It's the cheapest city to visit in Europe this summer, coffee costs 50 cents
The holidays are approaching: you're dreaming of a getaway, but your pockets are (almost) empty. Are you looking for a destination away from the crowds, preferably easily accessible from France? Good news: this city stands out as the best alternative to the usual popular and expensive destinations.
We're staying in Europe, and the good news is that low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Transavia can reach this destination in a 2-hour, 45-minute direct flight, starting at €25. An Airbnb there will cost you around €40 a night, and you can refresh yourself with a pint of beer for less than €3.
Destination Tirana, the capital of Albania, easy to explore on foot or by bike and an ideal starting point for exploring the mountains and the Albanian Riviera with its beautiful beaches like Ksamil, particularly popular with Instagrammers and TikTok fans. The beating heart of Tirana is its immense pedestrian square named Skanderberg in honor of the national hero who fought the Ottomans. All around, you will find emblematic historical and modern buildings such as the National History Museum remarkable for its immense Soviet-style mosaic, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, a jewel of Ottoman architecture or the Clock Tower which offers a panoramic view of the square for 2 euros!
On the outskirts, you also shouldn't miss the unique visit to Bunk'Art 1 for 5 euros: a fascinating museum housed in a former underground bunker built during the Hoxha dictatorship. It's a must-see place to discover Albania's history, during the communist period and the Cold War. Right next to this bunker, you'll take a cable car that will drop you off in 15 minutes at Mount Dajti. Once at the top, the view of the capital is magical and you can enjoy hiking trails or have a picnic.
This city is definitely pleasant in summer, with its wide sidewalks and large terraces where coffee costs between 50 cents and 1 euro and a local meal between 5 and 10 euros. Its street art frescoes and colorful facades brighten up the urban landscape, starting with the Ministry of Agriculture building, all dressed in red in the center.
Another surprising visit that you should not miss in Tirana is the House of Leaves, housed in the premises of the former communist secret police: it is a poignant museum that explores the methods of surveillance and espionage in this sinister place where many interrogations took place under torture during the dictatorship.
With its landscapes still preserved from mass tourism and its fascinating history, Albania is one of the few hidden gems left to be discovered in Europe. What are you waiting for? Go there before it's too late!
L'Internaute
