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The Albanian Riviera is a beautiful coastline that stretches along the Ionian Sea. Its gorgeous beaches and seaside towns are perfect for travelers looking for an authentic experience in Albania. This blog post will give you everything you need to know about this region, including where to stay, how to get around, and what activities are available.

The Albanian Riviera is the country’s most popular tourist destination for both locals and foreigners. And with good reason! The coast offers a wide range of activities, from exploring the ancient ruins at Butrint to relaxing on the beach in Ksamil. With so much beautiful scenery on offer, it can be hard to decide what you want to do first – but don’t worry, I’ve done all of that research for you! This Albanian Riviera travel guide will help you plan your visit step-by-step. So pack your bags and get ready because Albania has some incredible sights waiting for you!

The Main Cities to Visit in the Albanian Riviera

1. Ksamil

When I was in Albania, one of my favorite places to visit were the beaches at Ksamil. It’s a small beach town located about 25 minutes south of Saranda, close enough for a day trip.

2. Saranda

Saranda, Albania, is a breath of fresh air for those looking to visit a country that still has the charm and authenticity of an undeveloped destination. The town is surrounded by beautiful beaches on one side and mountains on the other. It’s also conveniently located a few hours’ drive away from Albania’s capital city, Tirana. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation spot where you can enjoy some time away from your everyday life, this may be just what you need!

Saranda is perfect for those who want to take in all that Albania has to offer. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your significant other or just some time relaxing on the beach by yourself, Saranda should be at the top of your list!

Saranda is located on Albania’s Ionian Coast, where many amazing beaches are only 10 minutes away by car from the city center.

3. Himare

Himare is a small town with an even smaller beach. The water here is crystal clear and perfect for swimming. Since Himare is relatively small, I wouldn’t spend more than one day here.

4. Dhermi

Dhermi is the town in Albania that I was the most impressed with. Dhermi isn’t too popular among tourists, but it is for locals. I wasn’t planning to visit Dhermi until one of my Albanian friends posted about it on Instagram, and I knew I needed to go there.

Albania is a developing county and can be quite “rough around the edges.” If you are looking for the nicest and most expensive place in Albania, I highly recommend Dhermi.

5. Vlore

Vlore is the former capital of Albania, and it is where the country declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Vlore is the perfect town to visit if you are looking for city life on the Albanian Riviera.

17 Things To Do in the Albanian Riviera

1. Ksamil Beaches

If you’re looking for some of the best beaches in Albania, then the beaches in Ksamil will be your perfect destination. With its clear blue waters and sandy beaches, it’s an ideal place to spend time relaxing.

There are plenty of places to lounge in the sun or shade, depending on your preference.

If you aren’t the type of person that likes to sit on the beach all day, make sure to check out this paddleboarding activity in Ksamil!

2. Lekuresi Castle

If you are looking for one of the best views in Saranda, make sure to head up to Lekuresi Castle. This castle has a beautiful view overlooking Saranda, Ksamil, and Corfu.

The castle is now a restaurant where you can order a cup of coffee while taking in the view.

3. Blue Eye

The Blue Eye is a natural spring in Saranda, Albania. It is a famous freshwater spring with an average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius (about 50 Fahrenheit).

The Blue Eye is located about a 30-minute drive from the city center of Saranda, and it is one of the most popular tourist attractions outside the city. People come to soak their feet in its refreshing waters.

4. Hasan Tahsini Boulevard

The Hasan Tahsini Boulevard is a street in Saranda, Albania. It was named after Hoxhe Hasan Tahsini, an Albanian astronomer, philosopher, and mathematician during the Ottoman era.

The boulevard has many shops and restaurants lined up. You can walk down the boulevard comfortably without cars passing by or crossing over into your path.

I highly recommend eating dinner at one of the restaurants on the Hasan Tahsini Boulevard one night in Saranda and watching the sunset.

5. Butrint National Park

Albania is known as a country with rich culture and history. One of Albania’s best-known national parks is Butrint National Park. It contains the largest collection of ancient ruins in Albania.

