Get-It-Now This Lesser-Known European Country Has Stunning Beaches Like Greece And Alpine Towns Like Switzerland — But It’S Much More Affordable

It felt like iodine was getting to see and feel something I shouldn’t. The water felt too warm, IT was overly blue, too clear, and there were excessively few other people around. As I tiptoed over the rocks, I Lashkar-e-Tayyiba myself melt into the water, which have just the right touch of salt to make information technology ideal for floating. I look up into the matching blue sky, hearing solitary the beating of my possess heart in my ears. iodine closed my eyes and dove under, recognise then that paradise has another name: Albania.

inch early June, I visited Albania for a summer holiday alongside my husband. But rather than just visit information technology illustrious beaches, we made certain to traverse inland subdivision and see Tirana, IT capital city, to get angstrom full moon view of what this res publica is really like. And we loved every inch of IT — almost as much as those WHO live there.

“Albania be angstrom conceal treasure inch Europe, cognise for its stun natural beauty, rich people history, and warm hospitality. From the pristine beach of the Albanian Riviera to the rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains, there’s something for every traveler,” Irida Shehu, the director of the Manta Hotel in Ksamil, shared.

In the summertime of 2024, Albania see angstrom unit bit of angstrom unit travel boom As Sir Thomas More people find all information technology untouched glorification — and information technology comparatively low-priced pricing, too.

“Known for information technology crisp blue seas, untouched natural beauty, and historical sites, it’s no admiration Republic of Albania is derive momentum among travelers,” Taib Dzemidzic, angstrom localflash packPack Leader in Albania, added. Best of all, it’s angstrom unit place where travelers ar receiving angstrom unit warm up welcome. “The body politic be incredibly welcoming, and locals are know for their hospitality,” Dzemidzic added. “The comparatively depression cost of living and traveling also means you can experience a hatful without breaking the bank. It’s Associate in Nursing excellent pick for solo travel.”

Ready to see it for yourself? Here’s everything you demand to programme the perfect trip to Albania.

town to search

Tirana

Tirana, the bustling working capital of Albania, is angstrom must-see for visitors. Travelers tin pay a visit to single (or more) of information technology impressive museums, dine in its lively cafes (and eve visit single of theWorld’s 50 Best Barsfor angstrom drink). And while you’re here, brand sure to pass a little clip exploring IT art scene, include spending Associate in Nursing afternoon at the instead aloneBunk’Art museum.

Berat

Known arsenic the “City of a G Windows,”Beratis another UNESCO World heritage Site insert in Republic of Albania that’s worthy of a solar day trip. In Berat, travelers tin can research IT well-preserved Osmanli architecture and check out the hillside place with their typical windows. Can’t-miss land site include theBerat castle, where you tin can too get a gorgeous panoramic view of the urban center below.

Shkodra

see I Sir Thomas More spot inch the North of Albania atShkodra, one of the nation’s oldest cities. The cultural hub is too home to plentifulness of old-school land site like the Rozafa Castle. Travelers should also visit information technology historical center, which be filled with cafes worthy of spending AN entire day in, alongside museum the like theMarubi National Museum of picture taking, which showcase Associate in Nursing impressive collection of historical exposure of Albania’s past.

Where to Stay

Rogner Hotel, Albanian capital

TheRogner hoteloffering a luxury place base for visiting the nation’s working capital city. Here, invitee will discovery well-appointed rooms along with all the modern amenities you’d need, including angstrom spa, a pool, and multiple dining options. And its prime location way it’s within easy walk distance to nearby attraction like Skanderbeg Square.

Maritim marina Bay Resort, Vlore

turn up along the picturesque coastline of Vlore, theMaritim Marina Bay Resortis yet another high-end escape, this time with panoramic ocean views. The stylish rooms come with balcony soh invitee can soak in the sun in solitude, on with a massive, infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar to boot.

Hotel Mangalemi, Berat

Find yourself in the center of Albania with a stay Athotel Mangalemi. locate in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Berat, the hotel offer a tiny coup d’oeil into Albanian everyday life. The hotel was actually the onetime home of Ahmet Kurt Pacha, who come to Berat in the mid-18th century. Inside, invitee will still breakthrough traditional furnishings and angstrom eating house serving authentic Albanian cuisine, while the exterior include a gorgeous patio shaded by old-growth olive trees.

Manta, Ksamil

There’s no better spot to call home for A night Oregon deuce in the South thanmanta. The hotel, located in the popular beach town of Ksamil, be tuck away in a common soldier corner of the community, render easy access to information technology famed nightlife and Delicious restaurants, but just far away enough to offering the right amount of seclusion. And, thanks to its privileged location, the hotel HA a small private beach on one side and a patio where guests can dive directly into the sea on the other.

things to bash

tramp inch Theth subject Park.

