Himara (Greek: Χειμάρρα, Albanian: Himarë) has more beaches worth visiting than any other town on the Albanian Riviera. Within a 25-minute drive you can reach over a dozen, ranging from lively town promenades to canyon-backed coves you'll have nearly to yourself. Here's every beach ranked, with honest takes on what's actually good and what to skip.
The Rankings at a Glance
| Rank | Beach | Type | Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gjipe Beach | Canyon cove | 30 min hike or boat | Adventure, photography |
| 2 | Livadhi Beach | Wide pebble, 1.5 km | 10 min drive north | Families, all-day |
| 3 | Filikuri Beach | Secluded cove | Hike, boat, or kayak | Snorkeling, couples |
| 4 | Jale Beach | Pebble/mixed | 20 min drive | Young travelers, clean water |
| 5 | Amallos Beach | Secluded pebble | 10 min drive south | Locals, off the radar |
| 6 | Akuarium Beach | Tiny cove | 1.5 km hike | Instagram, early birds |
| 7 | Drymades Beach | White pebble | 15-20 min drive | Upscale beach day |
| 8 | Dhermi (Greek: Δρυμάδες, Albanian: Dhërmi) | White pebble | 15-20 min drive | Beach clubs |
| 9 | Spile Beach (Greek: Σπήλια, Albanian: Spile) | Soft pebble, 400m | Walk from town | Convenience, socializing |
| 10 | Porto Palermo Beach | Mixed sand/pebble | 15 min drive | History buffs, solitude |
| 11 | Llamani Beach | Pebble bay | 5 min drive | Seclusion, swimming |
| 12 | Borsh Beach | Sand/gravel, 7 km | 25 min drive | Space, quiet families |
| 13 | Potami Beach | Pebble | 8 min drive | Quiet alternative to town |
1. Gjipe Beach
Why it's #1: No other beach on the Albanian Riviera combines setting, water quality, and atmosphere like Gjipe Beach. The beach sits at the mouth of a canyon, with towering cliff walls on both sides and clear blue water lapping a pebble-sand shore. It feels like a place that shouldn't exist this close to civilization.
Getting there: Park at the trailhead 15 km north of Himara (400 lek parking fee) and hike 30 minutes down through the canyon. You can also take a boat taxi from Himara or a jeep from the parking area. Navigate
Facilities: Small huts selling drinks, umbrella and lounger rentals. Camping is allowed.
Tips: Go in the morning. By midday the hike down gets hot and the beach fills up. At low tide, explore the small caves at the edges of the canyon. The canyon walk inland is worth 15 minutes of your time.
Water: Clear blue with small waves. Excellent for swimming.
2. Livadhi Beach
Why it's #2: Livadhi Beach (Greek: Λιβάδι, Albanian: Plazhi i Livadhit) is the everyday beach, the one you'll keep coming back to. At 1.5 km long, it never feels crowded even in peak August. The shallow water deepens slowly (great for kids), pine trees frame the edges, and a handful of restaurants sit right on the sand. Looking up, you can see the ancient Himara Castle perched on the hill above.
Getting there: 10 minutes by car north of Himara center, with free parking on the beach. Navigate
Facilities: Sun loungers, parasols, restaurants, cafes.
Tips: Stay for sunset. The light on the water here is some of the best on the Riviera. The western end of the beach is quieter.
Water: Crystal-clear, shallow. Safe for children.
3. Filikuri Beach
Why it's #3: Filikuri Beach is the hidden gem that actually deserves the label. Invisible from most viewpoints, this secluded cove between Himara and Llamani has pristine turquoise water and some of the best snorkeling on the Albanian coast, with colorful fish and rocky formations just below the surface. On most days you'll share it with a handful of people.
Getting there: Three options: a 20-30 minute hike from Himara, a boat ride, or kayak from Spile Beach (roughly 30 minutes paddling). The kayak approach is the most memorable. Navigate
Facilities: None. Bring everything you need.
Tips: Bring snorkel gear. The underwater visibility is exceptional. Pack water, food, and sunscreen since there's no shade or services.
Water: Pristine turquoise. Best snorkeling near Himara.
4. Jale Beach
Why it's #4: Jale Beach (Greek: Γυάλι, Albanian: Plazhi i Jalës) has the cleanest water on the Albanian Riviera, period. The pebble and mixed beach sits 13 km north of Himara with a growing scene of beach clubs (Folie Marine is the standout) that give it a younger, more social energy. It strikes a good balance between natural beauty and beach infrastructure.
