The Albanian Riviera or otherwise the European Caribbean is the least known area of the Mediterranean, however, it hides unique places that are worth visiting, while the best thing is the more than affordable prices, writes Helena Tomas for the well-known Spanish website "Vanitatis" (www.vanitatis.elconfidential.com).
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| Screenshot of "Vanitatis" where writes about Albania |
"There are many options when choosing the destination for our next vacation. Not in vain, what most of us want is to find a place where we have not been before and discover it for the first time, without spending too much and, if possible, not to be overcrowded.
Considering all this, the opportunities are reduced because the prices do not stop increasing and people fill the cities and beaches.
Fortunately, there are still corners of the map that are not so well known around the world and this ensures that the flow of people will be much less and that we will be able to move and stay there at a much lower cost.
An example?
The Albanian Riviera, the Albanian coast in the Mediterranean, which few have heard of and which is nevertheless full of unique landscapes and heavenly beaches as if they were the Caribbean.
Albania is one of the most authentic and unknown countries of Southern Europe.
Located on the Balkan Peninsula, it borders Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, and its approximately three million inhabitants live in a territory similar in size to the region of Galicia.
However, the area we are referring to is the one between Vlora and Ksamil. About 150 kilometers of coastline full of beaches with crystal waters. Bathed by two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionian, both have interesting beaches, but the fame of the Albanian Riviera, located on the Ionian coast, is a paradise for its unique views.
Thus, it is not surprising that some of the cities of this area have been chosen for summer by the Albanians themselves, who do not appreciate the possibility of leaving the country on vacation knowing their spectacular beaches.
Starting from Vlora, the third most populated city in the country, only after Tirana and Durres, as well as the second most important port in Albania after Durres. The best beaches in the area are in the south, especially the beach of Orikum, in the large bay of Vlora, which leads to the peninsula of Karaburun, which can also be reached by boat. It is worth going and enjoying a day at these beaches because of the similarity they share with those of the Caribbean.
From Vlora, it is enough to follow a road that runs more than 100 kilometers along the Ionian coast between rocks, mountains, and panoramic views, and which has become famous since an episode of the series "Top Gear" was filmed there.
Little by little you will enter the National Park of Llogara, characterized by vegetation, mountains and lakes and with crystal clear water in many cases.
We cannot miss the part of the coast where Ksamil is located. Unlike most of Albania's Ionian coast, its beaches are white sand and offer unique sunsets.
As for the prices surrounding the accommodation, the truth is that they are surprisingly affordable. Thus, on platforms such as Booking, we can find hotels, apartments and hostels for approximately 22 euros a night.
Of course, the closer we get to the coast and the more amenities we ask for, the price will increase. However, there are four-star hotels that offer rooms for less than 100 euros.