The Hottest Riviera This Summer Is in Albania

Summer’s on the horizon, and you’re stumped. You’ve always loved hopping over to Europe after a spring of false starts and late snowstorms. But these days—and especially once the warm weather hits—crowds throughout Western Europe are thick; costs are high; and beach chairs, all but claimed. So, where else can you find a slice of the good life this summer without having to refinance your mortgage?

Fortunately, the answer’s an easy one: the Albanian Riviera. One of Chase Travel’s 26 Trips to Take in 2026, this still-unspoiled destination takes up a magnificent stretch of coastline along the Ionian Sea, where dramatic mountains tumble right down to crystal-clear turquoise waters. Along the way are white pebble beaches, hidden coves and charming seaside villages that still feel like a secret—or at the very least, a rumor. In larger towns like Ksamil, Himarë and Dhërmi, boutique hotels and fresh seafood abound, both at surprisingly affordable prices, all with innumerable gorgeous swimming spots to experience. It’s the best of all worlds, really: laid-back seaside energy with great food to match, plus a hit of adventure in the form of winding, sky-high coastal stretches and gravel roads.

A new international airport is slated to open in the Riviera’s de facto capital of Vlorë this summer, expanding access to the strip. Until then, your best course is to fly into Corfu, Greece, and take a 30-minute ferry ride east to the city of Sarandë. There, you can pick up a prebooked rental car and be on your way. But get there now—because once people start stumbling onto this little slice of heaven, they’ll never stop coming.

What to Do

Along the Riviera

Car secured in Sarandë, head about 25 minutes south to the chill beach town of Ksamil. It feels not unlike Mexico, in that it’s breezy and casual, with vacationers strolling sun-bleached, sand-streaked streets in flip-flops and sunglasses. Spend at least a few days hitting up beach clubs like Uma, a family-friendly spot with excellent grilled prawns and ample water access, or the Bali-esque African Ksamil Beach Club, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where beats thrum late into the night.

Check out nearby Butrint National Archaeological Park—enlist a guide to squeeze the most out of the experience—then hop on a boat to tour the surrounding mussel farms and the fortress of the infamous Ottoman-era ruler, Ali Pasha. End your afternoon with a bowl of mussels and a wine tasting on the outdoor patio at Livia Restaurant, near the park’s entrance. From Ksamil you can reach the stunning natural springs at The Blue Eye by car (or via a guided tour with transport) in about an hour; hike up to St. George Monastery, which is just outside of Sarandë; or take a sunset tour up to Lëkurësi Castle, followed by dinner and a boardwalk stroll in Sarandë.

Then, head north to check out other beaches and towns along the coast. Start with Lukova Beach, a hidden cove reached only by a steep crawl down a mountainside or, if you’re prepared to be even more adventurous, the beautiful pebbled beach of Gjipe, accessible by boat, on foot or via a 4x4 ride down a dirt road. Farther north, you’ll find the more populous (and easier-to-access) beaches of Himarë, Dhërmi and Palasë, where getting into the water requires only as much time as it takes you to find parking. Along the way, you can stop to marvel at some other architectural and natural sites, including the castles of Porto Palermo and Himarë; Llogara National Park, high up in the alpine peaks of the Ceraunian Mountains; and Mount Çikë.

In the Capital

Once you’ve had your fill of tanning, lounging and swimming, head to the capital of Tiranë, where you’ll drop off your rental car and fly out. Before you do, take the opportunity to dig deeper into the former communist country’s fascinating history with tours of Bunk’art 1 and Bunk’art 2, massive underground antinuclear bunkers on the outskirts of the city, built starting in the 1970s for the country’s political elite.

Where to Stay

The country’s hospitality scene, though a little slow to start, is developing at a rapid clip—and you can now find lovely hotels all down the coast.

Along the Riviera

If you plan to stop in Dhërmi, make sure to dine at Zoe Hora hotel, which sits atop a mountain overlooking the town and sea.

