In recent years, Albania has become famed as a great destination dupe for the Maldives, which can be a rather expensive holiday, especially if travelling with family or at peak times.
The ‘Maldives of Europe’ is a much cheaper option and, despite a glowing reputation, is still relatively off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Flights from London Luton to Albania’s capital city of Tirana cost just £14.99 when flying with Wizz Air, and hotel rooms in the city start from around £20 per night, although than can get a bit pricier if looking for something bit more upmarket or if visiting at peak times.
Cut off from much of the rest of the world for four decades, Albania’s Communist regime was swept away in the early 1990s and since then the country has undergone a complete transformation.
Tirana itself is a city full of history, with relics of its Ottoman, Italian and Communist past all still present in the city, with tourists flocking to these sites.
The House of Leaves showcases the country’s recent communist past, while the Great Mosque of Tirana and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania show off the city’s religious diversity and the history associated with this.
Another site that history fans should visit is the Byzantine-era Fortress of Justinian, also known as Tirana Castle. All that is left of this 13th-century structure is a 6-metre high Ottoman-era wall, although the grounds are currently undergoing restoration works.
Inside the walls is a rather modernised area full of restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions, where you can take a quick pitstop and refuel with food before continuing your tour of the city.
Tirana is also a great destination for thrill-seekers, who can visit the top of the Dajti Ekspres for mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers looking for a relaxing getaway can use Tirana as a gateway to the Albanian Riviera, the exact area that has been compared to the Maldives.
This stretch of the Ionian Sea is full of breathtaking beaches, amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some stunning and quicky towns and cities.
The pre-historic city of Bultrint is one of these UNESCO sites and with 2500 years of history covering the Ancient Greek and Roman periods of the country’s past, this a must-see for any history buffs.
And when not enjoying the amazing beaches of this region, be sure to take a trip to Blue Eye (or Syri I Kalter as it’s known to the locals), a freshwater spring that is usually not quite as touristy as other places along the Riviera.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
