European destinations have become increasingly expensive for Britons in the market for a summer holiday, making the likes of Spain, Italy and even Portugal out of reach. Albania, however, is just one of several lesser-visited spots in the Balkans, boasting landscapes likened to those in the Mediterranean. And for those wondering where to stay, an expert has shared the best destination for an “authentic” experience.
In a video posted on her TikTok profile, travel-lover Christiana (@damoldmillenial), urged others to visit Albania this summer.
She said: “This tropical paradise is unlikely to be on your number one list for summer 2023, but it should be.
“It’s beautiful, it’s affordable, but the only problem is there’s not a lot of tourism yet, and everyone recommends you stay in Ksamil.
“I’m going to tell you. Don’t do it if you want a local experience.”
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The avid traveller noted that while there isn’t a huge tourism scene, like those you’d find in Spain or Greece, the one place that has been popularised is Ksamil.
She went on to explain that the few “tourism traps” that do exist are in this area, though they are easy to avoid by staying elsewhere.
Christiana said: “Instead, stay where we did, and that’s Dhermi. It makes a great base if you want to travel by car around the country and explore all the local beaches and food.”
As a lover of authentic travel experiences, the TikTok user noted that this destination was ideal for her travel style.
She revealed that Dhermi was the ideal destination for people like her who want to “avoid crowds and eat like a local”. Christiana added: “And that’s what we did for one week!”
The small town is just a 1.5-hour drive from the nearest city, Vlor, and can be accessed via a scenic route past mountains which climb up from the sea.
With an undeveloped coastline, visitors can soak up unspoiled views of the sea from Dhermi Beach.
According to TripAdvisor reviews, the small town is split into two parts – the upper part where you can find a quaint old town and the lower with new buildings that blend together.
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TripAdvisor reviewers described the spot as “a mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true”.
Situated on the Albanian Riviera, which occupies the southwestern coast of the country, the location of Dhermi is ideal for several reasons.
Not only is it just 213km from its capital Tirana (around a four-hour drive), but it is also just 90 minutes from Vlore and Saranda.
While Christiana warned against staying in Ksamil, the sought-after destination is also just two hours away – perfect for a day trip.
For those considering the Albanian spot, visitors recommended waiting until early June for the best experience.
On a TripAdvisor forum, one person wrote: “Early June is probably the best time to visit Dhermi, the weather is not too hot and it is not crowded. Usually, temperatures at that time of year are around 30C.” Another added: “The weather is perfect, should not exceed 35C and not that crowded. The new part is better.”
The nearest airport to Dhermi is Corfu (CFU) Airport which is 64.9km away. Other nearby airports include Tirana (TIA, 141km), Brindisi (BDS, 154.6km) and Preveza (PVK, 167km).
According to the latest data from Skyscanner, return flights from any London airport to Tirana (TIA) in June range between £32-£104.
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