It is not to burden anyone but it is time to start deciding where we will go on vacation next summer if we do not want to see ourselves in trouble to find a cheap hotel and flight. If, in addition, we need a low cost extra because the budget is, for whatever reason, tighter this year than others, we have a suggestion taken from the list of cheapest destinations. It is about Albania because, moreover, it is an authentic tourist destination to exploit.
The Albanian Riviera, either shqiptare riviera in Albanian, it is perhaps the least known strip of coastline in the European Mediterranean. However, it is a booming tourist area that you still have time to get to know without stress or crowds before it gains more notoriety.
Albania is washed by two seas: the Adriatic and the Ionian. Both have interesting beaches, but the fame of the Albanian Riviera, whose coastline is in the waters of the Ionian Sea is a paradise.
Olga Budko
Stretching from the northern beaches of Himara to Saranda, in just 60 kilometers, the Albanian Riviera enjoys 300 days of sunshine. This and the average temperature of 25 degrees that it reaches in July already serve as a good letter of introduction. Furthermore, the Ionian coastline is known for having fascinating beaches with deep and very clean waters.
In addition to the beaches, among which stand out Ksamil; Kakome; Himara; Borsh or Porto PalermoAlong the coast we find typically Mediterranean towns, old castles, churches, mountain passes, and enclaves where you can enjoy the Albanian summer party.
Elion Jashari
And it is that, in summer, the night party of the capital, Tirana, moves to the coast. So, in addition to staying up late and spending the day at the beach, we can do a route of castles. You cannot miss Ali Pasha Castle, Borshi Castle, Kaninë Castle, Lëkurësi Castle, Porto Palermo Castle or Gjon Boçari Castle. In the same way we find numerous bunkers, as in Porto Palermo, witnesses of the years of dictatorship and fear of the Soviet invasion.
While accommodation is very cheap in Albania, the hardest part is getting there as there are no direct flights from Spain (although, everything is said, they are also very cheap). The options are, either by making a stopover at airports in Italy; France or Germany until arriving at Mother Teresa International Airport in Tirana, or by flying to another country, the closest being the island of Corfu in Greece, or Skopje in Macedonia.
Jani Godari
However, once on land we still have to make our way to the beaches of the Albanian Riviera. Here we can choose to rent a car or hire a private transfer. Too, from Corfu or from South Italythere are ferries that go directly to the port of Saranda, which is the best option to finally reach our destination.
Cover photo | Polina Rytova