Crystalline blue waters, towering mountain ranges, and a long and rich Ottoman history; Albania is a country full of secrets buried far from the flocks of tourists who rain down on mainland Europe every summer season. Albania is a country that packs a punch: full of surprises and perfect for every season of travel.

On a visit to Albania, expect expanses of untouched, rugged coastline swirled by the warm Mediterranean Sea in the Albanian Riviera, and mountain ranges dusted by snow – perfect for skiing. Impressive UNESCO listed Old Towns are also dotted throughout Albania, great for exploring and stepping back in time through a riveting and, sometimes, devastating past. If that isn’t enough to tempt you, then here are ten reasons – hand-picked by Beau Monde Traveler – why Albania should be added to the destination list of today’s luxury traveller.

1. It’s not on everyone’s radar… yet

Due to a history of political unrest and unsettled financial strain, Albania has been regarded as a non-viable travel destination for a long time. Thankfully, as the world has changed – so has Albania. Only since the 1990’s it has welcomed tourists, who slowly filtered in to embrace the country, its rugged beauty and hospitality. Now, Albania is the perfect destination to escape the usual European hotspots but still reap the benefits of a perfect cultural escape and beach holidays – like Greece, without the crowds.

2. Beaches galore

Speaking of which, Albania has a coastline of approximately 295 miles overlooking the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, both of which form parts of the greater Mediterranean Sea. The waters are crystal blue, glistening in the warmth of a balmy summer’s day. There is a mixture of both stone and sand beaches along this stretch of coastline, each spectacular in their own way.

The Albanian Riviera and coastline offer plenty of options for beach fanatics. In the North is the popular stretch of sandy haven, Durrës – one of the more “touristy” beaches, due to its proximity to Tirana, the capital city, so keep that in mind. Further down the coast, in the southernmost part of Albania, travellers are rewarded with the breath-taking beaches of the Albanian Riviera. With waters akin to that of the Maldives, it’s hard to believe these cerulean blue waves grace the shores of Albania, a country kept secret from the world for so long. The most notable beaches are Ksamil, Drymades and Sarandë.

3. Perfect for Island Hopping & Seaside Dining

From Sarandë, travellers can easily cross the sea by ferry in less than two hours and find themselves on the island of Corfu, part of Greece. The closeness of these two countries makes it perfect for the traveller who wants to explore multiple parts of Europe at once, beach-hopping during the day and enjoying fresh seafood beside the seaside at night. Due to Albania’s proximity to Greece and sprawling southernmost coastline in the warm Mediterranean, travellers can enjoy a smorgasbord of fresh, locally sourced seafood.

4. Peaks to pique trailblazers’ curiosity

Away from the limpid waters of the Albanian Riviera is the Accursed Mountains, known locally as Bjeshkët e Namuna. For hiking buffs, Albania is a wonderland full of pinnacles yet to be discovered. The Accursed Mountains border Kosovo and Montenegro and reach a height in the Albanian region of 2694m. Hikes between Valbona and Thethi are the most rewarding, with spectacular views of glacier peaks and extraordinary mountain ranges as far as the eye can see.

Due to limited historical numbers of tourists, places such as Valbona and Thethi in the Accursed Mountain ranges remain almost completely untouched, with crystal-clear bubbling streams, trees with leaves of varying hues of green and vibrant orange, and air so crisp, it is like heaven on Earth.

5. The Blue Eye and its magic

In the alps of Albania is the town of Thethi, a small village running adjacent to the Lumi I Thethit River, azure waters babbling over smooth boulders surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges. The area is relatively remote, with the main roads being made predominantly of rough stone and dirt tracks that connect a series of small family-run guesthouses.

The main highlight of this area, aside from the incredible hiking trail between Theth and Valbona is the nearby Blue Eye. This is the perfect spot for a detour – a 20km roundtrip hike that is well worth the effort. The cold waters of melted glacial snow and ice form a crystal deep blue watering hole, nestled amongst rugged stone peaks. A small waterfall steadily spills into the deep eye of the water, making it the most spectacular hue of cyan blue.