The park contains such treasures as a Roman theatre, a Roman temple, and a Greek central square.

Check out this guided tour of Butrint National Park.

6. Ali Pasha Castle

The Ali Pasha Castle is named after Ali Pasha of Tepelene. It was built in the late 15th or early 16th century under Venetian rule, and it was the center of many conflicts of the Ottoman Empire.

The castle was destroyed in 1798 by a retreating French army so it wouldn’t fall into the hands of Ali Pasha. Ali Pasha did end up getting control of the castle around 1804.

Ali Pasha castle is located very close to Butrint National Park. You can view the castle from a distance from a parking lot with a viewing platform. You can take a 20-minute walk down to get closer to the castle, but you can only reach the castle by boat or kayak.

7. Mirror Beach

Mirror Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Albania, located in Saranda. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming.

Mirror Beach is the perfect beach alternative to Ksamil if you are looking for something quieter.

The road leading to Mirror Beach is unpaved. Before I went, I read online that the drive can be pretty dangerous and scary. I decided to park my car at the top on the paved road and walk down to the beach.

Don’t forget to bring a kindle or a book to read while relaxing on the beach.

8. Day Trip to Gjirokaster

If you are looking for a day trip from Saranda with the perfect balance of culture and adventure, Gjirokaster is your destination. This ancient city is one of the most fascinating destinations in Albania.

Gjirokaster is a town located just over an hour north of Saranda. It is one of two UNESCO World Heritage cities in Albania, and it is worth a day trip to see the city while you are visiting Saranda.

Albania has tons of castles. In my opinion, the castle in Gjirokaster is the best, and the castle alone makes the trip to Gjirokaster worth it.

If you already have the Blue Eye on your itinerary, I recommend going on your day trip to Gjirokaster since it is located halfway there.

If you are interested in taking a guided tour of Gjirokaster from Saranda, check out this day trip here. You will depart from Saranda and head to Gjirokaster. In Gjirokaster, you will visit the Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Bazaar, Skenduli House, and see the Blue Eye on your way back to Saranda.

9. Visit the Beaches in Himare

Himare, Albania, is a small town on the western coast of the country. You may have never heard of it before, but there are some incredible beaches that you should visit for your next vacation. The water in this seaside town is crystal clear and blue.

There are three main beaches in Himare: Spile beach, Prinos beach, and Potami beach. Locals frequent Potami beach and Prinos beach, but Spile beach is more popular among tourists because it’s within walking distance from the center of town.

10. Porto Palermo

Porto Palermo is a must-visit while you are staying in Himare.

The main attraction at Porto Palermo is the castle. I’ve heard it called Porto Palermo Castle, Port Palermo fortress, and Ali Pasha fortress. You have to pay a small fee to explore the inside of the castle, but it is worth it.

There is also a small beach in Porto Palermo, but I recommend the beaches near the city center of Himare more.

It is not possible to walk to Porto Palermo from the center of town, and you will either need to rent a car or hire a taxi.

11. Himare Castle and Himare Old Town

The castle of Himare is situated on a rocky hill overlooking the town, and it offers the most spectacular views of Himare.

You will have to walk through the cobblestone streets of Himare Old Town to reach Himare Castle. The castle is free to enter, but it is pretty rundown.

You might even see a few mountain goats along your trek up to the castle.

12. Gjipe Beach

Gjipe Beach is a stunning beach on the Albanian Riviera, yet has none of the crowds. That is partially thanks to the 40-minute walk up and down each way to the beach.

If you’ve rented a car to travel around the Albanian Riviera, you can drive to the main parking lot, where you can pay 200 LEK (about $2) to park your car. From the parking park, you’ll make the hike down to Gjipe Beach.

If you’ve rented a 4×4, you can drive all the way down to the beach. The path is quite narrow, though, and I’m not sure what would happen if two 4×4 were trying to pass each other.

13. Dhermi Beach

In my opinion, Dhermi Beach is the most beautiful beach in Albania with the most stunning scenery.

