There's something about the phrase "Albanian Riviera" that just sounds inviting, doesn't it?
That stunning coastline completely won me over. After all, Albania sits right next to Croatia and Greece, so it makes sense that its beaches rival those famous destinations.
Over the past few years, Albania has quietly become a contender on the European travel scene. Its beaches range from hidden coves that take some effort to reach (my personal favorites) to private beach clubs and public sands.
I can't say enough good things about a beach holiday in Albania. The water along the entire coast was some of the clearest, bluest I've ever seen. And a trip there will cost you far less than other European hot spots…
*cough* France *cough* Italy *cough* Greece*.
Now that you're excited about your trip, let's get down to business—which Albanian beaches suit you best?
Yep, the water really is that clear…
When to Visit Albania's Beaches
July and August are unquestionably the busiest months on the Albanian coast. Locals and tourists alike descend on the Riviera to soak up the sun and swim. In places like Ksamil, you'll struggle to find a patch of sand, let alone a sunbed.
If you thrive on crowds and energy, this might be your ideal time.
But if you'd like enough room to spread your towel, I'd suggest the shoulder seasons: May/June and September/October. The weather is usually still lovely and it's much quieter, even if slightly cooler. For a backpacking trip in Albania, it's arguably the best time of year.
I visited the Albanian Riviera in October and some beach hot spots were like ghost towns. Most beach clubs in Ksamil, Dhermi and Himare had closed for the season. Larger towns like Vlora and Saranda had more going on. We had a few beaches almost entirely to ourselves.
So, if you want a lively scene with sunshine and flowing drinks, head to the Riviera in July/August. For a moderate buzz, try June or September. And if you prefer near-empty beaches, May or October is your window.
Honestly, though, whenever you come, this area ranks among the best places to visit in Albania and remains one of my favorites.
Most Popular Beach in Albania | Ksamil
A rare quiet moment in Ksamil—shoulder season at work.
- Who It's For: Beach club enthusiasts, nightlife lovers and families.
- Don't Miss: Exploring the four islands by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or simply swimming over.
Ksamil is a beautiful, fairly small beach area at the southern tip of the Albanian Riviera. Harvey and I visited in October and it was lush—empty beaches, sunshine and relatively warm water. Still, there were signs of what Ksamil looks like a few months earlier…
Stacks of beach chairs and umbrellas, impressive-looking beach clubs lining the shore and the faint sound of drum and bass drifting along the coast. If you visit in peak summer (July/August), you'll be hard-pressed to find a spot on the sand, let alone accommodation. It's the place to be for locals and tourists alike.
There are several beaches along the Ksamil coast. For the heart of the action, head to the main Ksamil Beach. For a relaxed lounger with the kids, try Paradise Beach (also easier to park at)—one of my all-time favorite places to stay in Albania for pure vibes.
If you like a bit of buzz, you'll love Ksamil. If you prefer quieter beaches, it may not be your spot. There are plenty of upscale places to stay for your beach holiday. My top pick is Hotel Porta Ksamil, just a two-minute walk from the beach 🙂
Most Beautiful Beach in Albania | Gjipe Beach
Worth the hike and the $5 parking.
- Who It's For: Families and adventurers.
- Don't Miss: Exploring the canyons behind the beach.
Gjipe Beach kept popping up on Instagram before I went to Albania, and luckily it lived up to the hype. There's something special about a beach you have to hike to. Sure, it's only about 20 minutes down, but as the beach comes into view—the cliffs, the crystal-clear water and the canyons behind—it's pretty damn cool and legitimately one of the most beautiful places in Albania we visited.
We were there in October, so it was relatively quiet, with just a few beach umbrellas (around 5 euros… not bad!). A couple of small restaurants serve beer, ice cream and food; it's pricey, but who can put a price on a cold beer at the beach?! Honestly, it was one of the highlights of our Balkan backpacking trip.
In peak season, I can imagine it gets quite busy. Still, like any beach that requires extra effort, it won't be as crowded as an easily accessible one.
There's also a track down to the beach where you can hike into the canyons, but we didn't have enough information, so we took the usual route. If that sounds like your thing, ask around locally before you go for more details.
Best Beach in Albania For Families | Dhermi
- Who It's For: Families and anyone after a chill but relatively upscale beach stay.
- Don't Miss: Driving over the Llogara Pass on your way—check out the views of the epic mountains and coastline.
Lined with rather posh hotels (that keep popping up), Dhermi Beach is ideal for families seeking an easy beach holiday. Enjoy your included hotel breakfast on the beach while the kids play in the sand or in the super calm water. Albania is a safe place to visit, but this area is the most chill for family time.
Dhermi Beach is perfect for relaxed vibes and fancy hotels where you can experience some of the best Albanian hospitality around. The water is crystal clear and mostly extremely calm. The long stretch of sand is ideal for long walks to start or end your day.
To reach Dhermi Beach you need to drive over the Llogara Pass—take the winding roads, not the tunnel, so you can enjoy insane views of Maja e Cika (a mighty mountain) and the coast. Unless you're one of the few bringing your own car into Albania, you'll need a rental. DiscoverCars lets you compare options and booking ahead makes a noticeable difference on price.
My top pick for families in Dhermi Beach is La Brisa Boutique Hotel—you'll be beachfront, baby, and you can enjoy your included breakfast just steps from the sea. Dreamy.
Best Beach in Albania For Swimming | Aquarium Bay
- Who It's For: Adventurers and those who like off-the-beaten-path beaches.
