Stuart Butler

Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

The coastline of Albania is the Mediterranean you never knew existed. In Albania it’s still possible – if you put in a bit of effort – to find a little beach peace, even during the sweltering August holiday season. True, some of Albania’s beaches are nowadays as busy as the other big boy beaches in the Mediterranean, but by following a dusty track as it meanders through the olive groves you might just find yourself at a secluded cove where other human footprints are rare. The following are some of our favourite Albanian beaches.  RECOMMENDED:🇦🇱 The best places to visit in Albania🏖 The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks☀️ The best beaches in Europe🧳 The most underrated destinations in Europe Stuart Butler is a travel writer who has travelled extensively in Albania. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Albania has been having a moment for a while now. Young people have been flocking here for beach holidays that don’t cost an arm and a leg, and it’s developing a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting music festival destinations.  Expect rugged mountains laced with quiet hiking trails, ancient ruins hiding in the shade of trees, stunning beaches ripe for exploration and fast-developing urban centres. Expect tradition, and an air of an older and wilder Europe. Up for somewhere new? Here are the best places to visit in Albania.  RECOMMENDED:🏖 The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🧳 The most underrated destinations in Europe☀️ The best beaches in Europe✈️ Your essential travel guide Stuart Butler is a travel writer who has travelled extensively in Albania. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

We all like the idea of summertime in Europe – long, lazy days in the Mediterranean sunshine, whiling away an evening people-watching in local bars – but the reality is often much less romantic, with overtourism, sky-high prices and heatwaves blighting many a Euro Summer fantasy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. To inspire your summer holiday plans this year, we asked writers across Europe to tell us about their favourite alternative summer trip ideas. From Croatia’s quieter island-hopping route to an Estonian spa break, here’s where to head for crowd-free bliss and unsung adventures right across the continent. You’re welcome. RECOMMENDED:🏝️ The best alternative Mediterranean beach breaks🗺️ Europe’s most underrated travel destinations