Overview

For those of us who can remember the old Turnhouse Airport in Edinburgh or how some of the Airports were in Spain as they began to develop, then Tirana’s Airport is similar. It’s small, basic but fine for arrival and departure. At passport control there was a big smile and a lovely welcome, that really set the tone for what we encountered afterwards. The staff are recognising the need for tourist trade and were keen to talk with us, improve their English and welcome you. There is almost an innocence and a clear want and desire to be recognised as Albanians, They are far behind us but want to catchup in many ways. However, they don’t want to be overrun by commercialism. You will not find. a Burger King, McDonalds, Starbucks or a Costa here. There is clear and visible poverty, an ifrustructure that's developing, and a population wanting to get to know you. I will include more in the review that follows this.

Transport & Parking

There are no direct flights to Tirana from Edinburgh, from the Airport to the City of Tirana there are buses but with no dedicated disabled support, taxi is the most popular, there is no train service in Albania, buses can be disorganised and leave and arrive at one venue in Tirana, there is no organised timetable. Did not see any dedicated disabled or priority parking.

Access

Lots of ramped areas, underfoot cobbles leading to road crossings only at main crossings and roads. Pavements often uneaten with high steps. There was no visible signage, ample seating, we did not notice disability within the community where we were or in the central part of Tirana.

Toilets

Our hotel which was 4* had no disabled signage as there was no disabled toilet or provision within our room, can’t fault the cleanliness of the hotel and room we had or the servicing.

Staff

We had been told and had read all sorts of negative comments and experiences about Tirana and Albania. The people could not be more friendly, warm, keen to get to know you, to develop their English and totally extend a great hospitality.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

None of the so called ‘ bad press ‘ mentioned was evidenced or experienced by us, Exactly the opposite. There is poverty, there is adversity, but there is great resilience, the Country is wanting to develop, the history, cultural and scenic value of Albania is more than worth giving consideration. The Currency is the Lek and it’s really cheap as chips, the exchange rate is better for the pound than the euro. There are many areas they will improve and develop in time, but there is an innocence in this which is great to experience, it might not be everyone’s idea if a tourist destination, though I would highly recommend it but you should carefully considerate of what you are going to.