The Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera begins south of Vlorë, where the coast road climbs through pine forest to the Llogara Pass at over 1,000 m, then winds down in wide bends to the Ionian Sea. The top of the pass looks along the whole coast, and on clear days Corfu is in sight.

Below the pass are the long beach of Palasë, the white hillside village of Dhërmi and its beaches, the small cove of Gjipe between cliffs, and the town of Himarë with its castle and harbour. The water is clear and turquoise, the beaches mostly pebble, and some are run by resorts with private beaches.

The Riviera is about three hours by car from Tirana and an hour and a half from Sarandë. We suggest June or September, when the sea is warm and the beaches quieter than at the July and August peak.