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“This might just be Europe’s best-kept secret,” says travel influencer Gagana, who recently returned from a seven-day trip to Albania. Her now-viral Reel,
with over one million views, showcases sun-soaked beaches, cliff-top cafés and charming pastel-hued streets. The video has clearly resonated with Indian travellers, especially those craving a European escape without the hassle of a Schengen visa or the burden of soaring travel costs.
Tucked away in southeastern Europe, Albania does not require Indian travellers to hold a Schengen visa. Instead, they can apply for a simple e-visa, a process Gagana describes as “smooth and straightforward.” Visually, she says, the country feels “uncannily like Greece, but at almost half the cost.” Picture Pinterest-worthy beach clubs, dramatic Ionian Sea coastlines, and postcard-perfect sunsets.
"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,” she said.
Gagana is not alone. An increasing number of Indian travellers are actively looking for international destinations that offer a European vibe without the high costs or the increasingly competitive Schengen visa process. This shift has already driven up interest in countries such as Georgia and Azerbaijan, with Albania now quickly joining that list.
The appeal is easy to see. These destinations deliver historic old towns, beaches, café culture and scenic landscapes that feel unmistakably European, but come with fewer crowds, more affordable prices and far simpler entry rules for Indian passport holders.
Citing data from Albanian Times, Albania recorded a sharp increase in international tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2025, with growth driven largely by visitors from non-traditional markets.
Indian tourist arrivals more than doubled, registering a 103 per cent year-on-year surge, reflecting rising interest from travellers outside Europe. Meanwhile, Italian tourists continued to form the second-largest visitor group after those from Kosovo, with over 3,01,000 arrivals—up 7 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, tourist arrivals from Finland soared by 350 per cent, while those from Israel rose by 276 per cent, further highlighting Albania’s growing appeal on the global tourism map.
The data also shows that Albania welcomed more than 10 million tourists in the first nine months of 2025.
