3:30pm: Walk or Drive to Drymades Beach up the coast from Dhermi. The coastline near Lukova is home to a chain of tiny beach areas along with one big one, Shpella. If you enjoy going on an adventure, discovering hidden beaches and travelling off-the-beaten-path, you will absolutely love the Albania beaches. Littered with white pebbles, the water at Bunec is crystal clear and the beautiful shade of blue-green you only find in the Ionian Sea. For an unparalleled view of the clear blue Ionian Sea and glittering sandy coastline, you find it hard to beat Lukova Beach. I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. The 19th-century castle which crowds out the bays tiny island is definitely worth a visitwith great views along the coast and an intriguing jumble of dark corridors and underground chambers. Albania Beach Saranda is the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera. I was there in July when average high temperatures are around 30-35C. There are 3 lovely beaches in the town itself - Spile Beach, Prinos Beach and Potami Beach - as well as several other beautiful beaches nearby, including Gjipe Beach, Livadhi Beach, Gjiri i Filikurit Beach and Jala Beach. If you are not up for a swim, simply bring a picnic and enjoy the lovely view. If you are visiting in the peak season, staying even a little outside the city but still near the water will definitely help in dealing with the crowds. While there are plenty of very popular beaches around the Riviera, there are some lesser known ones which only a select group of locals and tourists venture out to.With plenty of ancient caves, intimate bays, hiking trails and villages, there is much to explore and . Take a seat in the busy sitting area or take it away to enjoy beside the water. And for the real daredevils, you can jump into the underwater cave from a little platform above the spring. Moreover, you can use Albanian beaches Saranda as a hub to visit smaller beaches in the area like Ksamil, Monastery Beach, Mirror Beach and Pulebardha Beach. })(120000); Time limit is exhausted. If you like the content on this page then feel free to share it on your social networks. Dhermi Sittingjust across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and bordering Greece to the south Albania doesn't disappoint in terms of natural beauty and a rich history. One of the best known beaches in the Albanian Riviera is Ksamili beach. The Albanian Riviera was proclaimed as the 2012 Top Value Destination by Frommer's. Accommodation consists mainly of guest houses or bed and breakfasts and wood cabin complexes. 1:30 pm: Buy some fresh fruits from a local vendor on the way back to our room. Be sure to book yours well in advance during high season. Llamani has all the facilities, like restaurants and clubs. Make a quick tour through the castle, because on the rooftop, you can make stunning pictures of the bay. A read more . It is possible to reach the area by boat to get a closer look at the gaping submarine tunnel in the hillside, but special permits may be needed. So glad it was helpful for you, Tracy! Albania was pretty much the last bastion of communism in Eastern Europe and until very recently not even considered as a holiday destination. Meals were tasty and plentiful, prices reasonable and a number of extra side dishes wereprovided on the house which is always a nice touch. The beach is around 3 kilometres long, it is spacious and it has perfect white sand. The verdict as to which beach is the best is a judgment which can be made only by visiting in person. Located some 15 km south of Sarande, near the world famous archaeological site of Butrint, this beautiful beach with white sandy shores and blue waters which give it a more Caribbean look is one of the most visited coastal resorts in Albania, from both local . With deep-seated fishing traditions, Himara wraps neatly around a pebbled bay where fishing boats bob lazily in the turquoise water and delicious Mediterraneaneats abound. Dismiss. If youre someone who focuses largely on online reviews, bear this in mind when choosing where to eat and expect most places along the waterfront to charge tourist prices. When the auto-complete results are available, use the up and down arrows to review and Enter to select. Looking at the spring is very calming and unforgettable. If youre travelling in summer, Id recommend booking your ticket at least a day in advance. The days slipped by in a blissful blur of morning swims on empty shores, stunning clifftop hikes that led to hidden bays, delicious seafood by the water, daily ice-creams and sunsets that washed the turquoise seas in shades of vibrant orange and gold. The tiny, rather sad stretch of rocky shoreline at the far end is the only designated public swimming area. Albania's most famous beaches are in the southernmost part of the country, right by the UNESCO site of Butrint, and in front of Greece's island of Corfu: Ksamil Beach. The town of Sarand is one of the most famous resort towns in the country. Albania has 260 days of sunshine a year, therefore, good weather is pretty much a given. Heading north from the main beach area where most of the restaurants and hotels are located, a slightly overgrown path leads to more isolated bays and rocky coves of Drymades. The beach is located near Ksamili, about 7km south from Sarande. You can visit the Ksamil islands