Locals share their best tips for Albania from tropical beaches to 40p dishes… and the tourist traps to avoid

ALBANIA is becoming an progressively fashionable destination among British holidaymakers owed its fund and family-friendly resorts, unsocial culture, and humanities sites.

What truly makes the Balkan state great, though, is that it's afloat of hidden gems to uncover, from concealed waterfalls to secluded bays.

As portion of our caller Best Of Beaches series, we asked locals who cognize the state champion for their tips connected wherever to eat, the champion attractions to sojourn and knock-out places to stay.

Genc Krasniqi, Linda Alia, Enuar Abasllari, and Jack Dushku and Manon Dushku are each section to Albania - they stock their recommendations below.

Tropical beaches successful Europe

Genc Krasniqi, a selling advisor successful Albania, said: "You person sandy beaches crossed overmuch of the country, from the northbound each the mode to Orikum successful the south.

"I similar Velipoja, the country's northernmost formation that's not acold from the borderline of Montenegro; and Shengjin, a fashionable formation municipality successful the northeast of the state with a shop-lined promenade."

"My favourite pebble formation is Gjipe, a crystal-clear bay astatine the ft of a ample canyon that is the cleanable spot for camping and exploring."

Linda Alia, who runs nutrient tours successful Albania, said: "Qeparo, Borsh and Livadhi connected the Albanian riviera are the champion hidden gems for enjoying the Ionian oversea without the hustle and bustle of the engaged areas.

"Be prepared to rent a car arsenic transport successful these areas is limited, but that’s however you cognize you person gone to the close corner." (All 3 beaches beryllium connected the precise confederate seashore of the country, wrong an hour's thrust of each other.)

Enuar Abasllari, a circuit usher successful Albania, said: "Himara, a coastal municipality connected the Albanian Riviera successful the southbound of the state has some beauteous beaches and a charming aged tow. (The shoreline successful Himara is divided into two. The main formation has a engaged promenade with cafes and shops, portion the confederate formation is quieter and much off-grid).

Jack and Manon Dushku, backstage circuit guides successful Albania, said: "The Albanian Riviera successful the South of Albania has the astir beauteous beaches.

"The item is Ksamil Beach, which is simply a small peninsula with cleanable achromatic sands and bright-blue waters, with small islands successful beforehand of the formation that you tin sojourn with a canoe oregon small boat.

"It is similar a tropical beach, but successful Europe.

"That being said, Ksamil is champion visited successful the aboriginal season, successful a period similar June, earlier it gets busy."

Favourite restaurants and fund eats - from conscionable 40p

Genc said: "If you privation a fancy experience, past you volition emotion Salt and Arka Rooftop, some successful Tirana." (Salt is Japanese-inspired, serving up sushi rolls and flavour-packed blistery dishes, portion The Arka Hotel's rooftop is the spot to travel for meal and a show, with unrecorded euphony and dazzling views).

Enuar said: "Oda successful Tirana is simply a cosy spot, with a paper featuring a assortment of delicious dishes, from accepted Albanian cuisine to planetary flavours, catering to antithetic taste."

Mullixhiu successful Tirana is celebrated for its farm-to-table conception and modern takes connected accepted recipes made with seasonal ingredients.

"Its cosy and welcoming ambience, combined with attentive service, provides a due culinary acquisition (main dishes from nether £7)."

Jack and Manon said: "Mrizi one Zanave is an agrotourism edifice successful the mediate of quality adjacent Lezhe successful the northbound of the island, with section nutrient and homemade wines."

(The renowned farm-to-table edifice offers a unsocial eating experience, relying connected fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to make delicious dishes that item the flavours of the region.

(Mains similar lamb shishkebab outgo from astir £8, portion a starter of jufka (a accepted pasta) costs astir £4.)

Genc said: "If you fancy a inexpensive wound to eat, past the champion happening to bash is to look for the keyword 'Zgara'" (which translates to 'grill')

"There are plentifulness of grills with precise affordable prices (and inexpensive beers arsenic well)."

Linda' said: "I'd urge going to Te Met Kodra successful Tirana for qofte - there’s ever a queue but for bully reason. Your lone prime is breadstuff with qofte, and I warrant you volition spell back."

Jack and Manon said: "In Albania, you tin bargain a caller filo-pastry called Byrek successful these small 'Byrektore' takeaway restaurants." (Byreks tin beryllium savoury oregon saccharine and you tin prime 1 up astir everyplace and anyplace for astir 40p)

Hidden gems - places lone locals cognize about

Genc said: "If you emotion the mountains, you volition surely consciousness astatine location successful Vermosh." (This is Albania's nothernmost colony with a picturesque stream moving done its mediate and jaw-dropping upland views).

Enuar said: " Ujevara Grunasit (Grunasi Waterfall) is located successful the bosom of the Theth National Park and is simply a stunning earthy wonderment cascading from a tallness of 30 metres.

