This Dazzling European Country Is A Coastal Getaway That Rivals Greece Without The Crowds

A riviera of crystal-clear waters often compared to the Maldives. Historic cities with roots stretching back to 50,000 B.C. Fresh seafood followed by a glass of raki. Northwest of Greece, Albania offers many of the same Mediterranean charms — with fewer tourists and a sense of discovery. While beach towns like Ksamil, less than 2 miles across the water from Corfu, are starting to draw attention, Albania still has quiet regions and UNESCO World Heritage Sites without the crowds of the Parthenon.

So why has everyone been heading to Greece instead of Albania? Turns out the history goes back further than our societal obsession with "Mama Mia." Until the early 1990s, Albania spent decades isolated under a dictatorship, only securing independence in 1992. Since then, Albania has been opening its doors to visitors, with budget flights across Europe into Tirana, its capital, making it more accessible than ever. You could easily spend weeks hopping between seaside resorts, mountain towns, and vibrant cities. Arrive by plane and rent a car, or take the quick 30-minute ferry from Corfu, the best Greek island for your family vacation, and begin your adventure in southern Albania.

The ferry from Corfu will take you directly to Saranda, where you can find beach clubs and a vibrant coastal promenade. But drive just 15-minutes (or catch the $2 bus) and you will reach Ksamil, which has earned the nickname "the Maldives of Europe" for its clear turquoise waters. If you're seeking a quieter option, head north along the coast. About an hour and a half from Ksamil, Borsh is one of Albania's less-wandered beaches. Grab a seafood plate at La Familia Beach Bar & Restaurant, where picnic tables sit in a garden framed by mountains on one side and the sea on the other. If you'd rather stay the night, Jungle Camping offers ready-to-go tents for about $20. To uncover truly secluded beaches with unmatched beauty in Albania, drive the 75-mile Albanian Riviera towards the budget-friendly city of Vlore, and simply stop at the most obscure places you spot on Google Maps. 

If the coast isn't your scene, Albania offers plenty of other adventurous options. Vjosa Wild River National Park — one of Europe's last free-flowing rivers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — stretches nearly 250 miles with no dams disrupting its ecosystem. Confident kayakers can join Albanian Rafting Group for 2.5-hour kayaking and packrafting tours, which include hiking sections where travelers carry inflatable boats in backpacks. For a bigger challenge, Balkan Expeditions leads a five-day, 60-mile journey downriver.

Hikers should make time for the Valbona Pass, a 5.5 or 10.5 mile trek (depending on which trail you choose) through the Albanian Alps. Start in Valbona, reached by a scenic two-hour ferry across Komani Lake from Shkodër, and finish in Theth, a mountain village with cozy farm-to-table restaurants. For something more architectural, wander the cobblestone streets of Gjirokastra, a town and UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Ottoman-era houses that feel like a step back in time.

Albania's more recent history is equally striking. The Cold War-era bunkers built under dictator Enver Hoxha's rule can be found throughout the country, but in Tirana many have been transformed. Bunk'Art 1 and Bunk'Art 2 are now immersive museums documenting life under communism, complete with preserved assembly halls and stories of the secret police. Even dining gets a historic twist at Bunker 1944 Bistro Lounge, a former shelter redesigned to resemble Albania in 1944, the year it was liberated from German occupation. 

For a glimpse into civilizations that came long before, don't leave without visiting Butrint National Park, a must-see historical site near Ksamil. Its ancient amphitheater and sprawling ruins date back to 800 B.C., when it was a Greek city-state. With layers of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history scattered across the site, it's the kind of place you can wander for hours and still feel like you've only scratched the surface of history.