Gjipe Beach Albania – Insider Tip Albanian Riviera

Along the rugged Albanian coast south of Vlora, Gjipe Beach and the adjacent Gjipe Canyon look like a hidden paradise right on the Ionian Sea. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit Gjipe Beach.

By Dirk Pohlers, adventure traveler from Germany. I visit every place I write about & share real tips, photos, & advice from my trips.

Table Of Contents

Gjipe Beach Albania – Insider Tip Albanian Riviera

Getting to Gjipe Beach

Gjipe Beach is located in the Gjipe Gorge (Gjipe Canyon), between the towns of Himare and Dhermi on the Albanian Riviera. If you’re staying in Dhermi, Himara or even Saranda, the beach is close enough for a day trip. Due to its remote location, the best way to reach Gjipe Beach is by car or taxi from the nearby towns of Dhërmi or Himara. You cannot park directly at the beach. You need to hike down a rocky path, unshaded by the hot sun, to the beach from the parking, so we recommend that you take proper footwear and sunscreen with you.

If you are travelling by car, park your car at Gjipe Beach Parking here and then walk about 2.5 km (about 45 minutes) to the beach and down to the gorge. The parking fee was 200 Lek (appr. €2) per person.

Gjipe Beach path hiking — The only way down to Gjipe Beach by hiking or with a 4×4.

Another option is to take one of the minibuses (Furgon) that run between Himara and Dhermi that will drop you off at the main road exit. From there you have to walk 2 kilometres to the parking and then all the way down to the beach.

Things To Do

Camping at Gjipe Beach

Camping is allowed at Gjipe Beach. Many people camp here with tents and spend a few days in nature. The Gjipe Eco Campground was fairly nice, with a decent distance between the pitches. You can book online here to save your spot. You can bring your own tent or use the ones they provide.

The only issue is that I didn’t see any drinking water supply. So, you’ll need to bring water or buy it. The campsite also sells day tickets for use of the toilets and showers.

Gjipe Canyon – Hiking

Alternatively, you can get to Gjipe beach by hiking through the canyon. The “path” through the canyon starts right near the main road. There was a sign on where to start your way down.

The hike through Gjipe canyon is about 1.5 km and very tough. You have to climb over lots of rocks along the way. If you don’t have any mountaineering experience or a rope, then don’t do it – time and again tourists get injured and have to be rescued by the locals. There are however tours you can book where professional equipment and a guide is provided.

If you want to just go into the canyon, it is also possible to first go to the beach, and then hike into the canyon from there.

Can I swim at Gjipe Beach?

You can swim and explore the nearby caves at Gjipe Beach. Enjoy the clear water, but be careful with the current. There are caves if you go beyond the end of the beach, but be careful and watch out for the tides. We did not visit the caves because the sea was rather rough when we visited in Mai.

It’s also easy to get to the caves by boat from Himare. There are several boat operators that will take you there and probably to other beaches as well. We recommend Himara Water Taxi and had a great day with them when we visited our favourite beach, Grama Bay, the next day.

Facilities at the beach

As Gjipe Beach is secluded and difficult to reach, there is not much infrastructure here, but in the summer months a few beach bars are selling drinks. To prepare for your visit to the beach, I recommend taking plenty of water with you, some snacks, or a lunch and, of course, sunscreen.

Restaurants at Gjipe Beach

There are a handful of restaurants at Gjipe Beach, if you didn’t bring your own food for a picnic. Eat delicious fresh seafood at one of the restaurants on the beach. When you arrive, you will see two stalls, but only one sells food and the other only drinks. A bit further to the left in direction into the canyon you will find a third restaurant with fresh seafood, a bit more secluded.

Like the bar, the prices are inflated — about twice of what you’ll find back in Himara or Dhermi — but for the convenience, it’s surely worth it. Go for the seafood, which is as fresh as can be along the Riviera.