While the UK has been spoilt with some early sunshine over the last week, looks can be deceiving. It’s still fairly cold outside, but with the Easter school break and bank holidays fast approaching, it’s the perfect excuse to escape and get some early sun.
And to make your choice easier, Wizz Air has done some research to find out which beaches in Europe are the least crowded – meaning you won’t have to fight for a spot by the sea. Located on the Adriatic coast, known for its crystal-clear waters and complete with over 10km of white sand, Albania’s Beach of Durrës is officially one of Europe’s least crowded and sunniest beaches to visit in April.
With temperatures hovering between 15C to 22C in the day according to BBC Weather, it’s a perfect destination for what Wizz Air described as shoulder-season sunshine, meaning you can leave your winter coat at home.
Home to the biggest port in Albania, the beachfront is also complete with plenty of bars and restaurants to pick from for a post-swim bite to eat. And thanks to being on the coast, there’s plenty of fresh seafood options too.
Located on Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, Albania is quickly becoming a popular holiday destination. The country is drawing in visitors thanks to its stunning coastline for those that prefer to take it easy, as well as plenty of hiking options along its many and mountainous terrains.
Last year, the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, officially revealed that the Balkan country welcomed 11.7m visitors in 2024, marking a 15.2 percent increase compared to the 2023 figures.
The airline measured the beach before dividing its area by the size of a beach towel, and dividing that by the average number of daily visitors. Other beaches ranked highly for their lack of crowds and sunshine were Nissi Beach in Cyprus, Praia da Falésia in Portugal and Benirrás Beach in Ibiza.
Each destination was given a rating out of 50 based on average temperatures and beach space, with Albania’s Beach of Durrës awarded 28.7, making it to number eight on the list.