7 Day Albanian Riviera Itinerary: Beaches, Towns & Tips
The Albanian Riviera has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, with crystal-clear turquoise water, dramatic coastal scenery and charming seaside towns. This 7 day Albanian Riviera itinerary covers the best places to visit in the Albanian Riviera, with plenty of time to enjoy the beaches without rushing from place to place, as well as see some of the most famous sights.
After exploring the region ourselves, I’d recommend a few things to make your trip easier, especially renting a car and choosing your bases carefully. Here’s how I’d plan a week exploring the Albanian Riviera.
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Albanian Riviera Itinerary at a Glance
For this 7 day Albanian Riviera itinerary, I’d recommend staying in three areas rather than changing hotels every night. Start in Ksamil to explore the southern coast, move north to Himarë, and finish in Dhërmi for more beautiful beaches and coastal scenery.
- Days 1–3: Ksamil (2–3 nights) — Relax on the beautiful beaches, explore the Ksamil Islands and visit Butrint National Park.
- Days 4–5: Himarë (2–3 nights) — Discover the beaches around Himarë, explore the old town and stop at scenic spots along the coast.
- Days 6–7: Dhërmi (2 nights) — Enjoy the gorgeous coastline, spend time at Dhërmi Beach and take in the views along the Riviera.
Getting Around the Albanian Riviera
If you’re flying in, I’d recommend flying to Corfu and taking the ferry to Sarandë. Corfu is a convenient gateway to the southern Albanian Riviera, whereas Tirana Airport is around 5 hours by car from Ksamil. Ferryhopper is my favorite place to check for ferry schedules and tickets.
I highly recommend renting a car for this trip. We actually had a rental car in Greece and planned to take it into Albania, but we confirmed the cross-border arrangements too late. The contact we initially spoke to said it was possible, but after referring us to a colleague, we were told the car couldn’t cross the border.
Instead, we took a bus from Igoumenitsa in northern Greece to Sarandë and relied on buses and taxis throughout our time in Albania. While it was doable, it really impacted the quality of our trip. The Riviera has become incredibly popular, but the transport infrastructure hasn’t quite caught up with the level of tourism. Buses connect the main towns, but they can get very busy, and you’re limited by their schedules.
Having a car would have given us so much more flexibility to explore the beaches, stop at viewpoints and discover places along the way. I’d recommend checking Discover Cars in advance and booking before you arrive, especially if you need a larger vehicle for your family or prefer an automatic, as availability can be limited during the busy summer months.
If you’re planning to bring a rental car across the border, confirm permission directly with your rental company well in advance. Otherwise, I’d arrange a rental in Sarandë if possible.
Days 1–3: Ksamil
Ksamil is the perfect place to start your Albanian Riviera itinerary, with turquoise water, beautiful beaches and easy access to Butrint National Park.
Day 1: Arrive and Explore Ksamil
After taking the ferry from Corfu to Sarandë, head to Ksamil and settle into your accommodation. Spend the afternoon enjoying the beach and exploring the area.
I’d check out Ksamil Beach 7 if you don’t want to pay for sunbeds. We found that many beaches in Ksamil are taken over by private beach clubs, so you can’t simply lay your towel down wherever you like, unlike in Greece. Sunbeds and an umbrella typically cost around €10–€30 for two people, depending on the beach and time of year, so it’s worth knowing where you can enjoy the beach for free.
If you have time in the evening I would drive to Lekuresi castle in Sarande to catch the sunset. The view is beautiful and definitely worth seeing if you can.
Note that it can get quite busy in the summer and leaving can be a nightmare. Our cab driver told us that it can take over an hr with the traffic to drive the 2-3 kms back to Sarande. If you can either leave before the rush at 8 (we left around 7:40) or plan to have a drink and stay later.
Day 2: Enjoy Ksamil’s Beaches
Spend the day exploring Ksamil’s beaches and swimming in the crystal-clear water. You can rent sunbeds, visit the small islands just offshore or simply relax by the sea.
