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The beach destination dubbed the 'Maldives of Europe' - with £2 pints, cheap flights and crystal-clear sea

The beach destination dubbed the 'Maldives of Europe' - with £2 pints, cheap flights and crystal-clear sea

Daily Mail​2 days ago

The Maldives is one of the world's dreamiest holiday destinations and a popular choice for honeymooning couples.
But the islands tend to come with a pretty hefty price tag, particularly as the majority of accommodation options are luxury resorts.
However, if the islands seem a little beyond budget, there's a European destination where you could get a similar feel for far less money.
TikTokers @theresortcouple posted a video where they say tourists will 'find the European Maldives in the cheapest country'.
They recommend Ksamil, an enchanting seaside village in Albania, as a budget alternative to the Maldives.
The TikTokers say they love Ksamil's 'crystal clear water and white sand beaches' and describe it as the 'most breathtaking place'.
Lonely Planet has previously described Ksamil as having some of Albania's best beaches.
The travel guide explains: 'South of Saranda, the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, and within striking distance of the Greek border, Ksamil has an excellent location.
'The three small islands in its turquoise bay are an easy swim or boat ride away, and there are always fewer people here than on the busier town beach.'
Ksamil's best-rated beach on Tripadvisor is Ohana Beach Bar, which has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating. A tourist describes it as a 'clean and nice beach'.
Tourists can also explore an incredible historic landmark while they're in Ksamil. Butrint National Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is just 11 miles from the seaside village.
The ancient ruins are more than 2,500 years old and include a Hellenistic-era theatre and early Christian monuments.
And a holiday in Ksamil will cost a lot less than travelling to the Maldives.
According to Wise, the average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Albania is just 1,000 lek/£8.50.
Meanwhile, a pint of domestic beer costs just 249 lek/2.13 and a cappuccino comes in at just 164 lek/£1.40.
To reach Ksamil from the UK, British tourists will need to fly to either Tirana in Albania or Corfu in Greece.
The village is around a four hour drive from Tirana while tourists can take a ferry to reach it from Corfu.
The ferry trip takes around half an hour and will drop tourists in Saranda, a popular Albanian seaside resort, that's under half an hour away from Ksamil.
But Ksamil isn't the only European holiday destination to be described as a cheaper alternative to the Maldives.
A gorgeous island off the coast of Antalya in Turkey has previously been described as the 'Turkish Maldives'.
The island has been celebrated for its 'powdery white sand' and 'crystal clear waters'.

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