Albanian Riviera Beaches

Albania – a Mediterranean country with 270 to 300 sunny days in its coastal areas. The rainy season falls in winter, while temperatures in August can sometimes reach up to 40°C. Sun, warm sea water, and Albanian hospitality guarantee a successful vacation.

Albania is located on two seas: the Ionian and the Adriatic. A total of 362 km of coastline. The Albanian Riviera has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The partially rocky coast is rich in caves, bays, and numerous coastal islands. The Albanian Riviera covers the area from Llogara National Park to Lukova and is one of the most attractive areas in the country. It impresses with its wild nature, long and wide sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water.

Vlora

is the second largest port in Albania after Durres. The conventional border between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas runs through the Bay of Vlora.

The coast has numerous beaches (wide sandy beaches on the northern side, rocky and narrower towards the south). Clean private beaches predominate, where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas (cost from 300-700 leke / day for two sunbeds and an umbrella). For tourists who like to spend time actively, the resort has many attractions. There are numerous water equipment rentals, where you can easily rent a jet ski or a bicycle. Many diving expeditions are organized, including to Sazan, where numerous caves, grottoes, and wrecks await. Sazan is a small island half an hour by motorboat from the shore of Vlora. It marks the conventional border between the seas.

While vacationing in Vlora, it’s worth taking a trip to the small island with sandy beaches, Zvernec (Narta Bay), located 10 km away. It’s an ideal place for kitesurfing. In the middle of the island covered with pine forests, there’s an Orthodox Monastery of Saint Mary. It was built in the 13th century in Byzantine style. A very long (270 m), narrow, wooden bridge leads to the temple. Currently, on August 15th each year, on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, faithful from all over the country come here. During communist times, the monastery served as a place of internment for political prisoners. It was surrounded by electrified barbed wire.

Durrës

One of the oldest cities in Albania. The largest, bustling Albanian resort during the season. About an hour’s drive from the country’s capital, Tirana. The beach in Durrës is sandy, quite wide and long. The public beach is not very clean. Hotels have their own private beaches.

In the Durrës Region, covering 68 km of coastline, beautiful sandy beaches and picturesque blue bays predominate.

Gjilekë Beach is partly rocky and partly sandy. Gjilekë Beach is beautifully located. On one side there’s the sea, on the other a view of the mountains.

Gjipe Beach is located at the mouth of a canyon, a rocky beach with crystal clear, blue water and white rocks.

Dhermi – one of the largest beaches on the Albanian Riviera. The beach is sandy and pebbly

While in Durrës, it’s worth visiting the Rodonit Peninsula – with the medieval Skanderbeg church and the ruins of Rodonit castle falling into the sea. Crystal clear water and turtles on the beach.

Himare

A city located between Saranda and Vlora. A popular tourist center, situated on the Ionian Sea.

The beaches of Himare are nice and clean. A characteristic feature of the landscape are the high elevations of the Llongara Mountains, rocks falling into the sea, and high cliffs. Azure water on one side and green mountains on the other. Crystal clear water. Fine pebble or gravel beaches dominate. One of the most popular beaches is Llamani. Shaped like a bay with large white rocks against the backdrop of clear water. A promenade runs along the beach. Himare is an ideal place to relax for people who don’t like noisy resorts.

Saranda

The largest Albanian resort, with a wide range of hotels, restaurants and bars. With beautiful beaches and azure sea. The sunniest region on the Ionian Sea – you can sunbathe for 300 days a year. Saranda has over 2000 years of history, it was one of the seaside ports of Old Epirus. 17 km from Saranda is the small seaside resort of Ksamil, whose sandy beaches are considered the best in the area. Ksamil is famous for its rocky islets, protruding 8-15 m from the sea. The coast is covered with groves dominated by holly oak, elm, and myrtle.

Saranda is famous for its mussel reserves and every morning you can buy freshly caught fish and seafood from fishermen.