The Albanian Riviera is a dream destination for beach lovers, hikers, and those seeking a relaxing and sunny holiday. With its secluded coves, ancient ruins, and breathtaking landscapes, this coastline offers something unique. We used Vlora and Saranda as a base, and travelled around for a total of 2 months.
🌴 Top Things to See and Do on the Albanian Riviera
🏖️ Must-Visit Beaches
- Ksamil: A paradise with turquoise waters, perfect for a relaxing day. Beware, prices are quite expensive, but the bay is worth it.
- Gjipe Beach: A hidden gem accessible by hike or boat, offering an untouched natural setting. The hike is stunning. Come prepared, are there isn’t alot of shadow there.
- Krorezë Beach: A peaceful and stunning beach, far from the crowds. Accessible on foot or by boat.
Find a boat here (this is a affiliated link, by booking through us, you’re supporting our blog… so thank you in advance 💙)
By boat : It’s basically the only “easy” way we have found to go there. You can take a boat to Kakome beach, then hike. Here you’ll find the trail… but overall, it seems complicated if not by boat… as Kakome is supposed to be a private beach. - Jala: A lively beach with snorkeling spots nearby. Accessible by car.
- Llogara Pass: Before reaching the Riviera, this mountain pass offers spectacular views of the Ionian Sea.
🏡 Villages and Towns to Explore
- Himara: A vibrant coastal town with beautiful beaches and a charming old town.
- Dhermi: A picturesque hilltop village with stunning Ionian Sea views. We absolutely loved it. We had dinner with a sunset at the restaurant “Panorama Dhërmi” and loved it… mainly for the view ! Close to Dhermi, we hiked to Gjipe beach… it was a wonderful little hike.
- Vuno: A traditional village with cobbled streets and stone houses, perfect for an authentic experience.
- Qeparo: Divided into upper and lower parts, this village offers both history and tranquility.
- Borsh: Known for its long beach and hilltop castle ruins.
- Saranda: The largest town on the Riviera, a great base for visiting Butrint and Ksamil.
🏰 Cultural and Natural Excursions
- Butrint: A UNESCO-listed archaeological site with fascinating ancient ruins. It is very big and interesting. We recommend taking a guide. The tour took us around 3 hours.
- Porto Palermo: Visit Ali Pasha’s fortress and enjoy incredible panoramic views.
- Mountain Villages: Dhermi, Vuno, and Qeparo – three stunning Mediterranean villages with traditional stone houses and breathtaking views. You can mix visiting these villages (one or two) and hike to a beach and you’ll have the perfect day.
👀 Unique and Unexpected Experiences
- Pirates’ Cave (Plazhi i Akuariumit): A secret cove with crystal-clear waters, perfect for a swim.
- Hidden Bunkers: Remnants of the communist era turned into fascinating and unique spots. You’ll find them nearly everywhere, some bigger than others…
- Underwater Freshwater Springs: Near Dhermi and Jala, these natural phenomena create striking color and temperature contrasts in the sea.
🚍 How to Get Around the Albanian Riviera
- By Car: The best option for exploring freely, allowing access to hidden spots.
- Renting a scooter: A cool option for an afternoon or a few days. Link here.
- By Bus: Regular bus services connect Tirana, Vlora, Saranda, and the main coastal towns. They’re honestly quite fun to take. People are very nice, they try to help as much as possible… it’s at first a scary experience but turns out to be quite lovely !
- By Taxi: A flexible option, with private or shared rides available.
- By Boat Taxi: Some small boats offer trips to remote beaches only accessible by sea (Gjipe, Krorezë, Aquarium Beach). Link of a boat taxi company here.
- On Foot: Hiking along coastal trails is a fantastic way to explore the area differently.
- By Bicycle: Some areas, like Himara and Qeparo, are great for cycling along the coast.
📅 Best Time to Visit
Albania can be visited all year long, but if you plan on staying by the coast, we would recommend the start and/or end of summer.
- Summer (June – September): Perfect for beach lovers, vibrant nightlife, and water activities.
- Spring & Fall (April – May, September – October): Ideal for a quieter experience, hiking, and enjoying the scenery with fewer crowds.
We stayed all september in Vlora and all October in Saranda and we really can’t complain… we nearly were able to swim every day !
🌟 Why Visit the Albanian Riviera?
This paradise combines wild nature, Caribbean-like beaches, ancient ruins, and a warm atmosphere. It’s the ideal destination for an adventure-meets-relaxation trip, with some hidden gems still untouched by mass tourism. The perfect place to dream about as we plan our journey—before experiencing it for ours
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