Affordable 'Maldives of Europe' with stunning beaches and flights from £15

A stunning formation destination a abbreviated formation distant from the UK, Albania offers prices that are a fraction of what you'd wage for a vacation successful the Maldives

Albania has precocious gained fame arsenic a budget-friendly alternate to the Maldives, particularly for those travelling with household oregon during highest times. Known arsenic the 'Maldives of Europe', it offers a cheaper enactment and remains comparatively unexplored.

Flights from London Luton to Tirana, Albania's capital, are disposable for conscionable £14.99 with Wizz Air. Accommodation successful the metropolis starts from astir £20 per night, though prices tin summation for much luxurious options oregon during highest periods.

Albania was isolated from overmuch of the world for 4 decades nether its Communist regime. However, since the aboriginal 1990s, the state has undergone a important transformation.

Tirana is simply a metropolis steeped successful history, with remnants of its Ottoman, Italian and Communist past inactive visible. Tourists are drawn to these humanities sites.

The House of Leaves showcases the country's caller communist past, portion the Great Mosque of Tirana and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania amusement disconnected the city's spiritual diverseness and the past associated with this.

Another tract that past fans should sojourn is the Byzantine-era Fortress of Justinian, besides known arsenic Tirana Castle. All that is near of this 13th-century operation is simply a 6-metre precocious Ottoman-era wall, though the grounds are presently undergoing restoration works.

Inside the walls is simply a alternatively modernised country afloat of restaurants, hotels, and taste institutions, wherever you tin instrumentality a speedy pitstop and refuel with nutrient earlier continuing your circuit of the city.

Tirana is besides a large destination for thrill-seekers, who tin sojourn the apical of the Dajti Ekspres for upland biking, paragliding, oregon stone climbing.

For those seeking a relaxing holiday, Tirana serves arsenic a gateway to the Albanian Riviera, often compared to the Maldives. This portion of the Ionian Sea boasts stunning beaches, unthinkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and unsocial towns and cities.

The past metropolis of Bultrint, 1 of the UNESCO sites, is simply a must-visit for past enthusiasts. With 2500 years of past spanning the Ancient Greek and Roman eras, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the country's past.

And erstwhile you're not basking connected the stunning beaches of this area, marque definite to sojourn Blue Eye (or Syri I Kalter arsenic it's known locally), a freshwater outpouring that tends to beryllium little crowded with tourists compared to different spots on the Riviera.