Why You Should Visit Albania If You Want A Greek Vacation Without Crowds
By Nina Phillips
VACATIONS
To experience the beauty of the Mediterranean with fewer people and a much lower price, there's a delightful, underrated alternative to Greece: Albania.
In 2021, 5.52 million people visited Albania, while Greece had 14.71 million visitors. A hotel here often costs no more than $50 a night, while Greece can put you back about $100.
While both countries serve up a magnificent Mediterranean feel, Albania's stretches of sand come out the winner simply because there are fewer people to block the scenery.
Albania has gorgeous islets, and they're usually not as busy as those in Greece. The Ksamil Islets feature breathtaking waters, and Sarandë is another stunning coastal destination.
Albania has plenty of history. Berat and Gjirokastër are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the Butrint archaeological site has evidence of communities from 50,000 B.C.
For those who enjoy traveling during the colder months or to larger cities, the country's capital of Tirana should be one of your top destinations.