“We’ve got our own private beach today.”

That’s not something you expect to say in Europe… but here we are.

If you’ve been wondering whether Albania is worth visiting — or hearing people say it’s “the next Croatia” — this road trip down the Albanian Riviera might convince you.

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Is This Really the Next Croatia?

Albania was one of the most isolated countries in Europe until 1991. Completely closed off.

Now?

It’s opening up fast. And people are starting to notice.

The big question is — where will this place be in five years?

Because right now, it feels like you’ve arrived just before the crowds.

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First Impressions: Wild, Beautiful… and a Bit Chaotic

Driving the Albanian Riviera is honestly incredible.

You’ve got:

• Snow-covered mountains on one side
• Bright blue ocean on the other
• Sheep casually wandering along the road
• Beach huts sitting next to half-built hotels

There’s this huge contrast between old and new.

One minute it feels untouched and rustic… the next you’re driving past major construction projects and brand-new resorts going up everywhere.

It’s raw. It’s a bit chaotic. And I absolutely loved it.

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Prefer to Watch?

Himarë: A Whole Beach to Yourself

We headed to Himarë — a coastal town backed by these massive, dramatic mountains.

In summer, it’s meant to be buzzing.

But off-season?

We had an entire beach to ourselves.

No crowds. No noise. Just crystal-clear water and that ridiculous blue colour that doesn’t look real.

Well… almost to ourselves.

There was one guy walking up and down with a metal detector.

We’d actually met someone earlier who does this for a living — finds jewellery people lose in the water. Calls himself a pirate.

Honestly, fair enough. If I could make money doing that in places like this, I probably would too.

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The Drive: Absolutely Unreal

The drive from Himarë down toward Sarandë is one of those drives where you just keep saying:

“Wow.”
“No, wait — WOW.”

You pass:

• tiny villages
• roadside stalls selling oranges
• goats, dogs, and cows doing their own thing
• insane coastal views around every corner

People wave as you go past. It feels friendly, relaxed, and just… real.

It’s not polished. It’s not overly touristy.

And that’s exactly why it’s so good.

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Ksamil: Albania’s “Maldives”

Then we made it to Ksamil.

This place gets compared to the Maldives — white sand, turquoise water, little islands you can swim to.

And again… off-season?

Almost completely empty.

We walked onto the beach and it felt like we’d somehow stumbled onto a private resort without paying for it.

Rows of empty umbrellas, calm water, and barely another person around.

It’s kind of ridiculous.

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The Kindness You Don’t Expect

One of the standout things about Albania is the people.

We stayed at a small campground where the owner:

• brought us coffee
• gave us fruit and biscuits
• handed me flowers on our last night

Just genuinely warm, generous, lovely people.

That kept happening everywhere we went.

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It’s Still Cheap (For Now)

Let’s talk about prices.

Because compared to most of Europe — Albania is cheap.

Meals, camping, drinks… all really affordable.

At one point we were sitting by the water with pizza and a beer thinking, “How is this this cheap?”

It definitely adds to that feeling that you’ve found somewhere early.

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A Bit of a Wild West Vibe

One thing you notice pretty quickly — things are a little… loose.

Footpaths half-built. No barriers. You could absolutely step in a hole if you’re not paying attention.

It’s got a bit of a wild west feel to it.

And weirdly, that’s part of the charm.

It doesn’t feel over-regulated or overly controlled. It feels like a place that’s still figuring things out.

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So… Should You Go?

Honestly?

Yes. Absolutely.

If you like:

• van life
• quieter destinations
• beautiful coastlines
• places that still feel authentic

You should come to Albania.

Because give it a few years… and I don’t think it’s going to stay like this.

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Final Thoughts

This trip was one of those “I didn’t expect to love it this much” experiences.

Beautiful scenery. Lovely people. Great food. And just enough chaos to make it interesting.