This is the cheapest holiday destination right now (delicious food, beautiful beaches!)
Want to have some money left over at the end of the month for once? Then don’t go to Ibiza, Saint-Tropez, Mallorca or the south of France, but think a little further afield. There is plenty of beauty to see in this world, where you can also go on holiday without it costing an endless amount of money. And which country is currently the trendsetter when it comes to budget-friendly holidays? Albania.
And perhaps plenty of people would never think of going here or want to go here, yet this relatively unknown Balkan gem, with Tirana as its capital, is rapidly gaining popularity. Especially among travellers looking for an affordable holiday with guaranteed sunshine. In cities such as Tirana and coastal towns like Saranda and Vlora, you can find excellent accommodation for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere.
Absolutely thrilled
Albania is beautiful, adventurous and just a little different from our summer holidays in Italy and France, where you know fairly well what to expect. Colleagues Louise and Rick came back absolutely lyrical about it. Rick had already gone last year and couldn’t stop talking about Albania. So off Louise went last month. For three weeks. And likewise: absolutely thrilled. Because of the beautiful nature in the peaceful north, where you can hike for hours—with the small village of Theth, nestled among the Albanian Alps, as a favourite—the beautiful beaches in the south, the friendly people and the prices in Albania. They really are very low.
Beautiful weather all the time
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Albania is an excellent destination if you want to see more sun than in the Netherlands, because goodness knows we have plenty of grey days here. No, Albania is a different story. Summers are hot and dry, especially along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. You’ll go home with a deep tan.
Food in Albania
Albanian cuisine is a perfect mix of influences from Greece, Italy and Turkey. From meat dishes to fresh fish, feta salads, moussaka and byrek. Feta salads are on the menu in every restaurant. Louise: ‘You might think it would get boring to eat another salad. But the ingredients are so fresh. The vegetables often come from their own gardens and the feta is often homemade. You can taste this too, because the feta is so much more flavourful than what we know in the Netherlands, and the tomatoes are so sweet they almost melt on your tongue.’
Albanian cuisine is very diverse, and a bottle of olive oil is never far away. The country’s most popular ingredients are garlic and onions. You will also find plenty of meat, such as beef, lamb, pork and poultry. But it is also a great destination for vegetarians, as Albanian cuisine includes a large number of vegetarian dishes, such as fërgesë.
This is without a doubt one of the most traditional dishes in Albania. The dish mainly consists of tomato sauce, cottage cheese, green peppers and garlic. It is also known as a summer stew because many Albanians like to eat it after it has cooled for 2–3 hours.
Other local specialities include byrek, reminiscent of Turkish börek, filled with spinach, cheese, meat or a combination of these; tavë kosi (lamb baked in yoghurt); pispili (made with cornbread and leeks or spinach); qofte; and, of course, plenty of delicious seafood.
Very affordable
The local cuisine is not only delicious but also very affordable. Louise: ‘Food and drinks are very cheap in Albania, especially in the north and inland. We often had a three-course meal for two people, including a litre of wine (for €6!), for just €35. You can get a delicious pizza or pasta for as little as €5 or €6. We have even had a glass of wine for €1. And remember, they also fill the glass right to the brim here! Half-litres of beer also cost just €1.50 in many places. And the fun thing is that they put the beer glasses in the freezer for an ice-cold beer effect. Tip: bring plenty of cash, as there still aren’t many places where you can pay by card.’
Fun: visit a vineyard
Louise: ‘Albania is also great for wine lovers. There are many lovely small vineyards you can visit and where you can take part in tastings. And they really do have delicious wines and many different grape varieties. We noticed that the winemakers (and Albanians in general) are very proud of their wines and the history of their family and vineyard. They often took plenty of time to show us around and tell us all about the wine production, the history of the vineyard and traditional winemaking methods. We even bottled and labelled our own bottle in the traditional way.’
Albanian Riviera
Have we convinced you about this holiday destination yet? No? Here you go. Albania has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The Albanian Riviera offers crystal-clear water, white sandy beaches and picturesque coastal towns. The beaches of Ksamil and Sarande are beautiful, but Rick and Louise found them far too busy. The beaches of Himare and Dhermi are quieter. Louise: ‘Here, it doesn’t feel as though you’re packed right next to each other like in Ibiza.’
Most visited place in Albania
Saranda is one of the best cities to visit, partly because it is close to one of the region’s best beaches, Ksamil Beach. One of the best things to do from Saranda is take one of the boat trips departing from the boulevard and heading to the beaches of Kakome and Krorez. Tickets start at €30. The best time to visit Saranda is in May, June or September, when it is not too busy but the beach bars and restaurants are open.
Beautiful nature
Right, Albanian beaches are beautiful and the food is delicious, but there is another trump card. Louise: ‘What you hear less about is the nature in northern Albania. It is only a few hours’ drive away and the roads have largely been renovated. So the potholes in the roads that many people talk about are almost entirely gone. Where there are still potholes, it actually feels adventurous. And then suddenly you’re in the mountains, among wild horses and beautiful streams and waterfalls and clear blue lakes. You can go on truly beautiful hikes, and it is a paradise for nature lovers, with many undiscovered spots. You will find lots of lovely traditional restaurants and farmhouses here, run by families. Just be aware that you often have to drive a short distance and make a reservation in advance.’
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