6. Remarkable lakes not to be missed

Albania is a nature lover’s paradise, offering up a wealth of spectacular natural parks to be explored, many of which have lakes and waterfalls that are perfect for swimming, fishing and kayaking. In fact, Albania is home to one of the oldest lakes in Europe, dating back some five million years, Lake Ohrid. and just on the other side of the lake’s edges and one will find themselves in the gem of the Balkans, North Macedonia!

Nearby, the sand beach playground of Sarandë is Lake Butrint, a salty lagoon surrounded by forests and hills. With the Ionian Sea trickling in to make the waters warm, Lake Butrint is a great place to swim and birdwatch. As the lake is part of the greater Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, there is much to be explored including nearby archaeological sites dating back to the Iron and Middle Ages. Talk about swimming through history…

7. Skiing – but not for the faint-hearted!

It’s not as popular as its neighbouring countries for winter sports, but Albania still puts up some sound skiing options, especially for those who prefer a more remote skiing experience. Forget large resorts, huge Apres parties and ski-in-ski-out experiences, in Albania it’s back to basics with small family-run accommodations that usually includes hire of equipment services and a personal guide.

The mountains are wild, unpredictable and there is little in the way of competition for slope space, as well as nothing in the way of ski lifts or major development. For that reason, Albania is recommended for experienced skiers who wish to take on a challenge without the glamour-perks of usual ski destinations. Bigëll Dardhë is the largest of ski “resorts” and has an altitude of 1663 metres.

8. A medieval history

Due to being one of the most elusive countries in Europe, Albania has maintained much of its historical architecture, now laying still and waiting to be explored. Albania’s rich and often difficult history is thanks to its many years under foreign rule, most notably that of the Ottoman Empire, which first entered Albania in the 14^th Century.

With a blend of fascinating influence which can be traced right through from Medieval times to the present day, Albania presents an array of Castles and ruins – perfect for letting one’s mind run free into a land of emperor rule, iron-clad armoury and the battles of bygone eras. The Gjirokastra Castle is one of the biggest in Balkan Europe and was built between the 12^th and 13^th centuries.

9. Ancient Cities

As well as wonderous castles and ruins, Albania is dotted with ancient villages and cities that host extraordinarily preserved architecture. The village of Berat is formed of three old quarters (Kalaja, Mangalan, Gorica) reminiscent of Ottoman reign; like a fairy-tale village built into the incline of a tree-lined mountain, overlooking the bend of an idyllic river. Kruje is well-known for the Old Bazaar full of colourful antiques and crafts, as well as the ruins of the ancient castle that overlooks the town from a nearby hilly peak.

Nearby the spanning shores of Lake Ohrid is the town of Korçë, most renowned for the towering cathedral and Turkish quarter. The city has been occupied by the French, Turkish, Greeks and Germans so it is rich with history and different types of culture – expect small but trendy mixed cuisine cafes and inspiring medieval art.

10. You get more bang for your buck

As Albania is still a developing country, and with tourist levels still relatively low in comparison to other European hotspots, travel around Albania is of extremely good value. However, it is good to manage expectations. There are luxury hotels available in major cities like Tirana and along the Riviera, but in smaller villages like Kruje and Berat, the accommodation options are family run, boutique style lodgings.

As a country of rustic, rugged charm and fairy-tale villages – with layers of history, incredible spans of beaches, lakes and mountains – Albania makes the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts, beach buffs and history fanatics alike. The roads might not yet be fully developed but for today’s most curious and well-informed travellers, it’s worthwhile taking the opportunity to immerse yourself in the depths of Albania. Going beyond unnecessary refinements, here is a place where you can instead seek out a love for culture, philosophy and the great outdoors in a country kept secret for so long. Albania is just waiting to be explored.