Best Beaches In & Near Orikum
Set on the wide grassy plains of a valley is the rather austere looking little town of Orikum. About 10 km south of Vlore the bay here is home to Albania's only Marina. This suggests that whilst Orikum is quite a sleepy town of low-rise apartment blocks it is earmarked for development.
There is a quite a sizeable beach in the town, but it's nothing to write home about. Made up of pebbly sand it does have clear blue Adriatic water and a pleasant enough backdrop in most directions.
Whilst Orikum itself doesn't offer the visitor much more than a friendly welcome there is plenty to see and do nearby. There are extensive archaeological remains of an ancient city just outside of town but the biggest attraction is the Karaburun Peninsula at the far end of the bay. This is home to some of the most stunning scenery in Albania including numerous beautiful hidden coves such as the Bay of Grama.
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1. Grama Bay
© Silva.arapi / CC BY Travel time from Orikum: 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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2. Gjipe Beach
© Ross Helen Travel time from Orikum: 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. Gjipe Beach
© Pudelek / CC BY Travel time from Orikum: 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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4. Dhërmi Beach
© Linda Saitos Travel time from Orikum: 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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5. Drymades Beach
© Yelena011 Travel time from Orikum: 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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6. Vega Beach
Tomasz Lewicki Travel time from Orikum: approx 0.5 hrs
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 »
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7. Livadi Beach
© AliceKeyStudio Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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8. Potami
© Yelena011 Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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9. Jalë Beach
Travel time from Orikum: 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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10. Himarë Beach
goliveandtravel.com Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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 » -
11. Llamani Beach
Ervisshishmani Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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12. Bunec beach
Albinfo Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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13. Qeparo Beach
Decius Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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14. Borsh Beach
© Joergsam / CC BY Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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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15. Lukova Beach
Joergsam Travel time from Orikum: approx 1 hr
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 »
