Albania, a small forgotten state on the Adriatic Sea that was sealed off from the whole world like North Korea nowadays in the decades after World War II. No one was allowed in, no one was allowed out. That has changed in the meantime.
But still the country with its population of not even three million is a piece of mysterious terra incognita in the middle of Europe. Part 1 of the story is here, part two here. The number 3 you can find here and four + five + six + seven + eight. Here are the nine and last of all, the 10.
The whole country is full of agony, full of steep mountains, long and increasingly long slopes, full of blazing sun and full of descents over hot, bare rock. Those who hike in Albania are not allowed to rest, all the paths are everlasting and never comes a cab to drive you the last kilometers to the finish.
Once there, however, you can at least dream sometimes: Albania, this little country forgotten by the whole world, is not only a still largely undiscovered hiker's paradise. It is also a place where you can enjoy a seaside vacation on dream beaches that are rarely overrun by crowds.
True Paradises
With 427 kilometers of coastline, the Albanian Riviera is a true paradise for sun worshippers. Numerous dream beaches invite you to linger here and offer the quiet atmosphere that you usually look for in vain at the world's famous vacation spots. Albania has mostly only pebbly beaches, but there it hardly differs from Slovenia, Greece and Croatia. And here they are mostly pearly white - empty sunbathing lawns at the very edge of Europe, in an exotic state on the Adriatic Sea, where the boring beach vacation also becomes a voyage of discovery into the unknown.
There are bays and beaches here that have been spared the onslaught of sun-hungry masses. After decades of complete isolation, Albania is only slowly opening up to guests, most of whom don't even know they could be guests. Not everything is perfect, rather nothing, so that openness for the culture of Albania and patience should be in the luggage. With a little tolerance for Albanian customs between Orthodox and Muslim heritage, however, everything will be fine. Because it is so beautiful and everybody seems happy to have you.
Best of the south
In the south of the country between Vlora and Saranda, for example, stretches the Albanian Riviera. It is already a popular destination for sun-hungry vacationers. Some towns, such as Himarë and Saranda, are well developed for tourism, with many restaurants and stores that stay open late in the evenings during the summer.
But also with hotel castles and clunky apartment buildings that reach for the sky. The prices are (still) ridiculously low by our standards and outside the centers you will find beautiful and unspoilt beaches that are almost deserted. The beaches south of Saranda are considered the most beautiful in Albania. In Ksamil, with its offshore islands of white sand, lapped by crystal clear water, the island of Corfu in sight, you could almost think you had landed in the Caribbean.
The best time for a beach vacation on Albania's coast is June, July and September. But in August it gets crowded even in the more touristy places on Albania's coast, because that's when people who have moved away from all over the world come home - and Albanians from nearby Kosovo also go on vacation. Because the infrastructure for travelers is not perfect, everything quickly crowds in.
Always a solution
But with their spontaneity and cordiality, the Albanians always find a solution. The open nature of the people makes it easy to get into conversation with them. Many can speak a little English and are happy to tell you about beautiful places, their favorite beaches and give tips on where to eat well.
The careless handling of garbage may be irritating for Central Europeans. You should be prepared for this and dispose of your own waste properly - everything helps because those who live here all the time don't do it, anyway...
One can bathe from the north to the deep south in this country. The northernmost beach is the popular Durres Beach in the port city of the same name. The beach in the country's second largest city is almost never crowded due to its considerable size and is perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Beautiful beach of pebbles
Parking is available right on the beach, free of charge. Quite a bit further south is the small village of Dhermi, which has a beautiful beach of pebbles that ensures that the water remains crystal clear, although some people already go swimming here. On the promenade there are many small cafes and bars, thanks to the clear water you can also snorkel great here.
As well as further south at the village of Dhërmi. This includes a beautiful pebble beach, where a good tourist infrastructure has developed in the meantime, so that no wishes remain unfulfilled. The promenade is lined with cafes, bars and parking facilities, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available.
Sunny hours on the beach
Perfect to spend sunny hours with the whole family. In summer, the section is correspondingly popular and well attended. But where the beach seems to end, it goes further: behind the beach there is also a vast pine forest, ideal for walks or a picnic.
The best time to travel to Albania basically includes the spring and autumn months. For a beach vacation, however, you should aim for the months of May, June and September. In July and August it can get quite hot.
However, if you don't mind, you can spend a beach vacation in Albania even in high summer. The best place is the seaside resort of Ksamil in the south on the Ionian Sea. It is not stony and bare like most beaches here, but a white sandy beach that contrasts beautifully with the turquoise blue water. There are even palm trees!
Islands to swim
Not far from the coast are three smaller islands within swimming distance. If you don't want to swim, hop on the next boat and head for the islands. In Ksamil you can just put your feet up and relax under the Albanian sun, but there are always other guests.
Not so at Gjipe Beach in southern Albania, a real insider tip that you have to conquer. This beach can only be reached on foot. It takes about 30 minutes to go to get there, and there is nothing there. No sanitary facilities, no food, no drink. But it is lonely like in the South Seas and you spend unforgettable hours away from civilization.
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