ALBANIA’S capital Tirana has just been ranked the third cheapest city for a weekend break in 2026.
And when it comes to the accommodation, it pips the rest on the affordability scale.
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The hilltop town of Kruje, just a few miles outside TiranaCredit: GettyThe city’s Skanderbeg SquareCredit: Getty
But its low prices are just the start. It’s great for food, bars and quirky sightseeing . . .
WHY SHOULD I GO?
THE city is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. It has a fascinating history, which has been marked by periods of occupation and a harsh dictatorship that lasted until the 1990s.
This has left its mark on the city skyline, which is a striking mix of brutalist, communist-era buildings and quirky architecture, including Tirana’s Rock — a 26-storey building uniquely shaped like a face.
Plus, with round-trip flights from just over £30 — and only taking three hours — and temperatures that reach 34C in summer time, visiting is a no-brainer.
THE centre is very walkable, with wide, tree-lined boulevards that criss-cross the main squares and key attractions.
For a comprehensive introduction to the city, join the on-foot Tirana Free Tour, which departs five times a day from outside the Opera House.
You will likely begin at Skanderbeg Square — the city’s main central plaza, named after Albania’s national hero.
From here, you will be within easy reach of several attractions — The National Historical Museum, Et’hem Bej Mosque and Opera House.
If you want to venture farther afield, Kruje is an historic town 12 miles north of Tirana. Buses from the main terminal cost less than £1, or you can get a taxi for around £25.
The town is home to medieval castle ruins and has a bazaar packed with beautiful Albanian rugs and cashmere, which make perfect souvenirs.
The mountain backdrop is a showstopper, too.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
A MUST-visit is the House of Leaves — former HQ of the country’s secret police.
It is now a museum exploring the extensive surveillance and spying that Albanians endured during the dictatorship.
And for cracking views, don’t miss a cable-car ride through Dajti National Park, a short taxi ride north of the city centre.
There are a wide array of activities at the top of the mountain, including mini-golf and a shooting gallery, but those seeking a more relaxing experience should visit just before sunset to witness the stunning golden hour.
For some proper R&R, head to Ritual Spa and Hammam.
A traditional byrek – filo pastry stuffed with meat or cheeseCredit: GettyTirana Skanderbeg Square from aboveCredit: Getty
Hidden behind an unassuming door on the second floor of an apartment building, the space opens up into a beautifully curated sanctuary complete with wellness areas, including a sauna, steam room and salt room.
Treatments are cheap, too, with facials from £22 and hour-long massages for under £40.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
ALBANIAN food is a hearty, homely blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours.
Oda restaurant in the Zona 1 area of the city is properly authentic, serving stuffed peppers, slow-baked lamb with yoghurt and flaky homemade pastries filled with cheese and spinach.
You can dine outdoors under the shade of pomegranate and lemon trees while a roaming folk band brings the garden to life with traditional music.
For budget-friendly bites, try the street-food stalls at the New Bazaar in the Pazari i Ri neighbourhood.
Be sure to get your hands on a byrek — a filo pastry stuffed with meat or cheese that you can pick up for less than £1.
I FANCY A DRINK…
A WANDER through the lively streets of the Blloku neighbourhood will reward visitors with stylish speakeasy-style bars.
During the dictatorship, this area was reserved for the communist elite and ordinary Albanians were not allowed to enter.
But today, it’s the epicentre of nightlife in Tirana — and everyone is welcome.
Start at Mugo, a chic bar with a low-lit, leafy garden, serving cocktails dressed with sugared fruit and edible flowers, all for under £10. Nunu, just across the road, is equally indulgent.
Then continue along Pjeter Bogdani Street for a ready-made bar crawl, where casual drinking spots spill out on to the pavement and pints come in at under £4.
For a proper Albanian night out, head to Ava Club, where DJs mix Balkan tracks with electronic beats and crowds whip white handkerchiefs through the air — a lively tradition that gets the whole place buzzing.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
FOR a central base, stay in the Tregu Cam district, or Blloku if you want somewhere a bit livelier. Budget, mid-range and boutique options are available in both districts.
But for something basic yet reliable and very well located, look to the Tirana International Hotel, which has affordable rooms, an on-site casino, two restaurants and a bar.
GO: TIRANA
GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from London Luton to Tirana from £31.80 return. See wizzair.com.
STAYING THERE: The 4H Tirana International Hotel has double and twin rooms from around £80 per night on a B&B basis. See tiranainternational.com.
The beautiful city has “wonderful” Roman architecture and stone houses
Andrea Blazquez Editor of Spare Time
15:42, 08 May 2026Updated 06:17, 09 May 2026
UK’s most walkable town is ‘incredibly beautiful’ — not York or Oxford(Image: Getty)
A new study by Sweepstakes Table examined the UK’s major cities to determine which are the easiest to explore on foot, with the beautiful city of Bath coming out on top. Scoring an impressive 99.04 on the walkability index, Bath was crowned the most pedestrian-friendly destination in the country.
The city’s key attractions are all within 1.3 miles of one another, meaning visitors can stroll between them in just 29 minutes. Highlights include the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and the Royal Crescent. One Reddit user said: “Bath is a wonderful city to walk in. I’ve lived here for two years without a car, and it’s been a pleasure.
“The University is on a hill, so some students don’t like walking up it much and tend to get the bus. The bus can get busy at peak times. You can get a scooter halfway up the hill at the moment.
“If you’re going up five days a week for 9am, it might get annoying. But overall, no, you don’t need a car, and often you’re better off without one.”
A visitor reviewing the city on Tripadvisor said: “Bath is incredibly beautiful. The atmosphere is romantic and good to spend all day getting to know the city.”
Another traveller added: “Unmissable! And if you are in London, you can make a return trip the same day and still get to know Stonehenge. The town is old, of Roman architecture, beautiful, medieval, with stone houses.”
