Are you one of those people that like to visit unorthodox places and then brag about the experience to their friends at parties? Than you are reading the right article.
Visit Albania!
Albania, the Land of Eagles serves as a refreshing land of vacation. Is the ideal dreamscape you have been looking for.
Briefly about Albania
Albania is a small country located in the Balkan Peninsula. Its on the way from Montenegro to Greece bordering on the east with Macedonia and Kosovo. In the west, the Albanian border is made up entirely by the sea coast. In the north by the Adriatic and in the south by the Ionian. The capital city is called Tirana and is located nicely in the center of the land. The currency of the country is Albanian Lek with value approximately 130 Lek per 1 Euro.
With a coastline that spans the Adriatic and Ionian seas, turquoise horizons are guaranteed. And if you're the fearless type, the mountainous terrain will attract your hiking spirit. Along the western coast of the country there are beautiful mountain ranges with peaks reaching over 2000 meters above sea level.
This makes Albania one of those rare countries. You can ascend the summit of a high mountain climaxing with a breathtaking view in the morning and by the afternoon be chilling at the beach. All this preferably with a large mojito for 5 EUROs in your hand.
Festivals are also a true tale in the south of Albania for EDM music fanatics and not only. The local cuisine is perfect. Traditional dishes are paced from generation to generation, 100% bio in the modern table with fantastic prices.
In short, why is Albania worth your summer destination?
1) Is cheap
Like really cheap! You can order a mixed grill of seafood for 2 people for the price of 1200 LEK (less than 10 EURO). These low-cost restaurants are in the centre of Saranda, a city on the southern coast of the country known primarily for its beaches. Basically the Albanian equivalent of Saint-Tropez.
2) Is Authentic
You will feel like you are in a strange and exotic land far, far away even though you are actually a short swim from Greek Corfu.
3) Albania is diverse
If you are into sitting by the beach all day, you will like it there. The sea water is crystal clear and has the ideal temperature allowing you to swim for hours straight without feeling too hot or too cold. Do you want to try Jet Skis or rent a boat for the day? All possible and, again, cheap!
Does Albania have a rich history? Albania is one of the earliest populations in the Balkans and it has plenty to offer even for the history-devouring types. You can immerse yourself in the very well preserved remains of an ancient Roman settlement called Butrint located in the south near the Greek border. You can also explore the Albanian Bunkers built in the 1960s during the Enver Hoxha administration, one of the most notorious communist dictators in the world. There are like 170 000 of them and they are scattered all over the place.
Until the late 1980s, before which it was under communist rule, the country was closed off to tourists. It was only in the 90s that backpackers began to trickle in, through word-of-mouth recommendations and the promise of roaring nightlife, cheap beer and the potential for unplanned adventures and spontaneity.
Some closing words
Dua Lipa (officially an Albanian citizen as of November 2022), Rita Ora and Bebe Rexha, all three of which have become linked to Albania in pop culture. And who doesn't want to be lounging Lipa-style with a book, bikini, raki and little else?
Now you know that Albania is the perfect destination for the summer of your dreams. It’s time to decide. There’s such a diversity of landscapes, cultural attractions and things to do: a magical coastline with amazing beaches, peaceful mountains, old villages to discover and one-of-a-kind summer festivals. Don’t wait any longer this summer!