Why you should visit the Albanian Riviera
Written by
Emma Harrison
•
5 min read
Why visit the Albanian Riviera
It’s easy to see why the Albanian Riviera has been described as the ‘Maldives of Europe’ thanks to its gorgeous white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters that are dotted along its stunning Riviera.
However, the Albanian Riviera offers so much more than just being a stunning beach destination, it also has quaint towns, breathtaking UNESCO world heritage sites and a great selection of bars and cafes.
It is also significantly more cost-effective as Albania offers prices that are a fraction of what you'd pay for a holiday in the Maldives and is still relatively unexplored by travellers.
When it comes to travelling to Albania, you have two options - you can fly to Tirana, Albania's capital and then travel by bus or taxi to the coast. We found return flights from London for just £60 per person in June this year. Or you can fly to Corfu and get the ferry across to Albania - a ferry trip takes 30-70 minutes and you could even plan a trip to both destinations too!
Looking to plan a trip to the Albanian Riviera - let’s go!
You cannot visit the Albanian Riviera without booking a trip to its crowning jewel, the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site of Butrint. Pop it on your Pinboard as it dates back to the 12th century BC. Its remains include a 3rd-century-BC Greek theatre, Roman baths and more!
It’s a significant archaeological site and is renowned for its well-preserved ruins and rich history, the park itself - Butrint National Park, is also worth exploring thanks to its intriguing wildlife and diverse landscapes. Be sure to pack comfortable clothing and allow for at least half a day to explore the area.
Where to stay in the Albanian Riviera
There are several options with regards to where to stay in the Albanian Riviera, but we would recommend basing yourself in the beautiful town of Ksamil.
One of the standout hotels that we have our eye on is the Poda Boutique Hotel Ksamil - it is just a few steps from Ksamil Beach and has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking (handy if you decide to hire a car), and a fabulous terrace that is perfect for sundowners over the highly instagrammable Poda beach.
It even has its own beach club which gives you access to the famous Poda Beach swings! Make sure you pin this hotel to your Albanian Riviera Pinboard in the ‘Stay’ section.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Here are our top three travel tips when planning a trip to the Albanian Riviera:
Pick where you locate to suit your needs - don’t forget you can plan ahead using Pogo on map view to help you determine the best area to visit. The top towns on the Albanian Riviera are Sarandë - which is the closest point if you are coming from Corfu, Ksamil - which is great for partying the night away and the more chilled out Himarë, but why not plan a multi-location trip where you plan a stop in each place?
Make sure you plan a trip to the stunning Porto Palermo Castle, a 19th century fortress almost surrounded by water. It’s absolutely beautiful and you can combine it with a visit to one of the best beaches on the coast - Llamani which has the most spectacular turquoise waters and white sands.
Wifi can be sporadic, even at some of the best hotels, so make sure you contact your mobile phone provider to ensure you can use roaming access where possible.
