What to take home from Albania: the back story

About What to take home from Albania: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Tirana Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

The best things to bring home from Albania are what Albanians themselves value: food from the land and objects made by hand.

From the market

At the New Bazaar you will find raki, olive oil, honey, dried figs, cheese and mountain tea, çaj mali, a wild herb tea gathered in the hills. Wine from native grapes such as Kallmet and Shesh i Zi travels well.

From the workshop

Krujë’s old bazaar is the best place for crafts: carpets and kilims, embroidery, felt caps, copper and silver filigree. Gjirokastër has stone and woodcarving.

Mountain tea (çaj mali) is the taste of the Albanian Alps.

Where to shop

In Tirana, the New Bazaar and the shops around it are best for food and souvenirs; Toptani Shopping Center and the malls cover everything else.

Our advice: buy mountain tea, raki and olive oil at the New Bazaar, and save craft shopping for the bazaar at Krujë. Ask where things are made: the best pieces are local.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with What to take home from Albania: the back story before you go.