The History of Tirana
The bazaar, first built in 1931, underwent a bit of a facelift in 2017, with a renovation that completely modernized the market. It has a younger, fresher look, but is still a long-standing staple in the city. Head over there to find some cool keepsakes to take home with you!
Tirana, Albania
Of course, the stars of Turtle Farm Albania are our tortoises, who live in pens set up around the grounds. Our visitors can meet them and get up close and personal with them, and can even feed them if they want! Our tortoises love watermelon, which the Guxha family grows a lot of on their property!
Present-Day Tirana
The real magic of Komiteti – Kafe Muzeum is its open-air bar in the back of the establishment. They offer numerous flavors of rakija, including a strong honey-cinnamon, a spicy black pepper, a floral saffron, and a tangy and citrusy kumquat.
Kavaja St.
Albania’s newest local farm experience is also one of its most unique! Located roughly 25 minutes outside of Tirana in Daias village, Turtle Farm Albania is Albania’s first tortoise sanctuary. Visiting is easily one of the top things to do in Tirana, Albania!
Between the wonderful food, the comfy accommodations, and the warm Balkan hospitality, you can’t go wrong by staying at Nano Resort & BioFood. It’s one of my top 15 things to see and do in Tirana, Albania for a reason and will be one of many highlights of your Albanian vacation.
Enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania Experience
Today, Tirana is a unique and rather funky mix of its tumultuous past and a bright, shining future. The signature, blocky Communist-style architecture from that era remains, but much of it has since been decorated with splashes of vibrant color.
But Turtle Farm Albania isn’t just a home for our tortoises. It’s also a steadily growing tourist attraction that offers tons of recreational activities to those who choose to pay us a visit!
Fast Food Albania
The Origins of Turtle Farm Albania
After you’ve indulged in some delicious byrek, I recommend trying some top-tier Albanian coffee. Not far from Byrek te Çastit is Kafe Flora, one of the oldest coffee shops in the country.
Turtle Farm Albania
Because of its Communism-era history, Tirana’s Old Town doesn’t have the same traditional feel as other old towns around the country, but there’s still plenty to do, especially when you include the surrounding area. The predominant languages in the area seem to be Albanian and Italian—something that helped me out a lot, since I’m mostly fluent in Italian.
Other options at OPA include their fried cheese sticks and their fries topped with grilled chicken, lettuce, mustard, and ketchup. The cheese sticks are very similar to a Venezuelan favorite of mine called tequeños, which are crispy and golden brown on the outside, with gooey melted cheese inside.
+355 69 700 6001
Meet Our Tortoises
Avni Rustemi Square
The Tirana area has been inhabited for thousands of years. As early as the Paleolithic era, or Old Stone Age, ancient humans called the region home. An ancient Indo-European tribe known as the Illyrians were among its earliest inhabitants. Among the ancient finds unearthed in Tirana include the ruins of a 3rd-century Roman house and the remnants of a medieval temple near Shengjin Fountain.
Turtle Farm Albania Activities
Because Turtle Farm Albania is located on an authentic, working farm, we also offer farm activities like grape-picking and tractor rides. For those with more adventurous spirits, you can go on a wild and bumpy off-roading SUV ride down the backroads through the forests around the village. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart but is a ton of fun!
Rruga Brigada e VIII
The unique material also allows him to make thinner products, which he then paints and sells! Visiting the workshop is easily one of the best things to do in Tirana, Albania, and be sure to buy something to support the local economy!
Due to its historical significance, it was named a Cultural Monument of Albania in June of 1973, while its walls earned the same designation in May of 2008.
One of the best places in Tirana to try byrek is a local bakery called Byrek te Çastit. There, the bakers make a number of different types of byrek, including spinach, ricotta, mincemeat, onion-and-tomato, and sausage. The fillings come encased in a crispy, golden brown phyllo crust.
This legendary restaurant is known for its meat-heavy dishes, which primarily focus on veal, goat, and lamb, all prepared in different ways. The owner, Ismet, is a kind, passionate man who puts tons of love into the food he prepares, including his smoked and marinated lamb ribs and chicken kebabs. His food is world renowned; he even got the opportunity to cook for the Queen of England in 2010!
