I am a freelancer; that means that I work for myself and I work from home, or wherever has a good internet connection and a power outlet. But it is not quite as simple as that, as a writer I also need a number of other criteria to be completely balanced for me to be able to be productive, inspired, and efficient.
The following are my favourite places to work in Tirana and I have based my choices on access to power sockets, reliable internet connections, availability of tasty food and good coffee, quiet but not boring atmosphere, and the height of chairs and tables ensuring good posture and ease of working. These are the top 5.
Coko
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Ahhh Coko; purveyors of fine petulla, mean felafel salads, and superb smoothies- this is a firm favourite for my working week. You can sit inside at one of the tables, or you can venture onto the beautiful terrace where they also have electrical sockets a-plenty. The food is fab, the service is always with a friendly smile, and the vibe is unmistakably laid back and cool. When it comes to comfort, you can choose from benches or chairs and the tables are at the right height so you can work without doing your back in. If you hang around long enough, I highly advise trying out a couple of cocktails on the menu as well, but remember to tell your waiter ‘pa pipa te lutem”!
LaVeen
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A new addition to Blloku, LaVeen is owned by the folks that were originally behind Izzy Living. This place is seriously cool with incredible decor, a lovely patio, funky beats on the stereo and a club sandwich to die for. The staff are really wonderful (the owner once came to apologise that they were hammering some nails into the wall, in case it disturbed my work) and it is the perfect place to sit and while away the hours in some of the coolest surroundings in the city. You can choose from sofas and tables, chairs and tables, or high chairs with bar type tables depending on your preference. Oh, and with bottles of Prosecco at just 1800lek, you can treat yourself after you wrap up your work for the day!
Kino
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What is not to love about this place? Located just next to Coko, this place has the interior design of my dreams. Bright, colourful walls, antiques, and quirky traditional Albanian printed furniture, this place is picture perfect. It also offers a range of working heights from bar height, to chairs and sofas depending on how comfortable you feel. Whilst the menu isn’t vast, they do offer some snacks that keep hunger at bay and they make a mean macchiato. At night, this place is home to the hip and trendy of Tirana, but during the day it is an oasis of calm where you and knuckle down and get some work done in really stylish surroundings that somehow also feel like your living room.
Izzy Living
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Whilst it may not be the quietest of places, if you are working on something a little more casual, it offers a vibrant but not too intrusive atmosphere to keep you motivated. With appetizers on the menu and some super mocktails to keep your thirst quenched as you work, the waiters are always on hand with a smile to keep you fed and watered. If you want a bit of a calmer vibe, you can always head inside and enjoy the wonderful concept decor that makes for some great Insta shots.
Te Duk Tu
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One of the coolest places in Tirana, Te Duk Tu is located near Rruga Elbasanit and it is probably the most “hipsterish” place on my list. That said, it is a really unique place and with a cool and calm interior or a sun-trap garden to choose from, you can work away to your hearts content in relative peace. They have a delicious menu and you can peruse pieces of art or antiques that are available to purchase and that are dotted around the interior. Thumbs up Te Duk Tu!
Where is your favourite place to freelance or remote work in Tirana?
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