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Holidaymakers are turning their backs on the usual hotspots in Spain and Greece for a breathtaking stretch of the Albanian Riviera, now dubbed ‘Europe’s Maldives’

Those looking to enjoy gorgeous sun-kissed scenery this summer could do well to look beyond the tried and trusted favourites of Spain and Greece, in favour of Ksamil, a glorious stretch of coastline known as ‘Europe’s Maldives’.

With turquoise waters, majestic mountains, and budget-friendly prices, Ksamil is on the Albanian Riviera and is quickly becoming a popular destination for Brits, drawn by its beauty, balmy weather, and pints with prices as low as 77p.

It’s perhaps no wonder that 120,000 Brits make the journey to Albania every year, with some destinations as close as three hours away. With plenty in the way of picturesque coastal towns and tranquil beaches, this is a true underrated gem, with one charming seaside village in particular capturing the hearts of wanderers.

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Hailed as the ‘Caribbean of Europe’ by The Telegraph, which praised its “palm trees, dazzling beach, azure sea and thatched parasols”, Ksamil is situated in the Riviera of southern Albania, where it forms part of Butrint National Park.

Pretty enough to enchant even the most seasoned of holidaymakers, Ksamil’s white sand beaches and summer time highs of 30 °C make it a sunbather’s paradise. Crucially, it’s also very reasonable, with apartments as low as £20 a night, with three-course dinners available for as little as £17.

A top destination among both domestic and foreign tourists, both Ksamil Beach and Albania’s Ionian Coast further north were included in the Guardian’s 20 best bargain beach holidays back in 2013, and in the years since, a notable tourism boom has led to the construction of more hotels.

Indeed, as reported by DW.com last May, more than 11.7 million overseas tourists visited the Balkan country in 2024, with officials estimating this number to rise to 15 million by the close of 2025 — a figure almost four times the country’s population.

In a bid to compete against more established tourist destinations, Albanian hotel owners are reportedly now looking to build a deeper connection with visitors by offering cultural experiences such as food tasting and folk dances. Meanwhile, those who’ve fallen for Albania have been sharing their top tips online.

According to the travel guide 48 Hours in Europe: “Ksamil’s beaches reminded me of Greece’s. The majority of them are privately owned and back onto restaurants and cafes that supply beach lounges and umbrellas that cost a couple of euros for the day (if you come after 3pm, it’s cheaper).

“Make sure you get there early in summer, as the spots go quickly (and the best ones appear to be cheekily reserved for the locals). Once you’re settled in, you can swim in the calm azure water or lie around reading and eating the doughnuts, fresh fruit and other sweet treats that locals wander around selling.”

Culture vultures will find plenty to enjoy, with the natural wonders mingled with plenty of historical sites, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gjirokastër, the former fortress of a sultan, to Apollonia Archaeological Park, filled with ancient Greek and Roman ruins.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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THE safest country to visit in Africa has been revealed – and its a tropical island paradise.

Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches, year-round warm weather and safe-to-swim waters.

And the African island has been named the safest place to visit in Africa by Altezza Travel.

The south-east African country also ranked top within Africa in the 2025 Global Peace Index.

It was followed by Botswana and Namibia coming in second and third respectively.

The island is considered a very safe place to visit due to its low crime rate.

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And whilst it’s popular with Brits for winter sun, Mauritius boasts sunny temperatures year-round – averaging a daily maximum temp of 27.6C.

Their summer season (November – April) is hottest, where temperatures average at around 30C.

And even in the colder months, it’s rare to see temperatures dip below 17C.

The sea temperature is warm too, and can even reach 27C during summer months – 10C warmer than that of the UK.

When it comes to paradisical beaches, you’re spoilt for choice in Mauritius.

Flic en Flac is an enormous stretch of white sand facing a glittering lagoon, whilst Le Morne beach is backed by the luscious greenery and its iconic mountain.

There’s also lesser-known gems like Pointe aux Biches, where the locals go to find a slice of quiet sand between rocky coves.

Whilst Mauritius is paradise for spending days relaxing on the beach, there’s also plenty more to see and do.

The island is very popular with divers, snorkelers and adventurers who love to explore its dramatic landscapes.

The Blue Bay Marine Park is a magical spot to go snorkelling, with clear shallow waters and an abundance of colourful fish.

Mauritius has excellent coral reefs, if you fancy trying out some scuba diving.

Some of the best spots for divers are Coin de Mire in the North and Belle Mare in the East.

And if you want to explore the island by foot, the Black River Gorges National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails and breath-taking waterfalls to explore.

Here you may also see wildlife like macaque monkeys, parakeets, and the painfully-cute Mauritian flying fox.

Typically, tourists visit the north of the island for a nice mixture of stunning beaches and towns with shops and restaurants, like Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches.

The South is where you’ll find more wild landscapes, the national parks and historic sites.

But don’t just stick to the outskirts for beach resorts and sea swimming – head inland and you’ll find waterfalls, volcanic craters and beautiful mountain ranges.

The capital and largest city in Mauritius is Port Louis.

Port Louis is known for its bustling central market, where vendors sell bright fresh fruits and typical Mauritian cuisine.

The island is popular for its all inclusive resorts, but if you’re looking to sample some Mauritian food out and about, the street food here is delicious – and very cheap.

A spiced Creole curry can cost you as little as 40 Mauritian Rupees – which is approximately 66p.

Here you can also visit Le Caudan Waterfront, where a colourful umbrella canopy shades the streets.

There’s some beautiful buildings to admire too, like the grand St. Louis Cathedral and the bright white Jummah Masjid mosque.

TUI offers package holidays across Mauritius, ranging from adults-only romantic hotels to golfing resorts.

One of their cheapest options in Mauritius is a week-long stay at the Aanari Hotel and Spa with breakfast for £1,157 pp.

Similarly, deals on loveholidays can have you staying by the lagoon of Trou aux Biches for £849 pp.

For direct flights, British Airways offers direct round-trip flights from London to Port Louis for £876.

Mauritius offers year-round sun, but the best season is from May through to September, when humidity is low.