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If you’re planning on taking the first flight to southern Europe as soon as temperatures start to rise again, you might want to hold off on booking an overpriced weeklong stay in Amalfi or Côte d’Azur until you read this First.
Seriously overlooked by tourists and flying under the radar of Americans in particular for decades, is the coastal city of Vlorë Albania is about to make a big splash in 2025, once the international airport finally opens, and we can’t say we’re surprised:
It is one of the cheapest destinations for both beaches And culture across the pond.
A brand new Mediterranean destination launching next year
Vlore (also known as Vlora) is one of the largest coastal cities in Albania, a lesser-known Mediterranean country emerging from decades of imposed communist rule that has only recently opened its doors to outsiders.
Albania has not had a dictatorship since at least the 1990s, but the country continues to lag behind in development compared to its European counterparts:
It has yet to be sworn in as a member of the European Union, wages are among the lowest on the continent, and it is largely served by a single international airport, located in Tirana, the inland capital. hundreds miles away from the turquoise coast.
In other words, if you fly to Albania for a beach holiday, you’re in for a bumpy ride, usually involving complicated land transfers and some long hours on the bus… but this will change soon enough.
Vlore International Airport will open in March
After years of building, a new international airport opens in March in Vlore, the gateway to the Albanian Riviera.
As the €105 million project nears completion, we already know that it will have a 3.9 kilometer runway and a terminal of 20.43 square kilometers: large enough to accommodate a secondary Mediterranean hub hosting flights from low-cost airlines.
We are talking about Ryanair, WizzAir and other European airlines, although no airlines have yet announced non-stop routes to Vlore.
Considering the impending launch of the airport, a rising demand for Vlore holidays and the renewed fame on social media, with 16.4 million messages TikTok So far, it won’t be long before Albania’s main coastal town gets its destination international breakthrough.
Old world charm and beautiful sandy beaches
Vlore is one of the oldest cities in Albania, with a history dating back to the 11th century BCwhen the Illyrians, the ancestors of the Albanians, traded and roamed the area.
It would only flourish as a settlement after the Greek conquest of the region, when a fortified port was built in the area – not much remains except a partially excavated archaeological site at neighboring Triport.
Despite its ancient character, Vlore is in fact more known for its long, golden sandy beach and vibrant shopping scene, although there is a recently renovated ‘old town’ with beautiful, colorful buildings to explore.
Other notable sights include the Muradie Mosque, a 16th-century Ottoman mosque, open to non-Muslims for visit, Dhimiter Konomi Street, where some of the oldest houses in Vlore are located, and the ruined Kaninë Castle, on the edge of the city.
A new one Jewish museum describing the lives of Albanians during the last World War has also recently opened in the center of Vlore, and the palm-lined promenade continues to develop with the addition of new restaurants and hotels.
Even the Trump family is watching hotel offers in the emerging city, with Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump working with Albanian officials to set up a development site in Zvernec, a small village that is part of the Vlorë conurbation, with 1,000 beach villas and rooms planned.
All eyes on Vlorë
Vlore is one of the warmest destinations in the Mediterranean: for example, at this time it is sunny and a maximum of 62° outside (Fahrenheit), while in late spring and throughout summer it averages 89.6° F on most days, with minimal rain.
Located on the coast, it is a short drive from beautiful beaches that have yet to be spoiled by mass tourism, including Dalan Beach in Zvernec, where the Trump clan wants to build a new mega-resort, and the pristine Radhime Beach.
The great thing is that, unlike mainland Italy, Croatia and Montenegro, Vlore’s beaches tend more towards sand than pebbleswhich is great news if you like to walk barefoot on the warm sand.
Affordability plays an equally big role in Vlora’s appeal to foreigners: we’re talking $2.50 pints of beer, $483 for a week’s stay at a beachfront hotel, and about $8.45 for a cheap restaurant meal, based on estimates of Budget your trip And Numbeo.
After all, the cost of living here is much cheaper than in other European countries.
Heading to budget-friendly, incredible Albania in 2025? Make sure you read on here.
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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.
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