Holiday bookings to Albania have surged by 293% compared to last year, according to Thomas Cook, making it one of the fastest-growing destinations. The country offers a Mediterranean experience with beaches, history, and sunshine at a fraction of the cost of more popular spots.
Rising Popularity and Affordability
Nicholas Smith, Dynamic Packages Director at Thomas Cook, said: "Albania has been one of the travel industry's best-kept secrets for years, but the numbers suggest that's changing fast. With a 293% increase in bookings year-on-year, travellers are discovering you can have the full Mediterranean experience, complete with beaches, history, delicious food and sunshine, for a fraction of the price of bigger tourist destinations."
Albania is gaining a reputation as one of Europe's most affordable places to visit, with lively cities and seaside resorts cheaper than popular spots like Greece. The country offers crystal-clear water, UNESCO-listed cities, and wine for around €2 a glass.
Easier Access and Transport Options
Daily direct flights now run from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Liverpool during the summer. Alternatively, travellers can fly to Corfu and take a ferry to Albania. Ferries run daily from the Port of Corfu to Saranda, with operators like Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways offering high-speed trips of about 30 minutes, typically costing £16 to £26 per adult.
Thomas Cook Holidays also start at £165 per person for a week, and packages are available through companies like Last Minute, On the Beach, and British Airways.
Top Destinations and Attractions
Many travellers start in Tirana, the capital, where Skanderbeg Square offers a mix of Ottoman and communist-era architecture, cafes, and a clock tower. Cultural sites include the National History Museum, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the National Art Gallery, home to over 5,000 pieces. Bunk'Art 2, built in an underground bunker, explores Albania's history.
Durres, 40 minutes from Tirana, features the Durres Amphitheatre, one of the biggest in the Balkans, and medieval ruins of Durres Castle. Vlorë on the Albanian Riviera is known for fresh seafood, seafront bars, and boutique hotels. Ksamil, often called 'the Maldives of Europe', has white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, with beach clubs and tavernas serving grilled fish and local mussels.
Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows, is a 2,400-year-old town with white stone houses and a citadel featuring 13th-century Byzantine churches. Gjirokastra, in the Drinos River Valley, is famous for its ornate 17th-century houses.
The Albanian coast, especially the Albanian Riviera on the Ionian Sea, offers clear turquoise waters, coastal mountains, and a Mediterranean climate, often cheaper and less crowded than Greece or Italy, particularly in the off-season.
