Tirana Backpacker Hostel

There’s a cool vibe here, and everything was very clean. I especially liked the little garden and the shared spaces. It’s close to the center and you can walk to most of Tirana’s popular sights.

No one told me during check-in that meat wasn’t allowed in the hostel. Around 8 in the morning, I was making a mortadella sandwich at one of the tables by the entrance to take on an excursion. A bald staff member stopped me, asked what I was doing, then took me to reception to point out a sign saying the hostel is vegan and the owner doesn’t allow meat. It was an uncomfortable and unnecessary situation so early in the morning, and I had to go outside just to make the sandwich I was taking with me. If the hostel has this rule, guests should be told clearly when they check in.

The garden was quite pleasant, and we mostly enjoyed our stay until the last morning. The hostel’s atmosphere felt unwelcoming, though. It seemed to attract a particular sort of traveler, and people didn’t engage much unless you fit in with that group. If you’re outside that scene, don’t expect much warmth or friendliness. We overslept on our final morning and checked out of the room 30 minutes late. Nobody reminded us about checkout time that morning. Instead, an irate cleaner woke us abruptly and then berated and pressured a reception staff member until he charged each of us a 500 Lek fine. The fine seemed completely made up, and we definitely hadn’t agreed to it at check-in. Later we came back for an item a friend had accidentally left behind. Different staff members were surprisingly hostile, questioned us aggressively about unrelated things, and implied they wouldn’t return the item unless we complied. That felt petty and completely inappropriate. I also saw reception staff let people in without reservations or proof they were staying there. Late one night, someone who wasn’t a guest kept buzzing the door, and I had to send them away. The hostel didn’t provide the basic hospitality or professionalism I expected. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you enjoy an unwelcoming atmosphere and pretentious staff.

I had a bad experience with a receptionist called Mateo, who’s from Italy. He was very rude, and it completely ruined my stay at the hostel. The location itself is great, right in the center of Tirana and close to almost everything.