Beaches of the southern riviera
The Albanian Riviera, stretching from the city of Vlorë to the border with Greece is a true gem of the Mediterranean
If you are looking for busy, less crowded or completely hidden beaches, southern Albania will delight you. A bonus is turquoise sea and high mountains lining the coast. The southern Albanian riviera caters to discerning clientele, but backpackers and campervanists will also find their place here.
Northern part above Llogara Pass
Vlorë
Two sandy beaches, starting point for Karaburun.
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The city of Vlorë offers two city beaches, both sandy, in places with small pebbles. They are in fact part of the city, thus accessible on foot and by car. Several beautiful small beaches are located south below Vlorë. Many of them are private and entry is allowed for a fee or only for guests staying there. From Vlorë definitely take a day trip by boat along the Karaburun peninsula.
Radhimë
South of Vlorë, below the village of Radhimë, there is a pebble beach with crystal clear water.
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It is accessible by car, as the entire coastline is bordered by a road from Vlorë to southern Albania. The beach is long, winding and divided by many piers. A stay with a view of the Karaburun peninsula is extremely attractive. A new path connects Radhime with Orikumi.
Orikumi
A beach with a view of the Karaburun peninsula is long and winding.
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In 2024-26, the promenade was renovated, offering a cycling path as well. The beach with a view of the Karaburun peninsula is long and winding. No large hotels, just plenty of low buildings with accommodation facilities, bars, restaurants and cafes. Orikumi is experiencing its big boom.
below Llogara Pass
Dhërmi beach
One of the most popular beaches on the Albanian Riviera.
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It is long and wide, so there is plenty of space for sunbathing even at the peak of the season. Entry into the water is relatively steep. On offer are loungers with parasols, bars, restaurants and accommodation facilities. If you want to retreat to a secluded spot, you can easily paddle by paddleboard to the Gulf of Gjiri i Trendelines. Boat trips to the pirate cave, Gramma Bay or Gjipe beach are also available.
Drimadhës
Two sandy beaches, the starting point for Karaburun.
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The city of Vlorë offers two city beaches, both sandy, in places with small pebbles. They are essentially part of the city, so accessible on foot or by car. Several beautiful small beaches are located south of Vlorë. However, many of them are private and entry is allowed for a fee or only for paying guests. From Vlorë, definitely take a day trip by boat along the Karaburun peninsula.
Jalë beach
A bay with a pebble beach and amazing turquoise water.
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Dostupná autem. V okolí jsou restaurace, bary a kavárny. Možností ubytování je dostatek. Zátoka je obklíčena kopci a skalami, které vytváří příjemný pocit soukromí. Samozřejmostí jsou placená lehátka a slunečníky. Přibývají luxusní stylové hotely a koncentruje se zde albánská smetánka, což generuje bohatý noční život.
Himarë and surroundings
Livadh beach
A sandy-pebble beach with crystal clear turquoise water.
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Relatively long and wide, which ensures plenty of space even in the main season. Entry into the water is relatively steep. You will find several restaurants and bars here. The beach has a calm atmosphere. The conditions are suitable for snorkeling, paddleboarding or reef tourism. Accommodation includes campsites, comfortable hotels and private apartments.
Himarë
The central beach, like others in the area, is sandy-pebbly with crystal clear water.
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It is surrounded by low-rise restaurants, cafes and hotels. Further north is Spile Beach. Slightly further south you will find Marachi Beach and at the southern tip of the town Potami Beach. It has larger pebbles and deeper water, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. For romance, you can head south on foot or by paddleboard from here to Filikuri beach.
Llamanit beach
A beautiful, very easily accessible beach where you will find an excellent restaurant and complete facilities.
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In summer, sunbeds and umbrellas are available. There is plenty of parking, but during peak season you may have trouble. The beach, despite full facilities, feels extremely private and peaceful. The water here is amazingly clear. Short walks along the cliff are also possible, which may result in finding a quieter spot to sunbathe.
Pro dobrodruhy
Grama bay
A hidden beach that can be reached by boat from nearby places such as Vlorë or Dhërmi
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For the more adventurous, a hiking trail to Grama Bay is a challenging but rewarding experience. The reward is a pristine beach with a small inconspicuous natural refreshment facility, which of course operates only in season. The beach conceals a historical secret hidden in inscriptions carved into the rocks.
Gjipe beach
Accessible only on foot or by boat. The rocky path is passable only by off-road vehicle.
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Above the beach is a paid parking lot and next to it the monastery of St. Theodore. The walk takes about 30 minutes. It is a pebble beach with crystal clear water and is an ideal destination for adventurers and romantics looking for peace. There are small natural bars with food options. Behind the beach is a canyon worth exploring.
Akuariumit Bay
Small beautiful sandy-pebble romantic beaches, accessible only on foot or by off-road vehicle.