- Don't Miss: Bring your snorkel and look around—it's not called Aquarium Bay for nothing.
Aquarium Bay was easily one of my favorite beaches we visited, and it's another spot that requires a bit of a hike. You can park at Livadhi Beach or Jale Beach and walk over the hill to the bay. The coastal views on the walk are epic, and the walk itself is relatively easy, taking around 20 minutes.
We did see a camper pass us while walking to the beach (from Livadhu Beach), so driving is possible—but it's a bumpy, rugged 4WD track. Not one I'd want to take a rental car on, and the walk is super nice anyway. Once we got to the beach, there were about four vans parked at the neighboring bay—Guma Beach—so either they were badass drivers or the track from Jale Beach might be easier.
Anyway, most of us will be trekking over. (Don't worry; it's one of the best hikes in Albania, so it's worth it!) And once you get to the bay, you'll see how gorgeous it is. The beach itself is tiny, so I can imagine on a busy day it would be hard to find a spot for your towel. But in October, it was just us and a few others. There's a small shop selling snacks and drinks in high season, but I'd recommend packing your own too!
We stayed in Himare and drove about 20 minutes to Livadhu Beach to start the walk, which I'd recommend. I'd recommend staying in this gorgeous Airbnb in Himare, we loved it 🙂
Quietest Beach in Albania | Borsh
Borsh has the longest beach on the Riviera
- Who It's For: Families and those after a quiet beach holiday.
- Don't Miss: Head up to visit the Castle of Borsh.
Borsh is a beautiful beach town along the Albanian Riviera, known for its mountainous terrain, endless olive groves and peaceful stretches of whitestone beach. As with the rest of the coast, the color and transparency of the water will blow you away. Think Greece… but even better! Legit, one of the best things I did in Albania.
For some reason, this stretch of beach doesn't get as much attention as Sarande, Vlora and Ksamil, and I'm into that. I love a quiet beach. To be completely honest, I don't think you'll find any beach along the Albanian Riviera completely empty over the summer season—but you can find some that are more peaceful than others.
Borsh is popular with families and those who want to enjoy a small beach town. You can't find a heap of information about it online, but it's a popular spot for locals. When we landed in Tirana, we asked around for recommendations and Borsh came up a few times!
There are a few nice shops and restaurants, but Borsh has yet to see the crazy development that other beaches have seen along the coast. There is a lot to explore around Borsh too; I'd recommend this Riviera Tour that will take you on an epic trip to see Qeparo, Himare, Porto Palermo, Vuno & Dhermi.
Best Beach in Albania for Nightlife | Sarande
- Who It's For: Beach club lovers, party-goers, city dwellers.
- Don't Miss: Heading up to Lekursi Castle to enjoy a drink with views along the coast.
Sarande is one of the bigger cities along the Albanian Riviera, and unsurprisingly it comes with some pretty wild nightlife. If you want to spend your days tanning and exploring the dazzling beaches, but let loose at night, Sarande is the place to be.
My expectation of beaches near big cities is that they're never as nice, but honestly, the beaches in Sarande are decent, and there are some of the best hotels in Albania here too. The water is as crystal clear as anywhere along the coast. There's a mix of beaches to explore in Sarande—from hidden beaches to free city beaches and those offering the works: sunbeds, beach bars and DJs.
Sarande is also a great base if you plan to explore nearby spots—The Blue Eye, Gjirokaster, Vlora, Ksamil and Himare are all within about an hour's drive of Sarande. Plus, you can find some beautiful Airbnbs in Sarande for a bargain price.
Best Hidden Beach in Albania | Grama Bay
Fuel up if you're hiking over!
- Who It's For: Boat lovers, avid hikers, adventurers who like to explore off-the-beaten-path
- Don't Miss: Jumping on a boat tour that will take you to not only Grama Bay but also other gorgeous spots along the Albanian Riviera. It was one of my favorite Albanian tours for sure.
Ahh Grama Bay, a small pebbly beach tucked away in the south of the Karaburun Peninsula; one of the few stretches of beach yet to be overrun by mass tourism, and man, it is beautiful. Surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, it's a bloody gorgeous hidden beach in Albania.
The main way to reach the bay is by boat, or you can hike from Palase—but the hike is not for the faint-hearted. It's a four-hour trek on moderate-to-difficult terrain.
Hence why the beach is known to be relatively secret—it's not easy to get to and is quite literally hidden if you're trying to reach it by road. If you want to check out Grama Bay (without hiking an eight-hour round trip), check out this Grama Bay Speedboat Tour.
Final Thoughts on the Best Beaches in Albania
Albania has such a mix of beaches catering to completely different travelers. Keen to sit on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand? Or maybe you want to hike to secret beaches? Or perhaps you want somewhere safe for the kids to run around? There's a beach perfect for any and all Albanian itineraries.
Hopefully, this list of beaches in Albania helped you figure out which beach will be best for your holiday. Some of these beaches are relatively close together and make for a fantastic road trip!
That's what Harv and I did—we booked a car in Tirana and beach-hopped our way down so we could experience them all. I'd 100% recommend this, but if you do drive in Albania, be careful; the driving can be loose… to say the least.
Overall, my favorite beaches were Gjipe Beach and Aquarium Bay—I loved packing a bag and hiking over to discover these gorgeous stretches of sand. I'd love to know your favorite beach; let me know in the comments if you think I missed any goodies 🙂
I <3 Albania, too!
