Himarë is the most relaxed base on the Albanian Riviera: a small town strung along a bay, a choice of pebble beaches within walking distance, and an old hilltop village with views down the Ionian coast.
It's a great hub for beach-hopping. Livadhi and Potami are close by, while Gjipe, a beach at the mouth of a canyon, and the little fortress at Porto Palermo are short drives away.
Don't miss in Himarë
- Sunset from Himarë Castle and the old village
- Hike or take a boat to Gjipe beach and its canyon
- Ali Pasha's fortress at Porto Palermo
- Fresh fish at the harbour tavernas
How to get to Himarë
- From Tirana: buses heading down the coast to Sarandë stop in Himarë; allow 4–5 hours.
- By car from Vlorë: over the Llogara Pass, around 1.5–2 hours with stops. The views from the pass are among the best in the country.
- From Sarandë: about 1.5 hours north by bus or car.
Watch out for
- Beaches are pebbly. Water shoes make life much easier.
- Coastal buses are frequent in summer but thin out sharply from October to May.
- The Llogara road is steep with hairpins; take it slowly and use low gears on the way down.
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