What to see on the Albanian Riviera: a route through beaches, villages and more

Are you looking for What to see on the Albanian RivieraHere we share the beaches, towns and sights we liked most from our trip through the southern Albaniaalong with restaurants to sample the local cuisine. We dedicate three full days and three nights in HimarëWe'll be traveling by rental car and taking a coastal route on a catamaran. We can tell you in advance that Himarë was a great choice as a baseThe Gjipe landscape is worth a stop, and there are cultural attractions you shouldn't miss. Further down you'll find Our route through the Albanian Riviera: where to stay and where to eatPlus, our opinion on the places you should avoid. Let's get started!

If you're planning to combine the coast with the Alps and historic cities, check out our guide to What to see in Albaniawith the complete itinerary, maps, and accommodations. In this article, we focus on the Riviera and nearby attractions.

🏖️ 10 places to see on the Albanian Riviera and surrounding areas

We've prioritized the places we recommend for a first trip. The driving route can vary; you'll find a suggested itinerary organized by area below. We've also included the Southern Blue Eye, an inland visit that fits perfectly into this trip.

1. Himarë, our base to explore the Albanian Riviera

Himarë, also spelled Himara, is the place we would choose for staying on the Albanian RivieraWe liked the balance between beach, restaurants and a more peaceful atmosphere than the one we found in Ksamil and Sarandë during our September trip. The promenade area is convenient for dining out, swimming, and booking boat trips. The beach is very peaceful with crystal-clear water. Nearby is Prinos Beach, another option for a swim without a long trip and away from those beaches crowded with umbrellas and sunbeds.

Besides the coastal area, it's worth going up to the old town and Himarë CastleFrom the top, you have views of Livadhi Bay, amidst cobblestone streets and enormous olive trees. We thought it was a good visit for late afternoon, although it's best to explore it in daylight: we found uneven paving and poorly maintained areas. We stayed in a Beachfront apartment with parkingwhich we greatly appreciated. The owner also organized the catamaran excursion we took.

2. Gjipe Beach and its canyon

Gjipe is one of the most striking landscapes on this coast: a beach nestled between rock wallsWith the canyon behind it and the sea in front, it's one of the stops we'd recommend if you enjoy coves and natural landscapes. However, it's best to arrive with a realistic expectation. During our visit We saw hammocks and umbrellasThe surroundings are still beautiful, but the image of a completely empty beach doesn't always match what you find.

We saw it from the boat and also went down a short section of the trail to enjoy the views. On that second visit We didn't walk down to the sand. Because it was getting dark and we wanted to avoid driving at night. For overland travel, keep in mind that The access road to the parking lot is very narrowWe encountered oncoming cars and had to maneuver to let them pass. From the parking area, access to the beach continues on foot: wear shoes with good grip, bring water and sun protection, and allow time for the return climb.

3. Butrint, a must-see destination beyond the beaches

Butrint, or ButrintThis was one of our cultural visits in southern Albania. This archaeological site, ddeclared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, preserves remnants of the stages Greek, Roman, Byzantine and VenetianIf you want to combine beaches with history, this is a stop we would include. The tour goes through trails through vegetation, ruins and water viewsWe enjoyed that the visit combined history with an outdoor walk. However, the dirt and stone surfaces make sneakers advisable rather than flip-flops.

On our trip in September 2026 we paid 1.000 leks per adult, approximately €10This is the price of our visit; please check the rate before you go. You can combine Butrint with a stop in Ksamil for lunch (we liked the Museum restaurant) or to see the coast. Along the Butrint canal, you'll also see mussel farms, a product we recommend ordering at restaurants on the Riviera that offer them.

4. Southern Blue Eye, the blue water spring

El Southern Blue Eye, known as Syri i KaltërIt's a spring near Muzinë that makes a great stop between Gjirokastër and the coast. The blue water and green surroundings make it one of the nature visits we recommend near the Riviera. Don't confuse it with the Northern Blue Eyewhich is accessed from Theth. They are different places and the experience also changes: here we find a better-maintained main access, restaurants, and considerably more tourist activity. Furthermore, swimming is prohibited.

If you enjoy walking, we opted for a circular route along a path through holm oaks. It was one of our favorite parts because we hardly saw anyone. Our entire walk was about 3,7 kilometers and took us around an hour and a halfwith stops. For this option, we do recommend hiking or trail shoes. Bring water and respect the signage: the visit to the spring It's not a bathing plan.

