The 15 most stunning beaches in Albania

Travel Resources › The 15 most stunning beaches in Albania

There are travel destinations that are still little known and can offer you some great hidden surprises. The Albanian coast certainly fits this description: its more than 300 kilometres of coastline, surrounded by both the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic, offers you some undiscovered hidden gems. Along the rugged coastline, you will encounter rural villages and small bays, breathtaking views, green mountains and clear, multi-coloured waters.

What are the most beautiful beaches in Albania? The beaches of Saranda, Porto Palermo and many others. Discover the best beaches in Albania.

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Pulëbardhe Beach

This beach in southern Albania, in Saranda, is also known as the ‘seagull beach’ because of the large number of birds flying back and forth in the sea here. This small bay is one of the most popular with young people who want to enjoy a corner full of beauty, with clear water, white pebbles and unforgettable views. The left side is usually the least frequented.

For those who also want to try fish dishes, there are two small restaurants overlooking the sea, as well as a bar where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds. For those who prefer a little exercise, it is also possible to rent jet skis. The beach is not very spacious and quite busy, so it is better to go there early in the morning. After a short walk, you have to go down some stairs to get to the entrance of the beach. But it is worth it, given the landscape that lies ahead of you.

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Dhërmi Beach

It is one of the most popular beaches in Dhermi, a favourite with families because of its hidden coves and the natural environment it offers: citrus fruits, pine forests and olive groves. The sea is clear, calm and not very deep. Ideal for children and for those who want to swim without worries. The beach can also be reached via paths lined with vineyards.

The town of Dhermi also offers a lively nightlife with music events and numerous clubs, and is also home to numerous summer festivals. It is a village divided into two parts. The part perched at the top of the hill is dominated by typical stone houses with refined gardens.

Gjipe Beach

South of the town of Dhermi, there is another beautiful beach, Gjipe. It can only be reached by 4×4 or by sea. The road there is not particularly easy, but it’s worth it, as you won’t find many people and you can really enjoy your privacy in an enchanting landscape. There is also a kiosk on the beach offering simple meals, and you also have the opportunity to stay in a small campsite.

Between Dhermi and Himare there is another beach that deserves a mention: Jale Beach, very popular with young people looking for fun and sun. Clear sea, light sand, but above all many bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs where you can spend the days between swims.

Llaman Beach

It is consistently ranked among the 5 most beautiful beaches in Albania. It is a beach that has it all: natural beauty and all the services a tourist could wish for. Its charm begins with its appearance, as it is located between two very high rocky outcrops. There are several bathing establishments to choose from (and to rent beach umbrellas, sun beds and pedal boats), as well as a few restaurants and bars.

Between one beach establishment and another, you can be surprised by numerous initiatives including entertainment, live music and even foam parties. But the real star is the sea: blue and full of nuances, you can appreciate it for swimming, snorkelling and even diving. Around the beach, there are several rocks that are used by ‘daredevils’ to dive into the crystal-clear water.

The bay is not very crowded even in high season, and even from a distance it offers a truly remarkable view with its clear sea and hills sloping down to the sea. In the area, the town of Livadhia is very beautiful, which has been attracting more and more visitors over the years, as have Potami and Prinos.

Velipoja Beach

We are heading north, about 20 kilometres from the city of Shkoder. This beach is particularly popular with families and extends for 4 kilometres. In addition to the beauty of the coast, a special feature of the beach is that it has a higher iodine content than the entire Albanian coast and is therefore defined as ‘healing’. The very beautiful beach is divided into two parts: one equipped and one free. Among the other beauties to see, there is also the lagoon and the nature reserve.

The nature reserve was founded in 1958 and is a place that consists of four types of forest that have remained wild and unspoilt. It is the ideal place for bird watching. Among the animals you may encounter are wild boar, hares and pelicans. Your walk can take you to the mouth of the Boiano River before it enters the Adriatic Sea. There is also a small lake that is very popular with local fishermen and is characterised by unique flora and fauna.

Shengjini Beach

Among the stories told about Shengjini Beach (also known as St. John Medua) is that it is famous for having at least 300 days of sunshine a year. It is located about 8 kilometres from Alessio, in northwestern Albania. In addition to the beauty of its crystal-clear waters, there is a lagoon that forms an oasis under protection. Here you can enjoy a day of relaxation on a well-equipped promenade, with bathing establishments, accommodation and, above all, restaurants where you can taste fresh fish dishes. The beaches in the city centre are more crowded than those in the northern part.

Lalzi Bay

sandy beaches, clear water, surrounded by dense pine forests on a peninsula over 7 km long, especially loved by divers and diving enthusiasts. It is located a few kilometres from Durres and about twenty kilometres from Tirana, making it easily accessible. It is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the sun, perhaps under sun umbrellas or on a lounger. The beach is particularly appreciated by families. There is no shortage of restaurants or kiosks where you can take a break or taste typical dishes in a very special setting.

Currila Beach

North of Durres is one of the most visited and appreciated beaches by families: Currila beach. In general, the beaches in the area are particularly popular because of the beauty of the coast, the services offered and also because of the depth of the water and the sandy bottom, which allows swimming and diving. Currila, together with Kallmi beach, offers two unspoilt destinations consisting of coves where there are alternating bathing facilities and free sections.

It is an absolutely quiet and isolated place where you can appreciate the silence and nature. It is accessed by a not particularly easy dirt road. The beach is very romantic and is especially popular with couples at sunset. In Durazzo there are several beaches that should not be missed, starting with the beach of the General. It is said that the name comes from an Italian general who often went there with his yacht in the 1930s.

