This up-and-coming destination is proving increasingly popular with British travellers \u2013 here\u2019s how to make the most of it.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve been to Greece. You may well even have thought about the current darling of the Adriatic, Montenegro, for your next beach break. But for those really looking to get ahead of the curve? It\u2019s all about beautiful Albania, the unsung pearl of the Balkans.<\/p>\n
Sitting snugly between these aforementioned holiday hotspots on the shores of the Ionian Sea, Albania is beginning to draw international visitors with its blend of beguiling scenery, excellent cuisine and intriguing history.<\/p>\n
Visitors willing to diverge a little from the well-beaten Mediterranean track are rewarded with a mosaic of cultural riches and natural beauty: from the Ottoman stone houses of Gjirokast\u00ebr and unspoilt sands of the Albanian Riviera, to cutting-edge culinary culture in Tirana and whispers of ancient civilizations at the UNESCO-listed Butrint Archaeological Park.<\/p>\n
Getting there couldn\u2019t be simpler, with direct flights to the capital, Tirana, running regularly from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh. Flights come in under four hours from all UK airports, meaning Albania is ripe for both weekend city breaks and bigger adventures.<\/p>\n
Now all you need is a little inspiration, so we\u2019ve picked ten thrilling ways to get under the skin of Europe\u2019s latest holiday hotspot in the making \u2013 before this Balkan pearl is unsung no longer.<\/p>\n
Hit the town in Tirana<\/strong><\/p>\n Tirana, Albania\u2019s dynamic capital, is making a name for itself as an off-beat urban escape. This is a city where rich \u2013 albeit sometimes unsettling \u2013 history converges with a distinctly youthful energy: step back to the communist era via bunkers-turned-museums BunkArt 1 and 2 and the House of Leaves Museum of Secret Surveillance, set in the former headquarters of the Sigurimi state intelligence service, before hitting the lively cafes and stylish boutiques of the chic Blloku neighborhood.<\/p>\n A jaunt up nearby Mt Dajti on the Dajti Ekspres \u2013 the longest cableway in the Balkans \u2013 gives you an idea of the area\u2019s impressive topography.<\/p>\n Experience the European Galapagos<\/strong><\/p>\n Why visit one country when you can tick two off the list, all in the space of one relaxing waterside break? One of Europe\u2019s oldest and deepest inland bodies of water, Lake Ohrid straddles Albania and North Macedonia and is often referred to as the \u201cEuropean Galapagos\u201d, thanks to its impressive biodiversity.<\/p>\n Stroll the promenade or take a sweet-water dip at Pogradec and enjoy a boat ride at Drilon, before peeking over the border into North Macedonia and taking in the Byzantine St Naum Monastery. If time allows, follow the road round to the UNESCO-protected town of Ohrid.<\/p>\n Discover Albania\u2019s unsung cuisine<\/strong><\/p>\n Drawing on the diverse produce of its varied landscape \u2013 think rustic, hearty fare in the northern mountains, and quintessential Mediterranean flavors along the riviera \u2013 and its history under numerous empires (perhaps most notably the Ottoman), Albania\u2019s culinary culture will surprise and delight with every olive oil-laden mouthful.<\/p>\n Savor national dish tav\u00eb kosi<\/em> (baked lamb and rice with yoghurt), pispili<\/em> cornbread with leeks and scarlet fergese stew packed with tomatoes, peppers and generous helpings of feta, before sampling the fruits of the local terroir at one of Albania\u2019s many up-and-coming vineyards.<\/p>\n Chase waterfalls in the Osumi Canyon and Vjosa River<\/strong><\/p>\n Albania is a thrill-seeker\u2019s paradise, particularly when it comes to aquatic activities. Beyond the watersports available at the pristine beaches that punctuate the Albanian Riviera, heading inland means river hiking or rafting in the Osumi Canyon \u2013 a deep 16-mile river gorge, dotted with waterfalls \u2013 and kayaking on the Vjosa River, dubbed Europe\u2019s last truly wild river.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019d sooner explore the Osumi riverbed on foot than in a boat? Visit in the dry season between July and October.<\/p>\n Hike the Albanian Alps<\/strong><\/p>\n Swap Mont Blanc and Zermatt for the Albanian Alps, set in the country\u2019s rugged north. Home to Albania\u2019s finest hiking, this mountain range sees dramatic peaks melt into lush forests and deep valleys dotted with wildflowers.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be put off by the area\u2019s other moniker, the \u201cAccursed Mountains\u201d: the epic scenery is crisscrossed by varied trails, ensuring a happy holiday for all intrepid walkers of all abilities. The most popular trails run through the Valbona pass to the village of Theth \u2013 dubbed the most beautiful village in Albania.<\/p>\n Mix ruins and relaxation<\/strong><\/p>\n Holidaying in Albania\u2019s far south means combining adventures in history with lazy beach days. Start by exploring Albania\u2019s most extensive archaeological site, Butrint, marveling at the way the ruins trace the settlement\u2019s evolution as new occupants made their mark on the city.<\/p>\n With traces of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans all in evidence, it\u2019s easy to see why Butrint is often called the perfect microcosm of Mediterranean history. Ancient amphitheater and agora duly investigated, take to your sunlounger on the nearby pure white sands of the Ksamil Islands: Albania\u2019s answer to the Maldives, surrounded by inviting, crystal-clear waters.<\/p>\n Delve into Ottoman history in Berat and Gjirokast\u00ebr<\/strong><\/p>\n During the communist era, much of Albania\u2019s Ottoman architectural heritage was dismantled in favor of functional, often more stark, building design. The UNESCO-protected cities of Berat and Gjirokast\u00ebr escaped this fate: Berat is known as the \u201ccity of a thousand windows\u201d for its beautifully preserved Ottoman-era hillside houses, while Gjirokast\u00ebr is crowned by its 12th<\/sup>-century castle and dubbed the \u201ccity of stone\u201d, thanks to its slate-roofed stone houses.<\/p>\n Journeying between the two cities by car generally takes less than three hours, with local buses providing a cheaper (if slightly slower) alternative.<\/p>\n Road trip the Albanian Riviera<\/strong><\/p>\n Skip St Tropez in favor of southwestern Albania\u2019s very own riviera: a seemingly endless string of breathtaking bays between Vlore and Ksamil.<\/p>\n Often cited as some of the country\u2019s finest swimming spots, the beaches at Dh\u00ebrmi and Gjipe are the perfect setting for your first Ionian paddle. Here, near-radiant white pebbles are lapped by turquoise waters and backed by the dramatic Ceraunian Mountains, with Gjipe offering a taste of wilder Albanian beauty and Dh\u00ebrmi equipped with comfy loungers and seaside lunch spots. What\u2019s more, Dh\u00ebrmi is touted as the holiday destination of choice for Albanian prime ministers.<\/p>\n While you\u2019re in the Sarand\u00eb area, head inland to visit the Blue Eye \u2013 a breathtaking spring, shrouded in local legend and known for its deep underwater cave.<\/p>\n