The beautiful seaside town that's the 'cheapest' in Europe - Beers cost just £1.50

Tourists have unveiled the stunning seaside town in Europe that many people haven't heard of, even though it has stunning beaches and £1.50 beers. Popular destinations for a beach holiday in Europe include Spain, Portugal and Greece, with millions of Brits jetting abroad for their summer holidays every year to places like these. However, there are more underrated destinations you should consider if you want something cheaper and less crowded with other tourists.

One of those places, travellers have revealed, is Ksamil in Albania. This small seaside town is home to crystal clear blue waters, a rugged coastline and great local cuisine. It is located on the so-called Albanian Riviera, an area that has been compared to the likes of Thailand in the past. While many Brits have never considered Ksamil or even Albania in general for their summer holiday, it is a growing destination with a slew of beach clubs, hotels and restaurants to welcome visitors from abroad.

Ksamil is located at the southern tip of the coast of Albania, close to the country's border with Greece. It is a relatively small town with a population of under 3,000 residents.

One review on TripAdvisor compared it to the "Caribbean" and described it as a "fantastic holiday" destination. Meanwhile, one TikTok user, known online as Travel Tips Daily Worldwide, called it "Europe's cheapest beach destination you've never heard of" where you get beers for £1.50 and £6 beach beds.

"Swim, eat seafood, island hop on a boat trip," they suggested. The area is located close to Corfu, which is a popular Greek island for tourists, but offers more competitive prices.

However, not everyone says they have had the same experience in Ksamil, calling out the higher prices they have paid in pubs and restaurants. One commenter said: "We definitely didn't pay £1.50 for a beer! Other parts of Albania were a lot cheaper than Ksamil."

On a more positive note, one TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: "Is it expensive? No it's not. It may cost more than in rural Albanian areas but is still reasonable. Just paid £3.30 for 0.5l of ice-cold lager in a beach bar directly overlooking the bay. Cute was amazing. Last night I had grilled lamb with a side salad and Fries. My wife has steak, salad and chips. Meals worked out at about £9 each. Bars back from the front are £2.50 per pint. There are lots of cocktail bars with happy hours from 5 pm to 9pm with all cocktails £5 each."

Another revealed: "We were there for 2 days in May 2025 during our tour of Albania and it was DEFINITELY worth it. It was not too crowded, beach beds were plentiful! For 2 beds with parasol we paid 10 euros. We did hear that this price will be a lot higher in high season."

Among the more negative reviewers, one person wrote: "We spent a day in Ksamil, very disappointed... we were told about the Maldives of Europe and well we are very far from it. We went to the Maldives and it is ridiculous to compare them with Ksamil, for us the worst beach in Albania, overcrowded, charmless."

There are quite polarised reviews of Ksamil, with many people calling it too touristy but other people calling it underrated. On review site Trip.com, one person recently said of the town: "The Albanian Riviera, with its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, is an emerging gem in Europe's travel scene, and Ksamil stands out as its crown jewel. Nestled near the Greek border, Ksamil boasts some of the most pristine beaches in the region, with soft white sands and turquoise waters that rival the Caribbean."

The easiest route to Ksamil from the UK is to fly to Corfu and then take a ferry from the island to Ksamil. Alternatively, you could fly to Saranda, Albania, and take a bus or a taxi from there.