Getting there: 20-minute drive north from Himara. Easy car access with parking. Navigate
Facilities: Beach clubs, parking, hotels, sunbed rentals.
Tips: If the beach club scene is too much, walk to the quieter northern end. Jale is also the staging point for diving with regional operators (PADI/SSI certified, from 110€).
Water: Turquoise, exceptionally clean. Good for snorkeling.
5. Amallos Beach
Why it's #5: Amallos is the beach the tourists haven't found yet. Tucked along the coast south of Himara, it's where locals go when they want to escape the promenade crowds. The pebble beach sits in a quiet cove with deep blue water and a wild, untouched feel that most Riviera beaches lost years ago. No beach clubs, no Instagram crowds, just the sea and the cliffs.
Getting there: A 10-minute drive south from Himara center. The turnoff is easy to miss — look for a narrow road heading toward the coast between Himara and Llamani. Navigate
Facilities: Minimal to none. Bring everything you need.
Tips: This is a local spot, so keep it that way. Pack your trash out. The lack of services is the whole point. Best visited midweek when even the few regulars thin out. Combine with a stop at nearby Llamani Beach if you want more options in one trip.
Water: Deep blue, clean, and calm. Good for swimming and floating.
6. Akuarium Beach
Why it's #6: This tiny cove went viral for a reason. The water is so clear it looks like an actual aquarium, with blue-turquoise tones that don't look real in photos but somehow are. It's a pebble-sand pocket beach wedged between rocks, barely big enough for a few dozen people.
Getting there: Two routes: a 1.5 km hike from Livadhi Beach following red trail markings, or from Jale Beach with a 4x4 vehicle. Navigate
Facilities: None whatsoever. Camping is allowed.
Tips: Arrive before 10 AM or don't bother. It's famous on social media and gets overcrowded fast. Both routes are manageable for children.
Water: Crystal-clear blue-turquoise. The namesake aquarium effect.
7. Drymades Beach
Why it's #7: Drymades is the upscale option. White pebbles, blue Ionian water, and the Ceraunian Mountains rising behind you. Beach clubs, waterfront hotels, and restaurants line the shore, making it more polished than anything near Himara proper. Prices reflect this.
Getting there: 15-20 minutes north of Himara, near Dhermi village. Navigate
Facilities: Beach clubs, waterfront hotels, restaurants. Full service.
Tips: Good for a day trip if you want a change of pace from Himara's more casual scene. Expect higher prices for sunbeds and food.
Water: Stunning blue, framed by mountains.
8. Dhermi Beach
Why it's #8: Dhermi Beach is similar to Drymades (they're neighbors) with white pebbles and striking blue water backed by mountains. It's one of the most photographed spots on the Albanian Riviera. The beach club scene is more developed here, and it draws a slightly more upscale crowd.
Getting there: 15-20 minutes north, well-developed road access. Navigate
Facilities: Beach clubs, waterfront hotels, restaurants.
Tips: If you're choosing between Dhermi and Drymades, Drymades edges it for beach quality while Dhermi has better dining options. Both are pricier than Himara.
Water: Blue Ionian waters. Excellent clarity.
9. Spile Beach
Why it's #9: It's not the prettiest beach on this list, but it's the most convenient. Spile is Himara's main town beach, 400 meters of soft pebbles right on the promenade with restaurants, cafes, and bars steps away. You'll end up here on the days you don't feel like driving anywhere, and that's fine. The water is clean and the social atmosphere makes up for what it lacks in remoteness.
Getting there: Walk from anywhere in town. Navigate
Facilities: Sunbed and umbrella rentals (~1,000 lek/day), kayak rentals, full promenade services.
Tips: The eastern end near the pier is less crowded. Sfageio Beach, separated from Spile by the pier, has shallower water suited to small children.
Water: Crystal-clear, comfortable for swimming and light snorkeling.
10. Porto Palermo Beach
Why it's #10: This beach ranks here not for the sand (it's average mixed pebble) but for the setting. Ali Pasha's triangular fortress looms from its peninsula, a Cold War submarine tunnel hides in the nearby cliffs, and the water is noticeably bluer than neighboring beaches. You'll likely have it to yourself. It's the most atmospheric beach near Himara.
Getting there: 15-minute drive south. Easily accessible by car. Navigate
Facilities: Near Porto Palermo Castle (300 lek entry). Minimal beach facilities.
Tips: Combine the beach with a castle visit. Water shoes recommended on the mixed surface.
