Albanian adventure
Europe’s last hidden corner has stayed firmly off the tourist trail – until now. reveals why this little-known gem should be on your radar.
It may be next door to Greece, Croatia and Montenegro but Albania has long been overlooked by tourists, who instead head in their droves to the country’s better-known neighbours. Just 22 miles by boat from Corfu — which by contrast sees around half a million British tourists visit each year — the south-eastern Balkan country has struggled with an image problem that it’s found hard to shake off.
Under the rule of a communist dictatorship for decades, its lingering Eastern Bloc connotations have simply not appealed to carefree holidaymakers wanting to soak up the sun. But since the end of the communist regime in the 90s, the country has been slowly opening up to tourism, with its untouched coastline, natural beauty and rich history tempting more intrepid travellers.
Post pandemic, the word is finally out: this untapped and stunning travel destination, easy to reach from the UK, is perfect for those who are itching to explore somewhere new again. Leading travel companies are reporting that bookings are on the rise, while a number of new flight routes by EasyJet and Wizz Air to the capital Tirana mean that the destination is becoming more accessible.
Emma Heywood, director of UK adventure travel company, Undiscovered Balkans, agrees: “Since travel restrictions have ended, we’ve noticed a rise in customers asking us about Albania, compared to previous years. It’s quite possibly because it’s more talked about these days as a destination on the rise — and, of course, our clients are adventurous.
“It’s the next logical step after visiting Adriatic countries like Croatia and Montenegro, but the appeal is that it’s more under-explored.”
Describing it as a slice of “longforgotten Europe”, Jonny Bealby, founder of Wild Frontiers, also reports that enquiries for Albania are up — 30% compared to this time last year — and suggests that part of its growing appeal is being great value for money.
“Pre-Covid, tourism to Albania was just taking off, as people began to discover this beautiful country,” he says. “Now the country has begun to truly establish itself as an adventure travel destination.
“What’s more, a little-known and well-guarded fact is that Albania has amazing cuisine. It’s a great foodie destination, with many dishes influenced by the best of Greek, Italian and Turkish cultures, not to mention an increasingly impressive selection of home-grown wines on offer.”
And with a rise of more than 220% in both enquiries and bookings for Albanian holidays, compared to 10 years ago, Responsible Travel predicts that Albania won’t stay under the radar much longer. “Albania is still a bit of an enigma for most travellers, but that’s certainly starting to change,” says Tim Williamson, the company’s customer director. “It
really has everything you want for a great holiday — astonishing scenery, rich culture and great food. It’s a jewel of a country, with a fraction of the tourists that nearby Greece and Italy has, but well deserving of the greater interest it’s beginning to command.”
Here’s our pick of the most inspiring holidays that Albania has to offer.
BEST FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS
For those after an action-packed experience, the Super-Active Albania trip from Undiscovered Balkans is an immersive, adrenalin-fuelled romp around the country. There’s hiking in Albania’s Alps — during which you get to visit the country’s two spectacular national parks, Thethi and Valbona — and kayaking in the vertical clifffringed Lake Koman, renowned for its remarkable sapphire waters. During the seven-day break, holidaymakers can also explore the Unesco Heritage Site of Berat, an extraordinary hillside village on the steps of the Tomorr mountains, and go rafting in the wild Osumi canyon.
From £1,045 per person, excluding flights. undiscoveredbalkans.com
BEST FOR CULTURE VULTURES
Focusing on the central and southern regions of the country, Original Travel’s 10-day Coast, Countryside & Culture itinerary takes in the capital of Tirana, the historic coastal city of Durres, founded in 627 BC, and the Ottoman city of Berat.
Along the way you’ll be able to wander around a string of monasteries, medieval fortresses and ancient sites.
From £2,410, including flights. originaltravel.co.uk
BEST FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Battle zones, beaches and bars are some of the sights you can soak up on Intrepid Travel’s Essential Southern Balkans trip. Aimed at 18-29-year-olds, the nine-day tour also includes side trips to Corfu and Dubrovnik.
In Albania, you can visit Tirana’s wacky art museum, found in an underground bunker, and the seaside hotspot that is Dhermi Beach on the Albanian Riviera.
From £920, excluding flights. intrepidtravel.com.
BEST FOR FAMILIES
Recently opened on Lalzi Bay beach, a pretty spot on Albania’s Adriatic coastline just 40 miles from Tirana, is the new Movenpick Hotel Lalez Durrës.
Perfect for a family bonding holiday, there are indoor and outdoor pools to dip into, a luxury spa for pampering treatments, and plenty of fun activities on tap. Highlights include horse-riding and nature trails through the surrounding pine forest.
From £65 per person per night. all. accor.com
BEST FOR NATURE LOVERS
Following remote mountain trails through the Albanian Alps, in the north of the country, Wild Frontier’s trip, The Accursed Mountains, lets you experience one of Europe’s last great, untouched adventures.
From the breath-taking expanse of Lake Koman, deep in the heart of the Valbona Valley — known as the ‘Miracle of the Alps’ — to trekking over the imposing Bori and Valbona passes, the seven-day walking trip leads you through the best of Albania’s epic countryside.
From £975 per person, excluding flights. wildfrontierstravel.com