Ksamil gets incredibly busy during the summer, so I’d recommend arriving early if you want a good spot on the beach. You could also use this day to explore a few different beaches before choosing your favourite place to settle in for the afternoon.
Day 3: Visit Butrint National Park
We’ve visited ancient ruins throughout Greece and Turkey, but Butrint was definitely one of the most unique sites we explored. The setting is what makes it so special, with ancient ruins spread across a large area surrounded by Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel.
There’s much more to see than you might expect, including an ancient theatre, a basilica, Roman baths and old city walls. Because the site is so spread out, give yourself plenty of time to explore rather than treating it as a quick stop.
We also found it surprisingly uncrowded compared with some of the other archaeological sites we’d visited, and our kids really enjoyed wandering around and discovering the ruins. It was a great change of pace from the beaches and one of the highlights of our time in the area.
After your visit, grab your things and head up to Himare, which is your next base.
Days 4–5: Himarë
Himarë was our favourite stops along the Albanian Riviera. We used Sarande as our base, which I regretted as we didn’t find it very picturesque and the town beach wasn’t worth swimming in. After being in Sarande we were impressed by the beautiful old town which sits higher up above the beach town.
Day 4: Explore Himarë Old Town and Beach
Himarë Old Town sits about 2 km uphill from the beach town and you absolutely can’t miss it. However, it’s not the easiest place to explore with young children. There are lots of stairs and steep, slippery hills, so when we visited with our three young kids, my husband and I took turns exploring while the other stayed with them. It cost 3 euros to head up into the old town and visit the castle, which had incredible views.
Afterwards, head to Himarë Beach for a swim. I loved the colourful city umbrellas lining the beach, where you can lay down your own towel and get some shade from the heat, without paying for sunbeds.
Day 5: Take a Boat Trip to Gjipe Bay
Our boat trip was by far the highlight of our time in Albania. We booked a five-hour tour from Himarë that took us to several caves before stopping at the breathtaking Gjipe Bay, where we spent three hours swimming in the incredibly turquoise water. The boat ride itself was so relaxing, and they played great music throughout the trip, making the whole experience even better.
If you haven’t done a boat tour with kids, I highly recommend it. Mine were almost 2, 4 and 6 and were so
If you get seasick, or don’t like boat cruises, you can also get to Gjipe Beach by land, but you’ll need to hike from the parking area, which takes about 20–45 minutes. Be forwarned, the trail is rocky, uneven and sunny, with an uphill walk back that can be tiring in the summer heat. If you decide to hike down, bring plenty of water and proper walking shoes.
Personally, I’d recommend the boat tour if it fits your plans. Getting to see the caves, the stunning lush rocky coast and spend hours swimming without worrying about the hike made it such a memorable day. Seeing the Albanian riviera from the water was absolutely stunning.
Days 6–7: Dhërmi
Dhërmi is a good final stop on your Albanian Riviera itinerary, with more beaches to explore and a traditional village up in the hills. Since you’ve already had a boat trip and visited Gjipe Bay from Himarë, I’d use these two days to explore a different stretch of the coast.
Day 6: Dhërmi Beach and the Old Village
Spend the day exploring Dhërmi Beach, one of the area’s best-known beaches. You’ll find beach clubs along the shoreline, as well as places to eat and drink nearby.
Later, head up to Dhërmi Old Village, where you can wander the narrow stone streets and see the traditional houses and historic churches. The village is set above the coast, so it’s a nice change from spending the day at the beach.
Day 7: Drymades Beach
For your last day, head to Drymades Beach, just north of Dhërmi. It’s another popular spot for swimming, with clear water, a pebbly shoreline and beach clubs where you can spend a few hours by the sea.
You could make this a relaxed final beach day before continuing your journey. If you have a car, you’ll also have the flexibility to stop at viewpoints along the coastal road and enjoy the scenery before leaving the Albanian Riviera.
Important Things to Know Before Visiting the Albanian Riviera
Bring Cash (Euros and Albanian Lek)
Many places along the Albanian Riviera accept euros, so I’d bring some euros with you and exchange money into Albanian lek as needed. Lek is the local currency, and you’ll want some on hand for smaller purchases and places that don’t accept cards. Just keep in mind that not every business accepts euros, and paying in lek may give you a better exchange rate.
