Best Europe Summer Low Budget Hidden Gem!
August 19, 2024
One of the great things about being a long term digital nomad doing the Schengen shuffle is the amazing hidden budget gems one discovers traveling Europe. We discovered the beauty of budget Albania last fall in beach havens Saranda and Ksamil, and I wrote about the 15 Cheapest Beautiful Countries in Europe.I also wrote tips on how to find the right place so you can skip the heat and crowds of the summer high season! I'm always happy to be discovering new secret travel gems and Lake Ohrid is an undiscovered treasure!
I've written a lot about cheapest ways to travel Europe, so check out our many blog posts. Do you want the best tips on budget-friendly European destinations? It's truly a total myth that travel has to be expensive and we prove that daily on our travels! No matter if it is family travel or couples travel, or solo travel, or digital nomads, absolutely ANYONE can travel Europe cheaply. Sure fall, spring or winter travel is cheaper, but low budget travel in summer is possible. I have become an expert on traveling luxuriously in Europe on a low budget. It is so fun to discover a new travel gem!
We are loving the Albania side of Lake Ohrid. The prices are low, no crowds, summer weather is perfect, good food, very walkable and we are in a luxury apartment with fast internet just a few feet away from the beach. I will be writing more details soon! Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( on both the Albania and North Macedonia sides).
Lake Ohrid is gorgeous and very ethereal and magical. It is huge and one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes. It borders both Albania and nearby North Macedonia.
We fell in love with it at first glance. The photo above was taken on our ride from Tirana to Lake Ohrid.
Then I took this photo of our first sunset from my balcony. Even though we are only feet away from the extensive lake beach, it is very quiet and serene. It is such a big lake and beach and boardwalk areas that it is never too crowded.
Every day, we walk here and enjoy the sites. It is always sunny, but even at noon it is not too hot to take a long walk. One has the beach, boardwalk, canals, woods to choose from. There are plans to make the main road along the beach all pedestrian which will make it even better.
Much of the area is newly built and most of the tourists are Albanian and everyone seems happy. The fresh, organic vegetables are some of the best I have ever eaten.
The ancient, natural springs make it a Venice type of place. The swans and ducks add to the serene and beautiful atmosphere.
There are lots of great restaurants, many built on the beach or canals, but never crowded, even in high season August. One feels like you have the whole place to yourself in many ways. We see a few license plates from France, Italy and Greece on cars, but mostly Albanian.
One of my fun habits here has been enjoying the delightful swans on my daily walks. Of course they are also very popular with kids and families. I am thrilled that I have just lost 20 lbs as I gained a bit when Heavenly visited and with the added stress. So I am taking this time to get more fit.
Lake Ohrid has such a heavenly, ethereal vibe to it that it seems to be a popular place to do wedding photos. At least we have seen a couple photo shoots and it does look timeless and angelic with mountains, lake and clouds.
One can also rent a rowboat or have someone row you at nearby beautiful, serene Drilon National Park! I will be writing more about this peaceful place which was once the summer home of one of the world's cruelest dictators, but now a happy sanctuary for all to enjoy.
There is something very 1950's or 1960's about this part of Lake Ohrid. It reminds us both of vacations we took as kids.
There is something that is very wholesome and charming about the simplicity. We will soon visit the more popular North Macedonia side of Lake Ohrid. I am sure it has many charms, but the Albania side as stolen my heart. With house hunting in Spain, vicious dog bite attack there for Gar & my dental work in Sitges during our last spring/summer visit, we are grateful for some peaceful healing time here.
We will definitely be back! How about you? Does Lake Ohrid look tempting to you?
One of the great things about being a long term digital nomad doing the Schengen shuffle is the amazing hidden budget gems one discovers traveling Europe. We discovered the beauty of budget Albania last fall in beach havens Saranda and Ksamil, and I wrote about the 15 Cheapest Beautiful Countries in Europe.I also wrote tips on how to find the right place so you can skip the heat and crowds of the summer high season! I'm always happy to be discovering new secret travel gems and Lake Ohrid is an undiscovered treasure!
I've written a lot about cheapest ways to travel Europe, so check out our many blog posts. Do you want the best tips on budget-friendly European destinations? It's truly a total myth that travel has to be expensive and we prove that daily on our travels! No matter if it is family travel or couples travel, or solo travel, or digital nomads, absolutely ANYONE can travel Europe cheaply. Sure fall, spring or winter travel is cheaper, but low budget travel in summer is possible. I have become an expert on traveling luxuriously in Europe on a low budget. It is so fun to discover a new travel gem!
We are loving the Albania side of Lake Ohrid. The prices are low, no crowds, summer weather is perfect, good food, very walkable and we are in a luxury apartment with fast internet just a few feet away from the beach. I will be writing more details soon! Lake Ohrid is a UNESCO World Heritage Site ( on both the Albania and North Macedonia sides).
Lake Ohrid is gorgeous and very ethereal and magical. It is huge and one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes. It borders both Albania and nearby North Macedonia.
We fell in love with it at first glance. The photo above was taken on our ride from Tirana to Lake Ohrid.
Then I took this photo of our first sunset from my balcony. Even though we are only feet away from the extensive lake beach, it is very quiet and serene. It is such a big lake and beach and boardwalk areas that it is never too crowded.
Every day, we walk here and enjoy the sites. It is always sunny, but even at noon it is not too hot to take a long walk. One has the beach, boardwalk, canals, woods to choose from. There are plans to make the main road along the beach all pedestrian which will make it even better.
Much of the area is newly built and most of the tourists are Albanian and everyone seems happy. The fresh, organic vegetables are some of the best I have ever eaten.
The ancient, natural springs make it a Venice type of place. The swans and ducks add to the serene and beautiful atmosphere.
There are lots of great restaurants, many built on the beach or canals, but never crowded, even in high season August. One feels like you have the whole place to yourself in many ways. We see a few license plates from France, Italy and Greece on cars, but mostly Albanian.
One of my fun habits here has been enjoying the delightful swans on my daily walks. Of course they are also very popular with kids and families. I am thrilled that I have just lost 20 lbs as I gained a bit when Heavenly visited and with the added stress. So I am taking this time to get more fit.
Lake Ohrid has such a heavenly, ethereal vibe to it that it seems to be a popular place to do wedding photos. At least we have seen a couple photo shoots and it does look timeless and angelic with mountains, lake and clouds.
One can also rent a rowboat or have someone row you at nearby beautiful, serene Drilon National Park! I will be writing more about this peaceful place which was once the summer home of one of the world's cruelest dictators, but now a happy sanctuary for all to enjoy.
There is something very 1950's or 1960's about this part of Lake Ohrid. It reminds us both of vacations we took as kids.
There is something that is very wholesome and charming about the simplicity. We will soon visit the more popular North Macedonia side of Lake Ohrid. I am sure it has many charms, but the Albania side as stolen my heart. With house hunting in Spain, vicious dog bite attack there for Gar & my dental work in Sitges during our last spring/summer visit, we are grateful for some peaceful healing time here.
We will definitely be back! How about you? Does Lake Ohrid look tempting to you?
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