A Travel Guide To Albania And Its Quiet Rise As The Mediterranean's Most Coveted Escape

We all have them — bucket lists waiting to be checked off, restaurants pinned for future trips, outfit mood boards for summer getaways and endless inspiration saved in our Instagram folders.

Sandy shores, turquoise waters and those long summer evenings when the sun doesn’t set until nearly 10 p.m. It’s the collective European summer fantasy.

For years, that fantasy belonged to the Mediterranean’s usual suspects: Positano’s cliffside views, Santorini’s blue-domed churches and Hvar’s old-world charm. But as some of Europe’s most beloved summer destinations grapple with overtourism, travellers are beginning to look beyond the usual addresses.

In search of quieter escapes, Albania has found itself in a rare sweet spot. No longer under the radar, yet not overwhelmed by tourism either, the Balkan nation has become one of the Mediterranean’s most talked-about summer destinations. Located between Greece and Montenegro, it stretches from the rugged Albanian Alps in the north to the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea in the south, with Ottoman-era towns, vineyard-covered countryside and a rapidly evolving Riviera in between.

The Albanian Alps, Ottoman-era towns and the Riviera showcase Albania’s remarkable diversity

The shift is already visible. Last year, Albania welcomed more than 12 million international visitors—as told to All About Albania by Tourism, Culture, and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja—a record year for tourism, as travellers increasingly looked beyond the Mediterranean’s traditional hotspots. Alongside growing visitor numbers, a new wave of hotels, restaurants and tourism infrastructure is helping reshape perceptions of the country. There is an ease to travelling through Albania. Perhaps it’s the slower pace, the country’s love affair with coffee, or it’s besa — a centuries-old code of honour rooted in trust and generosity. Combined with the warmth of its people, it's the country’s most memorable quality. That feeling is most apparent in Tirana, the city best explored one coffee, cocktail and conversation at a time.

Tirana

From Bunk’Art and the House of Leaves to Radio Bar, Tirana blends history with a thriving creative culture

Often overlooked in favour of the Riviera, Albania’s colourful capital rewards those who spend a little time getting to know it. Coffee is woven into the rhythm of daily life here, and locals can spend hours lingering over a single macchiato as conversations drift between work, politics and family. Beyond its café culture, Tirana has quietly emerged as one of the Balkans’ most creative capitals, where colourful street murals, contemporary galleries and thoughtfully repurposed cultural spaces reflect the city’s evolving artistic identity.Bunk’Art, a 24-room immersive museum housed inside a former Cold War bunker, and the House of Leaves, a museum chronicling Albania’s communist-era surveillance state, offer insight into the country’s complex recent history, while Blloku, once reserved for Communist Party elites, has reinvented itself as Tirana’s social and cultural hub. It’s also where you’ll find Radio Bar and Komiteti, two of the city’s longtime favourites for cocktails and a good catch-up. But it is the Riviera that has sparked much of the conversation around Albania in recent years.

The Albanian Riviera

Sarandë is where Albania’s Riviera begins to unfold

The images that have put Albania on countless travel wishlists almost always come from the Riviera. Think turquoise water, hidden coves and a string of beach towns scattered along the Ionian coast. For many travellers, the journey begins in Sarandë before winding south towards Ksamil, the source of much of Albania’s recent allure. Here, beach clubs such as Ohana and Lost Seaside sit alongside luxurious resorts like Kep Merli, while tiny offshore islands and crystalline waters have made it one of the country’s defining summer destinations.

Perched above Ksamil, Kep Merli overlooks the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea

Further north, Himarë offers a different rhythm. Smaller, more walkable and considerably more relaxed, it pairs sweeping coastal views with stone-built old town charm, making it an appealing alternative to the Riviera’s busier corners.

Dhërmi’s historic village is home to Zoe Hora, while beach clubs like Moyo bring a contemporary edge to the coastline.

In the north, Dhërmi is where much of the Riviera’s transformation can be felt. Boutique hotels such as Zoe Hora sit alongside a growing collection of beach clubs and restaurants, while destinations like Moyo have become fixtures of the summer season. Yet despite the new arrivals, the main attraction remains unchanged: turquoise waters, dramatic mountain scenery and long days spent along the Ionian coast.