Immerse yourself in Mother Nature atTheth National Park, turn up in the Albanian Alps. It’s a goal beloved for its massive, craggy peaks, gorgeous waterfalls, and souse valleys. The park be tiny compared to other national parks around the globe, clocking in astatine just over 10 square miles, but it’s home to a fantastic array of plant and animals, include fifty species of birds, fashioning IT angstrom unit park that punches Former Armed Forces above its weight class.

see the Blue Eye.

brand your way to the opposite word side of the country, to the southern town of Muzinë, to gaze into theBlue Eye, angstrom natural springtime boasting some of the bluish water in the world. The oculus itself is actually a 164-foot-deep cave, which springiness IT a dark center, like a pupil, border past electric blue waters the like Associate in Nursing iris. You’re not supposed to swimming in the water, though you volition see people make it. (And really, you may non want to as the water is absolutely freezing.) However, you’re welcome to walk over the bridge to get angstrom view of information technology from above instead.

Walk done the urban center of Stone.

Gjirokastër, cognise as the “City of Stone,” be A must-see for history lovers. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site in the southern part start as a single palace build in the 4th century and develop into angstrom unit small metropolis past the 19th century. Today, visitor can still tour that castle and its Museum of Arms inside, stroll information technology cobblestone streets, and duck into its delicious restaurants serving traditional meals.

Visit the National Archaeological Museum.

Get to know more about Albania’s history at theNational Archaeological Museumin Tirana. information technology WA the first museum that open up following World War II and is home to angstrom unit aggregation of historic artifacts from the rock Age all the mode to the Ottoman occupation, giving visitant angstrom unit coup d’oeil into every stage of the nation’s past.

best Beaches

Ksamil beach

Ksamil is the most well-known beach destination in Albania for angstrom reason: It’s simply stunning. Here, traveler volition find white-sand beach lap by turquoise waters. in the hotel area, travelers will either have to stick to the beach inch front of their accommodation Oregon wage small fees to grab angstrom unit chair and an umbrella astatine neighbor beaches. But guests can also find public beach just outside of the hotel area, including hidden floater down steep versant that you may just Be able to get all to yourself — at least for angstrom unit little while.

Dhermi Beach

About two hours north of Ksamil, traveller will find another sensational beachside setting in Dhermi. In fact, there’s plenty of room for everyone here arsenic Dhermi beach be one of the longest on the Albanian Riviera. The beach be a premix of pebble and fine sand, so everyone can find the mode of shoreline they like, and it’s home to all the facility you need, including bathroom and restaurants, sol you can relax all day long.

Jale Beach

look for some peace and quiet? Find it atomic number 85 Jale Beach. Tucked between II cliffs, Jale Beach, located just north of Himara, is known for its more intimate atmosphere. information technology calm Ethel Waters make IT an ideal topographic point for swimming and snorkeling. And though it’s both quiet and smaller than the other country beaches, IT still boasts angstrom unit beach bar, so you tin can grab angstrom snack.

best clip to visit

The best clip to visit Albania, according to Shehu, is “during the spring, in April to June, and early autumn, Sept to October. These period of time offer pleasant weather, ideal for exploring both the beach and the mountains without the summer crowds.”

Indeed, these times let visitor to enjoy everything Albania has to offer, including its awe-inspiring beach and mountains, while they ar still warm (ranging in between the high 60s to mid-80s) but not arsenic sweltering as the mid-summer years can be.

However, the summertime high season in July and August offering its own perks, include A party atmosphere atomic number 85 the beach that will rich person you dance all day and all night. just Be prepared for temperature — even by the seacoast — to hit conclusion to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

there are also plenteousness of other reason to visit year-round, include attending single of the nation’s famed festival like theTirana International Film festivalmaintain in the fall and theSouth Outdoor Festival, angstrom monumental music festival, in May. And if you time your trip right, you could evening go to the Gjirokastër National folklore Festival, keep every fivesome years in the historical city of Gjirokastër.

How to Get There

By Plane:The easiest way for International traveler to get to Albania be via A flight to Tirana International aerodrome (TIA). The airdrome be connected to major European cities, with airline the likes of Lufthansa and Alitalia offering fixture flights. Just glucinium set for angstrom stop if you’re approach from the U.S., as no airline rich person angstrom direct route to the res publica (yet).

by Ferry:Travelers already visiting Greece or Italy have the easy option of simply hop-skip on a ferryboat to Albania. there ar several itinerary you can take, including ferries between Bari, Italia to Durrës (which issue about nine hours) and Corfu to Saranda (which payoff about XXX minutes).

By Car:If you happen to be road-tripping done Europe, then acquiring to Republic of Albania be angstrom breeze. Drivers tin get into Republic of Albania from Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. The roadstead here are well-maintained. However, Be ready for tight corner in the mountains and lots of traffic inch the major cities.