Holidays in Albania are the same as in Greece, but cheaper and with less crowds

2024-08-22 19:07:00, Ekonomi CNA

Greece is located in Southeast Europe, forming part of the Mediterranean along with countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Egypt and Morocco. Greece is one of the most visited and appreciated thanks to its rich history, beautiful islands, safety, food and weather. Of course, this popularity comes with a price – huge crowds of tourists.

If you want to experience the beauty of the Mediterranean and encounter fewer people and a low price, there is a pleasant and underrated option in the north: Albania. It is the ideal alternative destination for Greece, as it is a quieter place to travel, but still offers similar attractions, wrote the American media "Islands".

In 2021, 5.52 million people visited Albania, while Greece had triple the figure, with 14.71 million in the same year. Albania is also the least expensive option, and a hotel here often costs no more than $50 per night, while in its neighboring country you pay $100 for a similar room.

Greece has been an active tourist destination for centuries and really started to flourish from the 1960s onwards. After gaining independence, the country started promoting its ancient history and building hotels to attract tourists. Albania has not had the same opportunity to attract tourists and promote its fascinating past, only after the fall of the communist system in the 90s. Furthermore, tourism was not immediately promoted and it was only in 2019 that Albania began to combat its dubious reputation with media campaigns.

Albanian beaches are equally beautiful

Those who visit Greece for the crystal clear waters and some relaxing time on the beach will find that certain areas in Albania offer similar experiences, especially in the south where the two countries share a border. While the beaches of both countries serve for that wonderful Mediterranean feeling, the Albanian coast is worth it more as there are fewer people to block the scenery. While Greece offers some more unique and relatively unknown coastal spots, such as the usually uncrowded Tinos or Astypalaia (which is full of secluded beaches), these areas are becoming more and more popular every year. Large crowds make it more difficult to get into areas, hotels, making for a much less relaxing vacation.

Albania has wonderful islands and they are usually not as populated as those in Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean. The islands of Ksamil feature stunning scenery and waters similar to many of Greece's picturesque islands. Saranda is another stunning seaside destination with a public beach right in the center of town. For those who want to play in the water, but not necessarily on the beach, the Blue Eye – a spring full of fresh, fresh water – is only a 30-minute drive from Saranda.

The culture and history are equally interesting to explore

Beyond the wonderful beaches in Albania, the country's fascinating history is also worth exploring. Its tourist spots may not be as famous as Greece's Parthenon and other iconic buildings, but Albania's historical attractions more than hold their own. Berat and Gjirokastra are two cities listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their cultural importance and impressive architecture from the time of the Ottoman Empire. The archaeological site of Butrint, also part of UNESCO, is another place worth visiting, revealing evidence of communities dating back to 50,000 BC

For those who want to travel during the colder months or to the bigger cities, Tirana can be one of the main destinations. It is the capital of the country and most of the city stays open and bustling even during the coldest times of the year. Albania may not get as much attention as Greece, but it is a wonderful destination in its own right./ Monitor magazine