'Maldives of Europe' is ridiculously cheap and just three hours away from the UK
Tom Wood
If you fancy a luxury holiday but don’t have the cash to pay the celebrity prices, perhaps we’ve got the best possible option for you here.
Maybe you hate flying and can’t face the 10-hours or so it would take to get to a load of these places, either?
Well, this place is just three hours away, it’s nice and cheap, and it’s also absolutely beautiful.
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Nicknamed the ‘Maldives of Europe’, it’s a small place in Albania called Ksamil.
To give you an idea of where it is, it’s so close to the Greek island of Corfu that you can see it across the water.
It’s not as well-known as a tourist destination as Corfu, but that means that it’s got an unspoiled charm to it that doesn’t come with a gigantic price tag.
There are three main beaches in the area, as well as hotels, guesthouses and apartments that can be rented out to holidaymakers.
At any of the three beaches – Ksamil, Monodendri, and Gjipe – you can walk on pristine white sands and swim in clear blue waters.
You’ll start to see where that comparison with the Maldives comes from once you get there.
What’s more, there’s a few islands off-shore that you can visit, too.
Or, you can just relax on one of the wooden beds that overlook the ocean.
There’s snorkelling, swimming, and loads to explore, just like a tropical paradise, but without the jetlag and the impact on your wallet.
One TikToker called The Travel Mum went out there and had a blast.
In fact, she’s the one who compared it to the Maldives.
She flew to Corfu, before getting a ferry across to Sarande and driving up to Ksamil.
You can fly to the Albania capital Tirana, but it would be a longer drive up to Ksamil from there.
She explained: "We've booked a central two bedroom apartment for just £190 for six nights.
"It's a great base for enjoying the many beautiful beaches, but also exploring some great places close by. We've just spent £5 at the supermarket to feed five people."
Flights out to Corfu can be as little as £25, with the ferry across the water to Albania taking half and hour.
Another travel influencer who has been out is Yuliia Berkuta, who described the area as ‘one of the most surprising places’ in the Balkan region.
"This village is home to delicious seafood, a colourful sea and beautiful islands located a stone’s throw away from the village," she said.
"I have visited Ksamil on two occasions now and recommend it to anyone travelling to Albania.”
So, it’s got to be worth considering, given the cost of a trip and the beauty of the area.
Not everyone can afford to go to the Maldives for two weeks in the summer, after all.