48 Hours in Himara Without a Car

You don't need a car to have an excellent 48 hours in Himara (Greek: Χειμάρρα, Albanian: Himarë). The town's best beaches are walkable, the old town is right above you, boats run to the remote coves, and local buses connect you to the wider Albanian Riviera (Greek: Αλβανική Ριβιέρα, Albanian: Riviera Shqiptare). This himara 2 day itinerary without car covers everything: which beaches to hit on foot, where to eat, what to do when the sun drops, and exactly how to reach the spots that aren't walkable — with real prices, distances, and timing. Two days is tight but enough to see the best of what this stretch of coast offers without renting anything with wheels.

Quick Summary

Getting to Himara Without a Car

If you're arriving from Tirana, intercity buses run daily at 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. The ride takes 3.5 hours and costs 1,500 ALL (15 EUR). From Saranda, buses depart at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 11:00 AM — about 90 minutes, 800-1,000 ALL (8-10 EUR). From Vlore, expect 1.5-2.5 hours and 800-1,000 ALL (8-10 EUR). All buses drop you in the center of town, steps from the promenade. For full schedules and booking info, see our getting here guide.

What's Walkable vs. What's Not

This is the most important thing to understand. Himara's layout is compact, and several beaches and attractions are genuinely walkable from the town center. Others require transport.

Walkable from Town Center

Requires Taxi, Bus, or Boat

Day 1: Town Beaches, Old Town, and Sunset

Morning — Spile Beach

Start at Spile Beach (Greek: Σπήλια, Albanian: Plazhi i Spiles). It's a five-minute walk from anywhere in town, the water is crystal clear in the morning before boats stir things up, and you can swim for free without renting anything. The beach is soft pebbles, roughly 500 meters long, with public showers available. Get in the water before 9 AM for the flattest, clearest conditions.

After your swim, dry off on the promenade and grab breakfast at one of the cafes that line the waterfront. An espresso and a pastry runs about 200-400 ALL (2-4 EUR). For more breakfast options, see our restaurant guide.

Late Morning — Old Town Walk

Head uphill to Himara's Old Town and castle. The walk takes about 15 minutes from the promenade — it's steep but paved the whole way. The castle ruins sit at the top of the hill with panoramic views over the coast in both directions. You can see Spile Beach below, Livadhi Beach to the north, and on a clear day, the faint outline of Corfu. The old town itself has narrow stone lanes, a few Byzantine churches, and a quiet atmosphere that feels completely removed from the beach scene below. Budget about 90 minutes to explore. Entry is free. For a detailed walkthrough, see our old town walking guide.

Afternoon — Sfageio Beach or Taxi to Llamani

You have two options. If you want to stay close, walk eight minutes north to Sfageio Beach for a quieter, shallower swim. No sunbeds, no fees — just bring your towel.

If you want something more dramatic, take a taxi to Llamani Beach (Greek: Λαμάνι, Albanian: Llamani). It's 3.5 km south, about 500-700 ALL (5-7 EUR) by taxi. The water here is deeper, the bay is surrounded by cliffs, and it feels far more secluded than anything in town. Sunbed sets cost 1,000-2,000 ALL (10-20 EUR). Water shoes are recommended — the pebbles are large. To get back, either call a taxi or arrange a pickup time with your driver.

Evening — Promenade Dinner and Drinks

Walk the promenade for dinner. The waterfront restaurants serve fresh fish, grilled meats, and Greek-Albanian dishes. A full dinner with wine runs 1,500-3,000 ALL (15-30 EUR) per person depending on where you eat and what you order. For specific recommendations, check our best restaurants in Himara guide.

After dinner, the promenade stays lively until late. Bars and cafes keep serving, and the evening walk along the waterfront is one of the best free activities in town.

Day 2: A Remote Beach and the Wider Coast

Morning — Boat Trip to Filikuri or Gjipe

This is the day to see something you can't walk to. You have two strong options, neither requiring a car.

Option A: Boat to Filikuri Beach. Boat tours depart from Spile Beach and typically run along the coast stopping at Filikuri and other coves. Half-day tours cost 2,000-4,000 ALL (20-40 EUR) per person and usually include stops at two or three beaches with time to swim and snorkel. This is the easiest way to reach Filikuri without hiking. For operators and schedules, see our boat tours guide.

Option B: Hike to Filikuri. If you'd rather earn it, the trail from south of town takes 20-30 minutes. It's free, the path is clear, and arriving at a pristine cove on foot feels different than stepping off a boat. Bring water and snacks — there are no facilities at Filikuri. The trail starts near the road to Potami. For full trail details, see our Filikuri trail guide.