5. Dhërmi: village, beach and sunset

We also liked DhërmiIt is important to distinguish the hillside village and beach areaHere, mountains, traditional houses, and the Ionian coast combine. The official Dhërmi information sheet includes both areas to help you plan your visit. On our catamaran tour We arrived at this area and stopped to swim in a secluded bay that we really liked. It was one of the highlights of the excursion, with crystal-clear water and the coastline visible from the sea.

If you're traveling by road, factor in travel time between the town and the beach. In this part of Albania, distances on a map can be deceiving: the road winds along hillsides and curves, and you don't always travel as fast as you expect. There are also... terraces for watching the sunsetas the Lucianowhich appears in the photo. It's a plan to end the day with a sea view.

6. Porto Palermo and the Ali Pasha Fortress

Porto Palermo seemed to us a very complete stop to combine a cultural visit with a swim. Ali Pasha's fortress It occupies a small peninsula, with sea views from various points within the complex. We explored the fortress and visited the swimming spots in the bay. If it's a nice day, bring your swimsuit: you might find yourself wanting to stay longer than you planned.

On the way from Himarë we also stopped at a lay-by from which you can see the entrance to old submarine bunkerWe admired it from the outside; it's a scenic stop that you can combine with a visit to Porto Palermo.

7. Qeparo, the ancient village and the beach

Qeparo was one of the places that best suited the kind of trip we like: old houses, cobbled streets, olive groves, and mountain views. The village above, known as Old Qeparo or Qeparo FshatIt has a very different atmosphere from the more touristy coastal towns. During our visit it was very peaceful and we were able to walk around practically alone. The climb, however, is quite steep. a narrow roadIf these types of access points make you uncomfortable, keep that in mind before driving there.

Then we went down to Qeparo BeachWe found one of the quietest beach areas on our trip, with a few restaurants and accommodations. If you're looking for a few days of rest with less hustle and bustle than the more popular resorts, it's an alternative we'd consider.

8. Filikuri, one of the coves of the Albanian Riviera

Filikuri is near Himarë Its shape, surrounded by rock walls, caught our attention. We saw it during the boat trip, and the guide told us it's also called baklava beach Judging by the appearance of its layers, it seems to be one of the few beaches on the Albanian Riviera without umbrellas. It's a good option if you're drawn to coves with a more natural setting, although it's advisable to arrange your route in advance.

We saw people approaching in kayaks and others coming down the slope. We We met her from the sea And we wouldn't recommend improvising a descent on foot without first checking the access. If you choose to kayak or boat, agree on the route and return and assess the state of the sea.

9. Ksamil, the islets and our opinion

Ksamil is one of the most iconic images of Albania's beaches, with islets off the coast and views towards Corfu. We understand its allure, but we also want to tell you what we found: plenty of restaurants, bars, sunbeds, and a rather touristy atmosphere.

We prefer other areas of the Riviera for accommodation and spending more time. Even so, it's a good place to stop when visiting Butrint, especially if you fancy seeing the islets or having a meal there.

We wanted to consider a kayak trip to the islands, but on the day of our visit it was very windy and We didn't do it.It's one of those plans that should be decided based on sea conditions.

What we did enjoy was the food at Museum: we ordered a traditional Albanian sharing board And we thought it was one of the best meals of the trip so far. We paid just under €20 per person, a higher price than in other places we visited in Albania.

10. Sarandë, the stop we would leave for last

Sarandë, also called SarandaIt was the town that least suited what we were looking for on this trip. We found a coastal city with a lot of tourist development and preferred to continue on to Himarë to enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere.

That's why we've left it for last in this selection. If you only have a few days and your priorities are coves, stone villages, and natural landscapes, we would dedicate more time to the previous stops.

If you're passing through, you can stroll along the waterfront to get a feel for the atmosphere. Our preferred location for accommodation and exploring this part of Albania would still be Himarë.

⛵ Boat trip along the Albanian Riviera

One of the activities we most recommend from our trip is exploring part of the coast by boat. It allows you to see coves and caves from a different perspective and combine the trip with swimming. We chose a catamaran from Himarëorganized by the same owner of our accommodation. The excursion lasted about five hours And on our trip it cost €35 per person. It had a covered area which we appreciated so we didn't have to spend the whole morning in the sun.

The guide explained the route in English, and we followed the coastline towards Gjipe and Dhërmi, as well as Filikuri on the other side of Himarë. We stopped for swims and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Before booking, ask about the day's itinerary, where the swimming stops are, if there are beach landings, and what the price includes. Along the Himarë waterfront, we saw various companies and boats, from small motorboats to the catamaran we chose.

