The Beautful Beach Destinations of Albania's Ionian Coast – the 'Abanian Riviera'

[rohny jones]

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Albania is one of the most underrated and least touristed corners of Europe, with fantastic history, cuisine, and scenery, and a prime example of that scenery is the Albanian Riviera along its 172-kilometre (107-mile) Ionian Sea coast, a place where the sun stretches across the deep sea 300 days per year; where there are splendid configurations of rocky and isolated small beaches; and the mountains and hillsides are covered in Mediterranean vegetation and dotted with charming villages perched between the mountains and sea. The average temperature in January is 10⁰ Celsius (50⁰ Fahrenheit) and in July 25⁰C (77⁰F). You can get a bird's eye view of this breathtaking coastline (top) from the Llogara Pass, 1,057 meters (3,468 feet) above sea level.

The Ionian coastline is known for its fascinating beaches, with deep and very clean waters, and are popular with many Albanians but especially younger crowds drawn by the many opportunities for water sports like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and windsurfing.

Some of the most exotic and interesting beaches in the south of Albania are Borsh, Dhërmi, Himara, Jal, Ksamil, and Qeparo.

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Mount Llogara – Vlore

The first beach here is Dhraleos in the small village of Palasë,1.5km (TK mi.) long, one of the most exotic and tranquil beaches of the Albanian coastal zone, complete with rich blue waters and mild surf. Though a bit stony, it's popular for water sports and is sometimes even the destination for the paragliders who launch from Llogara Pass.

Just a bit farther south, pebbly Dhërmi (above) is one of the most frequented and important holiday spots along the Albanian coast. Its crystal-clear waters, water sports, and scuba-diving options make this the preferred beach of younger generation. Other beaches near Dhërmi include Jaliksari and Shkambo, and located nearby is the Cave of Pirates, which visitors can access only by boat. 

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Gjipe Beach

Between Dhermi and another town, Himara, and located in a canyon with walls 70m (230 ft.) high, Gjipe is a lovely secluded little enclave with very slight surf. There are also no amenities to speak of here except a beach bar, but nearby there are hotels, restaurants, and summer clubs; throughout the surrounding area family tourism has developed, where visitors can rent guesthouses or stay in a variety of hotels. Near Himara, 8km (five mi.) south of Dhërmi, you will find the village of Vuno, a central area of the Albanian Riviera, a tourist town that comes to life during the summer season thanks to the younger generations that come here.

Also in this area, the rocky beaches of Livadhja, Llamaniand, Potam, and Spile all stand out for their deep waters and navigability.

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Borsh

A charming little fishing and farming town surrounded by citrus and olive trees, Borsh boasts the longest beach (above) on the Albanian Riviera, and family tourism has also become very popular in the area. Between here and the city of Saranda one can also find the beaches of Bunec, Kakome, and Krokëy, whose collective length runs about three km (just under two mi.), each with beautiful, crystal-clear waters. Also after Borsh is Qeparo and the bay of Porto Palermo, where the castle of 18th-century Ottoman Albanian ruler Ali Pasha is located.

Saranda

Also spelled Sarandë, this bustling coastal town is the most populous on the Albanian Riviera (pop. around 30,000) and a very big tourist destination, especially with couples on their honeymoons (in summertime the population can skyrocket to 300,000). Saranda and surrounding areas offer a wide range of hotels and other facilities catering to five-star travelers as well as the more budget conscious, while home rentals are also an option. The city is also just a half hour by boat from the Greek island of Corfu (daily ferries offer connections between Saranda and Corfu). In addition, historic sites hereabout include 16th-century Lëkurësi Castle and the ancient Greco-Roman UNESCO World Heritage Site Butrint.

As for beaches, the most popular locally is Ksamil (above and top), located between the peninsula of Ksamil and lagoon of Butrint, home to a number of hotels and restaurants as well as calm waters; just off the sands are four small islands covered by Mediterranean vegetation with a combined area of 8.9 hectares (22 acres). Smaller nearby beaches include Central, Liman, and Pasqyra (Mirror).