Prices for tours to Albania have risen significantly: thousands of European tourists have already appreciated the quality of holidays on the beaches of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and are returning for the new swimming season. Which resorts offer the best deals on trips to Albania and what is there to do during a Balkan holiday?

What attracts tourists to the Albanian Riviera

For many years, the country was closed to foreign tourists, and tourist services have only begun to develop relatively recently. This turned out to be a real boon for tourists: well-known architectural firms were involved in the planning of the resorts, and the construction of infrastructure and hotels is being carried out in accordance with modern standards of comfort and safety. The ANEX Tour travel agency will help you choose and buy an inexpensive online tour to Albania for a beach holiday at the most popular resorts.

Tourism portals call Albania one of the most promising destinations for European tourism: two seas, crystal clear water, beaches for every taste, sea caves, mountain ranges, nature reserves, interesting historical and cultural sites.

Albania has become an inexpensive base for active travellers in southern Europe:

• it takes only an hour to travel by ferry from Saranda to the Greek resorts of Corfu (by ferry) and Igoumenitsa (by bus);
• it takes an hour to get from Pogradec to Ohrid (North Macedonia) by bus;
• it takes 2.5 hours to get from Durres to the Montenegrin resort of Ulcinj by bus;
• ferries depart regularly to Apulia, Italy: from Durres to Bari, from Saranda and Vlora to Brindisi.

The best Albanian resorts on the Adriatic Sea

Planes take tourists to Tirana International Airport. The nearest resort town is Durres. There are 15 km of sandy beaches with gentle entry into the water, with Golem and Ceret beaches at the top of the list. Notable sights include the Roman amphitheatre, the archaeological museum and the Venetian tower. AquaPark Albania Blue Magic Water is located on the way to Tirana. For lovers of hiking and water walks: Lake Skadar, the fabulously beautiful Drin River, the natural reserves of Valbona Valley, Nikaj-Mertur and Prokletije with the most beautiful waterfalls.

Popular tours to Albania with accommodation in hotels in Vlora, a resort on two seas. Pebble, stone and sandy beaches, a convenient promenade for walks. And also monasteries, castles, bunkers, wineries, an archaeological park, crabs and flamingos. The protected lagoon of Divjaka-Karavista has a large population of Dalmatian pelicans.

Albanian Riviera of the Ionian Sea

A long chain of resort towns from the festival resort of Durmici to the legendary Ksamil and the archaeological park of Butrint. Popular hotels near the beaches of Himara, Borsh, Lukovo, all-inclusive hotels south of the port of Saranda. The Albanian coast of the Ionian Sea has wild beaches, beach club complexes, and all-inclusive resorts with private beaches. 

In autumn, retreat tours to the white sand and deep blue waters of Ksamil Beach are popular. Near Dhermi, there are several beautiful canyons and hard-to-reach picturesque bays with caves and high cliffs. From the port of Saranda, tourists are taken by boat to swim in bays with sapphire and blue topaz coloured water. Not enough sea? Near Saranda, in the mountains, there is a natural pool called the Blue Eye, 50 metres deep. Atmospheric photos can be taken at the observation decks of natural parks and in the city of Gjirokastra with its Ottoman-style tower houses.

All-inclusive Albanian hotels with swimming pools and water parks or inexpensive hotels near restaurants, markets and supermarkets? A seaside holiday in Albania allows you to choose tours for any budget.

White sand, dark past on the German Baltic

Spend some time on Rügen, Germany’s largest island, on its Baltic coast. White sandy beaches and darker history await. Visit Lauterbach, by the sea. From there, catch the coastal ferry to the tiny fishing village of Baabe, a near three-mile (5km) walk/cycle through rolling countryside and catch the “Raging Roland” steam train back again. Not far away, you can walk the cliffs that inspired Caspar David Friedrich. For a very different day, visit Prora and its massive beachside concrete apartment blocks, originally planned as a Nazi holiday complex, before becoming a Soviet army barracks, and now a part ruin, part reunification commercial and residential redevelopment.
Richard

Deserted beaches on the Danish Riviera

Who needs the scorching Med when you have the Danish Riviera. The water is clean and refreshing. No wetsuits allowed – you’ll be laughed off the beach. Danish summer hols are in July so you’ll have the beach to yourself in August. Book a summer cottage near Gilleleje, a charming fishing village about an hour from Copenhagen. Denmark is expensive, so self-catering is best. Ice-cream at Hansens. Lunch in Gilleleje harbour. Culture at Louisiana modern art museum and Hamlet’s Castle in Helsingør. And day trips to Copenhagen.
Christina

To Hel and back in Poland

Hel is a tiny spit of land north of Gdańsk. Guys selling hot smoked fish meet you as you get off the ferry. Getting there is an adventure in itself, as the ferry takes you past the colossal cranes of Gdańsk’s shipyards. Long sandy beaches, pine forests and a small picturesque village make Hel a fantastic place to spend a few days. Famous for its seals, as well as its seaside, it really is the opposite of its fiery namesake.
Lucy Moore

