'The Maldives of Europe' was ruined by tourists and greed - but there's a hidden alternative

Ksamil, Albania, once hailed as a hidden gem of Europe, has recently been criticised by Tripadvisor reviewers as being "spoiled by greed and tourism". The village, previously dubbed "the Maldives of Europe", is now said to be far from that description.

Its once serene beaches, still described as "beautiful" by visitors, are now crowded with tourists and lined with sunbeds, leaving few 'secret' spots left to explore. Despite Ksamil remaining a cheaper alternative to neighbouring Greece, which is just a 1.5-hour drive away, travellers seeking less crowded destinations are being directed north of Sarande, the main port city on the Albanian Riviera.

Himare, a small town on the country's south coast, offers an array of stunning beaches within a short drive. Travel bloggers Andrew and Emily, from Along Dusty Roads, shared their advice for visiting the Albanian destination: "When it comes to the Albanian coast, most travellers need to choose where they'll base themselves for a few days or longer."

They added: "For us, Himare is one of the better options. A small coastal town with a beach, rather than a beach with a modern tourism development growing around it, life revolves around the summer season."

While admitting that Himare can appear somewhat rough in places, the pair highlighted the lack of large resorts and luxury hotels as a positive, offering plenty of untouched space to discover, reports the Express.

Emily and Andrew shared their travel insights, saying: "We think Himare is such a great choice as a base for travellers looking to enjoy and explore the Albanian Riviera, especially if you're doing a road trip with a rental car.

"Depending on your travel style and what else you're doing in the country, beach lovers could