A Borsh day trip from Himara is the shortest, easiest, and most underrated day trip on the Albanian Riviera. Borsh sits just 18 km south of Himara — about 25 minutes by car — and packs three genuinely different experiences into one village: Albania's longest beach at 7 km, a waterfall flowing through the village center with a restaurant built over it, and a hilltop castle with ruins dating back to the 4th century BC.
Most travelers drive through Borsh on the SH8 without stopping. That is a mistake. This guide covers exactly how to spend a full day here, what it costs, and how to sequence everything so you get the castle, the waterfall lunch, and the beach afternoon without rushing.
TL;DR — Quick Logistics
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance from Himara | 18 km south on the SH8 |
| Drive time | ~25 minutes |
| Taxi cost | 2,000–2,500 ALL (~20–25€) one way |
| Bus cost | 200–300 ALL (~2–3€) one way |
| Main highlights | 7 km beach, village waterfall, hilltop castle |
| Entry fees | All free |
| Day-trip budget | 3,000–6,000 ALL (~30–60€) per person |
| Best combined with | Porto Palermo (on the route) |
Getting to Borsh from Himara
The route is simple: south on the SH8 coastal road, past Porto Palermo and the bay at Qeparo. The road is paved, well-maintained, and scenic — the stretch over Porto Palermo Bay is one of the best views on the entire Riviera.
By Car or Scooter (Best Option)
A rental car gives you full control over timing, which matters when you are fitting three stops into one day. The drive is 18 km and takes about 25 minutes. Scooter rentals in Himara run 1,500–2,000 ALL (15–20€) per day and work perfectly for this distance — the coastal curves are manageable and the views are worth riding slowly.
Parking is free everywhere in Borsh: at the beach, near the waterfall, and at the castle trailhead. Space is never a problem, even in August.
By Taxi
A one-way taxi from Himara to Borsh costs 2,000–2,500 ALL (20–25€). Negotiate the price before departure. If you want the driver to wait or return for you, arrange a round-trip rate — expect 4,000–5,000 ALL (40–50€) for the day. For more on taxi logistics, see our Himara taxi guide.
By Bus
Minibuses (furgons) running the Himara–Saranda route stop in Borsh village. The fare is 200–300 ALL (2–3€) and the ride takes about 30 minutes. Buses run a few times daily in summer, but schedules are irregular — confirm departure times locally before relying on this for a structured day trip. The bus drops you in the village, which is 2 km uphill from the beach. See practical info for current transport details.
Recommendation: Rent a car or scooter. Borsh has three separate sites spread across the village and coast, and public transport does not connect them. A vehicle turns this into a relaxed day; without one, you spend half the time walking between locations.
Borsh Beach — Albania's Longest
Seven kilometers of sand and fine gravel stretching along the Ionian coast. That is not a typo. Borsh Beach is the longest beach on the Albanian Riviera, and one of the longest on the entire Albanian Ionian coast. Where beaches like Dhermi and Livadhi get packed in August, Borsh absorbs the crowds and still has stretches where you are the only person for hundreds of meters.
What to Expect
The beach runs roughly north to south. The north end is the developed section — beach clubs, sunbed rows, restaurants, and bars. This is where most day-trippers set up. The middle section is transitional: fewer sunbeds, more space, still within walking distance of facilities. The south end is empty — no infrastructure, no people, just gravel and clear water.
Sunbed Prices
Sunbed and umbrella rental at the north end costs 700–1,000 ALL (7–10€) per day for a set of two loungers and one umbrella. Some beach clubs include sunbeds free if you order food and drinks.
Swimming
The water is shallow with a gradual slope — one of the safest swimming beaches on the Riviera for families with small children. You can walk 20–30 meters from shore and still be waist-deep. Water temperature runs 22–26°C from late June through September. Morning is the calmest time with the clearest water. Afternoon winds can create gentle waves but nothing dangerous.
How Long to Spend
Two to four hours is the sweet spot. Enough time to swim, eat, and enjoy the space without losing the whole day before hitting the waterfall and castle.
For the full beach breakdown — camping, best sections, facilities — see our complete Borsh Beach guide.
Borsh Waterfall — Lunch Over Running Water
Most waterfalls require a hike. Borsh Waterfall requires about ten steps from the main road. This natural monument sits in the center of Borsh village, where mountain springs cascade down through lush greenery — directly underneath Restaurant Ujvara, where your table is surrounded by flowing water on multiple sides.
