Day boat tour along the Albanian Riviera coastline near Himara

Things to Do

Boat tours to hidden caves, diving in Ionian waters, hiking through alpine forests, and day trips to UNESCO sites.

Boat Tours

Explore hidden caves, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear coves along the Ionian coastline.

Boat approaching Pirate's Cave along the Albanian Riviera coastline
boat-tour

Pirate's Cave Boat Tour

Half-day group boat tour from Himara dock visiting the iconic Pirate's Cave and Blue Cave, with swimming stops along the Ionian coastline.

2.5-4 hrs~30€/person
Pirate's CaveBlue CaveSwimming stops
Tour boat anchored in the crystal-clear waters of Grama Bay
boat-tour

Grama Bay Full Day Tour

Full-day boat excursion to the pristine Grama Bay, Aquarium Beach, and Crystal Bay with extended swimming and snorkeling time at each stop.

5-6 hrs~60€/person
Grama BayAquarium BeachCrystal Bay
Sunset over the Ionian Sea from a boat off the Himara coast
boat-tour

Sunset Cruise

Evening cruise along the Himara coastline timed for golden hour and sunset, offering stunning views of the Ceraunian Mountains meeting the Ionian Sea.

2.5-3 hrs
Sunset viewsCoastline

Diving & Snorkeling

Dive into the warm Ionian waters with certified operators and pristine snorkeling spots.

Crystal-clear turquoise water at Filikuri Beach ideal for snorkeling
diving

Snorkeling at Filikuri Beach

Self-guided snorkeling at Filikuri Beach, one of the best spots on the Albanian Riviera for underwater exploration with colorful fish and rocky formations.

Free (bring own gear)
Colorful fishRocky formationsPristine turquoise water

Hiking

From alpine trails in Llogara to dramatic coastal canyons leading to secret beaches.

Hiking trail through pine forests in Llogara National Park
hiking

Llogara National Park Hiking

Multiple hiking trails through Llogara National Park, from easy walks at Caesar's Pass to the challenging full-day ascent of Mount Cika at 2,044 meters.

FreeApril-June & September-OctoberEasy to challenging
Mount Cika 2044mCaesar's PassFlag pines
Narrow canyon trail leading to Gjipe Beach on the Albanian Riviera
hiking

Gjipe Canyon Trail

Scenic coastal trail from Vuno village through Gjipe Canyon to the secluded Gjipe Beach, with panoramic views of the Ionian coastline along the way.

1-2 hrsFree
Canyon walkBeachPanoramic views

Paragliding

Soar over the Albanian Riviera from the heights of Llogara Pass.

Paraglider soaring above the Albanian Riviera coastline from Llogara Pass
paragliding

Tandem Paragliding

Tandem paragliding flights launching from Llogara Pass at approximately 1,000 meters altitude, soaring over the Ionian coast with GoPro footage included.

99-145€July-October
1000m altitude15-30 min flightIonian coast views

Water Sports

Kayak, paddleboard, and explore the coastline at your own pace.

Sea kayaking along the dramatic coastline between Himara and Gjipe Beach
water-sports

Sea Kayaking & SUP

Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals along the Himara coastline, with popular routes from Himara to Gjipe Beach and Porto Palermo Bay.

~30€/person
Himara to GjipePorto PalermoCoastal scenery

Cultural & Heritage

Walk through centuries of history at castles, churches, and ancient fortifications.

Stone walls and Byzantine church ruins at Himara Castle overlooking the coast
cultural

Himara Castle & Old Town

Walk through the historic old town perched on Barbaka hill to explore the castle fortifications dating to the 5th century BC, Byzantine churches with faded frescoes, and panoramic views stretching to Corfu.

300 ALL (~3€)
Byzantine churches5th century BC fortificationsPanoramic views
Porto Palermo Castle on its peninsula overlooking the turquoise bay
cultural

Porto Palermo Castle

Visit the triangular fortress built by Ali Pasha of Tepelena in the early 19th century on a small peninsula, with preserved vaults and a nearby Cold War submarine tunnel.

300 ALL (~3€)
Ali Pasha fortressSubmarine tunnelBay views
Panoramic view of Himara from the mountains near Athali Monastery
cultural

Athali Monastery Hike

A moderate uphill hike from Himara's Spile neighborhood to the 18th-century Athali Monastery on Athali Mountain, offering some of the best panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and Corfu.

3-4 hrs round tripFree
18th-century frescoesPanoramic sea viewsAthali Mountain

Day Trips

UNESCO sites, natural springs, and stone cities within easy reach of Himara.

Ancient ruins at Butrint UNESCO World Heritage Site near Saranda
day-trip

Butrint UNESCO Site Day Trip

Day trip to Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site south of Saranda, featuring Roman baths, an amphitheatre, and ruins spanning from the 8th century BC to the Venetian period.

~1.5 hrs drive1000 ALL (~10€) entrance
Roman bathsAmphitheatre8th century BC acropolis
The vivid blue waters of the Blue Eye natural spring in southern Albania
day-trip

Blue Eye Spring Day Trip

Visit the mesmerizing Blue Eye natural spring, a deep karst pool of vivid blue water at a constant 10 degrees Celsius, easily combined with a stop in Gjirokaster.

~1.5 hrs drive50 ALL (~0.50€) entrance
Natural spring10C waterCombine with Gjirokaster
Stone houses and cobblestone streets of Gjirokaster UNESCO city
day-trip

Gjirokaster UNESCO City

Explore the UNESCO-listed Stone City of Gjirokaster, home to one of the largest castles in the Balkans, a 500-year-old Ottoman bazaar, and remarkably preserved stone architecture.

~2-2.5 hrs drive
Stone CityOne of Balkans' largest castlesOld Bazaar

Upcoming Festivals & Events

Annual celebrations that bring the Albanian Riviera to life with music, food, and tradition.

Himara International Music Festival

Aug 20-26, 2026

Classical, folk, and jazz performances at Himara Castle and All Saints' Church, bringing international and local musicians to historic venues above the Ionian Sea.

himarafestival.com

South Outdoor Festival

Jun 22-26, 2026

Over 80 outdoor activities including hiking, diving, paragliding, and live music stages in Borsh, celebrating the Albanian Riviera's adventure potential.

southoutdoor.al

Mjalt'Fest (Honey Festival)

Early July 2026

Local bio honey producers from across southern Albania showcase and sell their products in Dhermi, with tastings and traditional food.

Orthodox Easter

Apr 12, 2026

Traditional church services throughout Himara's Byzantine churches, followed by family gatherings, festive feasts, and the exchange of red eggs.