The 10 most beautiful beaches in Himare

Albanian Riviera › The 10 most beautiful beaches in Himare

Besides the city beach of Himarë in southern Albania, the region has numerous beaches where you can spend relaxing days. The Albanian Riviera is also perfect for beach hopping. The beaches are not far from each other, so you can discover a different stretch of coast in the morning and afternoon if you have a rental car. The smaller beaches in the region are pebble beaches. The long beaches are mixed with sand and covered with smaller pebbles.

Table Of Contents

Himare – Location

The small town of Himarë or Himara is located in the south of Albania, directly on the coast of the Ionian Sea. The settlement and the surrounding area are located behind the Ceraunian Mountains and are somewhat isolated. Thanks to its remote location, the region boasts beautiful, unspoilt nature on the Albanian Riviera. The town is located on a wide bay with beautiful sandy beaches. The town is divided into a new district right on the seafront and Old Himarë.

Himare Beach Map

Quick Overview:

• My personal opinion: Himare is one of the best places for a beach holiday in Albania. Some of the most beautiful beaches are located in and around Himara.
• My favourite beaches in Himarë: Potami Beach, Sfageio Beach
• My favourite beaches in the area: Gjipe Beach, upper Borsh Beach
• Hidden gems for beaches: Filikuri Beach, Porto Palermo Beach
• Where to stay in Himare?: At Potami Seashell, you can find perfectly located accommodation with sea view at great value for money.

10 Best Beaches in Himare

The beaches of Himarë were my introduction to the Albanian Riviera during my first trip to Albania. Personally, I liked the coast near Himarë and Dhërmi much better than the famous beaches of Ksamil and Saranda. The bays are smaller in the south, and there is not enough space for the many holidaymakers, especially in the hight season of July and August. As a result, the beaches are often overcrowded. Himarë and its northern neighbour Dhermi offer miles of pebble beaches and wider bays where you can enjoy more privacy and escape the crowds.

Potami Beach

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect spot in Himare for a laid-back family getaway, then Potami Beach is my top pick. Located at the far south side of Himare, it’s a sweet escape from the hustle and bustle, yet close enough if you want to dive into the action.

• Location: Potami Beach

I found Potami Beach generally much quieter while it still boasts plenty of beach clubs and seaside restaurants nearby where you can easily spend a whole day just soaking it all in. Most of these beach clubs are super family-friendly and not party beach clubs, making it an ideal spot for everyone.

Accommodation Tip: Potami Seashell – Dimitra’s small guest house is perfectly located in a more quiet area, offering stylish rooms with sea view at great value for money.

There are also loads of rental options, from cozy apartments to spacious luxury villas in the area, perfect for families or groups who want a more private and comfy stay.

Check out Stonevilla Buta Himare if you are travelling with children for spacious rooms, perfect for your family holiday. The place boasts amazing views of the bay and surrounding hills.

Sfageio Beach

Sfageio Beach is part of the municipal beach of Himare. It is located right next to Spile Beach and at the beginning of the picturesque beach promenade lined with cafés, restaurants, ice cream parlours and small souvenir shops. During the summer months, this is one of the most popular beaches. On the pebble beach, you can enjoy the beautiful turquoise water. The water is shallow and also suitable for smaller children.

• Location: Sfageio Beach

There are many hotels and car parking facilities in the area. The beach is very easy to reach. You cannot rent umbrellas or sunbeds on the town beach of Himare. You should take your own beach towel and umbrella with you.

Llamani Beach

Just a few kilometres south of Himare you can find Llamani Beach (Plazhi i Llamanit). This pebbled beach is nicely located in a bay and secluded by rocks. Llamani Beach is best reached by car. It’s a fairly quiet beach as it’s surrounded by nature and away from any town. To reach Llamani Beach from the direction of Himare, drive on the paved road, then on a gravel path as far as you can. Then park at the edge of the dirt road and walk the last few metres.

• Distance from Himare: 3.5 km to the south, 8 min by car

• Location: Llamani Beach

The sea deepens quickly here. We recommend Llamani Beach for adults and children who can already swim. The seabed is covered with large stones, so water shoes are necessary.

We found the atmosphere here to be really nice. Not only because of the enchanting location, but also because it was generally quieter here, although sunbeds were rather expensive with 10-20 Euro.

Livadhi Beach

Livadhi Beach is wide and long and mainly covered with pebbles of different sizes. After the crowded Sfageio Beach, we welcomed the tranquillity of Livadhi Beach. Due to the size of the beach, the atmosphere is pleasantly relaxed, even in the high season.

• Distance from Himare: 4.5 km to the north, 10 min by car

• Location: Livadhi Beach

The water deepens slowly and is perfect for children to swim in. The beach is full of sun loungers and parasols that you can rent, or you can take your own beach towel. Right on the beach, you will find free parking, restaurants and cafés.

Gjipe Beach

Between Himara and Dhermi, the breathtaking Gjipe Beach appears where a gorge meets the open sea. The beach has a picturesque and somewhat hidden location. This tells you that it is not particularly easy to get there.

• Location: Gjipe Beach

From the Gjipe Beach parking (from 300 Leke ~ €3.00), it takes about 30 minutes to reach the beach walking along a steep path. You can also hire a jeep to take you there (regular vehicles cannot go down the rocky road). The gravel road leads along the coast. From the road, you have a wonderful view of the Ionian Sea and Gjipe Beach. Another option is to take a boat. In Himare, you will find several boat com panies offering a water taxi.

