Albania is the great, glimmering undiscovered pearl of Europe. After suffering from the iron-studded boot of a brutal Communist regime, the country opened its doors to foreigners in 1991, who discovered an old and enchanting nation of tree covered mountains, medieval hilltop fortress towns (many of which contain some of the best places to stay in Albania), undying folk traditions, ancient Greco-Roman ruins and sparkling white sand beaches fringing a beautiful coastline that rivals the Cote d'Azur. The people are notoriously warm, welcoming and proud of their national heritage. Of course, Albanians have a lot to be proud of: there's the incredibly low levels of crime to consider, even in the cities, and it's very cheap to live there too. However, the erratic driving, and the lack of any official public transport timetable, are also to be considered, though for many it merely adds to the hilarity of the experience. Enchanting, bewildering and always fascinating, tourism in Albania is a light shower of rain that could well turn into a monsoon, so book now!

Where to stay

• Tirana is Albania's capital and centre of its cultural and entertainment scene. Plus it boasts a vibrant cafe culture and an intriguing mish-mash of architecture from Ottoman to Soviet-era buildings.
• Berat is a wonderful introduction to Albania. The unofficial capital of Albanian culture, it's one of Europe's oldest-inhabited cities and it sits in the shadow of Mount Tomorri, and boasts a beautiful hilltop castle and a great many museums, including the Onufri National Museum.
• The Albanian Riviera stretches from the Llogara Pass in the north, down to Ksamil (just off Corfu's north coast), and is one of the last places in Europe where you can find gorgeous white sandy beaches and pretty hamlets that have not been over-run by the tourists that beset the rest of the Mediterranean region every summer.

What not to miss

• If you're looking to sunbathe, head to the beach! There are miles and miles of beaches in Albania, the best of which are Drymades and Ksamil.
• Head to the capital, Tirana, for a night on the town!
• Visit the Onufri National Museum in Berat and see the hilltop fortress.
• Go hiking through the Prokletjie Mountains!
• See the bewitching waterfalls of Theth...
• Drink some Raki!
• Wander around the enchanting shores of Lake Skadar.
• Marvel at the ancient city of Butrint. Be sure to check out the Roman amphitheater!

Tourism in Albania may just be taking off, but we'd recommend you don't miss out before it becomes overcrowded! Find out more by browsing our list of the best places to stay in Albania.

The best places to stay in Albania

For Berat

• Hotel Vila Aleksander is an authentic Albanian hideaway situated 10 minutes walk from the old fortress of Berat. This attractive 19th century townhouse has been carefully restored and rooms boast plenty of original features and traditional furnshings. The perfect base for experiencing local culture, and superb value.

For an apartment or villa

• Our partner Booking.com has a wide range of villas and apartments in the nearby area.

Travel information

• The best time to travel is during the summer, when the temperature averages at around 32 degrees - scorching!
• Fly to Tirana International Airport.
• If you want to rent a car, contact our partner Rentalcars.
• Remember that public transport tends to be rather random in Albania, so getting around can be tricky. Fortunately, taxis are relatively cheap compared with other parts of Europe.

Still not sure?

• See our recommendations for the best places to stay in Berat
• or for more cheap food, ancient sites, sand and Balkan sunshine, check out our collection of the best places to stay in Croatia
• or contact one of our Gurus for advice.