Best Beaches In & Near Himarë
There's little argument that Himarë (pronounced Himara) is the ultimate beach-lover's town in Albania. But not only will you find a host of beautiful Mediterranean beaches, but a rather charming little town renown for its great seafood. Forget the bars and clubs of Sarandë, an hour down the coast, where the majority of tourists head. Himare is just so much more laid back with a genuine feel to it.
Not only does the town itself have two lovely beaches, but it's location in the heart of the Albanian Riviera puts it within a stone's throw of some of Albania's best beaches. For the very finest beaches head north towards Jala, Gjipe and Dhërmi - you won't be disappointed. The beaches to the south aren't too shabby either, with Potami and Borsh being favourites.
After a day at the beach, if you have the energy, you should definitely make the hike up the hillside behind the town to Himare Castle. From here you can take in some of the best views of the coast and watch the sun set over the Adriatic Sea.
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1. Gjipe Beach
© Ross Helen Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Gjipe beach is set along the same stretch of the Albanian coast as some of the other most popular, highly rated beaches on the Riviera. Located between the resort beaches of Drymades and Himara the beach at Gjipe has barely been touched by development.
Obscured by the mountainous terrain, the beach here sits at the end of the Gjipe Canyon, an impressive natural feature with the rock formations reaching up to 70… read more »
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2. Gjipe Beach
© Pudelek / CC BY Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Gjipe beach is set along the same stretch of the Albanian coast as some of the other most popular, highly rated beaches on the Riviera. Located between the resort beaches of Drymades and Himara the beach at Gjipe has barely been touched by development.
Obscured by the mountainous terrain, the beach here sits at the end of the Gjipe Canyon, an impressive natural feature with the rock formations reaching up to 70… read more »
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3. Potami
© Yelena011 Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Looking for a an Albanian beach with something for everyone? Potami Beach is one of the biggest beaches in the Himarë area, offering a unique blend of Greek and Albanian culture beneath clear blue skies overlooking sun-kissed sand.
The name Potami translates as "river" from Greek and the water that runs through here is crisp, cold, and refreshing, springing up from exclusive underwater springs that flow year-round.
Potami Beach is also centrally… read more »
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4. Livadi Beach
© AliceKeyStudio Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Albania is something of an underrated gem with many stunning locations along its coastline, with the crown in its jewel being Livadi Beach.
This luxuriant getaway is famed throughout the Mediterranean for its idyllic coastline, deep blue watery depths, and olive trees as far as the eye can see. Size matters, and Livadi beach is one of the biggest beaches on Albania's Southeastern Mediterranean coast, stretching more than 1.2 kilometers with… read more »
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5. Dhërmi Beach
© Linda Saitos Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Dhërmi beach is often cited as the finest beach in Albania - hard to argue with this when this is where Albaninian prime ministers allegedly come to holiday! It isn't hard to see why. Set in a small bay, the village clings to the high sloping cliffs which rise up from the beach.
The beach here is everything you would expect from the Ionian coast. The water here is warm, crystal clear… read more »
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6. Himarë Beach
goliveandtravel.com Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
One of Albania's most picturesque and glamorous beaches, Himarë enjoys some of the country's best beach weather. All year round, the temperature is warm, the sun is shining, and the long stretches of soft white sand seemingly stretch on into eternity. There's a real sense of timeless beauty here with the sapphire sky, deep turquoise sea, and an unrivaled fun beach vibe.
Pine groves and rows of olive trees… read more » -
7. Llamani Beach
Ervisshishmani Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Looking for a an Albanian beach with something for everyone? Potami Beach is one of the biggest beaches in the Himarë area, offering a unique blend of Greek and Albanian culture beneath clear blue skies overlooking sun-kissed sand.
The name Potami translates as "river" from Greek and the water that runs through here is crisp, cold, and refreshing, rising up from exclusive underwater springs that flow year-round.
