New York Times: Albania is a country that amazes with its natural beauty and hospitality

Stunning beaches, untouched nature, unusual historical sites and low prices have turned this former hermit state into one of Europe’s newest destinations, writes Valeriya Safronova for the prestigious American “New York Times”.

In southern Albania, practically a stone’s throw from the Greek island of Corfu, the city of Butrint has stood for thousands of years. Its ruins are a history buff’s dream. An open-air theater, a Byzantine baptistery and a Roman aqueduct. Foxes, hawks and eagles roam the 93-square-kilometer national park that includes Butrint’s archaeological treasures.

Ten minutes by bus from Butrint, in the modern seaside resort of Ksamil, tourists lie on sun loungers, dance to electronic music and jet ski around a picturesque bay, made famous by social media influencers, who compare its lush appearance to the Maldives.

Albania is the kind of destination where a traveler can start the day with a stroll through antiquities and end it with a jump on the sand.This could be a major reason why so many people are coming here.Last year, 11,7 million visitors entered the country up from 10 million the year before, and they not only went to beaches and historical sites, but also explored the mountains and lakes in the north, as well as the Wild Vjosa River National Park, one of the 52 places to visit in 2023.“

Full article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/travel/albania-beach-historic-sites.html