Sunny, stylish and super affordable, this city in Albania offers 22°C days in April, £1 pints and flights from the UK for just £23. Is this Europe’s best-kept secret?
If you’re dreaming of a warm European getaway this spring without breaking the bank, Tirana might be the best-kept secret you didn’t know you needed. Albania’s vibrant capital enjoys sunny Mediterranean weather in April, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 22°C, perfect for sightseeing without the summer crowds.
Flights from London Luton to Tirana can cost as little as £23 in April, thanks to budget airline Wizz Air. Combine that with £1 pints, and you’ve got a seriously wallet-friendly escape on your hands.
Tirana is a city packed with quirky charm, history and colour. Painted buildings, socialist-era monuments and leafy parks give it a unique, layered character that feels both authentic and unexpected.
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Begin your adventure in Skanderbeg Square, the city’s beating heart, named after Albania’s national hero. Here, you’ll find the beautiful 18th-century Et’hem Bey Mosque and the iconic Sahat-Kulla clock tower built in 1830.
For a glimpse into Albania’s recent past, visit Bunk’Art2, a chilling Cold War-era bunker-turned-museum right in the city centre. Its labyrinth of tunnels and exhibitions tells the story of a country once closed off to the world.
Don’t miss the Peace Bell, constructed from bullet cartridges to symbolise the end of Albania’s violent past. Just around the corner is the National History Museum, easily spotted thanks to its vast socialist-realist mural on the façade.
The city also has a distinctly Italian flair, thanks to periods of Italian occupation and Mussolini-era architecture. Wide boulevards and rationalist buildings give parts of the city a surprisingly Roman feel.
Head to the quirky Blloku neighbourhood, once reserved for the communist elite, now buzzing with coffee shops, rooftop bars and boutiques. This is also where you’ll find many of Tirana’s legendary £1 pints, a dream for any budget-conscious traveller.
Green spaces are everywhere, the Grand Park of Tirana offers lakeside walks, gardens and even an open-air amphitheatre. Grab a coffee (Albania takes its caffeine culture seriously) and watch the world go by.
For panoramic views, take the Dajti Express cable car up to Mount Dajti. At the top, you’ll find a park, restaurants and jaw-dropping views of the capital and beyond.
Tirana is also a great base to explore more of Albania, from the coastal towns of Durrës and Vlora to the UNESCO-listed town of Berat. With a low cost of living and warm hospitality, it’s easy to see why Tirana is fast becoming a favourite for savvy travellers.
Albania has one of the highest numbers of bunkers per capita in the world; over 170,000 were built during Enver Hoxha’s regime. Today, many have been turned into art spaces, cafés and museums.
Whether you’re a culture lover, foodie or just after a good-value city break in the sunshine, Tirana ticks every box. It’s charming, quirky and still under the radar, but probably not for much longer.