WinterCamp 2025, Tirana

Program

Here you can find the WinterCamp 2025 program, also available in PDF format. Please note that it’s constantly being updated with new activities and details, so this version is not final — check back here for the latest updates.

EVERYDAY / FREE TIME

• Main Event Location: Komiteti Bar (Location: ꚰ Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II)
  Coffee/soft drinks from 90lek, beer from 300lek, wine from 400lek, cocktails from 600lek, raki from 250lek

• Main Hostel Bar: Trip’n’Hostel Pink Bubble (Location: ꚰ Rruga 4 Dëshmorët, 35)
  Coffee/tea/americano 1€, soft drinks 2€, beers 2€, wine from 2.5€, cocktails 4€, snacks 1–3€
  
  (1€ ≈ 96,20 Albanian lek)

PRE-WINTERCAMP | DECEMBER 29

• Pre-Event with Tom
  (Informal gathering before the main WinterCamp activities)

DAY 1 | DECEMBER 30

• All day: Event registration - Get your wristband!

• 10:00 AM: Guided walking tour in English & Italian
  Meeting point: ꚰ Skënderbeg Square, Opera Palace stairs

• 1:00 PM: Lunch options (reservation needed):
  - Seafood: Bati Restaurant 2 (ꚰ Bulevardi Zhan D'ark; avg. price 20–25€)
  - Albanian traditional: Tak-Fak (ꚰ Rruga Fortuzi; fixed menu 15€, water included)

• 4:00 PM: Second guided walking tour
  Meeting point: ꚰ Skënderbeg Square, Opera Palace stairs

Alternative options from 5:00 PM:
- Hoxha Pyramid
One of Tirana’s most iconic landmarks — once a symbol of the communist regime, now transformed into a modern cultural hub.
- Albania Stadium & Arena Lounge
Visit the national stadium of Tirana and enjoy a coffee or a drink at the Arena Lounge, located right inside the stadium with a great view of the playing field.
Meeting point: ꚰ Pink Bubble Hostel

• 8:30 PM: Welcome Party & International Night
  Sharing food and drinks from participants’ countries
  Location: ꚰ Pink Bubble Hostel
  (1 beer or wine or soft drink included – event only for WinterCamp attendees)

• 11:30 PM: Karaoke Night at New Irish Pub
  (ꚰ Pjeter Bogdani, 36/1 – Discounts with winterCamp wristband: beer 0.5L 400lek, long drinks 500lek)

DAY 2 | DECEMBER 31

• 10:00 AM: Third guided walking tour
  Meeting point: ꚰ Skënderbeg Square, Opera Palace stairs

• 10:30 AM: Walk & coffee at Tirana’s Artificial Lake
  (For those who already joined the walking tour)
  Meeting point: ꚰ Komiteti Bar
  (Cancelled in case of bad weather; alternatives provided)

• 1:30 PM: Albanian Street Food Part 1: Byrek, Qofte, Petulla, Meatballs, Cheese + Discovering Murals of Tirana
  Along Boulevard Bajram Curri, Rruga Urani Pano, and Rruga e Barrikadave, you’ll notice vibrant murals and boldly painted buildings — the result of a creative city revitalization project launched by former mayor Edi Rama, now the Prime Minister of Albania.
  Meeting point: ꚰ Lake View Bar, Shëtitorja Lasgush Poradeci

• 2:45 PM: End-of-year cheers with panoramic city views at Sky Lounge
  The circular rooftop lounge slowly rotates while you sit, offering a 360-degree panorama of Tirana. Over the course of about an hour, you’ll find yourself gazing at completely different corners of the city, all without ever leaving your seat.
  Location: ꚰ Sky Club, Rruga Ibrahim Rugova (beers from 500lek, prosecco from 600lek)

• 2:45–8:00 PM: Free time
  Recommended activities:
  - Tirana Christmas Market
  Experience the festive charm at Skënderbeg Square, where the Christmas Market lights up the heart of the city. Stroll among wooden stalls offering traditional Albanian food, warm drinks, handmade crafts, and cheerful decorations — a perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit.
  - House of Leaves (Museum of Secret Surveillance; group ticket discount available)
  Step into one of Tirana’s most intriguing museums, housed in a former surveillance center from the communist era. The House of Leaves reveals Albania’s hidden history through original equipment, documents, and personal stories, offering a powerful glimpse into life under state control.

