According to a travel influencer, Gagan who recently returned from a seven-day getaway to Albania “It is a country that might be Europe’s best kept secret.”
The same can be witnessed from her viral Reel, which is now sporting more than 1 million views and it is now filled with sun-drenched beaches, cliffside cafes and pastel-toned streets.
Chasing A Europe Dream Made Easy
And there is a reason behind this success as this video has struck a chord with Indian travellers dreaming of Europe without the usual Schengen visa stress or eye-watering costs.
Coming to this latest dream destination Albania, it is tucked away in southeastern Europe, does not require a Schengen visa for Indians.
On the contrary, the travellers simply have to apply for a simple e-visa, a process Gagana describes as “pretty smooth and straightforward”.
“The country feels uncannily like Greece, but at nearly half the price,” Gagana says.
You can think of Pinterest-perfect beach clubs, dramatic coastlines along the Ionian Sea, and sunsets that look straight out of a postcard.
But, when it comes to the cost is where Albania truly stands out as “Airbnbs and hotels can start at just Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 a night, while daily expenses including food, local transport and activities also hover around Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Return flights from India typically cost around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000,” Gagana said.
Gagana is not alone as a growing number of Indians are now actively seeking international destinations that deliver the European experience without breaking the bank or navigating the increasingly competitive Schengen visa process.
This is not the first time as the popularity of places like Georgia, Azerbaijan has already boosted and now Albania is fast joining that list.
We can clearly witness the appeal considering the fact that these destinations offer old towns, beaches, cafe culture and scenic landscapes that feel distinctly ‘European’, but with fewer crowds, lower prices and far simpler entry requirements for Indian passport holders.
The gaining popularity has already affected Albania, the first four months of 2025 saw a sharp rise in international arrivals to Albania as per the data cited by Albanian Times.
Further reporting that the tourist numbers increased overall, what stood out was the surge from ‘non-traditional markets’.
In the meantime, the Indian arrivals recorded a 103 per cent increase year-on-year by signalling a growing interest from travellers far beyond Europe.
For 2024, Italian tourists remained the second-largest group after visitors from Kosovo, with over 3,01,000 arrivals, marking a 7 per cent rise compared to the same period.
Meanwhile, arrivals from Finland jumped by 350 per cent, and Israel by 276 per cent, further underscoring Albania’s rising global profile.
The data also shows, Albania welcomed over 10 million tourists in the first 9 months of 2025.
Why Choose Albania?
1. Easy E-Visa Access – The simplicity to enter this country makes it special unlike the most European destinations, Albania does not require a Schengen visa and Indians can apply for a straightforward e-visa, cutting out long appointment queues, documentation stress and uncertainty around approvals.
2. Cheaper Costs – This is another major factor pushing Albania into the spotlight as accommodation, food and local travel are all priced far lower than in Western Europe and even several parts of Eastern Europe.
3. Cheaper Flights Prices – when it comes to the flight prices to Albania, they are also relatively reasonable compared to popular European capitals. For reference, a trip from Delhi to Tirana (Albania’s capital) cost around Rs 21,000.
