From These 20 Stunning Photos, You'd Think Albania Was A Caribbean Country

On the very southern tip of the culturally diverse Balkan peninsula lies Albania, a country unknown to many curious travelers. Its recent history as an isolated communist country that belonged neither to Yugoslavia nor to the Soviet Union makes it an extremely unique travel destination that many simply don’t even consider. Many travelers head to Greece or Italy instead.

History aside, Albania has slowly been gaining international recognition thanks to its gorgeous riviera. Its sandy beaches are rarely crowded and it has some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean – what is there not to like?

The Albanian coast is actually so stunning we could easily compare it to the Caribbean and we have gathered photo evidence to support that statement. Without further ado, here are 20 stunning photos of Albania.

20 Albania Is One Of The Most Under-Appreciated Travel Destinations In Europe

People rarely visit countries they know little about. As a low-income country, Albania is not on many travelers' bucket lists, but we believe that it should be. Albania has it all: stunning nature, great summer climate and a great deal of authenticity.

19 Check Out The Water At The Ksamil Beach

White sand, cloudless sky, and calm blue water are usually trademarks of tropical destinations, but it is all right there in Albania as well. As the waters are not subjected to heavy traffic, marine life is buzzing and snorkeling is a popular pastime on the beach.

18 Most Amazing Beaches Can Be Found In Vlorë County

Albania has a really long coast. It is 380 km long, approximately 300 km of it belonging to the warmer Adriatic Sea and the rest of it to the Ionian Sea. The riviera's main tourist hotspots are Vlöre and Durrës, both being very easy to reach by public transport.

17 Just Like The Caribbean, But Less Infrastructure

What makes most skip Albania, but also makes it charming is the lack of proper tourist infrastructure. They don't have many luxurious hotels, but that doesn't mean it's not worth considering. Did you know that even the fanciest hotels only cost approximately $60 per night?

16 Albania Is Slowly Getting The Attention It Deserves

It is mind-boggling that Albania is not trending as one of the best European summer getaway options. The water is just so unbelievably pristine and there are no massive crowds. Perhaps in a few decades, Albania will be what many Greek islands are today: over-crowded and over-rated.

15 Bunec Beach: No People In Sight

The amazing thing about Albania is that it is one of the last truly hidden gems of Europe. That means very little tourists, privacy and peace. Gorgeous beaches such as Bunec are nearly always half-empty. You don't get that often these days.

14 There's More To Albania Than Its Coast

Our hype about Albania does not stop at the coast. The photos above feature Gjipe Canyon, a slightly adventurous hike that begins at a stunning beach with the same name. Keep on scrolling to see what kind of a beach we are talking about.

13 What Are Resorts Like?

In terms of resorts, Albania has a long way to go when compared to the luxurious and over-the-top Caribbean resort towns. The country is only slowly tapping into its potential as a tourist destination, so they'll definitely be building more hotels in the coming years.

12 Mainland Albania Is Worth Checking Out As Well

The mountainous mainland Albania is home to many hidden gems of the country, for example, the city of Berat. Known also as the city of a thousand windows, this lovely little town is one of the oldest in Albania. It is most famous for its well-preserved Ottoman quarter.

11 This Could Easily Have Been Taken In The Caribbean

The hot sun, the crystal-clear water and the sky of the bluest color: this snapshot of Albania could easily be taken anywhere in the Caribbean. What gives the photo away is the lack of palm trees. The flora is definitely Mediterranean, but that water looks like Aruba or Puerto Rico.

10 Walking On Wooden Boardwalks In Zvërnec

The boardwalk on the photo leads to Zvërnec Island, an island with a Byzantine monastery from the 13th century, surrounded by a fragrant pine forest. It is located really close to the tourist hotspot Vlorë, which means there are also many beautiful beaches in the area.

9 The Sea Has The Perfect Swimming Temperature

The Ionian Sea lies between the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea. In the summer, the water usually reaches a refreshing temperature that cools tourists off from the blazing sun more effectively than the Caribbean Sea. The best time to visit is, naturally, in the summer.

8 Affordable For Everyone: Prices Are A Bargain

While spending time in the nearby Mediterranean countries cost people more and more every year, Albania remains one of the cheapest destinations in Europe. That’s because their GDP is incredibly low and it isn’t on people’s radars yet. Albania could definitely profit a lot from tourism in the future!

7 There Are Also Summer Beach Festivals

Albania hosts a wide variety of festivals. The photos above were taken at Kala festival which takes place in the coastal village called Dhërmi. This boutique festival naturally sells out extremely fast, but there are many less exclusive festivals worth checking out, such as the Olive Festival or South Outdoor Festival.

6 Just Like The Caribbean, Albania Is An Amazing Diving Destination

Did you know Albania is a great diving destination? There’s a whole world in the deep blue of the Ionian Sea: divers can get a closer look at Italian shipwrecks from World War II. The Albanian waters haven’t been profusely explored yet, so chances are there are even more underwater treasures to be found.

5 Albania Offers Countless Adventurous Activities

Albania is a huge country and it has so much more to offer than its increasingly appreciated riviera. Hiking in the mountains, diving in caves and kayaking on wild rivers are just a few of many adventurous activities you can partake in while in Albania.

4 Lake Ohrid Is A Stunning Alternative To The Coast

Lake Ohrid is a beautiful big lake that is split between North Macedonia and Albania. Those who do not have time to travel south to the Albanian riviera content themselves with refreshing and clear lake water instead. Not many people know that it’s actually the oldest lake in Europe.

3 Explore The Historic Sites In Butrint

Butrint is the largest archaeological park in Albania. It’s a well-preserved example of an ancient Greek city with an amphitheater and an Ottoman castle at the top. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the country, conveniently located really close to the beach.

2 Watch The Colors Of The Sunset Turn To Pink

The Albanian coast lies on the west side of the country, so every day, you can watch a mind-blowing sunset – something you cannot see on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, for example. Just look at the shades of pink and purple on the photo – they look unreal.

1 Albania's Best Kept Secret Is Gjipe Beach

Gjipe Beach is carved out in the midst of otherwise rugged coast. A decade ago, the beach was a local secret they happily shared with tourists. Today, it is still not too crowded: many are discouraged by a little hike that’s necessary to get there.

Next: 20 Breathtaking Photos That Will Make You Want To Check Out Albania, ASAP