Anyone who has looked into spending time on a beach over the European summer has heard of the big names; Capri and Sorrento in Italy, Nice in France, the Greek Islands etc. But what if I told you there was a relatively untapped azure paradise wedged between all those places, that costs very little to visit?

It exists! I’m talking about Dhërmi in Albania.

aka heaven

These photos are technically from Drymades beach which is here:

You can practically swim to Italy (not recommended)

Now a lot of people don’t consider Albania as a holiday destination because from 1944 to 1991 it was under strict communist rule and isolated from the rest of the world, much like North Korea today. But Albania has been a republic for 25 years now and has some absolutely stunning landscapes.

The majority of people holidaying here are Albanian and the beaches certainly aren’t sardined with umbrellas and sun lounges like in Greece and Italy. The water is stunningly clear and blue and behind the beach is the most amazing mountain range. Best of both worlds!

Drymades Beach

If you walk north from Drymades beach towards the headland and through a window in the rock you get to a tiny beach with good snorkelling.

It’s as clear as a swimming pool

We you get tired of snorkelling there is a cute restaurant just back through the hole in the rock where you can sit and eat with this incredible view:

Salad and moussaka (not traditional Albanian food)

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How to get there: We took a bus from Sarande (the largest city in the south) to Drymades beach for 700 lek/5 euros. It’s impossible to book in advance or find the bus times online, you just have to go into the town and ask each bus where they are headed.

Where we stayed: We stayed at Sea Turtle Camping which provides tents, mattresses, sheets, pillows, showers, toilets, wifi, breakfast AND dinner for 1200 lek (8.70 euros!!).

Sea Turtle Camping

Sunset on Drymades beach

Go before everyone else does!