If you’re dreaming of a European city break that won’t break the bank and start your year right, you might want to pack your bags for Kosovo. According to Weather2Travel, this Balkan capital is the cheapest city in Europe in 2026/2027, offering cheap accommodation, food, drinks, and transport—all in one place. Pristina, the capital of the second youngest country in the world after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, has it all — from history, culture and stunning architecture to impressively affordable prices and delicious cuisine.
Another major plus is that you can fly direct from London Luton Airport to Pristina with Wizz Air, with one-way fares starting at just £34.14 at the end of January, and return flights from as little as £25.14 at the time of writing, and the flight takes just over three hours.
A draft beer costs just €2 (£1.74), a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is €5 (£4.34), and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant (without drinks) comes to €25 (£21.70), according to Numbeo.
Despite its small size, the city has a growing café culture and lively nightlife. The Blloku area is also popular for shopping, trendy cafés, and nightlife, and it is a great place to try Kosovo-style coffee.
From the Kosovo Museum to the Gračanica Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city offers plenty of sights to explore. Its mix of Ottoman-era buildings, Yugoslav brutalist architecture, and the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa creates a striking cityscape.
Key sites also include the Imperial Mosque, Newborn Monument, Mother Teresa Square, Ethnological Museum (Emin Gjiku Complex), and the Kosovo National Library.
Visitors can also take a short trip to the Bear Sanctuary in Mramor, located about 20 to 30 minutes from the city center. The sanctuary rescues bears that were previously kept in poor conditions and provides them with a safe, natural habitat.
Travel YouTuber, @195Under30, who aims to travel as much as the planet as possible and travel to 195 countries before the age of 30 wrote about the city: “The capital of Kosovo, this incredible city completely blew my mind!
“From its incredible architecture to the friendly locals, I could not believe that this was Kosovo! Having suffered from war and conflict, this incredible country left a truly unforgettable mark on me!”
He even called Pristina “Europe’s most surprising capital city.”
Someone else called Afrinda Gunawan, shared a video of the stunning Pristina skyline on Instagram and said that Kosovo is “Europe’s youngest country with the biggest heart.”