In boho-breezy Ksamil, book a room at the fresh-feeling Asters Hotel, which offers a robust breakfast spread and single beds for traveling friends, or the sleek Arameras Resort, a little further afield of downtown, where the pool overlooks the sea; both are a quick walk to the beach. Up in Himarë, Nia Boutique Hotel by Rapos Resort offers plenty of pool- and beachfront real estate, with chaise longues set around a generously sized pool and all along the sand, plus outdoor dining with sunset views over the sea.

In Dhermi, Zoe Hora is perched on a mountaintop overlooking the whole of the village and out toward the sea. For dinner, expect either a traditional Albanian feast with raucous live entertainment, or a fine-dining experience around the moodily lit pool. If you’d rather stay close to the water, Drymades Inn Resort and Folie Marine Beach Hotel & Club both offer both style and proximity.

In Palasë, the new Green Coast Hotel MGallery Collection—set on the same long, lustrous beach where Caesar landed in 48 B.C.—feels organic and almost ancient; cylindrical pillars prop up pale, putty-colored stone with shocks of green marble and half-moon arches. Inside, you’ll find taupe linens with spare stone floors and the occasional pop of sea blue, including the water itself. (Some showers feature sliding glass doors that lead to sprawling terraces overlooking the sea.)

In the Capital

Once in the capital of Tiranë, steer yourself toward Tirana Marriott, one of the city’s spiffiest addresses; the futuristic red exterior alone could sell it, but the vast breakfast spread at Terra, the all-day restaurant, is the real clincher.

Where to Eat and Drink

Food is one of the true highlights of a trip to Albania, and your experience will vary depending on whether you’re in the mountains, in the countryside or by the sea.

Generally, Albania’s cuisine blends Mediterranean and Balkan influences, which reflects the country’s rich history and geography. All throughout the country, you’ll find dishes like byrek, a flaky pastry filled with cheese, spinach or meat that’s eaten anytime of day, and tavë kosi, baked lamb and rice with tangy yogurt sauce that’s considered the national dish.

Along the Riviera

By the water, grilled seafood is predictably the main attraction—sea bass, sea bream and red mullet are simply prepared with olive oil, lemon and herbs at tavernas all along the coast, often with octopus, squid and mussels on the menu, too.

In Ksamil, dine at restaurants like Mëndra, a simple spot with an outdoor patio that serves hearty dishes like lakror, a savory pie filled with cheeses and vegetables, and luscious tavë kosi. Taverna Labëria, which sits along one of Sarandë’s busiest streets, serves a parade of grilled meat skewers and fresh fish, while Oda e Babës promises a traditional Albanian experience from the minute you walk into the rustic, wood-beamed space. No matter where you go, start with an order of raki, the go-to spirit (a strong grape or plum brandy sipped before meals), and conclude your meal with thick Turkish-style coffee and sweet treats like trileçe, a creamy milk cake, or syrup-drenched baklava.

On the coast, beach clubs promise far more than the typical snacks—on Lukova Beach, a single family-run restaurant serves fresh fish out of a tiny shack-like kitchen, and on the promenades and down the side streets of Himarë and Dhërmi you’ll find meals as good as any five-star stuff back home. In the former, Taverna Lefteri, the town’s oldest restaurant, churns out grilled octopus and seafood pasta heaving with fresh mussels and fried calamari; in the latter, Vela e Bardhë serves everything from burrata pizza to thick cuts of fresh white fish, all of which you can scarf down in full view of the water.

In the Capital

Up in Tiranë, there’s no shortage of classic Albanian establishments. Oda Garden offers traditional grilled vegetables and lamb cooked in a wooden stove out of its sweet courtyard, where complete slabs of tree trunk are notched to form tables. For something a little fresher, Oliveta Restaurant is a bright, pretty spot serving beef carpaccio and tomato salad punched up with spheres of cucumber caviar and light feta mousse. End up at one of the city’s hot cocktail bars, like Colonial or Radio Bar Tirana, for a slightly more modern experience.