Potami Beach is also centrally… read more »
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8. Jalë Beach
Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Call it Jale, Jali or Jala - whichever you choose - this certainly was one of the finest little beaches along the Riviera coast. The water here is crystal clear with a vivid azure hue. In fact it is said that this is some of the clearset water on the coast owing to the bay's currents which makes it perfect for a spot of snorkelling or diving.
Beyond the bars and… read more »
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9. Bunec beach
Albinfo Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Bunec Beach is a quiet, yet beautiful, spot near Saranda in Albania. With a backdrop of mountains it offers an opportunity to get in touch with the natural beauty of Albania.
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. The remote location means visitors will have no trouble finding a quiet and secluded spot. A… read more »
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10. Grama Bay
© Silva.arapi / CC BY Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Situated on Albania's Ionian Sea coast Grama Bay is a small but beautiful cove almost surrounded by high, rocky cliffs. This semi-secret little beach is one of the real gems of the Albanian coast and as of yet completely untouched or spoiled by mass tourism. If you do make it here you won't be disappointed; the crystal clear azure water rivals anything Greece has to offer and the colour is… read more »
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11. Qeparo Beach
Decius Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Situated on the magnificent Panormi Bay, Qeparo Beach is roughly 13 kilometres from Himara. It is backed onto by the small but relatively famous village of the same name, which is divided into old and new sections and hides a variety of surprises include a castle that once belonged to leader Ali Pasha.
The most notably addition to Qeparo Beach, however, has to be the line of Cold War domed… read more »
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12. Borsh Beach
© Joergsam / CC BY Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Situated on the southern end of Albania's Riviera coast is the impressively long stretch of Borsh beach. There are around 7 kilometres of fine white pebbles facing into the turquoise-blue waters of the Ionian Sea.
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13. Drymades Beach
© Yelena011 Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
Drymades Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera. It is a secluded slice of paradise featuring a natural rock formation that divides it in half. One side is full of white pebbles and the other is brushed with silky golden sand.
Drymades Beach is located near the village of Dhermi on a small bay with incredible turquoise waters that are calm and still. It is the… read more »
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14. Lukova Beach
Joergsam Travel time from Himarë: approx 0.5 hrs
For an unparalleled view of the clear blue Ionian Sea and glittering sandy coastline, you find it hard to beat Lukova Beach. One of the most popular beaches on the Albanian Riviera, it offers incredible views of the Mediterranean along with one of the most hospitable beach hotspots in the country.
The coastline near Lukova is home to a chain of tiny beach areas along with one big one, Shpella. This… read more »
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15. Mango beach
© master2 Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
A lovely convergence of sapphire sea and sun-kissed sparkling white sand, Mango Beach in Sarande is one of Albania's best-kept secrets. Sitting at the southern tip of Albania, bordering Greece, Mango Beach is a perfect slice of sweet Southern Mediterranean bliss.
The Sarande area is known for its rich cultural past and is located near the ancient city of Butrint. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was… read more »
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16. Ksamil Beach
Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
You will often hear the beaches of Albania's Riviera coast compared to the Ionian islands of Greece, and for obvious reasons. Ksamil is located just across the border from Greece and within a stone's throw of the beach-lovers paradise of Corfu.
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17. Ksamil Beach
© Artur Malinowski / CC BY Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
You will often hear the beaches of Albania's Riviera coast compared to the Ionian islands of Greece, and for obvious reasons. Ksamil is located just across the border from Greece and within a stone's throw of the beach-lovers paradise of Corfu.
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18. Coco Beach
Alessandro Demetrio Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
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19. Castle Beach
Piotr Rokita Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
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20. Vega Beach
Tomasz Lewicki Travel time from Himarë: approx 1 hr
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 city of Vlorë. Access from its fine off-white gravel surface to the sea is via steps bypassing the rocks, which may make it a little tricky for some younger children. That said, a short pier creates a cove-like feel with some protection from incoming waves.
Lined… read more »
