Want culture, history and beauty from your break? Look no further than Albania! Check out our last post of 2018 to get inspired for your 2019 travels!

It may not even be 2019 yet, but now is one of the best times to start planning your spring and summer adventures!

You might only know Albania as one of the first countries alphabetically, but this Balkan beauty is a haven of culture and surprise. This route takes you in and around Albania’s capital of Tirana, and to the gorgeous coastal port of Durrës, two locations that will leave you wanting to come back and explore this brilliant region even more!

Tirana, like many other former Yugoslavian cities, is a capital that combines a rich and developed history with a more recent, impactful past, as well as signs of a modern future. The iconic Piramida is a communist relic that is truly unique – though seemingly a disused, vandalised structure, a short lesson in the history of this site will let you understand why this location is so crucial to Albania today. If you want to see this brilliant city from above, the Dajti Ekspres cable car travels high above Tirana into a wonderful, natural haven – this is the longest cable car service across the Balkans, giving you the best opportunity to snap those incredible photos to show off your fab holiday!

Only 40 minutes West from Tirana by train, the port of Durrës may seem like a total world away from life within the capital. Bordering the Adriatic Sea, Durrës is a combination of seaside destination and ancient monument. With its foundations being believed to be back in 600 B.C., it isn’t a surprise that the seaport is home to a 15,000-seat amphitheatre, however seeing is always believing! Durrës is also an archaeological goldmine – as well as relaxing by the coast, you can also explore the region’s past through its objects and buildings, ranging from bathhouses with glorious designs to the city’s unavoidable castle.

(Prices last checked 26th December 2018)

11th March – LUT – TIR (06:50 – 10:50) – £10.50 (Wizz Air Discount Club), £18 (without Wizz Air Discount Club) (Transfer from Tirana Airport to city centre = £2)

13th March – Tirana – Durrës (11:45 – 12:25) – 50p (hsh.com.al)

14th March – Durrës – Tirana (15:35 – 16:15) – 50p (hsh.com.al)

Note – The station for Tirana is actually in Kashar, a 15 minute drive from the centre of the capital. If you would prefer to travel from Tirana itself, please search coach services, such as this one. These are however not verified. Please also check before travel that the trains are actually running – it is reported that they may often stop or not run with little to no notification. Train times may also change with no prior notice.

15th March – TIR – LUT (11:30 – 13:30) – £15.50 (Wizz Air Discount Club), £23 (without Wizz Air Discount Club) (Transfer to Tirana Airport from city centre = £2)

Total = £31/£46

Regarding accommodation, both Tirana and Durrës are home to many affordable homestay options, located both in the centre of the city and by the seafront respectively. Both also present a range of cute and quirky hostels and cheap hotels perfect for a short Balkan break. If you want to experience Albanian hospitality for less, don’t forget that Student Holiday Plans offers new Airbnb users the chance to save £25 from their first booking anywhere in the world over £55 – check out our page here explaining how!

Currency conversion rate (26th December 2018) – 1 GBP = 136.45 LEK

Images: Alexandr Bormotin, jesper-48.blogspot.com, albania.al

Please note, all the information on this page is accurate at the time of publication. If you are viewing this deal at a later date, the price and availability may no longer be as advertised.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

Like this: Like Loading... Related