Good news for sunseekers lamenting Europe’s dwindling supply of uncrowded, still-affordable beaches. There’s a destination just 50-odd miles east of Salento, Italy, that’s finally stepping into the limelight. Look across the Strait of Otranto and you’ll see it there: Albania.

This Balkan beauty is now attracting the international attention it deserves. This is due to well-preserved archaeological sites. It also features crystalline lakes and lagoons. The country boasts a robust wine culture and delicious food. Of course, there is also a shimmering stretch of shoreline.

Along the so-called Albanian Riviera, unfussy resort towns like Ksamil balance the past and present. The past includes the Greco-Roman ruins of Butrint and Ali Pasha Castle. The present includes pockets of palm-fringed beachfront ringed by lively bars and restaurants. Outside of popular cities like Sarandë, beach clubs like Pegasus have emerged. You can sunbathe as you sip cocktails at these clubs.

In recent years, cool new stays have opened in towns. These include Prado Luxury Hotel and La Brisa Boutique Hotel in places like bohemian Himarë and posh Dhërmi. There’s also the just-opened Green Coast Hotel MGallery Collection in the nearby village of Palasë. Moreover, there are in-the-works properties like Panorama Hilltop Retreat. The design-forward Red Sol Resort is another example. A wave of infrastructure investments ties it all together. The just-dried tar along the Palasë–Dhërmi road leads to the new Llogara Tunnel. This cuts traffic for quick jumps to Vlorë, the Riviera’s main hub. A brand-new international airport is slated to open in Vlorë. It promises to make this still-surprising corner of the world more accessible than ever, writes Betsy Blumenthal.