One thing I can assure you – Albania and Balkanian seaside amazed me when it comes to crystal waters, landscapes, hidden beaches along the Riviera, warm hospitality and fabulous food! I was traveling in May ahead of the peak season, which made a huge difference as I had some most breathtaking beaches of Albania exclusively for myself!
Albania’s coastline still remains relatively untouched compared to its neighbouring countries. But the Ionian Sea is increasingly becoming a top destination for travelers seeking less-crowded beaches.
The breathtaking beaches of Albania.
I have always been on the lookout for destinations that offer unspoiled beauty and some adventure like hiking, diving, climbing and sailing. Albania has it all. I found myself drawn to the stunning coastline of Albania, so I decided to drive along the whole coastline souther direction looking for the most breathtaking beaches of Albania.
MY NUMBER ONE is Ksamil. And number two is Vlore with its Riviera coastline – accessible only by sea.
Top travel tips for Albania!
- BRING WATER SHOES! Almost all beaches in Albania are stony; there is no sand (except Durres).
- Car rental is very cheap in Albania! The best way to travel around the country is by car – neither the roads nor local drivers are far from perfect but if you drive carefully, it is going to be an exceptional trip!
CAR RENTAL: Albania offers very affordable rates for renting a car. And with a limited public bus network, I recommend going by car; however, some say Albanian drivers are crazy! 😉 The answer is yes – driving in Albania is a bit tricky, but I did it for 10 days and all was fine. As usual, I went with Rentalcars.com. You should go with full coverage and no access.
I highly recommend renting a car at Tirana Airport; the rates are very affordable, and you can comfortably drive straight to Tirana (saving time and money on taxis). Tirana is located 25 kilometres from the airport.
Where to stay for the best beaches of Albania?
That’s a very good question – the Albanian coastline boasts many seaside cities, each different style and vibe. I’ve been to all of the below and my favourites are Dhermi, Himare and Ksamil.
The most touristic and buzzing seaside cities are:
- Durres (with sandy beaches)
- Vlore (boat tours hub)
- Sarande
- Ksamil
If you are looking for an original places and less crowded, you should go to:
- Dhermi
- Himare
Ksamil - Maledives of Albania.
Ksamil – located just at the southern end of Albania, hides truly the most breathtaking beaches of Albania, with soft white sands and crystal-clear water. It is often referred to as the “Maldives of Albania
I check almost every beach in Ksamil, most of them are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and water sports – there are plenty of local operators with water attractions from typical to the most weird – like water Lamborghini! My favourite is Lori Beach – in the photo below.
Lori Beach.
Located in the southern part of Ksamil, the beach is located near the main road with convenient parking next to the restaurant and entry to the beach.
Ksamil Beach.
Many cozy beach bars are serving refreshing cocktails and delicious local cuisine. The beach set-up is tidy with sunbeds and straw umbrellas.
If you are traveling from Saranda, Ksamil is easily reached by bus (30 minutes) or by taxi (20 minutes). While Ksamil Beach is sandy, there are also areas with stones, so water shoes are recommended.
Bora Bora Beach in Ksamil.
While parking could be a challenge, there is no doubt that Bora Bora is one of the most breathtaking beaches of Albania. There’s a lovely restaurant with a tropical setup just behind the sunbeds (which are 10 Euro/10 USD per day). Paid with both currencies.
Dhermi Beach.
Dhërmi Beach is truly a highlight of the Albanian Riviera. It’s a long, stony beach with turquoise waters and a backdrop of dramatic mountains.
There are several 5-star resorts along Dhermi Beach with nice but highly overpriced restaurants. Fish on potatoes cost 80 Euro, which is 10 times more than in the best restaurant in Ksamil.
Two neighboring beaches are: Gjipe Beach (south of Dhermi Beach) and Palasa Beach (north of Dhermi). Palasa Beach looks almost the same as Dhermi Beach.
Grama Bay.
If you want to see the most breathtaking hidden caves and remote beaches of Albania, you’ve got to go on a speedboat tour. Almost all boats depart from Vlore and have a stop inside Haxhi Ali Cave and the spectacular Grama Bay.
THIS IS THE TOUR I BOOKED – Exploring the Hidden Wonders of Karaburun in an exclusive Speedboat 8-hour Tour (with swimming & snorkeling) – Blue Gem Cave & Grama Bay.
We had numerous stops along the Riviera, the tour takes you via all the amazing spots, including: Haxhi Ali Cave, the stunning Blue Cave, Gjiri i Brisanit, Kanioni and Skafistave, Gjiri and Nezhajve, and Grama Bay. These are my photos and this is exactly how it looks in real life.
Gjipe Beach - the hidden treasure.
Gjipe Beach is a hidden paradise, it is accessible by a tiny road along the cliff. There’s a small parking (paid only with cash), from where you need to walk the last section to get to one of the most breathtaking beaches of Albania. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the stony azure, perfect for snorkeling.
Saranda beaches in Albania.
Saranda port city is more for partying rather than beaches.
The city has a wonderful energy, convenient facilities, and a variety of water sports available. It’s a great place to spend a full day but it will not amaze you with beach stripes, as this is all you got!
Durres Beach in Albania.
Durrës Beach stretches for several kilometers along the coast and is easily accessible from the city. Surprisingly, soft golden sands are perfect for relaxation. The beach is lively, offering a range of activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, or beach volleyball.
The long promenade is accompanied by many beach bars and restaurants offering a variety of local and international cuisine.
Durres is a great gateway for a number of spectacular day trips.
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