Expect Crowds in July and August
The Albanian Riviera gets incredibly busy during peak summer, especially around popular beach towns like Ksamil. Arrive early if you want a good spot at the beach, and expect more traffic on the roads.
Allow Extra Time for Driving
One thing to keep in mind is that Google Maps travel times can be misleading during the busy summer months. Distances that look short on the map can take much longer than expected because of traffic and congestion along the coastal roads.
Give yourself extra time when travelling between towns, and be especially cautious if you need to catch a ferry or flight. I wouldn’t plan those journeys too tightly.
Optional Day Trips from the Albanian Riviera
If you like a faster-paced trip and want to see as much of Albania as possible, there are a few inland stops worth adding to your itinerary. You could use one of your days in Ksamil to visit the Blue Eye and Gjirokastër, or explore some of the villages and mountain scenery around Himarë and Dhërmi.
From Ksamil: The Blue Eye and Gjirokastër
The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
The Blue Eye (South) is a natural spring known for its striking blue water surrounded by lush greenery. There’s a walking path leading to viewing areas where you can admire the spring, but swimming is not allowed. Also, don’t confuse this one with another Blue Eye in northern Albania near Theth — they’re two different natural attractions in very different parts of the country.
It can get crazy busy in the summer, so if you visit then try to visit when it opens. We were planning on visiting the blue eye but saw some videos where it was so packed that we were worried we wouldn’t even be able to push the stroller with so many people and ended up skipping it unfortunately.
The Blue Eye near Sarandë is around 45–60 minutes by car from Ksamil, making it a doable stop on a day trip.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed historic city known for its stone-roofed houses, cobblestone streets and hilltop castle. You can explore the old bazaar, visit Gjirokastër Castle and wander through the traditional streets.
It’s around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Ksamil. If you plan to visit Gjirokastër definitely combine it with a stop at the Blue Eye first, which makes sense logistically as it’s on the way from the Sarandë area towards Gjirokastër.
We didn’t get to make it to Gjirokastër, as it would have been too much to pack into our week long trip with the kids. It’s only located about 3 hours from my dad’s village in Northern Greece, so it’s definitely an easy trip for another year!
From Himarë: Porto Palermo Castle and Qeparo Old Village
Porto Palermo Castle
Porto Palermo Castle sits on a small peninsula surrounded by clear water, around 25 minutes south of Himarë. It’s an easy stop for a look around a historic fortress and some beautiful coastal scenery.
My recommendation is to visit Porto Palermo Castle on your drive from Ksamil to Himarë. This makes it a convenient stop along the way rather than needing to dedicate a separate day to it.
Qeparo Old Village
Around 20–30 minutes south of Himarë, Qeparo Old Village is a traditional stone village set above the coast. It’s a lovely option if you enjoy wandering quiet lanes and seeing a more traditional side of Albania away from the busy beach towns.
You could combine Qeparo with Porto Palermo for a half-day outing, leaving the rest of the day free for swimming or dinner back in Himarë.
From Dhërmi: Llogara Pass and National Park
If you’re staying in Dhërmi and want a break from the beach, head north towards Llogara Pass, roughly 30–45 minutes by car. The mountain road offers sweeping views over the Ionian Sea and the coastline below.
You can stop at viewpoints, enjoy the cooler mountain air and have a meal in the area before returning to the coast. It’s a good option if you want to experience a different landscape without spending the whole day driving.
My tip: If you want to see more of Albania’s history and inland scenery, the Blue Eye and Gjirokastër make a great day trip from Ksamil. If you prefer shorter outings from Himarë or Dhërmi, Porto Palermo, Qeparo and Llogara are all worth considering.
Is the Albanian Riviera Worth Visiting?
The Albanian Riviera is well worth a visit, with stunning beaches, charming towns and some incredible boat trips. If you’re planning a trip, I’d recommend allowing at least a week and renting a car so you can explore at your own pace. Just be prepared for summer crowds and slower travel times than you might expect!
