Albania is losing the advantage of being a “cheap destination”

For many years, Albania was promoted as the economic alternative to the Mediterranean, a destination where one could enjoy the sea at significantly lower costs than in Greece, Croatia or Italy.

But the summer of 2026 is showing that this advantage is gradually fading. Especially in the south of the country, prices for accommodation, services and entertainment have increased to levels that are forcing Albanian vacationers to do more comparisons before booking their vacations.

Dhërmiu, Jala, Himara, Ksamili and Saranda remain among the most sought-after destinations, but also the most expensive. According to the rates published by accommodation structures for the summer season 2026, a double room in a 3 or 4 star hotel in Himara and Saranda usually costs from 80 to 150 euros per night during July and August.

In Dhërmi and Jal, where supply is more limited and demand is higher, prices typically range from 120 to 250 euros per night, while premium resorts and villas often reach 300-400 euros per night and in special cases even more. Prices double for larger rooms in the case of families with two or more children.

Even the tourist apartment market is no longer considered as economical as it once was. In Ksamil, an apartment for four people typically costs between 100 and 180 euros per night during peak season, while properties with sea views or near the main beaches easily reach over 200 euros per night.

This means that accommodation alone for a family can cost from 700 to over 1,500 euros for a week's vacation.

Meanwhile, Albania continues to have a relatively limited offer of “all inclusive” hotels compared to Turkey or Egypt. Most of these structures are located in the area of ​​Durrës, Golem, Shëngjin and Velipoja. “All inclusive” packages for a family of two adults and two children usually cost from 1,000 to 2,000 euros for a week, depending on the hotel, the booking period and the level of service.

However, even in these cases, many tour operators note that the difference with similar packages in Antalya or Egyptian resorts has become much smaller than in the past, while the range of activities, the size of the resorts, and the number of services included often remain more limited.

The costs don't end with accommodation. On many private beaches, a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella costs between 15 and 30 euros per day, while in the more exclusive areas of Jala and Dhërmi prices often reach 40 to 50 euros. For a family spending a seven-day vacation, the sun loungers alone can add 150-300 euros to the total bill.

Food is also taking an increasingly large toll on vacation budgets. A lunch or dinner for a family of four in tourist areas typically costs between 40 and 80 euros, while in the busiest restaurants near the coastline, the bill can easily exceed 100 euros.

If breakfast, drinks, ice cream, entertainment activities, and local transportation are added, daily expenses can reach 70-150 euros, even without including the hotel.

The contacted travel agencies say that it is these costs that make the Albanian vacationer more comparative than ever before. According to them, instead of automatically choosing the local coast, he is comparing prices with Corfu, Halkidiki, Parga or “all inclusive” packages in Turkey. For a family of four, the difference between a week's vacation in Southern Albania and an organized package abroad has narrowed significantly.

In some cases, especially when booking is made several months in advance, a package to Turkey with flight, transfer, food and drinks included can result in a similar or even lower cost than an individually organized vacation on the Albanian coast./ Monitor