• 8:00 PM: Main Event - New Year’s Eve Celebration – Buffet dinner + DJ set
  Location: ꚰ Komiteti Bar (buffet + 2 drinks included – only for WinterCamp attendees)

DAY 3 | JANUARY 1

• Late Morning: Run with AgaK (take your running shoes with you)

• 11:00 AM: Brunch at Pink Bubble Hostel
  (Cooking together and shared brunch – event only for WinterCamp attendees)

• Afternoon: Spa at 365 Spa & Sports Center (30€, only for WinterCamp attendees, reservation needed)
  Includes: Hammam, Jacuzzi, Himalayan Salt Room, Sauna & Infrared Sauna, Kneipp & Relax Room, Ice Machine & Scottish Shower, Swimming Pool
  (Participants receive 1 towel, shampoo, slippers, swimming cap, and 1 glass of prosecco)
  Location: ꚰ Rruga e Dibrës

• 8:15 PM: Dinner at Odas Garden with traditional Albanian food & traditional balkan live music
  Location: ꚰ Rruga Shenasi Dishnica (Fixed menu 15€, drink included; vegetarian options available)

DAY 4 | JANUARY 2

• 09:30 AM: Dajti Mountain Cable Car & Bunk’Art 1 Tour
  A scenic ride on the Dajti Mountain cable car with breathtaking views, followed by a visit to Bunk’Art 1 – a Cold War bunker museum showcasing Albania’s history and communist era.
  Meeting point: ꚰ Dajti Ekspres Lower Station, Rruga Mahmut Allushi 56
  (Group discounts available; rescheduled in case of bad weather or public holidays)

• 1:45 PM: Albanian Street Food Part 2: Byrek, Qofte, Petulla, Meatballs, Cheese
  Meeting point: ꚰ Pazari i Ri market, next to Odas Garden entrance

• 3:15 PM: Discover Albanian Raki at Komiteti Bar
  Discover the taste and traditions of Albanian raki — a local fruit brandy — while hearing the stories behind this beloved national drink.
  Location: ꚰ Komiteti Bar

• 7:15 PM: Pizza at "L’antica Pizzeria da Michele" Tirana (authentic neapolitan pizza)
  Location: ꚰ Rruga Brigada e VIII (basic menu+drink 10€, other pizzas+drink 14€)

• 10:30 PM: Ending Party with rock live music
  Location: ꚰ Illyrian Saloon, Rruga Perlat Rexhepi

SUGGESTED CAFÉS IN TIRANA

• Le District
  A relaxing and modern spot for a snack — the cruffins are unmissable!
  ꚰ Shëtitorja Murat Toptani, 1010

• LUAI
  The byrek here are fantastic, as are the traditional Albanian breakfast fritters (petulla).
  ꚰ Rruga Luigj Gurakuqi, 41

• Mulliri i Vjetër
  One of the most popular and beloved cafés among Albanians! Famous for its excellent coffee, carrot cake, chocolate brownies, flaky baklava, and creamy cheesecake.
  ꚰ Multiple locations across Tirana

• SOMEG
  One of Tirana’s most cherished pastry shops since 1997, known for authentic Albanian sweets — try their sultjash (creamy rice pudding with cinnamon), sheqerpare or kadaif.
  ꚰ Rruga Myslym Shyri, 1001–1028

• REKA
  A true taste of Albanian celebrations — their torte me arra (walnut cake), homemade revani and layered krem karamele are local favorites.
  ꚰ Komuna e Parisit, 355