Albania (Riviera & Gjirokastër)

Albania's Riviera is the Adriatic coast nobody told you about. White sand beaches, turquoise water, small villages built into cliffs — and none of the crowds or prices of Dalmatian Croatia (which is literally across the water). A beach day in Albania costs $2–3 for food, $0–10 for accommodation if you're willing to eat and sleep local.

Gjirokastër is a stone town built into a mountainside, with Ottoman architecture and narrow cobblestone streets cascading down to a river. It's UNESCO-listed and largely empty of tourists. You can stay in family-run guesthouses ($15–25/night), eat at local restaurants ($3–5 per meal), and spend days wandering without seeing another English-speaking tourist.

The food is Turkish-influenced — grilled meats, fresh seafood, byrek pastries, salads with fresh vegetables. A full meal with drinks costs $5–8. The wine is cheap and drinkable. The people are warm, perhaps because they don't get many visitors. Albania punches above its weight in terms of beauty and value.

A week of beach time and mountain exploring costs $40–60 total for accommodation, plus $30–40 for food.

Riviera beach days: Ksamil, Sarandë, or Himara — pick a town and stay 2–3 days. Swimming, seafood, minimal infrastructure equals cheap paradise. $5–15 per day for food, $10–20 for accommodation.

Gjirokastër old town walk: Wander stone streets, visit the castle at the top, eat traditional food at family-run restaurants. 1–2 day trip. $0–3 for sights, $20–40 total with meals and accommodation.

Blue Eye waterhole (Syri i Kalter): A spring-fed freshwater pool of impossible blue color. 30 minutes from Sarandë. Free to visit. A 1-hour walk and swim.

Butrint archaeological site: Ancient Greek ruins on the coast. $8 entry. 30 minutes south of Sarandë.

Budget:: Family-run guesthouses in Gjirokastër or Riviera towns. $12–20/night.

Mid-Range:: Small hotels or upgraded guesthouses. $30–50/night.

Splurge:: Beachfront hotels in Ksamil or Sarandë. $70–120/night.

Grilled fish: Fresh whole fish grilled with salt and lemon. Coastal towns, $6–10.

Pljeskavica: A Serbian-style burger-like sandwich with spiced meat and cheese. $2–3.

Byrek: Flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat, or spinach. $1–2.

Fresh seafood: Mussels, shrimp, octopus grilled or boiled. $5–10.

Salad (shopska or horta): Tomatoes, cucumber, onion, white cheese with olive oil. $2–3.