Option C: Bus to Gjipe Canyon. Take a local bus heading north toward Dhermi and ask to be dropped at the Gjipe trailhead. The bus costs 300-500 ALL (3-5 EUR). From the trailhead, it's a 30-minute hike down a canyon to the beach. Gjipe sits at the mouth of the canyon with clear water, small caves to explore, and drinks available from seasonal huts. The whole excursion takes a half day. For bus info, see our getting around Himara guide.

Afternoon — Livadhi Beach by Taxi

After your morning adventure, head to Livadhi Beach (Greek: Παραλία Λιβάδι, Albanian: Plazhi i Livadhit) for the afternoon. A taxi from Himara center costs 500-700 ALL (5-7 EUR). Livadhi is 1.5 km long with shallow, turquoise water — the most beautiful beach in the immediate area. Sunbed sets run 1,000-2,000 ALL (10-20 EUR). The far ends have pine trees for natural shade if you don't want to pay for an umbrella.

There are restaurants directly on Livadhi Beach if you want a late lunch with your feet practically in the sand. A meal here runs 1,000-2,500 ALL (10-25 EUR).

Evening — Final Sunset Walk

Take a taxi back to town and spend your last evening on the promenade. The sunset from the waterfront or from Old Town hill is worth seeing. Grab a final dinner, walk the seafront, and you've covered the best of Himara without ever needing a car key.

Transport Options and Costs

Here's every way to get around Himara without your own vehicle.

Taxi tips: There's no Uber or Bolt in Himara. Ask your hotel to call a taxi, or find drivers waiting near the promenade. Always agree on the fare before getting in. Most drivers know the standard rates and won't overcharge, but confirming avoids surprises. For longer trips like Porto Palermo, negotiate a round-trip price with waiting time — expect 2,500-3,000 ALL (25-30 EUR) for the return trip including a 30-minute wait.

For more on rental options if you decide you want wheels after all, see our car and scooter rental guide.

Budget Breakdown for 2 Days Without a Car

You can cut costs significantly by skipping sunbed rentals (bring your own towel), hiking to Filikuri instead of taking a boat, and eating at budget spots. A bare-bones 48 hours is doable for 8,000-12,000 ALL (80-120 EUR) total including accommodation. For more budget tips, see our practical info page.

What You'll Miss Without a Car

Being honest: two days without a car means you won't reach everything. Borsh Beach (25 min drive south), Dhermi and Drymades beaches (25 min drive north), and Porto Palermo Castle (8 km south) are all harder to reach by public transport. You can bus to Dhermi, but the schedule is limited and you'll spend time waiting. Porto Palermo needs a dedicated taxi trip.

If these are priorities, consider renting a scooter for Day 2 — about 2,000 ALL (20 EUR) for the day from local rental shops. That's still not a car, but it opens up the coast dramatically. See our rental guide for details.

For a longer trip with a car, see our 3-day Himara itinerary. And for a broader look at all the beaches, check our best beaches in Himara guide or the full beaches page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Himara without a car?

Yes. Himara's main beaches, old town, restaurants, and nightlife are all walkable. Taxis to nearby beaches like Livadhi and Llamani cost 500-700 ALL (5-7 EUR). Boat tours reach remote coves. Local buses connect to Dhermi and Saranda. A car helps for the wider Riviera, but two days in Himara work fine without one.

How do you get from Himara to Livadhi Beach without a car?

A taxi from Himara center to Livadhi Beach takes five minutes and costs 500-700 ALL (5-7 EUR) one way. Some visitors walk, but it's 4.5 km along the main road with no sidewalk for much of it — not recommended in summer heat. Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi.

Is Himara walkable?

The town center is very walkable. Spile Beach, Sfageio Beach, the promenade, restaurants, shops, and the old town are all within a 15-minute walk. The promenade is flat and paved. The old town climb is steep but short. You only need transport for beaches beyond the town limits.

How much does a taxi cost in Himara?

Short trips within the Himara area run 500-1,500 ALL (5-15 EUR) one way. Spile to Livadhi: 500-700 ALL. Spile to Llamani: 500-700 ALL. To Porto Palermo: 1,000-1,500 ALL. There are no meters — agree on the price before departure. Round trips with waiting time are negotiable.

Are there local buses in Himara?

Yes, but service is limited. Intercity buses pass through Himara on the Saranda-Vlore route and stop in town. These can drop you at the Gjipe trailhead or Dhermi. Frequency is low — typically two to four buses per day in each direction during summer. Check schedules at your hotel or the bus stop the day before you plan to travel.