The 6 Best Beaches in Albania

Sarandë is especially popular with tourists and day trippers because it’s an easy ferry ride from nearby Corfu. Stroll along the main promenade, which is beautiful and peaceful during the day and bright and fun at night, and be tempted down onto either of the small, rocky beaches, which are particularly popular with locals. You may be in a bustling city, but the water is wonderfully clear. The prom is backed by popular eateries catering to all budgets, including well-loved fish restaurants overlooking the bay, such as Centrali and Limani.

There are some real gems of beaches tucked around the corner off the main promenade (along Rruga Mitat Hoxha). Here you’ll find several sheltered little coves, accessed via side streets, offering deep blue waters. As is common on Albanian beaches, there’s often a small charge for sunbeds and, since the beaches aren’t huge, there isn’t much space if you don’t want one. Nonetheless, there’s something blissful about being tucked away in one of the coves, secluded from the rest of the world, and there are plenty of fabulous fish restaurants to choose from along the stretch, including Taverna Laberia and Taverna Beni Peshkatari.

Ksamil is home to some of the best beaches in Albania, promising unbelievably clear turquoise waters, white sand, and magical islands out in the bay. This sheltered stretch of coast has plenty of shallow spots for children, as well as places to rent pedalos, kayaks and inflatables. Plazhi Ylli is an idyllic spot to base yourself for the day, with restaurant terraces just steps from your sunbed and the shade of majestic trees – ideal in the midday heat.

There are even some spots here, at public beach Plazhi Ksamil 7, where you can pitch your towel without having to rent a sunbed, and you’ll find yourself in good company with local families. A trip to the tiny islands is a must, and from the public beach in particular, it’s an easy swim out to the larger of the two closest islets. If you don’t fancy trying to keep your camera dry above your head, though, we recommend a kayak or pedalo for an effortless glide over to these wild spots.

The islands are small and uninhabited: perfect for feeling adventurous as you explore their heart or paddle around to secluded coves, hoping to find one all to yourself.

Vlorë is a popular and incredibly beautiful county in Albania, with a large swathe dedicated to a national park. Many of the best beaches in Albania are close by on the glorious Karaburun Peninsula. The caveat? It’s not accessible by car, although this is also what keeps the beaches so pristine, undiscovered and special. Grama Bay, Dafina Bay and Sant Andreas are popular day-trip locations on the peninsula and are all reachable by boat.

You’ll want to book a day’s boat trip, probably with some arranged food stops, with a local operator – it’s cheaper than you’d imagine since Albania is still somewhat off the beaten track when it comes to tourism. Your reward for your efforts will be nearly-empty beaches, out-of-this-world beauty and a crystal-clear sea ideal for snorkelling.

If you’re after something more easily accessible, Vlorë does have beaches dotted all along the main road out of town, most of which are managed, with sunbeds for a fee. Vega is one of the top-rated Albanian beaches: a manmade creation of fine, white gravel with steps leading you right into the sea. With a bar, restaurant and easy parking, it has everything you could need for a family day out.

Dhërmi beach is said to be where the Albanian prime minister goes for a summer holiday on the Albanian Riviera, and it’s easy to see why. Dhërmiu Beach is a small and sheltered bay, easily accessible from the village, with fine white pebbles running down to the Ionian Sea. Because the water is calm and sheltered and the access is easy, it’s very popular and does get busy in the summer.

But if you’re willing to wander a little further up the beach, away from the tempting aromas of the waterfront seafood restaurants, you’re sure to find a spot to set up camp for the day. It has a beach club and even little cabanas you can rent for a glamourous afternoon. On the other side of town, just down Rruga Perivolo, is the long expanse of Drimadhë Beach, a pebbly spot popular for swimming and renting jet-skis, with the option to hire umbrellas and chairs or just pitch up with your towel.

If you’re eager for adventure, from the main village you can book boat tours out along the Albanian Riviera to get up close to some of the more secluded spots on the Karaburun Peninsula.

While much of Albania can seem wild and fairly untamed, anyone who’s been on holiday to the Mediterranean will feel right at home in Himarë, a bustling resort town that’s popular with families and party-goers alike. Top tip: Himarë enjoys some of Albania’s best weather, with warm sea temperatures nearly year-round, so you can see why it became so popular.

The beach itself is a white sandy bay backed by a white-stone promenade with pine trees, offering fabulous views of tree-covered headlands. The seabed is mostly sandy here and shallow too, making it perfect for families with young ones. It’s also flanked by restaurants, cafes and bars, and tour providers. Talk to one of the latter to book beach-hopping tours along Albania’s stunning coast – it’s the perfect way to experience the more secluded spots, with none of the effort of planning it yourself.

If you fancy a break from seafood, we recommended finding a good spot to eat gyros – it’s as popular in Albania as it is in nearby Greece, and the Albanians have perfected the art. Try restaurant I Love Souvlaki or Gonia or, to sample classic Albanian Riviera seafood, try Merkuri or Taverna Lefteri.

A short drive from Durrës or Tirana, the Cape of Rodon is the place to feed your adventurous soul. Durrës is a popular resort with plenty of beaches of its own and a dedicated crowd of visitors. But if you’re looking to escape the sunbeds and experience something truly unusual, this pristine spit of nature reserve is begging to be explored. While you can hire a car and drive, taking a tour with a local guide is less stressful (especially if you aren’t familiar with driving in Albania), plus you get the extra bonus of soaking up local knowledge and history.

You can drive most of the way to the cape, but the final stretch on the headland is only accessible via hiking trails rich in flora and fauna. There are a few luxury villas, hotels and camp sites if you fancy staying in this corner of Albania for a while. Alternatively, you can opt for a day trip, taking in the Castle of Skanderbeg, abandoned war bunkers, and beaches that will take your breath away. It’s a great option for couples, groups, or adventurous families with older children – anyone who wants to feel they’ve truly escaped the everyday.