Dhermi Beach is has been a popular beach destination for Albanians for many years, and it is growing in popularity among tourists due to its beauty.

The water stays pretty cold year-round. It may be too cold to swim if you come during the spring or fall.

14. Drive Llogara Pass

When you are driving from Dhermi to Vlore, you have to go through Llogara Pass. The drive is worth it, with breathtaking views of the mountains and the sea along the way.

Llogara Pass is one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever take. It’s a long, curvy road that takes about one hour to drive through. The best thing to do while driving on this pass is to enjoy the scenery and stop at various points along the way for pictures. You can also visit some of the local restaurants or cafes that are located along the way.

15. Zvernec Island

Zvernec Island is located about 13 km from the city of Vlore, and it is a must-visit place while in Albania. The island has a pine forest and a 13th-century Byzantine monastery. You can reach the island by a wooden bridge.

16. Stroll Along the Multi-Colored Building in Vlore

In Vlore, there are a few streets of multi-colored buildings that have coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping. These fun buildings are also very close to the Independence Monument and Muradie Mosque.

17. Take A Ferry From Saranda to Corfu, Greece

Did you know that Corfu, Greece, is located less than two hours away from Saranda by boat? While you may want to plan an entirely separate vacation to Greece, you could go for a day trip if you want a little taste of Greece during your stay in Albania.

The Best Time To Visit The Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera is an up-and-coming destination for summer vacations. The beaches are well maintained, the weather is perfect, there are plenty of activities, and it is much cheaper than many other European beach destinations.

Summer is the best time to visit the Albanian Rivera when the temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius.

While the Albanian Riviera does get a decent amount of tourists during the summer months, there are fewer crowds than in other European countries.

I lived in Albania for five months, and I was told to completely avoid Saranda until at least May because there is almost nothing to do there during the winter.

How to Get to the Albanian Riviera

There are no airports or international trains in the Albanian Riviera. If you are flying into Albania, your best option is the airport in Tirana. This was the only airport in Albania until July 2021, when an airport opened in Kukes. Kukes is even farther north than Tirana, so it is not the best option if you are taking a trip to only the Albanian Riviera.

Albania is also in the process of building a new airport in Vlore. Once this airport is completed, it will be the best option to fly into for a trip along the Albanian Riviera.

If you want to travel the Albanian Rivera by bus, you can fly into Tirana and take the bus to either Vlore or Saranda. These are the two best cities for starting your tour along the Albanian Riviera.

If you plan on driving the Albanian Riviera (this is what I recommend), then you can fly into Tirana and rent a car to drive to either Vlore or Saranda.

Another option is to fly into Corfu, Greece, and then take a ferry to Saranda.

How to Get Around the Albanian Riviera

You can get around the Albania Riviera by bus. Although this is the cheapest option, I highly discourage it.

The bus system in Albania can be very unreliable.

There really isn’t a proper bus schedule. Most of the time, you will show up at the bus station, say where you want to go, and someone will point you in the right direction of the bus. Buses will generally leave when they are full.

Sometimes bus drivers will leave with only a few people, sometimes they will wait for half of the bus to be full, and sometimes they will wait for the entire bus to be filled. There’s no way to know in advance, so you must be flexible on time.

Some cities are walkable, and others are not. You may end up paying more in taxis, time, and inconvenience by not renting a car.

With that being said, the best way to get around Albania is by renting a car. The great thing about renting a car in Albania is that you do not need an international driver’s license.

Where to Stay in the Albanian Riviera

1. Saranda: Sit back, relax, and enjoy your time in Saranda when you stay at Santa Quaranta Premium Resort.
2. Himare: Sea View Hotel is a 4-star hotel located only 250 feet from Prinos Beach. This hotel also features a private beach area, free parking, and a restaurant.
3. Dhermi: At Hotel Splendor, all rooms are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, extra-large beds, a sofa, and a mini bar. Each room comes with a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Some rooms have private balcony that overlook either the sea or the mountains.
4. Vlore: Regina Blu is a beautiful beachfront hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea. It has a private beach a few feet away along Vlora Bay.