• Distance from Himare: 15 km to the north, 30 min by car

Despite the difficulty of access, many visitors come here. It is advisable to come in the morning, when it is still relaxed here and not so crowded. The sea here is magnificent. It shines with a clear blue colour and makes small waves. Gjipe Beach is the perfect place for swimming and sunbathing.

Camping is also allowed on Gjipe Beach. Many people camp here with tents and spend a wonderful night. On the beach, you will find some small caves that you can discover at low tide. It is also worth taking a walk in the canyon. Small huts offering cold drinks line the beach. You can also rent a sun umbrella and a sun lounger for the day.

Jale Beach

Plazhi i Jalës is located north of Himare in a beautiful bay. It is a great beach with turquoise clear water, easy access and numerous nice beach clubs.

• Distance from Himare: 12 km to the north, 20 min by car

• Location: Jale Beach

There are also parking spaces and some hotels right on the beach. Jale Beach is ideal for families who want to spend a relaxing day at the beach in beautiful surroundings.

Akuarium Beach

This tiny cove is located north of Himarë, between Jale Beach and Livadhi Beach. It is a small gem embedded in a rugged, rocky coastal landscape. Akuarium Beach gets its name from its crystal clear blue-turquoise waters. The tiny cove looks like a small aquarium.

• Location: Gjiri i Akuariumit

You can reach Gjiri i Akuariumit from two directions. From Jale Beach, you can take a 4×4 vehicle or, if you don’t have a 4×4 vehicle, you can take a scooter or walk there. There is also a small trail starting from Livadhi Beach: you will find a tree next to the Blue Bay beach bar where you can discover the path. Both routes are about the same distance on foot (1.5). From Livadhi Beach, follow the red markings, otherwise you may easily get lost. First, you will walk along a somewhat steep path between bushes on a hillside, then on an open dirt road. Both routes can also be done by children.

You would think that if the bay is not so easy to reach, then there will be fewer visitors. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Gjiri i Akuariumit became famous through social media. The fact that you can also camp there contributes to its popularity. By 10 o’clock, Aquarium Beach was already overcrowded.

Tip: There are no services at the bay. So make sure you have enough water and food with you.

Porto Palermo Beach

Palermo’s Beach is a must-see during your stay in Himarë. The beautiful bay is located right at the foot of the Porto Palermo Castle and has water that is bluer than the other beaches in Himare.

Tip: The castle of Porto Palermo offers a great view of the coast. If you take the trip to Porto Palermo, you should definitely visit the fortress. Entrance is just 200 lek (~ €2).

We found the surroundings of the beach rather mixed. The nature is uniquely beautiful: rocky coast and lots of greenery line Palermo Beach. Many agave plants grow on the slopes. However, there are some dilapidated buildings right on the beach and many boats and campers are parked there. The advantages of the beach are that it is easily accessible by car and there are not many people.

Tip: Walking on the stones can be unpleasant for sensitive feet, so we recommend that you have water shoes with you.

Borsh Beach

Plazhi i Borshit is a 7-kilometre-long beach south of Himare (near Porto Palermo), just a short drive from the city. Borsh beach is covered with a sand and gravel mixture, the water is deep blue and shallow. Plazhi i Borshit has a relaxed atmosphere and offers plenty of space. Although there are a few beach clubs and hotels on the beach, there are also stretches where you can be just by yourself.

• Distance from Himare: 18 km to the south, 25 min by car

• Location: Borsh Beach

Borsh Beach is less frequented, yet it is very easy to reach and offers all the services you need (restaurants, sun loungers with parasols and shops). If you are looking for a quiet, long pebble beach in Albania for you or your family, Borsh Beach is the right place for you.

Buneci Beach

Buneci Beach is located south of Himare and Borsh Beach. The beach is easily accessible by car.

Buneci Beach is embedded in a beautiful landscape: green mountains rise above the bay, the water is an incredible blue. The pebble beach is located in a valley and is off the beaten tourist track. The atmosphere is relaxed, there are fewer holidaymakers, so you can chill out under a sun umbrella and let your mind wander.

Where To Find The Best Himare Beaches

How to Get to Himare’s Best Beaches

You can reach Potami Beach and Sfageio Beach on foot while Filikuri Beach requires a short hike. Grama Bay and Pigeon Cave Beach are best reached as part of a boat tour. 

However, some of the ones further away, such as Jale, Livadhi, Gjipe, and Aquarium Beaches, are quite far, so hiring a car or taking a taxi would be more convenient options. 

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Rent a car! Albania is very safe for motorists, & you can drive across the entire country in less than 8 hours! Best of all, rental cars are very cheap (starting at €30) & easy to book by comparing rates across dealerships in Tirana using DiscoverCars.

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Best Time To Visit the Beaches In Himare

I recommend visiting the Albania Riviera during shoulder season. In my opinion, the best time to hit the beach in Himare is June and September as you get the best balance between great beach weather, fewer crowds, and all hotels, restaurants still being open. 

While July and August are the most popular months, they are also incredibly busy, more expensive for hotels and sun beds, and arguably too hot at times with temperatures even going above 35 degrees Celsius.

The most relaxing times to sunbathe in full peace and quiet on the beaches areMay and October. During these months, there are much fewer tourists, and most beach clubs and restaurants are still/already closed. Just bear in mind that many hotels and restaurants also close so you are more limited in these regards. 

Is Himare or Dhermi better?

Himare or Dhërmi? Dhërmi is more expensive than nearby Himarë and offers a somewhat more upmarket experience. If you are looking for an affordable beach holiday with more of a small town vibe, you should definitely head to Himarë.

If you are looking for an old charming village experience, then Dhermi might be the better choice. It is more pricy though, and if you choose to stay in one of the old houses uphill, the beach is a good 20 minutes walk away.

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