Last week, Wizz Air revealed the quietest beaches to visit Europe in April. The Hungarian airline has revealed that the beach in Dure, Albania, is one of the least crowded beaches in April, with fewer daily visitors in the month.
In recent years, Albania has become a popular tourist destination for Britains, known for its turquoise beaches and sturdy landscapes. In search of a relaxing beach holiday with guaranteed sun, some friends and I decided to book a trip to Duretz last summer. I've never been to Albania so I didn't know what to expect, but I wanted to see for myself why it's a very popular destination for holiday makers.
We only left for a few days so we chose Durrës, and it is located just a 45 minute drive from the capital Tyranne, where the country's major international airports are located.
Flying directly from London Stansted with Ryanair, the 3-hour flight felt a little longer than the other flights around Europe, but in the Balkan country it was definitely worth it for a few days.
We stayed in a lovely small hotel just a few minutes' walk from the beach, but the weather was not below 28c all the while we were there. I certainly did not describe the beach as quiet, but we visited in July. This is considered the peak tourist season in Albania.
That being said, it was very easy to find plenty of space on the beach and grab some cheap days, and spent the day here every night until the sun disappeared into the most incredible sunsets.
But what left the biggest impression on me was the hospitality and quality of the food we ate. Catched plates of fresh sardines, steamed spaghetti fong gall and creamy lisothos bowls, crispy pizza and Greek salad overflows the top with fresh vegetables.
Although it is located on the Balkan Peninsula, adjacent to Greece and Montenegro, Albania has strong ties to Italy.
We kept going back to one restaurant in particular. Located on the beach in Duret, known as the Golem of Pampas Restaurant, and amidst the main course and drinks were £10, which was paid for a meal that included a starter.
Durrës is great on the beach for a few days, but conveniently located thanks to the proximity of the nearby hotels and restaurants, and the proximity to the tyranne, but the beach further south is almost certainly picturesque, and this part of the country is often referred to as the Albanian Livia area.
I will definitely return to Albania, but next time I will give myself more time to explore the country and its spectacular beaches.