Swimming and seafood in Sweden

We’ve just returned from a Scandi road trip and had four fantastic, chilled nights on Björkö. It’s only 30 minutes from central Gothenburg by (free!) car ferry and regular buses. Great swimming and beaches; micro breweries and fresh fish; sunsets and sunrises to die for; days out in Gothenburg, including the excellent Liseberg theme park, with no queues for proper scary rides – highly recommended.
James

Rowing in Finland’s Åland archipelago

Fuelled by our kids’ love of flags and a craving for quiet, we chose Åland, thousands of islands scattered between Sweden and Finland like granite gods wept there. We cycled between clouds and old boat sheds, stopping for smoked herring and cardamom pancakes with stewed prunes (sexier than it sounds). By the time Ivar lent us ancient alder oars to row to the next island, knowing they’d be returned by a friend, we’d learned that Åland doesn’t welcome visitors – it absorbs them.
Eliza Ainley

Cliff-edge drama in north-west Spain

Based in Oviedo (the ideal compact city), in Asturias, we would explore the coast one day, mountains the next, finding unexpected Gaudí buildings, gingerbread houses in Ribadesella, amazing cemeteries on cliff edges, enjoyable easy driving on perfect roads, gorgeous unspoilt beaches and great weather! Few tourists, thousands of Camino pilgrims along the way and (very weak) cider! Cannot wait to return and yes, we’d love to live there.
Annie Hargreaves

An idyllic island off Brittany, France

Camping Panorama du Rohou, near Paimpol in northern Brittany, has excellent views over to the beautiful Île de Bréhat. Walk down through the forest behind the campsite to take a short ferry ride to the island. Hire a bike or walk to explore its rocky coves and quaint villages. A lighthouse at the far end of the island has great views and is a good spot for a picnic, or to have a Breton galette or crepe at nearby Paradise Rose. Les Scènes de Bréhat is an annual festival with live music at the beginning of July; late-running ferries get you back to the mainland.
Stella

Arctic beach holiday, Norway

When we booked a trip to northern Norway’s stunning Lofoten Islands and Andøya we didn’t expect a beach holiday, but blessed with August temperatures in the high 20s we spent days swimming in the Arctic Ocean. Bleik beach on Andøya is one of the longest in Norway – “bleik” means “white” or “pale” in Norwegian, and the almost empty white sand, coupled with refreshing blue sea and the towering cliffs behind the beach, made for a perfect end to a day’s hiking. Puffins abound here, and whale watching trips are available from Andenes, just a few miles to the north.
Rachel

Seafood and sailing in Hanko, Finland

Hanko, Finland’s southernmost seaside gem, sits on a sandy dune that stretches out into the Baltic Sea. The town comes alive in early July during the celebrated Hanko Regatta, a sailing festival that draws about 200 yachts. To reach Hanko from Helsinki, take the VR train from Helsinki Central for about €15. Rent a bike once you arrive to explore the sandy beaches bordered by an ancient pine forest, historic villas and nature reserve. In the evening, enjoy fresh seafood with Baltic views and sit down for a pint of Lonkero. Don’t miss the spa scene and wild swimming!
Liina

Winning tip: Bike to the beach in North Holland

Aan Noordzee campsite, on the North Holland coast, has a simple, tranquil feel and no entertainment facilities. With separate cycleways everywhere, you can explore the beautiful coastline up to Den Helder and, by ferry, Texel island (sandy beaches, pretty towns and robust Texel sheep). An unspoilt beach walkable from the campsite awaits, with dune footpaths that lead to restaurants built on stilts. The sunsets over the North Sea are stunning. Alkmaar is accessible via a regular bus service.
Nicola Hull

In a bid to champion local tourism and drive inclusive economic recovery, the Quezon City Government—through its Tourism Department—joins hands with the Quezon City Travel Agencies Association (QCTAA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to host the “More to Explore” Travel Expo, happening on August 16–17, 2025 at the QC M.I.C.E. Center, Quezon City Hall Compound.

“Through this Travel Expo, we want travelers and tourists to see Quezon City not just as a jump-off point, but as a destination worth discovering—with its own cultural gems, hidden wonders, and rich history,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.

Free and open to the public, the two-day expo will feature over 120 exhibitors from across the travel and tourism sector—including travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, and food and lifestyle brands. Guests can expect exclusive travel deals, curated destination packages, and immersive leisure experiences—all under one roof.

Beyond showcasing travel opportunities, “More to Explore” reflects a shared vision to:
• Revitalize domestic tourism
• Empower local businesses and communities
• Foster sustainable and heritage-driven experiences

To make the event even more accessible, free rides will be provided through the QCity Bus Libreng Sakay program, with drop-off points near the venue.

As a special attraction, the QC Tourism Department will offer free guided walking tours starting from the M.I.C.E. Center. The route includes:
• QC Underparadisso
• Quezon Heritage House
• Bahay Modernismo
• Presidential Car Museum
With a special side trip to the Tandang Sora Women’s Museum, visitors can immerse themselves in Quezon City’s proud history and vibrant cultural legacy.

With “More to Explore,” Quezon City reaffirms its place as a hub of sustainable, inclusive, and experience-rich tourism—and invites everyone to rediscover the joy of travel, right in the heart of the metro.

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