How Many Days to Spend in the Albanian Riviera

For this itinerary, I would recommend spending six days in the Albanian Riviera. You will be changing cities quite a bit. Luckily, Albania is a small country, so driving times won’t be long.

Day 1 (Saranda): Visit Lekuresi castle, Butrint National Park, Ali Pasha Castle, and Hasan Tahsini Boulevard.

Day 2 (Saranda and Ksamil): Visit the beaches in Ksamil and Mirror Beach.

Day 3 (Gjirokaster): Take a day trip to Gjirokaster with a stop at the Blue Eye along the way.

Day 4 (Himare): Leave Saranda in the morning and drive for around an hour and a half to Himare. Spend the rest of the day in Himare at the beaches, Porto Palermo, and Himare Old Town.

Day 5 (Dhermi): Leave Himare in the morning and drive to Gjipe Beach. Gjipe Beach is located halfway between Himare and Dhermi. Spend some time at Gjipe Beach before heading off to Dhermi and spending the rest of the day there.

Day 6 (Vlore): Leave Dhermi in the morning and drive through Llogara Pass to Vlore. Spend the rent of the day in Vlore exploring the city center and Zvernec Island.

Is Albania Safe?

I spent five months living and traveling around Albania as a solo female traveler, and I never felt unsafe.

Albania is safe to visit and enjoy, but with the understanding that it is a developing country and there may be less desirable aspects of everyday life. There tends to be a lot of litter throughout the country, but you won’t feel threatened. Make sure to take general precautions, and it never hurts to have travel insurance.

Things to Know Before Visiting the Albanian Riviera

1. Driving: Although driving is the best way to get around the Albanian Riviera, driving is probably the most dangerous part of being in Albania. Many roads aren’t paved, and Albanians don’t follow driving rules that you may be used to in your country.
2. English: For being a country that doesn’t receive very many tourists, I was pleasantly surprised by Albania’s high level of English.
3. Cash Only: Cash is king in Albania. Most restaurants and shops will only take cash, not cards. I even stayed at a few hotels that would only accept cash. Albanian LEK is also a closed currency, meaning that you can only exchange it in Albania. Make sure you exchange your cash for Albanian LEK as soon as you arrive and exchange it back to your home currency before you leave. Otherwise, you will be stuck with it until your next trip to Albania.
4. Smartphone Data: I recommend buying a local SIM card once you arrive in Albania. It is inexpensive, and you won’t have to worry about getting lost without any internet access. I usually recommend buying a Skyroam when traveling, but I could never get mine to work while in Albania.

Albanian Riviera Packing Guide

• Swimsuit: One of the main reasons to visit the Albanian Riviera is to see the beaches. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit! Swimwear for men and swimwear for women.
• Sunscreen: Albania is hot in the summer. Make sure to protect yourself by wearing suncream at all times. This is my favorite for my face and my body (both are vegan and cruelty-free).
• Microfiber Towel: A microfiber towel is one of my favorite travel products because it is lightweight, easy to dry, and takes up very little space. Even if you decide to stay at a hotel where towels are provided, a microfiber towel is still great to bring to the beach because it can fit into your backpack without taking up much space.
• Camera: Yes, cell phone cameras are pretty good these days, but I still think the quality of a real camera is better. Try this Canon camera if you are new to the world of DSLRs. This Osmo pocket is my favorite travel camera because it is so tiny and fits right in your pocket. All of my YouTube videos so far have been primarily filmed on this camera. Although a drone isn’t essential, I love the pictures and videos that I get from it too much not to share. I also recommend bringing a GoPro to Albania to get great pictures from the water.
• Portable Charger: I never leave my house without a portable charger. You never have to worry about your phone running out of battery if you have one of these.
• Plug adapter: Albania uses a C-type plug.
• Packing Cubes: Packing cubes will help you save space and keep your belongings organized.
• Daypack: This is the daypack that I used while in Albania. It has enough space for my camera, drone, wallet, water bottle, and anything else I need during the day.
• Large Backpack: This is my favorite travel backpack. It has enough space for everything you need, and it has plenty of extra pockets to hold your belongings.