"It's surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs, making it a cleanable destination for quality enthusiasts.

"There's besides Shpella Haxhi Alise (Haxhi Ali Cave) - situated on the Karaburun Peninsula, this mysterious oversea cave is named aft the celebrated pirate Haxhi Ali.

"It's lone accessible by boat, which means its secrets are kept good hidden."

Jack and Manon said: "A spot lone the locals cognize astir is the Shengjergji Waterfall, astir a 1.5 hr thrust from Tirana.

"Enjoy beauteous nature, cliffs, rushing h2o - and you tin adjacent spell for a refreshing aquatics successful the waterfall." (The 30-metre precocious waterfall is astir a 20-minute hike from the borderline of the stream - you tin parkland up astatine the bottom.)

Linda said: "Krorëz Bay, which tin lone beryllium reached by boat, is magical connected a sunny time but bring your luncheon arsenic restaurants are scarce." (You'll find respective boats offering time trips from the engaged metropolis of Sarandë, usually departing astatine astir 9 oregon 10am. Trips usually outgo from £20 upwards.)

Hidden Beaches (away from the crowds)

Enuar said: "Dafina Bay is simply a secluded paradise on the Albanian Riviera, offering crystal-clear waters and pristine sands.

"Accessible chiefly by boat, it provides a tranquil flight from the crowds, perfect for a peaceful time of sunbathing and swimming successful undisturbed earthy beauty."

Budget attractions worthy visiting - from 40p entry

Genc said: "The coastline from Kavaja to Zvernec is simply a large enactment if you are connected a budget.

"In each metropolis here, you volition find affordable stays, restaurants and bars - conscionable marque definite to inquire the locals and they volition beryllium blessed to help."

Enuar said: "Gjirokaster Castle, perched atop the historical metropolis of Gjirokaster, is simply a magnificent fortress with panoramic views of the Drino Valley.

"Rich successful history, it houses museums and artefacts, offering visitors a captivating travel done Albania's past and its architectural grandeur." (entry costs conscionable implicit £3).

Jack and Manon: "The Blue Eye Spring successful betwixt Saranda and Gjirokaster costs lone 50 Leke (around 40p) per person.

"It is simply a beauteous underwater outpouring that pumps h2o to the aboveground astatine an tremendous velocity - marque definite to get determination aboriginal to bask it whilst it is inactive quiet."

Must-do activities

Genc said: "Albania has a batch to connection for its tiny size - successful the superior of Tirana you'll find the beauteous Dajti Mountain and the communist-bunker-turned-museum, Bunk'art.

"If you privation to dive a small spot much into past and civilization past you should sojourn the UNESCO sites of Berat with its Ottoman houses, Byzantine churches and Red Mosque, and Gjirokastra - location to the Gjirokaster Fortress, arsenic good arsenic the Ancient Greek polis and Roman metropolis of Butrint.

"For spectacular views, hike the Accursed Mountains oregon instrumentality a relaxing thrust on the coastline from Vlora to Saranda done the Llogara Pass.

"There are aggregate beaches to halt astatine on the roadworthy for a dip, past instrumentality on the different roadworthy that passes done the Blue Eye and Viroi successful Gjirokastra."

Enuar said: "Soar supra the mesmerising coastline of Vlore, wherever the azure oversea meets rugged cliffs.

"Paragliding present offers an unparalleled vantage constituent to instrumentality successful the breathtaking vistas of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, blending adrenaline with awe-inspiring earthy beauty." (Tours outgo astir £115pp connected viator.com)

"Alternatively, navigate the thrilling rapids of the Vjosa River, Europe's past chaotic stream - with its crystal-clear waters, melodramatic canyons, and affluent biodiversity."

Best bars and nightlife - with beers from £1.50

Genc said: "During the summer, each formation turns into a nightlife destination, including Durres, Shengjin, Vlora, Saranda, and of course, the present celebrated Ksamil."

"You cannot spell incorrect with places similar Duff Sports Bar, Komiteti, Libraria, Botanica, Shisha Room and Charl’s Bistro.

"In Durres, you volition find plentifulness of bars adjacent the formation with Sunset Bar being my idiosyncratic favourite." (You tin prime up brushed drinks, including iced java for arsenic small arsenic 40p)

Jack and Manon said: "Blloku is the exclusive nightlife country of Tirana.

"In the communist period, it was the restricted country wherever lone the governmental elite lived and were capable to enter, and contiguous it inactive has an exclusive estimation with fancy restaurants, nighttime clubs and bars."

Linda said: "Go to Nouvelle Vague successful Tirana for trade cocktails - if you see yourself an adventurer of flavours, this is cocktail heaven." (It was adjacent named 1 of the champion bars crossed the globe by The World's 50 Best)

"Filari successful Tirana offerswine successful an elegant space, but what you’ll beryllium enjoying astir is the proprietor explaining the vino profiles." (Drinks outgo a small much successful this fancy joint, with cocktails and glasses of vino from astir £4)

Enuar said: "Kino is a trendy barroom known for its eclectic ambience and innovative cocktails.