by boat, by swimming or by canoe. It has a very vibrant and buzzing atmosphere. This 2 Week Albania Itinerary covers the Albanian Riviera, historical Ottoman-era towns, the capital Tirana and gorgeous off-the-beaten path destinations in the South and East of Albania (including lake Ohrid).My Albania road trip route also includes the best places to see and things to do in each location, accommodation options, transportation, driving times and distances, places to eat, and . From the Llogara Pass, you drive down the zigzagging coastal road and the first beach you see is Palasa Beach. Dhermi Beach and its nearby neighbour Drymades Beach are firm favourites among this string of Albanian beaches, and while I didnt actually make it here, their iridescent blue hue as you whirl across thetop of the epic Llogara Pass is unmissable. }. All countries All regions Top 100 beaches. The waterfront boulevard is simply bursting with places to eat and while beach chairs are everpresent along the shore, the length of the beach means theres still plenty of space to claim your own patch of pebbles and escape the crowds. Borsh beach is the longest unbroken stretch in Albania, 7 kms of continuous beach along the Albanian Riviera. It's one of the least developed of Albania's main riviera beaches. Required fields are marked *. Saranda is certainly the most popular beach destination on the Albanian Riviera, but its also the kind of place that seems to strongly divide its visitors. From Vlore city, you can make a short trip to Zvernec Island. The beach is named after a little monastery, which you can visit by hiking up the hill. The biggest city in the Albanian Riviera is Vlora. Gjipe Beach is hands down the best beach in Albania, and one of the most beautiful beaches I've EVER seen. Dhori House Dhermi | Set a 15-minute walk from the beach, Dhori House is a great value option in Dhermi and offers up spacious and affordable private rooms with ocean views. Himara is a touristic beach village in the middle of the Albanian Riviera. The most famous beach places in the country is Saranda beach Albania. . Both have a humming boulevard stuffed with restaurants and beautiful villas though so youll be sure to get your seaside fix. The humming boulevard that lines the waterfront serves up ice-cream, cold drinks and tasty snacks making it easy to while away an entire day here without having to wander far from the beach. 8. Livadhi Beach Where to stay in Himara 9. Himare. For a more homey experience, Airbnb is an excellent option and youll be glad to know there are plenty of great apartments available in Saranda. A lovely convergence of sapphire sea and sun-kissed sparkling white sand, Mango Beach in Sarande is one of Albania's best-kept secrets. The water is beautiful and clear. Porto Palermos easy access right on the main road means it can get pretty darn crowded, especially on weekends, but arrive early and youll have no problem snagging a spot. From Vlore you can drive to the south along the coastal road to visit the other beaches of the Albanian Riviera. Here are some of the best hotels on the Albania Riviera at Ksamil beach. 1) Ksamil. Check rates and availability for Ksamil here. Be sure to stop for pictures and if you can have a lunch or a coffee in the restaurant, while enjoying the view. I believe the one youre thinking of is Pasqyra or Mirror Beach. The Karaburun Peninsula & Grama Bay can only be reached by boat or by a long hike from the town Orikum. Can you imagine that Albania is that close to Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia, but still unknown! Therefore, you can fly to Corfu Airport and take a ferry boat across the sea to Saranda. If you appreciate space and privacy, you will really enjoy Borsh. Ksamil is well known for the 3 islands that are visible from the beaches. Drymades Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera. The most interesting are the twin islands, where two little islands are connected to each other by a narrow strip of land. Enjoy your Albanian riviera holidays! The paved walkway that hugs the coastline also makes a simply perfect spot for a sunset stroll, while the tiny islands waiting just offshore are a unique feature of this landscape. if ( notice ) There are two types of boats. There are a number of small hotels and guesthouses in the village, some are open all year round. Set on a short stretch of rocky coastline roughly 150 metres long by 15 metres wide, Vega Beach is a manmade creation close to the . Sarand. Despite its stunning natural beauty, it is relatively unknown to tourists and, therefore, has managed to escape heavy . Beleri House | This lovely beach pad has a prime location just 2 minutes from the beach. Learn how your comment data is processed. The two large Albanian beach towns are Saranda City and Vlore City. This town is probably among the best when it comes to restaurants, hotels, and local amenities. Dhermi Beach 12. Jali Beach (AKA Jala Beach or Plazhi i Jals) is hands down one of the best Albanian beaches for swimming. Strangely enough, Borsch is not very touristy, despite its community and bustling olive oil industry. Please reload CAPTCHA. I am an Albania Tour Guide, who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania. You can recognize the beach by the massive rock that cuts the town into two parts. Your email address will not be published.