Check out all of my favorite travel products here.

The Best Resources For Traveling to Albania

• Expedia – book your hotel, flight, car rental, and more.
• RenalCars.com – the best website for renting a car.
• HostelWorld – the best website for finding hostels.
• Viator – my favorite website for finding guided tours.
• World Nomads – Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It is so important to have in case anything goes wrong.
• Express VPN – Traveling often means using free wifi available in coffee shops, hotels, and airports. This can leave you vulnerable to hackers. I always use a VPN when traveling to keep my personal information more private and secure. Using a VPN will also allow you to access information that isn’t available in the country you visit. (For example: watching US Netflix while in Albania).

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Dhermi is one of my favorite cities in Albania. While popular among locals, it isn’t a city that too many tourists visit. I lived in Albania for five months. I hadn’t even heard of Dhermi until one of my Albanian friends posted about being there on her Instagram stories after I had already been living in Albania for several months.Dhermi is quite a small city, and there isn’t a ton to do there. Although, it is definitely worth the visit. I visited for the day during my Vlore county road trip. I spent one day and night in Vlore, the next day I drove to Dhermi, and that night I drove to Himare and spent the following day there.In this travel guide, I will give you some tips for traveling to Dhermi, Albania.

Where Is Dhermi, Albania?

The village of Dhermi in Vlore county is composed of 3 neighborhoods: Dhermi, Gjilek, and Kondraq. They are on the side of the Ceraunian Mountains. Vlore is the nearest city and is located an hour and a half away.

How To Get to Dhermi, Albania

You can either rent and a car and drive to Dhermi or take the bus. I HIGHLY recommend renting a car. You also don’t need an international driver’s license to rent a car in Albania.The bus system in Albania can be very unreliable. There really isn’t a proper bus schedule. Most of the time, you will show up at the bus station, say where you want to go, and someone will point you in the right direction of the bus. Buses will generally leave when they are full. Sometimes bus drivers will leave with only a few people, sometimes they will wait for half of the bus to be full, and sometimes they will wait for the entire bus to be filled. There’s no way to know in advance, so you must be flexible on time.I decided to rent a car to do a road trip through Vlore, Dhermi, and Himare. You can also add Saranda and possibly Gjirokaster to this itinerary. I was living in Albania, so I took a separate trip to Saranda and Gjirokaster.

Llogara Pass

One of the main reasons I recommend renting a car on your trip from Vlore to Dhermi is to drive along Llogara Pass. Llogara Pass is a spectacular winding road that rises to 1,027m and overlooks the Ionian coast of the Albanian Riviera. You have to drive along Llogara Pass to get from Vlore to Dhermi, and this drive is worth the entire trip. The drive is breathtaking, and you will probably see flocks of sheep and mountain goats along the road.The most dangerous part of traveling in Albania is probably the driving. Albanian drivers don’t follow the typical rules of the road. Cars will overtake you on Llogara Pass. The Albanians that live in this area are used to driving these windy roads frequently. Take it slow and don’t feel the need to speed up just because another car is coming behind your quickly.You can also go paragliding from Llogara Pass all the way down to the beach.

Dhermi Beach

Dhermi Beach is becoming a favorite for summertime travelers on the Albanian Riviera. The beach in Dhermi is incredible with its turquoise blue water. You could easily spend the day relaxing in a lounge chair and swimming in the water.The sea in Albania does stay quite cold year-round. The temperature shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you are visiting Dhermi in the summer heat. If you are coming in late spring or early fall it may be a bit too cold to swim.Also, Dhermi Beach doesn’t have any sand, only rocks.

