Travelling to the 'Maldives of Europe' is about to get easier

It is about to get a lot easier for guests to visit one of the world's rapidly emerging tourist hotspots, the so-called 'Maldives of Europe', thanks to the launch of new routes by Ryanair.

Ryanair aims to carry 4 million passengers a year to and from Tirana, the capital of Albania, with the budget airline launching a new base at Tirana airport, slated to open in April 2026.

With a €300 million investment and three Boeing 737-800 aircraft, Ryanair intends to operate more than 450 weekly flights, across 33 routes - including connections to Dublin, Birmingham, London Stansted, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Ryanair also intends to connect Tirana to Milan, Malta, Naples, Pescara, Poznan, Trieste, Turin, and Verona on top of its existing flights.

It comes less than three years after Ryanair’s debut in the Albanian market in November 2023.

The airline aims to carry around 4 million passengers on its Albania routes each year.

Ryanair's investment will support the development of ground infrastructure which recently also included runway expansions to both the runway and the passenger terminal.

Digital innovations in check-in, boarding, and passport control have also been introduced to enhance passenger flow, the airline highlighted in its announcement.

Albania has transformed from one of Europe’s best-kept secrets into one of its fastest-growing holiday hotspots, thanks largely to its stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastlines.

Resorts along the Albanian Riviera, such as Ksamil, Sarandë, and Dhërmi, are now drawing crowds with their white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and prices far below those of comparable Mediterranean destinations.

Social media exposure, particularly TikTok and Instagram, has propelled Albania into the spotlight, with viral videos showcasing its picture-perfect beaches and budget-friendly lifestyle.

At the same time, the Albanian government has invested heavily in infrastructure, improving roads, ports, and airports to support tourism growth.

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Nevertheless, Tirana is some 150kms from the nearest coastal resorts of the Albanian Riviera, and as much as 275kms from other areas of the increasingly popular coastal getaway (so, guests be warned, parts of the European Maldives remain somewhat off the beaten track).

Besides the beaches, inland, UNESCO-listed towns like Berat and Gjirokastër, the archaeological treasures of Butrint, and the rugged beauty of the Albanian Alps offer a rich mix of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.