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It is not ruled out that a new surface will be added to allow access by regular car. There are bars and natural restaurants on the beaches. Just above Akuariumit beach is a camping space for small tents. We recommend water shoes.
Filikurit beach
The sandy-pebble Filikuri beach is hidden in a small bay surrounded by high cliffs.
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It is accessible on foot from the more northern Potami beach or from a nearby parking lot. It is generally advisable to wear sturdy footwear. Be careful on the final descent section to the beach. It is very steep and definitely not for children. You can also reach the beach by boat, for example from Livadh or Himarë. If you want to spend the whole day at Filikuri, don’t forget enough food and water. However, it is not ruled out that some bar may be added.
Krorëzës beach
Krorëzë Bay remains, thanks to its poor accessibility, still less visited
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You will find natural bars and a restaurant here. In the crystal-clear water, you can observe marine animals. If you are an early riser, you can try fishing. Even during the season, it doesn’t have to be too crowded here. You can reach the beach on foot in about 1.5 hours walk from Lukovë Beach. A beautiful walk along pristine cliffs awaits you. Another option is to go by boat from Sarandë or from Lukovë Beach.
Kakomës
Although this beach is accessible by car, it is closed to the public.
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A guard who lives in a small house above the beach may, if in a good mood, let you onto the beach on foot for a fee. Above the beach there is a small but very interesting monastery of the Virgin Mary (Manastiri i Shën Mërisë). Lovers of sacred buildings from past times will certainly be pleased.
Central part of the riviera
Palermo beach
The beach is part of the connecting neck of the peninsula on which Fort Porto Palermo is located.
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A pebbly beach with crystal turquoise water. Just off the beach, before and beyond the road, you will find restaurants with refreshments. A day at the beach can be combined with a visit to Fort Porto Palermo. About a kilometer to the south you can use Porto Palermo Beach. It is located below a restaurant that you will pass heading south.
Qeparo beach
Buildings are gradually increasing, but the beach still maintains a pleasant intimate atmosphere.
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A pebble and sand beach. A large part of the long beach is outside the built-up area, but even here services operate during the season. Buildings are gradually increasing, but the beach still maintains a pleasant intimate atmosphere. The beach was significantly improved by the promenade, built in 2024-25. Restaurants, bars, cafes, sun loungers and umbrellas are available during the season. You can walk from here towards Borsh to Rooster’s Bay – Gjiri i Këndesave, where you will find peace for private sunbathing.
Borsh beach
One of the longest beaches in Albania, with a sandy-pebble surface and clear water
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Accessible by car, with restaurants and accommodation in the area. Thanks to the spaciousness of the beach, you won’t have any problem finding parking and a spot to sunbathe even in the middle of the season. Umbrellas and loungers are available for a fee.
Buneci beach
Located near the village of Piqeras. It is a peaceful pebble beach with turquoise water and steeper descent
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It is accessible by car with parking available. You will find loungers and umbrellas, restaurants, bars and a pier. In the southern part, on a long public beach, there is plenty of private space where you can find more privacy.
Lukova, Lukovë beach
Lukova beach is a natural pebble beach with transparent water, surrounded by greenery.
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It is less accessible by car and in summer offers modest but very charming natural refreshments. The atmosphere here is very private. Access by car to the southern Lukovës beach is without problems. The beach underwent a major construction boom in 2024-25. Old restaurants and bars were demolished and replaced with newer modern buildings. Paid umbrellas and loungers are absolutely standard. A walk to the southern Marutzi beach is recommended.
Marutzi beach
A walk from Lukovë beach heading south will offer you a beautiful view from the cliffs of the Greek island of Corfu
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You can reach Marutzi beach, which is tiny and offers more privacy. Under a small cliff you will find more tiny beaches. During the season, however, you probably won’t be completely alone here either.
surroundings of ksamilou
Mango Beach
The beach is located in the southern part of Sarandë and is one of the liveliest beaches in the area
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The combination of crystal-clear sea and the transparent Bistrica river, which flows into the Ionian Sea here, is perfect. The beach is about 300 meters long and offers a steeper entry into the water. Loungers with sun umbrellas and a wide selection of restaurants and bars are a given. Due to the steep entry into the water and louder music, the beach is sought after by young people looking for fun by the sea.
Manastiri beach
It is located about 3 kilometers below Sarandë.
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The name derives from the monastery (manastiri) located on the hill above the beach. It is the monastery of St. George. During 2024-26, a resort project is being built above the beach and you cannot reach the beach by car. It remains to be seen whether after the completion of construction the beach will serve exclusively the owners of apartments. In summer, loungers with sun umbrellas and a restaurant with a bar are available.
Pasqyra Beach
Beautiful “mirror” pebble beach with azure water
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You can drive by car right to the beach. The parking lot has a decent capacity. Paid sunbeds with umbrellas are available. A restaurant with a bar is open during the season. Visitor numbers are increasing year after year.
Shpella e Pëllumbave
The “Pigeon Cave” beach is sandy and pebbly.
