The best of Greece plus the best of Italy: I’m a travel expert and here’s why the Albanian Riviera is Europe’s best budget holiday secret (and it’s cheap, with carafes of wine for £4)

Looking for a holiday somewhere beautiful, but not so touristy?

I am Gilbert Ottfrequent flyer and founder of travel site godsavethepoints.comand here’s everything you need to know about Albania’s underrated (and overpriced) gem.

WHERE IS THE ALBANI RIVIERA?

Geography lessons in Europe are always fun, partly because they are usually surprising. Located just miles across from Corfu, on the border with Greece, the Albanian Riviera couldn’t be geographically closer to Puglia, Italy, and places along ‘the boot’.

If you weren’t previously convinced of the potential for a beautiful coastline, hopefully realizing that Albania is smack in the middle of many of Europe’s most iconic beaches and coastal areas will help.

Think the best of Greece and the best of Italy, but at prices that will blow your mind.

GET THERE

Getting to Albania is not nearly as difficult as it once was.

Top European airlines such as Lufthansa and British Airways now offer direct flights to Tirana, Albania, and many low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air, Alitalia and Pegasus do so as well. But then you still have to drive more than four hours to the coast.

Instead, it’s smart to take one of the endless number of flights here to nearby Corfu. Not only does it provide the opportunity for a little two-in-one trip, but it also saves you hours on the ground. From Corfu you can reach the heart of the Albanian Riviera in just 30 minutes by ferry.

WHO WOULD WANT THAT?

It’s a destination for travelers looking for a place with beautiful beaches, delicious food and fascinating heritage, but without a debilitating price.

The Albanian Riviera offers the best of clear blue waters, sandy beaches and relaxed living in an area that is still largely underdeveloped. If you had to compare it directly to another location, it would probably have to be Greece. Deep blue waters, beautiful cliffs, fresh seafood and a laid-back lifestyle, all served with enviable charm.

If you’re not sold yet, a carafe of wine costs around $5USD (£4) for the good stuff. You won’t get any of the $700 (£579) per night resorts in Greece or Italy, but if you want something great for under $70 (£58) then this is your place.

WHERE TO GO

Let’s face it: nothing here fits into the pop culture of ‘touristy’ like, say, the Cinque Terre or Mykonos, but this gem of an Eastern European secret is getting more attention every day.

Saranda is the most popular town on the Riviera and is worth exploring, but it is areas such as Ksamil, Dhermi and Vuno that capture hearts and minds.

A list of Hotels in Saranda on Tripadvisor shows that there is literally no hotel over $100 (£83) per night, most cost around $50 (£41), and you can find others for much less. The same also applies to Ksamil.

The hardest thing to overcome is the mentality that hotels are automatically terrible for the price because they simply aren’t.

If you want to take it a step further and experience a place that almost all critics agree is simply beautiful, Ksamil is the city. It is everything you are looking for, rustic, charming, authentic and unique.

The seafood rivals the best in the world, the beaches are beautiful, small and often half empty and the city puts you in a near-perfect position to explore nearby cultural sites, including Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is located near a perfectly preserved area from Greek and Roman times with incredible ruins and corners that will be the envy of your Instagram followers. Oh, and the bus ride between the cities costs less than $1 (£0.80).

Because we as tourists are drawn like moths to flames to everything crystal blue, liquid and beautiful, another must-see along the Albanian Riviera is ‘The Blue Eye’ (Syri I Kalter). It can be reached by bus for less than a dollar.

This mysterious natural spring is phenomenal to see, partly because you can’t take your eyes off the deep blue eye. Imagine a tranquil, beautiful river-like setting that is worth visiting anyway, but where a 50 meter deep hole with the most fascinating aqua blue water bubbles up to create an optical illusion.

The Blue Eye is a prized site in Albanian history, and during the country’s communist days, only the elite were allowed to visit. Some say it has magical powers, but whether you believe it or not, you might as well see it.

WHEN SHOULD YOU VISIT THE ALBANE RIVIERA?

This area, like the Greek and Italian towns surrounding it, is almost perfect from May to October. In a place with beautiful beaches and crystal clear water, you obviously want to really enjoy it – so going when it’s warm enough is crucial.

From June to the end of September you will find little rainfall and hot heat. If you have to choose, late May before the summer crowds or mid-September after are probably the most idyllic times to visit. Really, you can’t go wrong.

There just aren’t that many destinations where you can experience something beautiful and unique without a price drop, and this emerging part of the world won’t stay under the radar for long. On that note: bring cash, because credit card machines are not yet a ‘thing’ here.

The original version of this story appeared on godsavethepoints.com.