Albania has been dubbed ‘the Maldives of Europe’, thanks to the white sandy beaches and crystal clear water along its Riviera.

It’s far from undiscovered, with tourists flocking to the region in increasing numbers, but it certainly won’t break the bank — luxury accommodation is available for a fraction of the price of other European holiday spots.

Beachfront apartments can be rented for less than £20 a night, while it’s not unusual to pay around £15 for a full meal with drinks.

Flights to Albania are also remarkably affordable, with Ryanair flying to Tirana from as little as £30 for a return trip.

Made popular by TikTok videos of sparkling oceans and bright white sand, Albania certainly offers a taste of the Maldives lifestyle, boasting a Mediterranean climate with highs of 30°C in the summer months.

To top it off, the Albanian Riviera is also home to exquisite seafood and plenty of cultural sites, such as the historic settlement of Lin, said to be Europe’s oldest inhabited village, and Gjirokaster, a mountainous city and UNESCO world heritage site.

For beautiful sunsets over the Ionian Sea, visit Lekuresi Castle near Sarande, where you can take in the beautiful view over the town and bay below. 

The other four destinations were Bali, Malta, Greece and Thailand.

(Source: METRO)