Faleminderit = fall – ae – minter – it = Thank you
Si jeni ? = See – ye – ne ? = How are you?
Mire = Me – rae = Good
Po = Po = Yes
Jo = Yo = No
Useful numbers in Albania
Airport Tel. +355 4 2381 600
Lost Luggage Tel. +355 4 2381 681
Police Information Tel. 122
Police Emergency Tel. 129
Traffic Police Tel. 126
Fire Department Tel. 128
Emergency Room Tel. +355 4 2222 235
24 hour Pharmacy Tel. +355 4 2222 241
Albania Public Holidays
New Year (1/2 January),
Greater Bairam Festival (January)
Catolic and Orthodox Easter
Labour Day (1 May)
Lesser Bairam Festival (end of Ramadan)
Independence Day (28 November)
Liberation Day (29 November)
Christmas (25 December).
Interesting facts and hypothesis about Tirana
Did you know that?
- There are three hypothesis on the origin of the name Tirana.
- It is thought it comes from the word “Theranda” mentioned in Geek and Latin sources which the local pronounced Te Ranat, meaning “fallen” because the field was formed by rocks and other hard material from nearby mountains brought in by the waters.
- Its name derives from the word “Tirkan” which was a castle in Dajti’s mountainside very close to today’s city. The remains of such a castle belonging to I-century B.C still exist today.
- “Tirana” comes from old Greek “Tyros” which means dairy, mainly due to the ancient dairy trade by shepherds taking place in the field of Tirana.
- Tirana’s name is mentioned for the first time in a Venetian document of 1418
- Tirana’s first record on its population was compiled by the invading Ottomans in 1431-1432 revealing 1000 houses and 7300 inhabitants.
- In the registration of 1583 Tirana had 20 000 inhabitants
- In 1769 Tirana and surroundings exported 2600 barrels of olive oil
- At the beginning of the XX century Tirana area had 140 000 olive trees and 400 oil mills, while the market numbered 700 shops.
- In 1990 Tirana had 250 000 inhabitants while now it numbers more than 700 000 due to a demographic shift of people from all over the country toward the capital
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