Gjipe Beach

I also recommend visiting Gjipe Beach while you are in Dhermi. It is a secluded beach located halfway between Dhermi and Himare, so I recommend visiting on your way to Himare. If you are driving to Gjipe Beach, you can drive to the furthest point, where there is a small parking lot. I was asked to pay 200 LEK to park. To reach the beach, you must walk (unless you have a 4×4). It takes approximately 40 minutes to walk down to the beach, but the view is beautiful along the way.As I just mentioned, you can drive a 4×4 down to the beach, and there were several when I was there. The road is very rocky and only fits one car at a time. I have no idea what you would do if two cars were trying to pass simultaneously. Personally, I would be too scared to do this.

Where To Stay in Dhermi, Albania

Empire Beach Resort

Empire Beach Resort is an adults only hotel. Enjoy a restaurant, free private parking, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a private beach area, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi.

Hotel Splendor

At Hotel Splendor, all rooms are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, extra-large beds, a sofa, and a mini bar. Each room comes with a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Some rooms have private balcony that overlook either the sea or the mountains.

Hildon Eco Hotel

At Hildon Eco Hotel, hit the private sand beach, dine onsite at the restaurant, or enjoy a drink at the hotel’s bar. All rooms provide bathrobes and slippers, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. This hotel also offers balconies, minibars, and hair dryers to all guests.

Blue Boutique Hotel

Along with a restaurant, Blue Boutique Hotel has a bar/lounge and concierge services. Free breakfast buffet, wifi, and self-parking are also provided. Additionally, dry cleaning, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour front desk are onsite. All rooms offer free WiFi, balconies, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Refrigerators, room service, and safes are among the other amenities available to guests.

Eating Vegan in Dhermi, Albania

Albania is a pretty difficult country to eat vegan in outside of Tirana. I wasn’t able to find any restaurants with vegan options. I decided to go to Luciano’s, and I ordered a vegetarian pizza.

The Best Resources For Traveling To Albania

• Expedia: Book your hotel, flight, car rental, and more.
• RentalCars.com: The best website for renting a car.
• HostelWorld: The best website for finding hostels.
• Viator: My favorite website for finding guided tours.
• World Nomads: Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It is so important to have in case anything goes wrong.
• Express VPN: Traveling means using free wifi available in coffee shops, hotels, and airports. This can leave you vulnerable to hackers. I always use a VPN when traveling to keep my personal information more private and secure. Using a VPN will also allow you to access information that isn’t available in the country you visit. (For example: watching US Netflix while in Albania).
• italki: italki is a language learning platform that allows you to take classes with native speakers. I always try to take at least one lesson before traveling to a new country.
• Modern Albania: From Dictatorship to Democracy in Europe: An interesting book to help you to understand some of Albania’s history before your trip.

What To Pack For Dhermi

• Swimsuit: One of the main reasons to visit Dhermi is to see the beaches. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit! Swimwear for men and swimwear for women.
• Sunscreen: Albania is hot in the summer. Make sure to protect yourself by wearing suncream at all times. This is my favorite for my face and my body (both are vegan and cruelty-free).
• Microfiber Towel: A microfiber towel is one of my favorite travel products because it is lightweight, easy to dry, and takes up very little space. Even if you decide to stay at a hotel where towels are provided, a microfiber towel is still great to bring to the beach because it can fit into your backpack without taking up much space.
• Camera: Yes, cell phone cameras are pretty good these days, but I still think the quality of a real camera is better. Try this Canon camera if you are new to the world of DSLRs. This Osmo pocket is my favorite travel camera because it is so tiny and fits right in your pocket. All of my YouTube videos so far have been primarily filmed on this camera. Although a drone isn’t essential, I love the pictures and videos that I get from it too much not to share. I also recommend bringing a GoPro to Albania to get great pictures from the water.
• Portable Charger: I never leave my house without a portable charger. You never have to worry about your phone running out of battery if you have one of these.
• Plug adapter: Albania uses a C-type plug.
• Packing Cubes: Packing cubes will help you save space and keep your belongings organized.
• Daypack: This is the daypack that I used while in Albania. It has enough space for my camera, drone, wallet, water bottle, and anything else I need during the day.
• Large Backpack: This is my favorite travel backpack. It has enough space for everything you need, and it has plenty of extra pockets to hold your belongings.

Check out all of my favorite travel products here.

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