Balkans

Albania

Ionian beaches that rival Greece, Ottoman-era stone towns, and wild mountain hikes — Albania is Europe's best-value country, at a fraction of the price of its neighbours.

Turquoise water and small wooded islands off the beach at Ksamil on Albania's southern coast
Photo: Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0

Albania was closed off for decades, and prices still haven’t caught up with its popularity. You get Mediterranean beaches, UNESCO-listed old towns, and the Accursed Mountains for well under half of what the same trip costs in Croatia or Greece.

Why it’s cheap

Hostel dorms run $10–15 a night, a plate of byrek or a grilled-meat lunch costs $3–5, and a coffee on the seafront is rarely more than $1.50. Even beach-town guesthouses on the Riviera stay affordable outside July and August.

Getting around

Furgons (shared minibuses) and old coaches link Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, and the coast for $3–10 a ride. Schedules are loose, so ask at your guesthouse where and when they leave.

Where budget meets comfort

Berat and Gjirokastër have family-run guesthouses in restored Ottoman houses for $20–30 a night, and Ksamil and Himarë are cheapest in June and September when the water is still warm.