With a mountainous landscape overlooking crystalline waters and relatively sleepy pebble beaches, the Albanian riviera is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
Spending a week whizzing between the coves and corners of the riviera – the catch-all name for Albania’s southernmost stretch of coast ‒ was an unexpected delight. Separated from the rest of the country by the rolling Ceraunian mountains, the region stretches 120 kilometres from Vlore to Sarande, taking in beaches, canyons, castles and characterful little seaside towns. Among other ways it’s opened up to tourists, the 2009 rejuvenation of the country’s SH8 coastal road made it easier to explore, be it by bike, car or bus ‒ or in my case, a combination of all three.
