With a week off in May ’26, it was time to hunt for another enjoyable city break. Although we had already visited Albania three times before, this would be our very first stay in Tirana, the vibrant capital of the Land of the Skipetars.

By now, our travel routine is almost second nature. First comes the search for an affordable flight, which invariably means giving Ryanair and its low-cost companions a wide berth. This time, Austrian Airlines came out on top, offering convenient flights via Vienna before continuing to the Albanian capital.

Once the flights are booked, it’s time to browse Airbnb in search of a comfortable apartment in a central location—our ideal base for exploring everything the city has to offer.