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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

For the past five years Croatia has been a tourist hotspot for very good reason. The Balkan state has a beautiful coastline, historic villages and very favourable prices. So favourable in fact that its picturesque capital, Dubrovnik, starred as the fictional ‘Kings Landing’ in the hit TV show Game of ThronesQuite the cinematic coup. However, since landing that high-profile role, Croatia can no longer claim to be Europe’s undiscovered gem. It is well and truly discovered. Which means Croatia needs to pass that honour on to its underrated southern neighbour: Albania.

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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

Bordered by Greece to the south with it’s own enviable Mediterranean coastline, Albania is country with an incredibly diverse landscape. From balmy beaches to snow-capped mountains, hot springs to UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological sites, it is a naturally beautiful nation emerging from a turbulent history to embrace peace and prosperity (they’re also hoping for EU membership in the near future).

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Image credit: Instagram.com/kukesi_yne

Before you book your ticket, know that 50 years of communist rule didn’t made things easy for the Albanians – they only transitioned to a free-market economy in 1990. Visit the Museum of Secret Surveillance in the capital, Tirana, to get a peek behind The Iron Curtain and an understanding of what they went through. Under the regime there wasn’t much investment in infrastructure, so don’t expect Albanian roads, buses and trains to operate at the level they do in Germany or France. That said, the trade off for a trip that’s a little trickier to navigate is affordability – you can eat in great restaurants and sleep in nice hotels for half of what you’d pay in neighbouring Greece or Croatia. If you haven’t got much time and want things to run smoothly, enlist a travel agent to deal with the nitty gritty logistics for you. You’re going to want maximum time to take in these views. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the must-see places worth travelling to Albania for.

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Image credit: Instagram.com/captured28_

Apollonia, Fier Archaeological Museum

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Image credit: Instagram.com/visitalbania2.0

Qeparo, HimarëVlorë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/flakon.zharku

Theth National Park, Albanian Alps

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Image credit: Instagram.com/albania.tourism

Borsh, Himarë,Vlorë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

HimarëVlorë

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Shishtavec, Kukës

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Image credit: Instagram.com/egzonbytyqiphoto

Çarçovë, Gjirokastër

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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

Koman, Shkodër

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Image credit: Instagram.com/emilyrose_travels

ShkopetLezhë

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Porto Palermo Castle, Himarë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/qualepass

Gjipe, Himarë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/mattpaynetravelphotography

Theth, Shkodë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/egzonbytyqiphoto

Valbonë Valley National Park

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Image credit: Instagram.com/dueruoteit

Koman, Shkodër

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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

Korçë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/valentingeiss

Langarica Canyon

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Image credit: Instagram.com/_dogani_

Mount Cikes (Maja e Çikës), Ceraunian Mountains

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Image credit: Instagram.com/the_flyaway_girl

Benja Thermal Baths (Llixhat e Benjes)

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Image credit: Instagram.com/adisshera

Piqeras, Vlore

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Image credit: Instagram.com/al_initiative

Castle of Krujë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/visitalbania2.0

Porto Palermo Beach, Himarë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/worldwidealbania

Skenderbe’s Castle, Krujë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/albania.tourism

Berat, Osum River

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Image credit: Instagram.com/vadoinalbania

Himarë

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Image credit: Instagram.com/veloxgram_

The Plaza, Tirana

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Image credit: Instagram.com/b_visi

Sarandë


Source: https://www.vogue.com.au/travel/destinations/29-photos-that-prove-albania-is-the-new-croatia/image-gallery/75c2becae7c061a8c79647790ac09de5