It is a horseshoe-shaped beach located between two headlands. Among the most popular beaches with tourists are Golem and Mali i Rabit. Here you can appreciate not only the natural beauty of the landscapes, but also various cultural attractions. There is also the opportunity to go hiking or play sports.

Vlora Beaches

Vlora is the pioneer of Albanian tourism. Its bay is the largest in the country and offers a variety of landscapes, from rocky coves to beaches surrounded by lush pine forests. There is no shortage of picturesque, hidden coves that can only be reached by sea. There is no shortage of places to swim or snorkel. You can also explore the coast by pedalo or canoe, or simply use your free time to sunbathe, read or perhaps have a drink.

You also have the option of organising boat trips to discover the Karaburun Peninsula, where you can reach some beaches of rare beauty, surrounded by white sand and lush nature. One example is Dafina Beach. From here, you can visit the country’s only marine park, the Karaburun-Sazan National Park. It is a very popular area for diving and caves. It is also home to ruins from the Second World War and Roman wrecks.

One of the most popular beaches in the area is certainly Zvernec, also known as Narta beach, which is 7 kilometres from the city centre. On Zvernec Island you will find a wonderful beach with fine sand and shallow waters, ideal for a peaceful day.

Shkambo Beach

Also around Dhermi there is another wonder, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Albania. Together with Gjipe and Jaliksari, it forms a sort of ‘triptych of beauty’ 2 kilometres long. Like the other beaches in the area, the scenery is fairytale-like: crystal clear waters, soft sand and, above all, lots of fun. Nearby, there are pubs and nightclubs, emblematic of the movida.

Of course, there are bars, restaurants and establishments where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas to enjoy the sun and a moment of relaxation. Particularly well known and appreciated is the Pirate Cave, which is located near the village of Dhermi. In ancient times, it was used as a shelter by pirates and poachers. When the sea is calm, you can visit it in peace and quiet and admire all the blue broken up by the sun’s rays. It is located at the foot of the hill on which the monastery of San Teodoro stands.

Spille Beach

It is one of the beaches less known to tourists, but one of the most fascinating on the Adriatic. The lush and elegant pine forests that surround it are particularly striking thanks to the hills. Add to this view a crystal clear, sapphire blue sea, unforgettable views and soft sand, and you will understand what you are missing. Everything is harmonised, even the beach houses, sports facilities and bars. Spille beach, which is located near Himara, offers the opportunity for relaxing walks, but also for snorkelling or water sports. There is also another beach of the same name near Durres, which is particularly suitable for families thanks to its shallow water and soft sand.

But let’s go back to Himara, a beautiful seaside town that also offers the opportunity to spend a carefree afternoon strolling through its streets. Don’t miss the Kalà district, where you’ll find picturesque stone houses surrounded by gardens and small churches through the alleys that cross the city walls. Then go to the viewpoint, which offers you an unrivalled panorama.

Porto Palermo

The beauty of Porto Palermo is also enhanced by a fortress built in 1800 that overlooks the beach and can be visited with a guide. The castle was commissioned by Ali Pasha of Tepeleni, governor of the Ottoman Empire, in honour of his wife. It is a structure of great charm that has also inspired several writers, including Alexandre Dumas. According to some historians, the mansion is even older and was built on the site of an old monastery. We are located along the southern coast of Albania, between the cities of Himara and Saranda.

This pretty peninsula has become a very famous and charming place over the years, used as a film set or as a backdrop for advertising campaigns. The beach is an authentic masterpiece thanks to its pristine sea and unique landscape. It is an ideal place for swimming, snorkelling or just resting. Its bright colours contrast with the sun-drenched shoreline, creating a truly fantastic panorama. There are also several bars and restaurants in the area where you can enjoy your free time.

Borsh Beach

The largest beach on the south coast and in the whole country is hard to miss: seven kilometres of beauty and small white pebbles. Its magic is now well known to tourists, who come here to be enchanted by the lush nature and crystal-clear water. Borsh Beach is located south of Himara and just over two kilometres from the village of Qeparo.

In just a few years, the village, which was mainly inhabited by farmers and agriculturalists dedicated to oil production, has been transformed into a place where bars, kiosks, restaurants and bathing establishments alternate. However, it has managed to retain its soul, and you will appreciate the olive and citrus groves that surround the beach and offer incredible colours. You will spend an afternoon of perfect relaxation, between swimming and walking. The village is connected to the beach by a small road through the olive groves.

Bunec Beach

A little gem 30 kilometres from Saranda. It is a small cove somewhat neglected by tourists. However, the view deserves attention, with a quiet, white pebble beach and a landscape that gives at sunset the best of itself. Nearby, there is also a stream that offers a further variety of landscapes.

Ksamil Beach

Until a few years ago, Ksamil was just a village that people visited at the weekend. Now it has become a sparkling destination full of clubs. Its beaches have become one of the most popular in the Saranda area. First of all, it is one of the most easily accessible places, both by car and by public transport, and then you are greeted by an explosion of colours: the main beach is bathed by emerald green water, which overlooks a few rocky islands. You can also discover them by pedalo or boat.

It is a very popular destination, so even in June it will no longer be so easy to find a sun umbrella. But the beaches are numerous and varied, and you will find a place. For those who don’t want to relax too much, there is also the opportunity to do water sports and rent pedal boats or jet skis. Add to that many small islands that you can also visit by swimming in a breathtaking landscape. If you don’t want to be connected to the mainland, you can always rent a boat. And for those who want good seafood dishes, there is plenty to choose from, with numerous restaurants or clubs near the beach and at reasonable prices.