Blloku (Ish-Blloku – Tirana)

Blloku (Ish-Blloku), is an affluent neighborhood in Tirana, Albania. With its boutiques, stores, restaurants, fashionable bars, pubs, and cafés, it is well-known as an entertainment destination. The neighborhood of Tirana e Re is located in southern Tirana. During the summer, its fashionable bars move along the Albanian Riviera.

It became particularly appealing following the collapse of communism in Albania, since it was a restricted residential neighborhood for members of the Albanian politburo during the communist era, and ordinary Albanians were not permitted in. It was not noted on most maps. The mansion of Albania’s communist leader Enver Hoxha may still be seen in Blloku.

Since the end of communism in Albania, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of new constructions, with many new luxury flats and apartments. Ish-Blloku has been dubbed the “playground of Albania’s youthful elite.”

Blloku is a tiny strolling neighborhood that is readily accessible from many places of Tirana. The entrance of Blloku is about 10–15 minutes’ walk from Tirana’s city center.

In addition, the first international fast food chain (KFC) in Albania opened in Ish-Blloku and Tirana East Gate.