{"id":1041,"date":"2025-04-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1041"},"modified":"2025-04-22T12:00:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T12:00:45","slug":"the-underrated-european-capital-where-i-spent-less-than-70-a-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/17\/the-underrated-european-capital-where-i-spent-less-than-70-a-day\/","title":{"rendered":"The underrated European capital where I spent less than \u00a370 a day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
Skanderbeg Square is the heart of Tirana, and the perfect place to start your visit (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A gargantuan mural with a girl painted in earthy tones. A bright, striped block of flats. A new skyscraper shaped like a giant head.<\/p>\n

Driving through Tirana, I can\u2019t help but look up. My taxi driver, Erion, leans over the steering wheel and points to the buildings around us. \u2018That\u2019s new, that one is a couple of years old, that one is very popular with tourists, this is also new,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n

A tantalising aroma wafts from a stall beside the car window. A seller is unwrapping fresh ballokume<\/em>, a traditional sweet treat, and kula\u00e7<\/em>, Albanian<\/a> soda bread. On the corner, men are playing an intense game of dominoes on a makeshift table.<\/p>\n

At first glance, Tirana feels lively, but not overwhelming. The Albanian capital, with its almost 600,000 inhabitants, is more or less the size of the London<\/a> borough of Brent, but it has ambitious plans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And with its chequered history, Mediterranean climate and delicious cuisine, it\u2019s an underrated choice for an affordable city break<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Things to do in Tirana<\/h2>\n
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Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s impossible to visit Tirana without meeting memories of its Communist past. Not far from Skanderbeg Square, known as the heart of the city, is an underground Cold War bunker.<\/p>\n

Bunk\u2019Art 2 \u2013 and Bunk\u2019Art 1, located further out \u2013 are museums that give life to Enver Hoxha\u2019s paranoia (entry is \u00a37.85, with cheaper options for a combined ticket or groups).<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Skanderbeg\t<\/div>
Skanderbeg Square is named after a beloved national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Sk\u00ebnderbeu, who resisted Ottoman rule in the 15th century (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Albania\u2019s Communist leader was so obsessed with foreign invasion that it\u2019s estimated he ordered the creation of more than 170,000 bunkers \u2013 making Albania the country with the most bunkers in the world (as far as we know, at least).<\/p>\n

After the fall of Communism in the early \u201990s, Tirana was mostly made up of grey, Soviet-style buildings. <\/p>\n

In the early \u201900s, Edi Rama \u2013 the then mayor and now Prime Minister \u2013 launched an initiative to inject colour into the capital.<\/p>\n

As a result, there are murals everywhere you turn, from residential corners to park benches. If you are planning to stay only a few days, consider joining a street art tour that will take you to hidden Insta-worthy spots.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"LIFESTYLE\t<\/div>
Tirana is located in the centre of Albania and has a Mediterranean climate (Picture: Metro\/Datawrapper)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other attractions worth visiting include the Et\u2019hem Bey Mosque \u2013 a beautiful cultural monument that was spared destruction during the Communist era \u2013 and Mount Dajti, which can be reached via cable car.<\/p>\n

Something that surprised me about Albania was its eclectic and tasty food. It\u2019s a mix of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours, with hearty meat dishes and delicious vegetarian staples.<\/p>\n

I tasted perhaps too many crispy byrek<\/em> (savoury pastries), as well as yoghurt-based sauces and juicy dolma<\/em> (stuffed vegetables). <\/p>\n

One of my favourite meals was at Piceri Era Blloku, which serves succulent Albanian qofte<\/em> (meatballs) with a creamy sauce of plum nardem<\/em>, a traditional preserve (\u00a36.72).<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Travel,\t<\/div>
Restorant Tymi was bright and buzzing (Picture: Martina Andretta)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, I couldn\u2019t not<\/em> put Albanian nightlife to the test. <\/p>\n

Head to Radio Bar Tirana for some seriously cheap cocktails (starting at \u00a36.54) with retro vibes.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for something more upmarket, the 360\u00b0 rotating bar at Sky Club offers an incredible view and a romantic atmosphere. I sat there for two hours, waiting for the sun to go down and paint the skyline red, sipping blood orange martinis (around \u00a310 each).<\/p>\n

What\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Tirana\t<\/div>
Sky Bar was recommended by locals, and was a highlight of my stay (Picture: Martina Andretta)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, my favourite was Komiteti Bar. <\/p>\n

The venue calls itself a \u2018caf\u00e9-museum\u2019, and it\u2019s decorated with objects from the Communist period. There are handmade doilies, repurposed sewing machines, and traditional costumes hanging on the walls. After our first visit, when we had some classic cocktails, we came back again, this time determined to give raki <\/em>(a traditional Albanian spirit) a try. <\/p>\n

The team behind the bar welcomed us with a smile, shouting from afar, \u2018You back again?!\u2019<\/p>\n

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@its.around<\/a> <\/p>\n

Si viajas a Tirana guardate estos dos lugares!! 100% recomendables!! S\u00edgueme para m\u00e1s recomendaciones #travel<\/a> #tirana<\/a> #albania<\/a> #travelcontent<\/a> #workingnomad<\/a> #spanishgirl<\/a> #remotework<\/a> #digitalnomad<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Can\u2019t Seem to Make You Mine \u2013 The Seeds<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Due to some language difficulties, we decided to fully trust our waiter to choose a selection of raki drinks based on the options \u2018spicy, sweet, or sour\u2019. <\/p>\n

We were not disappointed when we received a refreshing berry-based infusion and a tumbler with a simil-whisky sour, the perfect accompaniment to the live music in the background.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tWhat I spent in a day in Tirana\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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