Water: Remarkably blue. Calm and clear.
11. Llamani Beach
Why it's #11: A secluded bay surrounded by rocks, 4-5 km south of Himara. The turquoise water is deep and dramatic, the cliffs provide a sense of privacy, and on most days it's genuinely quiet. The downside: the seabed has large stones, so water shoes are essential. It's a swimming beach, not a lounging beach.
Getting there: Short drive south, then a gravel path from the road. Navigate
Facilities: Sunbed rentals (10-20€).
Tips: Bring water shoes. The rocks underfoot make entry uncomfortable without them. Best for confident swimmers who want seclusion.
Water: Deep turquoise in a rocky bay. Water shoes essential.
12. Borsh Beach
Why it's #12: At 7 km, Borsh is the longest beach on the entire Albanian Riviera. If your priority is space and solitude, Borsh delivers. The sand-gravel mix is comfortable, the water is shallow and blue, and you can walk for 20 minutes without passing another person. But it's 25 minutes south of Himara, and the beach itself, while pleasant, doesn't have the character or water quality of the top-ranked options.
Getting there: 25-minute drive south via SH8. Navigate
Facilities: Beach clubs, hotels, restaurants, sunbeds with parasols.
Tips: Best for families who want space to spread out. The sheer length means you can always find a quiet stretch.
Water: Shallow blue. Family-friendly.
13. Potami Beach
Why it's #13: Potami is a solid backup option when the town beaches feel too busy. It's an 8-minute drive south with calmer water and a more relaxed vibe. Beach clubs and seaside restaurants line the shore, and sunbed rentals run 10-20€. It's a fine beach, just not worth prioritizing over the options above it.
Getting there: 8-minute drive south on paved road. Navigate
Facilities: Beach clubs, restaurants, sunbed rentals (10-20€).
Tips: Good for families with young kids — the water is shallow and calm.
Water: Turquoise, family-friendly.
Beaches You Can Only Reach by Boat
Several of the best swimming spots near Himara aren't on this list because they're not traditional beaches. Boat tours from Himara (approximately 30€ for a group tour, 200+ EUR private) visit:
- Pirate's Cave — A dramatic sea cave you motor right into
- Blue Cave — Turquoise water glowing inside a coastal cavern
- Grama Bay — The most unspoiled spot on the Riviera, white pebbles and crystal-clear water surrounded by mountains
- Crystal Bay and Aquarium Bay — Snorkeling stops along the coast
These are covered on the boat tours that depart daily from the main beach. A half-day tour is the single best way to see the coastline.
Practical Beach Tips
- Water shoes: Pack them. Most beaches are pebble or mixed. Your feet will thank you.
- Arrive early for small beaches: Akuarium, Filikuri, and Gjipe get crowded by midday in summer.
- Rent a car: The best beaches (Gjipe, Jale, Dhermi, Porto Palermo) all require driving. Rental rates start around 30€/day.
- Cash for parking: Gjipe charges 400 lek. Other beaches have free parking.
- Sunscreen: The Ionian sun is intense, especially reflected off the water. Reapply after every swim.
- Bring supplies to remote beaches: Filikuri and Akuarium have zero facilities. Pack water, food, and shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Himara?
Gjipe Beach tops most rankings for its dramatic canyon setting, clear water, and sense of adventure. For an everyday beach with full facilities, Livadhi Beach is the best all-rounder. For snorkeling, Filikuri is unbeatable.
Are Himara beaches sandy or pebbly?
Most beaches near Himara are pebble or mixed pebble-sand. Gjipe has the most sand. Borsh has a comfortable sand-gravel mix. Dhermi and Drymades have white pebbles. Water shoes make a big difference at the rockier beaches like Llamani.
Are Himara beaches free?
Yes. Albanian beaches are public by law. You can lay your towel on any beach for free. Sunbed and umbrella rentals are optional, typically 500-2,000 lek (5€-20) depending on the beach. The only parking fee is at Gjipe (400 lek).
Which Himara beach is best for families?
Livadhi Beach is the best for families. The water is shallow and deepens gradually, there's plenty of space even in high season, parking is free, and restaurants are right on the sand. Sfageio Beach in town also works well for young children thanks to its very shallow water.
Can I visit all these beaches in one trip?
In 3 days you can comfortably visit 5-6 beaches plus a boat tour. In a week you can hit every beach on this list. A car is essential for covering the northern beaches (Jale, Gjipe, Dhermi) and southern ones (Porto Palermo, Borsh) efficiently.
