Sarandë

Sarandë is Albania's main resort town on the Ionian coast, facing Corfu across a narrow strait close enough that you can see the Greek island's lights at night. The town itself is a curved bay lined with a promenade, restaurants, and increasingly dense apartment blocks built during the tourism boom of the last fifteen years—development here has outpaced planning, so don't expect polish.

The real draw is what's nearby. Ksamil, a short drive south, has small islands and turquoise coves that get compared to the Caribbean, though in August they're packed. Butrint, an ancient archaeological site with Greek, Roman, and Venetian layers set among wetlands, sits just beyond Ksamil and is one of Albania's most rewarding ruins. The Blue Eye Spring, a startlingly deep, cold natural pool inland, makes a good half-day trip.

Sarandë works well as a base for a few days of beach time and day trips rather than a long stay in itself. Ferries connect it directly to Corfu, making it easy to combine with a Greek island visit. Prices remain lower than similar Mediterranean spots, though rising each year. Late spring and early fall avoid both the heat and the crowds.