Overview

The Albanian Riviera is a fascinating destination, home to beautiful beaches, coastal towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and so much more! A stretch of shoreline along the Albania coast from Vlorë (Vlore) and Palasë (Palasa) in the North to Sarandë (Saranda) and Ksamil in the South – the Albanian Riviera; that’s where you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, especially considering they're substantially less crowded than the European beach destinations.

Visitors come to the Albanian Riviera to enjoy history, natural beauty, and friendly, inviting locals. The UNESCO sites such as the Butrint Archaeological Site and National Park date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans' times. Filled with isolated pockets of undeveloped nature, quirky cities and quaint villages, amazing nightlife, culture, beautiful beaches, and friendly locals make Albania a hidden treasure well worth discovering.

Explore the Area

The coastal town of Sarande, also known as Saranda, is the main city in the Albanian Riviera and also the biggest town. It's a great base for exploring the area and is also home to a number of public and private beaches. It connects with nearby cities of Tirana and Corfu, making it the unofficial main stop on the Southern part of the Riviera. It has more of a city feel and may not have as much charm as the other towns in the area, but you will get a good fell for what day-to-day life is like in Albania. At night, Saranda's promenade is packed with families and friends wandering around eating, drinking coffees, and having a fun time.

Situated approximately a 30-minute drive from Sarande, the small village of Ksamil (which is pronounced as 'Xamil") is known as the "Ionian Pearl". It is home to some of the best beaches in the Albanian Riviera, and Albania as a whole. With that being said, it is also home of the busiest beaches in all the Albanian Riviera. There are several beaches in the village, the favorite being Spiaggia Di Ksamil, a beautiful sandy beach with glistening turquoise waters. You can also swim to the 3 nearby island off the coast of Ksamil. This is a great place to base yourself in on the Albanian Riviera if you want to spend most of your time lounging on the beach.

The beaches of Ksamil are oftne compared to Greece's. the majority of them are privately owned and back onto restaurants and caffes that supply beach lounges and umbrellas. Make sure you get there early in the summer months, as the spots go quickly. You will also find plenty of fun activities in the area, such as speed boat rides and other water activities.

The Blue Eye is an incredible natural phenomenon in the form of a stunning blue water spring and a must visit when in the Albanian Riviera. With a pool over 150 ft deep, it resembles an eye thanks to the deep blue water in the center of the spring and the gorgeous turquoise water that surrounds it. Swimming isn't allowed in the eye itself, so it's blocked off to protect the wonderful nature. fortunately, you are allowed to go in the shallower parts of the water, but swimming in the eye itself is off limits. The water is icy cold which is great on a hot summer day.

One of the best-secluded beaches is Gjipe Beach - a must do while visiting the Albanian Riviera. Located in the middle of the Gjipe Canyon, it's definitely one of the country's most picturesque beaches thanks to the beautiful nature that surrounds it. It is best to go with a guide, as it is not easy to find on our own. If you don't like hiking through the jungle, you can go by water on a kayak from the neighboring Jale Beach. There are a few vendors on the beach, however there are no facilities or restaurants.

Butrint National Park offers fascinating history to discover. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to some incredible ancient ruins, as well as wetlands, freshwater lakes, marshes, open plains, islands and more! Butrint is the largest archaeological park in Albania, with ruins from various civilizations including the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. There is so much history to enjoy within the national park that you can easily spend half a day, or even a full day exploring.

The sleepy beach town of Himare offers some stunny beaches nearby. The vibe of the town is relaxed, so if destinations such as Dhermi and Sarande are too busy for you, then Himare is the perfect place as it's one of the quieter towns along the coast.

The Beaches in and around Himare are beautiful and blessed with glistening blue seas. There are 3 excellent beaches in the town itself: Spile Beach, Prinos Beach and Potami Beach. Other beaches in the nearby area include Gjipe Beach, Livadhi Beach, Gjiri i Filikurit Beach and Jala Beach. In addition to great beaches there's also some wonderful restaurants in the area serving up quality food at reasonable prices.

If you're a history fan, be sure to visit the The Old Town of Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautifully preserved Ottoman Old Town is situated in a valley between the Gjere mountains and the Drino river, the city is surrounded by beautiful nature. A visit to the well-preserved Gjirokaster Castle gives you a chance to enjoy the stunning views of the Old Town, as well as the surrounding mountains. Wander through the cobblestone streets and admire the unique Ottoman architecture of the Old Town.

Llogara National Park & Llogar Pass

The road between Orikum and Dhermi is known as the Llogara Pass. First built in 190, the Llogar Pass road was just a single-lane dirt road up until 2009. Now it’s well developed and gives stunning views of the Albanian Riviera and the surrounding mountains. The winding road reaches a height of over 3,280 ft. (you’ll feel like you’re flying over the sea) and is considered by many to be the best coastal drive in Europe. Be sure to bring your camera - it’s sure to be one of the most memorable Albanian experiences.

In the same area as the Llogar Pass, the Llogar Nationa Park spans 2,520 acres of an alpine forest rich with plant and animal life. Overlooking the Albanian Riviera and has been protected since 1966. It’s located about 19 miles from Vlore, directly between Dhermi and Orikum. Visitors can hike or picnic in the park, stay at one of the small resorts within the park, and most visitors come for hiking, adventure sports, and for a cozy alpine retreat.

Local Cuisine

Food on the Albanian coast is delicious, and very similar to the cuisine in neighboring Greece. The food is excellent, fresh and tasty. You'll find plenty of fresh (and cheap) seafood along the coast. Some favorites include byrek, the most famous food in Albania. It is a tasty salty pie made with filo pastry made in different sizes and types. Fërgesë is another must try in Albanian foods made with peppers tomatoes and cottage cheese. The fresh products are cooked together and forma a cream; it's served with homemade bread. Also, not-to-miss is the Tavë Kosi, one of the most beloved dishes by locals. It is a tasty quiche-like dish made with lamb, eggs and yogurt. Speça me gjize is one of the most colorful and tasty foods of the country, made with yellow, orange, green and red peppers stuffed with rice, cottage cheese and spices before being baked in the oven. It is a healthy dish and a great vegetarian option as well. Baklava is another food you'll find all over Albania in various sizes and kinds. The typical Albanian variety of this famous cake is made with nuts, but in the bakeries and pastries there is a pistachio version, which many say is even tastier. , or grilled meatballs is one of the most popular meat dishes. Generally, it is seasoned with spices and mint and served with raw onion and salad. Grilled meat, mostly known as zgara is all over Albania, and Perime ne Zgare, also known as grilled vegetables, is also just as popular. Eggplant, zucchini, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc. are used as an appetizer to accompaniment of main dishes. Fish, just off the coast of Albanian, is fresh, excellent and inexpensive. Eating fresh seafood while in Albania admiring the fabulous views of the sea from the terraces of any Riviera restaurant is a must!

In Conclusion

The Albanian Riviera is a diverse place to visit thta offers visitors relaxation on its various beautiful beaches and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. However, there's also something for those who prefer a more active vacation or that like to discover the rich history.

There's so much to do while visiting the Albanian Riviera. You can relax on some of the country's most beautiful beaches, such as Jale Aquarium, or Kakome beaches, and swim in the waters of the warm southern seas. You can also discover the Cave of Haxhi Ali, camp in Gjipe, visit the Llogara National Park to try paragliding, or hike ti the summit of Maja e Çikës. If you want to get in touch with history, go to see the Porto Palermo castle or travel a short distance into the mainland to see Saint Nicholas Monastery.

Visiting the Albanian Riviera offers unique locations that are true hidden gems, as it is much less discovered than other destinations.