Those looking to enjoy gorgeous sun-kissed scenery this summer could do well to look beyond the tried and trusted favourites of Spain and Greece, in favour of Ksamil, a glorious stretch of coastline known as 'Europe's Maldives'.

With turquoise waters, majestic mountains, and budget-friendly prices, Ksamil is on the Albanian Riviera and is quickly becoming a popular destination for Brits, drawn by its beauty, balmy weather, and pints with prices as low as 77p.

It's perhaps no wonder that 120,000 Brits make the journey toAlbania every year, with some destinations as close as three hours away. With plenty in the way of picturesque coastal towns and tranquil beaches, this is a true underrated gem, with one charming seaside village in particular capturing the hearts of wanderers.

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Hailed as the 'Caribbean of Europe’ by The Telegraph, which praised its “palm trees, dazzling beach, azure sea and thatched parasols”, Ksamil is situated in the Riviera of southern Albania, where it forms part of Butrint National Park.

Pretty enough to enchant even the most seasoned of holidaymakers, Ksamil's white sand beaches and summer time highs of 30 °C make it a sunbather's paradise. Crucially, it's also very reasonable, with apartments as low as £20 a night, with three-course dinners available for as little as £17.

A top destination among both domestic and foreign tourists, both Ksamil Beach and Albania's Ionian Coast further north were included in the Guardian's 20 best bargain beach holidays back in 2013, and in the years since, a notable tourism boom has led to the construction of more hotels.

Indeed, as reported by DW.com last May, more than 11.7 million overseas tourists visited the Balkan country in 2024, with officials estimating this number to rise to 15 million by the close of 2025 — a figure almost four times the country's population.

In a bid to compete against more established tourist destinations, Albanian hotel owners are reportedly now looking to build a deeper connection with visitors by offering cultural experiences such as food tasting and folk dances. Meanwhile, those who've fallen for Albania have been sharing their top tips online.

According to the travel guide 48 Hours in Europe: "Ksamil’s beaches reminded me of Greece’s. The majority of them are privately owned and back onto restaurants and cafes that supply beach lounges and umbrellas that cost a couple of euros for the day (if you come after 3pm, it’s cheaper).

"Make sure you get there early in summer, as the spots go quickly (and the best ones appear to be cheekily reserved for the locals). Once you’re settled in, you can swim in the calm azure water or lie around reading and eating the doughnuts, fresh fruit and other sweet treats that locals wander around selling."

Culture vultures will find plenty to enjoy, with the natural wonders mingled with plenty of historical sites, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gjirokastër, the former fortress of a sultan, to Apollonia Archaeological Park, filled with ancient Greek and Roman ruins.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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