Bargain-loving tourists who are seeking a sunny destination just hours from Britain without the level of tourists crowding Croatia and Spain should look no further than Albania.
Overlooking the Adriatic and Ionian seas, this country offers a stunning Riviera with beautiful beaches and coves that can easily rival those found on the shores of one of its neighbours, Greece.
Indeed, some of the tourists who have already discovered Albania have easily drawn comparisons with more famous – and expensive – holiday hotspots.
Laura Hewson, a backpacker from New Zealand who was visiting the country last autumn, told Express.co.uk at the time: “We were planning to go Croatia.
“But one of our friends who’d been to Albania told us [we should go there]. They said it’s like Greece or Croatia but cheaper and a lot more beautiful because there are not as many tourists.
“We’re actually staying at a four-star hotel with breakfast included for the same price that we were staying in hostels with eight [strangers] in a room in Italy and Spain.”
Her companion, Farrell Modd, revealed social media played a role in the pair choosing Albania as their destination, saying they saw a number of TikTok clips from travelling accounts showcasing incredible scenery from the country.
Farrell felt the reality had managed to match the epic videos online and was impressed with how well it was set up for tourists.
She said: “It’s beautiful, clear blue water, lots of swimming spots.”
Express.co.uk spoke to the backpackers during a visit to the resort town of Vlore in November 2023 – where the mercury was reaching a balmy 19C during the day.
While the palm-tree beachfront was almost completely devoid of crowds of tourists, allowing the pair to enjoy it fully, the town itself did not lack amenities for holidaymakers seeking fun – for a bargain price.
A dinner in Albania rarely costs more than £10 to £15 per person in high-end establishments, while those looking for more cost-effective options can eat freshly prepared pizzas for under £5. Then there are the drinks, on Vlore’s main strip beers start at just £2 whilst spirits and cocktails are around £4.
Flights from the UK are also inexpensive, with direct flights from London to Albania’s capital, Tirana, coming for as little as £28.