"Housed successful a repurposed cinema, it combines a unsocial humanities mounting with a modern vibe, attracting a divers crowd."

(An aperol spritz volition acceptable you backmost astir £4, portion a much antithetic Pink Sour, made with vodka, lemon, pomegranate and ginger beer, costs astir a fiver.)

Jack and Manon said: "The Sky Club is simply a rotating barroom successful the metropolis centre of Tirana and it is recently renovated."

(Guests volition instrumentality a 360-degree rotation portion they sip connected their tipple of prime - beers outgo from £1.50 and spirits from £3.)

Favourite viewpoints

Enuar said: "Restaurant Panorma, perched connected the slopes of Mount Dajti, offers diners sweeping views implicit Tirana and its surrounding landscapes."

"As you bask your meal, you tin instrumentality successful the sprawling cityscape, framed by the lush greenery and the distant silhouette of the Adriatic Sea." (Pasta dishes similar whipped pick tortellini outgo from £3, if you privation to enactment for dinner).

Kuzum Baba: Kuzum Baba, located connected a elevation overlooking the metropolis of Vlore, provides a spectacular panorama of the seashore and the metropolis below. This humanities and spiritual tract offers visitors a peaceful retreat with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and the Albanian Riviera.

Jack and Manon: "The Llogara Pass (in confederate Albania) is the highest constituent connected the coastal roadworthy alongside the Albanian Riviera connecting Vlore with Saranda.

"From the Llogara Pass, you person a beauteous presumption of the Ionian Sea and Dhermi Village - a large spot to halt connected a roadworthy travel on the Albanian Riviera."

Best spot to instrumentality kids

Enuar: "Nestled successful the Dajti Mountain National Park adjacent Tirana, is an exhilarating playground for kids, Dajti Adventure Park, featuring a scope of activities similar zip-lining, enactment courses, and hiking trails. (Entry costs £10 for kinds nether 8 and £13.30 for anyone implicit eight)

Albania’s bustling larboard metropolis of Durres, offers a blend of humanities intrigue and modern attractions cleanable for a household time out.

Children tin research the past amphitheatre and archaeological museum, portion the lively promenade and beachfront supply ample opportunities for play and leisure.

Jack and Manon: "The Grand Park successful Tirana has playgrounds and cafes on the enactment of the lake.

"Not that acold from the Grand Park, you tin instrumentality tiny children to the Tirana Zoo and the Botanical Garden." (Entry to the zoo costs from £1.70 per child, portion the Botanical Gardens costs astir 40p)

Places to debar and apical tips

Enuar: "Blue Eye (Syri one Kalter) is simply a stunning earthy outpouring known for its mesmerising bluish waters, located successful Delvine, Sarande.

"Unfortunately, its popularity means it is often swarmed with tourists, particularly during summer."

Enuar: "To debar the crowds, see visiting fashionable attractions, specified arsenic the Blue Eye oregon Butrint National Park, aboriginal successful the greeting oregon aboriginal successful the afternoon."

Enuar besides recommends exploring disconnected the beaten path: "Instead of the fashionable Ksamil beaches, research Lukova Beach oregon Dafina Bay."

Be Mindful of Local Etiquette, Eunar says.

"When visiting spiritual sites, formal modestly, greet locals warmly, and larn a fewer basal Albanian phrases to amusement respect and physique rapport."

"While credit cards are wide accepted successful larger cities, smaller towns and agrarian areas whitethorn lone judge currency truthful guarantee you person capable section currency (lek) for your travels, particularly erstwhile heading to distant areas."

Where to enactment

Genc: "If you privation to premix with the locals past you tin publication from 1 of the respective guesthouses that are successful astir each touristic colony each astir the country."

Linda: "Alpeta Agritourism is simply a abbreviated thrust from Berat metropolis wherever you tin instrumentality a vino tour, a cooking people (granny style) and besides sleep. What’s not to love?" (The family-owned winery features a cosy guesthouse with rooms from astir £47 a night).

Enuar: "Theatro Hotel features elegantly decorated rooms, each with a theatrical theme, a good eating restaurant, a chic bar, and convenient entree to Tirana's taste attractions and nightlife."

"If you're looking to enactment successful the Albanian mountains, I urge Harusha Guesthouse. It offers a rustic and authentic Albanian upland acquisition with stunning views.

"Guests tin bask homemade accepted meals, and casual entree to hiking trails and earthy attractions." (Rooms outgo from £54 per night)

Jack and Manon: "The Xheko Imperial Hotel in Tirana is simply a beauteous boutique edifice with a beauteous swimming excavation and edifice connected the roof.

"It is besides centrally located adjacent the Grand Park and main authorities boulevard." (Rooms outgo from £110 per night).