The Future of Turtle Farm Albania
Tirana Castle
Fshati Daias Petrele n/n
If meat is more your thing, his kofta kebabs are tender and smoky. The veal ribs with barbecue yogurt and berry jam made for a mind-blowing combo. Meanwhile, the double-smoked goat meat with beetroot are so buttery, they melt in your mouth.
Some of the best Albanian fast food in Tirana can be found at Fast Food Albania, a small eatery close to Skanderbeg Square. There, you can try souvlaki, which is essentially the Albanian equivalent to a Greek gyro. It’s made with a fresh, thick pita wrapped around fatty pork, refreshing tomatoes and onions, creamy tzatziki, crispy French fries, and a wonderfully spicy sauce!
The café is well known not only because of its status as one of Albania’s oldest but also because a song was written about it in 1972! The song, called “Kafe Flora Plot me Burra,” is performed by Lindita Theodhori. The open-air café also boasts a fantastic atmosphere and is a beautiful spot in the middle of the city to grab a cup of joe and people watch!
Eat Albanian Street Food at Fast Food Albania
Tirana, Albania
After getting a taste of Albanian rakija inside Tirana Castle, you can try a wider variety at a local bar called Komiteti – Kafe Muzeum. Inside the bar is a museum of sorts that displays Communist-era knickknacks including glasses and wooden items.
Drinking is a big part of the culture in the Balkans. Rakija, or raki, is typically the drink of choice, but there is also a growing craft beer scene. The region also produces some extraordinary wines! One of the best places to enjoy a drink in Tirana is a bar called Duff Sports Bar.
Located in Tirana’s Old Town, east of the central boulevard, is the city’s largest marketplace, New Bazaar. Also known as Pazari i Ri, the open-air market sells a wide array of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. You can also find regional rakija and wine, and fresh meat and fish.
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
Check out the 5 Things You Must See and Do in Durrës, Albania
Enjoy a Flight of Rakija at Komiteti – Kafe Muzeum
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
Enjoy Albanian Coffee at Kafe Flora
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
NOTE: If you would like to enjoy a Turtle Farm Albania experience, please contact us via DM on our Instagram or by phone. We ask that you contact us at least 24 hours before you plan to visit so we can set up the best experience for you. Families, couples, and solo travelers are all welcome!
Stay at Nano Resort & BioFood
Kafe Flora
+355 69 406 5555
Tirana, Albania
We also offer our house wine and our homemade rakija, which sells for 700 lekes/.93 USD per bottle. We also offer home-brewed Turkish coffee, as well as jam and olive oil, which is made from olives grown on our farm. Try it with our fresh bread–it’s delicious!
Food & Accommodations
Tirana, Albania
I’m an admitted espresso lover, and the kind at Kafe Flora is on point. It’s strong and thick and reminded me of Turkish coffee. While you’re there, try some of their smooth and fruity blackberry rakija. It’s very strong but is also a great way to kick off your day and one of the top things to do in Tirana, Albania!
It’s hearty, filling, and earthy, with a slight graininess that adds to its pleasant mouthfeel. After trying it, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular breakfast foods in Albania. Trying it is, without a doubt, among the best things to see and do in Tirana, Albania!
Shëtitorja Murat Toptani
I also highly recommend the thick, stew-like fërgesë. This pepper-and-tomato dish contains ricotta cheese, bits of meat, and olive oil. It’s extremely unique, with lots of texture and flavor combinations I couldn’t get enough of!
+355 67 203 0193
Liqeni i Farkes
Conclusion
Visitors to Turtle Farm Albania can help us make these plans a reality, as we ask for a small donation for those who wish to experience our farm. Even if you can’t physically visit the farm, we welcome any and all donations here. All funds raised go to improving our tortoise habitats and our expansion projects.
For dessert, try the boza, which is a fermented corn drink found in the Caucasus region, as well as northern Africa and central and western Asia. Chef Kola serves his boza with ice cream, which adds a sweet creaminess to the sour corn flavor. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your meal and trying it should be on everyone’s list of things to do in Tirana, Albania!
Also on the property, you’ll find his son, who makes pottery that has more of a modern twist. He uses a plastic clay and double-bakes his creations to make them stronger.
