Tripadvisor announced its annual ranking of up-and-coming travel destinations, based on the feedback and growing interest from travelers, which according to Tripadvisor’s representatives, are a fantastic sources of inspiration and planning for discovering somewhere new. 

Kaliningrad in Russia was named the top emerging destination in the world, based on data from reviews, interest and ‘saves’ on the platform.

It is followed by Saranda, the city in southern Albania, where tourists can see ancient ruins of Butrint National Park and stroll the seaside-promenade of the charming city. 

Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. Butrint, located in the south of Albania approximately 20km from the modern city of Saranda, has a special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments and nature in the Mediterranean.

Saranda also appears on the Europe’s best beaches in the fall. Albania’s famous coastal beach town has plenty of hotel options for all budgets.

As Lonely Planet describes it:  

“What was once a sleepy fishing village is now a thriving city, and while Saranda has lost much of its quaintness in the past two decades, it has retained much of its charisma. Saranda is a great base for exploring the beaches of the riviera”, including Ksamil.

Ksamil was built in 1966 and is part of Butrint National Park. It is located 15km south of Saranda and is known for having some of the only sand beaches in the area and small islands within swimming distance. This coupled with breath-taking scenery and the abundance of fresh seafood at very cheap prices makes it one of the best places to visit whilst you’re in Saranda. You can see the Greek island of Corfu from anywhere in Ksamil.

Here is Tripadvisor’s Top 25 emerging destinations full list

1.       Kaliningrad, Russia

2.       Saranda, Albania

3.       Beirut, Lebanon

4.       Luxor, Egypt

5.       Naoussa, Greece

6.       Rugen Island, Germany

7.       Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

8.       Monopoli, Italy

9.       La Paz, Mexico

10.     Curaçao, Caribbean

11.     Ile d’Oleron, France

12.     Guayaquil, Ecuador

13.     Tulsa, United States

14.     Ipswich, United Kingdom

15.     Franschhoek, South Africa

16.     Tangier, Morocco

17.     Takamatsu, Japan

18.     Cala d’Or, Spain

19.     Petropolis, Brazil

20.     Antwerp, Belgium

21.     Mirissa, Sri Lanka

22.     Alvor, Portugal

23.     Winnipeg, Canada

24.     Darwin, Australia

25.     Agra, India