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Paid sunbeds and umbrellas are available, as well as a public beach. A natural restaurant and bar are at your disposal. There are 3 parking lots on the way to the beach, but the road is not ideal, so either drive an off-road vehicle or park as far as your car will take you and walk the rest of the way. Another option is to swim here from the northern Pasqyra beach just a few dozen meters away, which has easy access.
Pulëbardha beach
The “Seagull Beach” is located in close proximity to the “Pigeon Cave” beach (Shpella e Pëllumbave).
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Car access is possible, but the road is not ideal and parking spots can be hard to come by during the season. The same goes for commercial sunbeds with umbrellas. A pleasant restaurant with a bar hovers above the beach on a cliff.
Ksamil
Or Albanian Maldives. You will find a cluster of interconnected beaches here
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In this small, but rapidly growing town, you will find plenty of beaches. Before entering the town, there is a long, indented beach with a very private atmosphere. On the coastline of the town itself you will find a succession of beaches offering sun loungers, umbrellas, restaurants, bars, paddleboard and pedalo rentals. The range of all services here is the most developed in Albania. You can also take a boat trip to nearby islands. However, you can also reach them by pedalo or paddleboard.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike the north of Albania (Velipojë, Shengjin, Durrës, etc.), most beaches in the south are pebbly or covered with small gravel. This makes the water crystal clear. In Ksamil you will find beaches with very fine limestone, very fine gravel that feels like sand. The water here is also crystal clear.
Yes, we strongly recommend water shoes. Most beaches are made up of pebbles, which can be hot or uncomfortable to walk on. Moreover, sea urchins can be found among the rocks in less maintained areas.
Most of the beaches on the Riviera are privately managed by bars and restaurants. Renting a set (2 sunbeds and an umbrella) is common practice. Prices vary depending on location and season, with the highest prices in August. However, the government created a price regulation principle in 2026, so it is likely that prices will be lower than they were in 2025. In 2025, normal prices ranged from €10/day to €20/day. On some beaches, however, they got out of hand and prices went as high as €50/day. These high prices were the reason why the Albanian government decided to regulate prices in some areas.
Yes, they still exist. Beautiful wild swimming is offered by, for example, Gjipe Bay, Marutzi beach, Akuariumit, Grama Bay or smaller coves between Himarë and Sarandë. These beaches can be reached on foot or by boat.
The season runs from June to October. In July and August, the water is a pleasant 24–26°C, but can be even higher. In September, the sea is still warm, while tourists decrease significantly.
Albania is a very safe destination. Crime targeting tourists is minimal, however we recommend following standard precautions and not leaving valuables on a sunbed unattended when going into the water. Paradoxically, the risk of losing your valuables comes more from foreign tourists than from Albanians themselves.
Modern beach bars on beaches in cities or in luxury resorts accept cards, but most smaller beaches and refreshment stands still require cash (Albanian leks). It's good to always have some cash with you.
The northern beaches from Vlore upwards are ideal. They are sandy and have a gentle slope. A drawback of these beaches can be water clouded by sand. In the south, Ksamil is a suitable destination due to its gentle entry into the water and a bay with often calm sea without big waves. The main city beach in Himarë or beaches in Saranda are also a good choice, where all infrastructure and facilities are within reach.
Your own or rental car will give you the most freedom. While local buses (vans) operate between cities, they usually drop you off on the main road above the beach, and you have to walk down to the water (often a steep hill).
If you want to avoid large crowds and high prices, choose May-June or September-October. In these months the weather is ideal, the sea is warm and the atmosphere on the beaches is much more peaceful due to fewer crowds than during the main holiday season in July and August.
From turquoise beaches through history and wild nature of the south
Southern Albania is not just about swimming, but also about fascinating inland locations that offer an escape from the summer heat and a glimpse into deep history. If you are spending time on the Riviera, these sites should not escape your attention:
- Historic UNESCO gems: From the coast it is just a short distance to Gjirokastër, the “stone city” with an impressive castle and unique Ottoman architecture. In the far south lies Butrint, the country’s most significant archaeological site, where you can walk among ancient temples and theatres.
- Natural phenomena: Near Saranda you can visit the magical Blue Eye spring (Syri i Kaltër). This karst spring with incredibly blue water is surrounded by dense vegetation and offers refreshment on hot days.
- Wild Nivicë Canyon: For lovers of raw nature and dramatic views, the village of Nivicë is a must-see. It is situated above a huge canyon with several waterfalls that plunge hundreds of metres into the depths. It is one of the most photogenic and quietest places in the entire Kurvelesh region.
- Authentic interior: The area around the city of Përmet is famous for thermal springs in Bënje and the Lengarica Canyon. It is a region known for its excellent cuisine and unhurried pace of life, which makes a perfect contrast to the bustling beaches.
Our articles on interesting topics related to Albania.
Our articles on interesting topics related to Albania.
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