🗺️ 3-day Albanian Riviera itinerary

Our 3-day tour of the Albanian Riviera It combined sightseeing, gastronomy, and a boat trip, with three nights in HimarëWe had time to see several places, but not to spend entire days lying on the beach. To travel more comfortably, we would add at least one or two days.

This is one proposal organized by zonesYou can change the order depending on whether you are coming from Tirana, Gjirokastër, or another part of Albania:

• Day 1 · Southern Blue Eye, Butrint and Ksamil. Continue on to Himarë. It's a day of sightseeing and travel: if you do the Blue Eye circular trail and explore Butrint at a leisurely pace, leave the long swim for another day.
• Day 2 · Porto Palermo and Qeparo. Combine the fortress, the old town, and the beach with a meal in the area. If you have time, you can round off your day with a visit to the historic center of Himarë.
• Day 3 · Boat trip from Himarë. We traveled along the coast towards Gjipe and Dhërmi and also saw Filikuri. Leave the afternoon for walking or relaxing. If you also want to visit Gjipe by land and spend more time in Dhërmi, a fourth day will help you spread out your plans.

To fit this route with the rest of the country, you have our full itinerary for Albania, with alternatives depending on the travel days.

🛏️ Where to stay on the Albanian Riviera

If you ask us Where to stay on the Albanian RivieraOur choice was Himare And we would definitely return. We found it convenient to have the beach, restaurants, and boat departure nearby, as well as being able to travel north and south by car.

we booked Three nights in a beachfront apartment with parkingParking is one of the details we would check before booking: even in September we found areas where parking was difficult.

Cut off We also thought it was an interesting alternative if you're looking for more peace and quiet. The dirt It combines beach and mountain village. We would prioritize these areas over Ksamil and Sarandë when choosing where to stay, based on the type of trip we took.

🍴 Where to eat on the Albanian Riviera: restaurants and dishes

Food was an important part of our trip. Among the restaurants on the Albanian Riviera We found local and Greek cuisine, terraces facing the sea, and places tucked away in the back streets. Here are two recommendations we tried and would definitely go back to:

ELÉA, Greek cuisine near Himarë

We were recommended ELÉA We ate at the accommodation, and it was one of the meals we enjoyed most. It has sea views and a very peaceful setting. The cuisine is Greek, prepared with local produce from this region of Albania.

We tested Tzatziki, feta cheese wrapped in kataifi, salad with figs, octopus and lambFinally, a Greek yogurt cake that we also loved. We paid slightly less than €25 per person during our visit.

Museum, where to eat in Ksamil

En Museum we asked for one traditional Albanian sharing boardWe thought it was a good way to try different dishes and it was among the best meals of the trip. We paid slightly less than €20 per person: more than in other areas of Albania, but we left happy.

What to eat on the Albanian Riviera

• (I.e. Gyros and Byrek: two options that we tried in Himarë.
• ???? Butrint mussels, marinated sardines and stuffed squid: other dishes we enjoyed during our stay.
• 🍰 Trileçe, revani, Greek yogurt with honey and zupa: Save room for dessert. The trileçe was among our favorites.

The above amounts correspond to our trip in September 2026The bill will depend on what you order and the prices for each season.

💡 Tips for traveling to the Albanian Riviera

When to travel to the Albanian Riviera

We went in September And it seemed like a good option for combining sightseeing and swimming. There was some activity, but the guides told us that it was much busier in August. We also found some beach businesses closed for the end of the season. It got chilly at night, and we were glad we had brought something warm.

Car, parking and what to bring

• 🚗 Cars and roads: The car proved very useful. It allows plenty of room for curves, narrow access roads, and parking. We tried to avoid driving at night, especially towards beaches and mountain villages.
• 👟 Footwear: Wear shoes with good grip for Gjipe, the castles, and the Blue Eye alternative trail. We encountered loose stones and uneven paving on several visits.
• 💶 Money: We combined card payments with cash. Although some places accepted euros, we preferred to have local currency for small expenses.

Internet on the Albanian Riviera: Holafly eSIM

During the trip we used a Holafly eSIM with unlimited data to view maps, manage bookings and stay connected.

Travel insurance for Albania

We travel with IATI BackpackingYou can compare the different options and choose the one that suits your trip, reviewing the activities and coverage included.

For more information on documentation, driving, payments and internet, please consult our Tips for traveling independently in Albania.

🎥 3-Day Albanian Riviera Video Guide

In our video guide to the Albanian Riviera You can see the beaches and towns we visited, the catamaran excursion, and what we ate during our trip. We also share our impressions so you can choose the areas that best suit you.

Do you have any questions about planning your route through the Albanian Riviera? leave us a comment And we'll help you with what we know from our trip. 🇦🇱