The Albanian Riviera’s first MGallery property, nestled between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian Sea

The pace of change is increasingly visible across the Riviera. New hotel openings, beach clubs and tourism developments continue to reshape the coastline, while projects such as the Llogara Tunnel and the upcoming Vlora International Airport are making southern Albania more accessible than ever before. International hospitality brands are taking notice, with Green Coast recently welcoming the country’s first MGallery property.

The future of the Riviera is becoming easier to imagine. Think luxury beach clubs, international hotel brands, waterfront promenades and a growing roster of seasonal openings catering to an increasingly global audience.

Beyond the Blues

While much of the attention has focused on Albania’s coastline, the historic towns of Gjirokastër and Berat offer a different perspective on the country. More than five centuries of Ottoman influence continue to shape both cities, from their architecture and cuisine to the rhythm of daily life. Long lunches of byrek, tavë kosi and a cold Korça remain as much a part of the experience as wandering their cobblestone streets. Though often visited as day trips, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites are worth lingering in a little longer.

The UNESCO-listed City of Stone is home to artisan workshops, centuries-old houses and N’Sokak, a boutique guesthouse tucked within the old town

In Gjirokastër, known as the City of Stone, cobblestone streets wind past artisan workshops and centuries-old houses, while the lively Old Bazaar remains a hub for local craftspeople preserving traditional weaving, embroidery and wood carving. Hidden within the old town, N’Sokak is a boutique guesthouse where local artworks, stone interiors and mountain views reflect Gjirokastër’s strong sense of place. Between Gjirokastër and Berat, Albania’s growing wine tourism scene offers another reason to slow down. Boutique wineries such as Çobo offer tastings of indigenous varietals including Shesh i Bardhë and Shesh i Zi before the road continues towards Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows, where white hillside homes overlook the Osum River. Within Berat Castle, families still live among centuries-old fortifications, churches and the Onufri Museum, home to a celebrated collection of 16th-century icons.

From the City of a Thousand Windows to the vineyards of Çobo, Berat invites travellers to slow down

One day you’re lounging in the sun at Gjipe Beach, the next you’re wandering the cobblestone streets of Gjirokastër or enjoying a farm-to-table lunch at a vineyard over a glass of local Shesh i Zi. It is this contrast that makes the country so compelling. As travellers continue to look beyond the usual summer addresses, few places in Europe feel quite as exciting to discover. Rugged, beautiful and full of surprises, Albania is very much having its own moment.

The Style List Edit: Albania

Stay

Kep Merli, Ksamil

One of the Albanian Riviera’s most exclusive addresses, Kep Merli pairs private villas and infinity pools with uninterrupted views of the Ionian Sea.

Green Coast Hotel, Palasë

The Albanian Riviera’s first MGallery property, set between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian coastline.

Zoe Hora, Dhërmi

Set within Dhërmi’s historic village, Zoe Hora pairs beautifully restored stone homes with panoramic sea views and a strong sense of place.

N’Sokak, Gjirokastër

A charming boutique guesthouse in the heart of Gjirokastër’s old town, where local artwork and centuries-old architecture reflect the city’s rich heritage.

Eat & Drink

Butterfly Cafe, Ksamil

A laid-back spot for breakfast, coffee and sea views before a day spent exploring the Riviera.

Grandma’s Kitchen, Berat

This family-run favourite is the perfect place for traditional Albanian dishes such as stuffed eggplants and fërgesë, best enjoyed alongside a glass of local raki.

Radio Bar, Tirana

Vintage interiors, creative cocktails and one of Blloku’s staple favourites.

Çobo Winery, near Berat

For a taste of Albania’s evolving wine culture, head to Çobo Winery just outside Berat.

Don’t Miss

Bunk’Art, Tirana

A former Cold War bunker transformed into one of Albania’s most fascinating museums.

Blloku, Tirana

The capital’s cultural and social hub, packed with cafés, bars and restaurants.

Berat

Known as the City of a Thousand Windows, this UNESCO-listed town is one of Albania’s most beautiful.

Gjipe Beach

A secluded stretch of coastline framed by dramatic cliffs and reached by boat or a short hike.

Know Before You Go

Fly into Tirana International Airport: Albania’s main international gateway with connections across Europe.

Rent a Car: The easiest way to explore the Riviera, Berat and Gjirokastër at your own pace.

Take the Corfu Ferry: Travellers already visiting Greece can reach Sarandë in under an hour.