If you're looking for an inexpensive getaway over Easter or the bank holidays, then this might be just the thing for you. There's a country that's become popularly dubbed the 'Maldives of Europe' in recent months, and it can be just a £15 flight from the UK. It's the perfect destination for anyone looking for a lesser-known getaway this year

What's more, it's also home to a beach named as one of Europe's least-crowded and a "best hidden spot for early-season sunshine". Livadhi Beach in Himarë, Albania, was praised as one of the least crowded beaches on the continent, making it the perfect destination for introverted sun-seekers.

Livadhi Beach ranks 19 on Wizz Air‘s list of the least crowded beaches in Europe, and is both a turquoise dream and a peaceful escape.

The Balkan getaway is known for being a long, picturesque stretch of beach along the Albanian Riviera, offering a tranquil escape with clean, transparent waters, free parking, and various amenities like restaurants and camping grounds.

To get to Livadhi Beach, you should fly into Tirana International Airport (TIA), the nearest major airport to Himarë, which is where Livadhi Beach is located. 

There are several affordable travel options available from the UK to the Albanian capital, with direct flights from London to Tirana that cost £193 on average. However, when we checked flights earlier this year, there were flights from London Luton to Albania's capital city of Tirana for just £14.99 when flying with Wizz Air so you may well get cheaper flights at different times of the year. 

Flying from London to Tirana takes approximately three hours, with various airlines offering direct flights, including Ryanair and Wizz Air.

The distance from Tirana Airport to Livadhi Beach is about 170-180 kilometres, so, depending on traffic and road conditions, the drive is rather long, typically taking about three hours. Taxis are reasonably priced but it's still a long journey.

On average, you can expect to pay around £35 to £49 per night for a hotel near Livadhi Beach in Himare, Albania. 

The beach offers various amenities, including bars, restaurants, deck chairs, parasols, and convenient beach showers, reports Himara Bnb.

According to the website, there are also nearby campsites available for those seeking a closer connection with nature.

Dominic, who runs the Sandal Tan Man travel blog, describes his stay at Livadhi Beach: “It’s a bit rocky on the feet, but it’s a large beach that sees less crowds than Himara’s main beach. The water also stays cleaner for this very reason. There’s everything you need here to enjoy a great day in the sun. You can stock up at a mini market, have a quiet lunch in one of the restaurants, or hire a sun lounger for the day.” 

Cut off from much of the rest of the world for four decades, Albania's Communist regime was swept away in the early 1990s and since then the country has undergone a complete transformation. Tirana itself is a city full of history, with relics of its Ottoman, Italian and Communist past all still present in the city, with tourists flocking to these sites.

The Albanian Riviera is the area of the country that has been compared to the Maldives. This stretch of the Ionian Sea is full of breathtaking beaches, amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and some stunning and quicky towns and cities.