Sometimes Europe\u2019s hidden gems seem too good to be true and that\u2019s the case for one small beach getaway being dubbed the \u201cMaldives of Europe\u201d.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to follow the crowd and jet off to Europe\u2019s iconic cities like Paris, Barcelona, and London, but there is so much more to see.<\/p>\n
Many travelers stay closer to home when seeking sun and sand, which is why Mexico is hugely popular right now.<\/p>\n
But, Europe in general is one of the best beach destinations on the planet with countries like Greece, Spain, Portugal, and even Albania.<\/p>\n
The latter has been on an upward trajectory with travelers in recent years due to a variety of reasons, but one of them being their phenomenal coastline.<\/p>\n
Albania\u2019s jaw-dropping coastal town of Ksamil is one of the country\u2019s top beach getaways and your best bet for a cheap summer vacation in paradise.<\/p>\n
The highly underrated Ionian Sea<\/strong><\/p>\n Albania may be one of the trendiest countries in Europe, but it is still flying under the radar for many as it hasn\u2019t quite become mainstream.<\/p>\n When we picture Europe, images of the Eiffel Tower, charming cobblestone streets, and sidewalk cafes tend to flash before our eyes, none of which relate very well to Albania\u2026 at least at first glance.<\/p>\n In all likelihood, your first stop would be the capital city of Tirana, which let\u2019s just say is no London, Paris, or any other world-renowned city.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say there aren\u2019t things to do here.<\/p>\n Plus, the beautiful backdrop of scenic green mountains gives the city its own unique allure.<\/p>\n Albania\u2019s coastline is easy to dismiss if your entry to the country doesn\u2019t match expectations.<\/p>\n Durr\u00ebs is the closest beach to Tirana making for an easy day trip, but is not on par with the \u201cMaldives of Europe\u201d.<\/p>\n That being said, travelers unaware of the true gems of Albania need to take a trek a bit further by car or bus for the best of the best.<\/p>\n Ksamil<\/strong><\/p>\n Albania has risen to new heights in recent years, but many take advantage of the low cost of living and easy entry for digital nomads.<\/p>\n The country should have more notoriety for its beaches, but given how the cluster of insanely beautiful beach towns are tucked away nowhere near major airports, it\u2019s not hard to see why a paradise like Ksamil still lacks household recognition.<\/p>\n But perhaps you have heard of the Greek Island of Corfu, for reference.<\/p>\n Ksamil lies across from Corfu\u2019s eastern shores sharing the same stunning blue waters with one of Albania\u2019s treasured secrets.<\/p>\n Much like the Maldives in many ways, but first is its size, with around 10,000 residents, as a quaint coastal village.<\/p>\n The other is that it\u2019s not the easiest to reach, but it\u2019s well worth the journey to vacation in one of Europe\u2019s best-kept secrets, teeming with otherworldly blue waters, white sand, perfect weather, and an overall laid-back atmosphere.<\/p>\n Unlike many popular beach destinations, Ksamil is unspoiled, and it is fair to say you will have as much elbow room as you need to spend blissful days on sunny, pristine beaches.<\/p>\n