Korçë, Albania

Capital City

At 850 meters above sea level, Korçë delivers crisp mountain air and four distinct seasons—winters get properly cold here, with snow that sticks. The Old Bazaar area still feels like the heart of the city, where you'll find the best coffee shops and a slower pace than Tirana. Just know that as the largest city in eastern Albania, it's still small by European standards, and English proficiency drops sharply outside tourist areas.

Rent is laughably cheap by Western standards, but the trade-off is limited international amenities. You won't find a sprawling expat scene here—this is for self-sufficient types who want to embed in local life. The Morava Mountains provide hiking right from town, but healthcare options thin out fast for anything serious.