Ksamil

Called the “Ionian Pearl,” the small village of Ksamil is home to the most beautiful beaches in Albania. There are several beaches in the village, but the most popular is Spiaggia Di Kasmil - a stunning beach with crystal clear waters. As one of the country’s most beautiful beaches it can get quite busy. Thankfully there are a number of other beaches in Ksamil which tend to be less busy, the only downside is that they’re pebbly beaches.

Ksamil has one of the most famous scenes in the entire Albanian Riviera: the legendary boardwalk photo!

Sarande (Saranda)

Located in the southern part of the Albanian Riviera, Sarande, also called Saranda, is a small yet lively seaside resort town just north of Ksamil. It has some relaxing, pebbly beaches, and the most beautiful promenade right on the water. There are some great things to do in Sarande; such as heading up to the Lekarsi Castle for the most fantastic sunsets. A boat trip is a must, as many of the beaches close to Sarande can only be acessed by the water. Kroreza Beach has the most stunning turquoise waters.

In the summer months its extremely busy because a lot of cruise ships dock here and use it as a base to explore the surroundings. In fact, the usual Sarande population is around 30,000, but during the summer that figures spike up to 300,000.

Great restaurants, a beautiful coastline, and the perfect base to explore other stunning places nearby are the main reason visitors flock here during the summer.

In the winter months, Sarande turns into a sleepy coastal city as most of the summer season workers head back to their hometowns.

Himara

Himara is an even smaller but possibly more beautiful beach town. Many people say the beaches near Himara (specifically Gjipe) are much more remote, beautiful, and have fewer tourists. The main beach - Plazhi Himare (Beach Himare), is located in the heart of the town with a beautiful promenade and restaurants running along the beach. You can find everything you need in this area, from supermarkets and souvlaki shops to the best ice cream stands and souvenirs. Everything is reachable on foot. The promenade is also where you can also experience Himara nightlife. If you're looking for an authentic Albanian seaside town with local vibes, Himare is the place!

Vlorë

Vlorë, also known as Vlora, is a seaside city at the northern most point of the Albanian Riviera. It offers a wide and beautiful palm tree-lined promenade. The sea is on one side, and bars, cafes and restaurants border the other. The city is a big and built up beach town.

There are plenty of boat trips that depart Vlora and venture over to the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island. Along they way you'll come across caves and private beaches. Oftentimes the boat drivers are also quite flexible and will allow you to customize the day's itinerary!

The Vlora Old Town is a great place to grab a meal. There are colorful buildings in the daytime and sparkling lights in the evening make the Old Town a great place to wander around.

Dhermi

The village of Dhermi in Vlore county is composed of 3 neighborhoods: Dhermi, Gjilek, and Kondraq. Dhermi is divided into two parts - the upper part where you can find a quaint old town Dhermi and the lower part with Dhermi Plazhi (Beach Dhermi), beach clubs, several restaurants, and most of the accommodations.

Dhermi Beach is becoming a favorite for summertime travelers on the Albanian Riviera. The beach in Dhermi is stunning with is crystal clear water. We highly recommend visiting Gjipe Beach in the area. It is a secluded beach located halfway between Dhermi and Himare.

Dhermi hosts popular music festivals, including Kala Festival, Turtle Fest, and ION Festival, which attract many backpackers.