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The Mediterranean Sea is probably the busiest summer destination in Europe, which attracts millions of tourists with its Old World allure and endless miles of pristine coastline, shared by countries like Spain, France, Italy, Croatia and the like.
Considering that there is hardly a tourist hotspot that is so established and sought after, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking that no stone has been left unturned in the ancient, sun-drenched basin, but you would be amazed at the wonders that remain hidden in the Med.
One of them is Vloraa seaside resort in underrated Albania that will become the Mediterranean’s brand new tourist destination in 2024, with its own international airport:
Why not You Have you heard of Vlora, Albania before?
Of all the countries along Europe’s southern Mediterranean coast, Albania is probably the least explored most misunderstood.
From misconceptions about safety, despite the ‘good’ safety level verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to poor promotion due to its delayed development as a tourist destination, Albania is a by-the-book late bloomer.
For much of its recent history, the country was stuck in one of the harshest socialist regimes in Europe, with very few people allowed to leave, and an even smaller number allowed to visit. until the democratic revival of the early 1990s.
By then the damage had already been done and it was significant:
Despite boasting 476 miles of coastline, fascinating heritage sites dating back thousands of years, and a host of coastal recreational areas, Albania was left behind while neighboring countries like Croatia and Montenegro all rose to fame:
Albania is quickly catching up
We’re talking about the non-existent tourist infrastructure, and the fact that only one major international airport is responsible for serving the entire country – not to mention its location in an inland capital that still suffers from the Soviet-influenced architectural disaster of the last century, and which most holidaymakers don’t want to visit.
Don’t get us wrong, We Love quirky Tirana and its mix of Neo-Ottoman and disruptive modernism, but we wouldn’t go out of our way to visit the Grand Artificial Lake in summer, when Ksamil’s blue Ionian waters shine brightest.
Well, in recent years, Albania’s bleak prospects in Southern Europe’s increasingly competitive tourism sector have become improved dramatic: for starters, it’s no longer a hidden gem that few have heard of, and last year it received a milestone 10 million tourists.
From the relaunch of the railway lines between Tirana, the national capital, and Durrës, the main port city, to the construction of a brand new airport in the Albanian Mediterranean. very first commercial center – it is a very different, much more open Albania compared to twenty or even ten years ago.
Speaking of the latter, the soon-to-open Vlora International Airport is ready to propel Albania forward further in the future:
New airport launched in Albania’s largest seaside resort
Start March 2025tourists can fly non-stop to the Albanian coast for the first time in history, while the long-awaited Vlora International Airport prepares to open before the summer.
Covering an area of 20,000 cubic meters and equipped with a 5.2 MW photovoltaic roof, Albania’s new hub will make it easier for holidaymakers to reach the country’s postcard-like beaches without first landing in Tirana. hundreds of kilometers away.
As with the Mayan Train in Mexico, construction has not been without setbacks, with environmentalists repeatedly raising concerns about the airport site’s proximity to the protected Vjosa Wild River.
However, unlike the Mayan train, the clash between the government and activist groups has not significantly delayed the process, as Vlora airport, whose IATA code has yet to be announced, will organize the first flights next spring.
It will be Croatia’s third major airport, after Tirana and Kukës, which serve as an alternative hub to the capital and currently have no scheduled flights.
Technicalities aside, you’re probably wondering Where you can fly to Vlora from; Unfortunately, however, no European-based airlines have announced flights to Vlora at this time we expect this to change in the near future.
Tirana itself is served by popular budget airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia and WizzAir, which connect the Albanian capital with a large number of Central Northern European destinations, such as Paris (Beauvais), London (Stansted), Vienna and Warsaw.
It’s highly likely that once Vlora International is up and running, airlines like Ryanair will shift their focus to the coastal town – again, that’s just speculation.
Please be assured that we will report back as soon as the flights are confirmed.
What to see and do in Vlora
Vlora (or Vlorë in the local language) does one of the most culturally important cities in Albania, as well as one of the oldest.
It has a history of more than 3,000 years, being colonized by the ancient Greeks and eventually developing as an important trading center on the Mediterranean under several empires, from the Byzantines to the Venetians and the Ottomans.
We’re not here to give you an overview of Vlora’s complex historical background, so if you’re wondering what to expect from the city itself, just imagine: revitalized, colorful old town and a lively oceanfront promenade––Lungomare––outlined by modern developments.
As Albania’s third largest city, with over 130,000 inhabitants, it’s not exactly picturesque, but it doesn’t come close to the sprawling urban chaos of Tirana either.
Needless to say, The biggest attraction of Vlora is its privileged location on the coastlocated on a long sandy beach (Plazhi and Ri) known for its informal terraces and beach bars.
This is where you’ll probably spend most of your time, and if you’re looking for cheap food, a seafood dinner at Sophra will probably cost you around €18, which is one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.
That’s already reasonable, but instead we’re bigger fans of Mëndra:
From their homemade Lakroran Albanian cake made on site Tave Kosilamb baked in yoghurt, everything tastes fresh––and extremely goodand that’s true for an eatery prices vary between a negligible $2 and $20.
Speaking of affordability…
How affordable Is Albania?
Vlora is one of the cheapest destinations on the Mediterranean, where a four-star hotel costs from €5 $52 per nightand privately managed one-bedroom apartments just steps from the beach start from just $11.
In fact, the highest rated property with the lowest price, Ramo’s charming studio apartment, will only cost you $22 backwithin walking distance of Independence Square, Vjetër Beach, Muradie Mosque and all major attractions.
According to Budget your tripthe average stay of 7 nights in Vlora is a ‘surprisingly affordable’ $483In line with the rest of Albania, this is considerably cheaper as a country to visit than other southern European hotspots.
Read more about Albania here – and why it steals the hearts of millions of tourists.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