What You Will See
The waterfall is not a single dramatic drop but a network of streams flowing from the hills through terraced rock and Mediterranean vegetation — fig trees, oleanders, olive groves. The streams converge near the village center. The flow is strongest in spring (April–May) and weakens by late August, but it never dries completely.
Restaurant Ujvara
This is the reason to come. The outdoor terrace sits on platforms between the different water streams. Fresh trout pulled from local mountain streams is the specialty.
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Fresh trout | 800–1,200 ALL (8–12€) |
| Grilled meat platter | 600–1,000 ALL (6–10€) |
| Salad | 300–500 ALL (3–5€) |
| Homemade raki | 100–200 ALL (1–2€) |
| Coffee | 100–150 ALL (1–1.50€) |
A full lunch for two with drinks runs about 2,000–3,500 ALL (20–35€). The setting alone is worth the stop, but the food is genuinely good — not tourist-trap quality.
Practical Details
Access is free. Parking is free directly in front. No tickets, no entrance procedures. The waterfall is part of the village — locals fill water containers from the springs while tourists eat trout three meters away. Allow 20–30 minutes if you are just looking, or 1–1.5 hours if eating at Ujvara.
For the full waterfall guide, see Borsh Waterfall.
Borsh Castle — 2,400 Years of Ruins
Borsh Castle sits on a rocky hill 500 meters above sea level, overlooking the beach, the village, and the Borsh River valley. The first settlement here dates to the 4th century BC — built by the Chaonians, one of the ancient Greek tribes of Epirus. The walls have been rebuilt by Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans, and Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
The Hike
The trail starts from the upper edge of Borsh village. A cobblestone path zigzags up the hillside for about 1.3 km, gaining roughly 250 meters of elevation. Allow 30–60 minutes to reach the top depending on pace and fitness. The path is steep, rocky, and completely exposed — there is no shade.
Do this in the morning. By midday in summer, the unshaded hillside is brutal. Early morning gives you cool air for the climb and soft light for photography.
A narrow asphalted road also leads partway up the hill by car, reducing the hike to 15–20 minutes if you drive the first section.
What to See at the Top
- Cyclopean masonry — Massive stone blocks up to 3 meters wide from the 4th century BC Chaonian period, still visible in the lower walls
- Entrance gate — One of the best-preserved elements, original arch intact
- Haxhi Bendo Mosque ruin — Ottoman-era mosque just inside the entrance, partially collapsed during the communist period
- 360-degree views — The full 7 km sweep of Borsh Beach below, the river valley inland, mountains in every direction. On clear days, the view extends south toward Saranda
Practical Details
Entry is free. No gates, no ticket booth, no opening hours. There are no facilities at the castle — no water, no toilets, no guardrails. Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person and wear proper shoes (not sandals). Allow 2–3 hours total: 30–60 minutes up, 30–45 minutes exploring, 20–30 minutes descending.
For the full castle history and visitor details, see our Borsh Castle guide.
Suggested Day-Trip Itinerary
This itinerary sequences the three sites to avoid midday heat on the castle hike and finishes with the beach.
| Time | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Depart Himara, drive south on SH8 | 25 min |
| 8:30 | Arrive Borsh village, drive/hike to castle | 30–60 min up |
| 9:30 | Explore Borsh Castle ruins and views | 30–45 min |
| 10:15 | Descend to village | 20–30 min |
| 11:00 | Borsh Waterfall + lunch at Restaurant Ujvara | 1–1.5 hours |
| 12:30 | Drive to Borsh Beach (north end) | 5 min |
| 12:30–16:00 | Beach time — swim, sunbeds, relax | 3–4 hours |
| 16:00 | Optional: stop at Porto Palermo on the return | 30–45 min |
| 17:00 | Back in Himara | — |
This leaves you back in Himara by early evening with energy for dinner. Adjust the beach window longer or shorter depending on your preference — you have earned it after the castle hike.
Combining with Porto Palermo
Porto Palermo is directly on the SH8 between Himara and Borsh, about 10 km south of Himara. The triangular Ottoman fortress built by Ali Pasha in 1804 sits on a small peninsula in a stunningly photogenic bay. Entry costs 300 ALL (~3€) and the visit takes 30–45 minutes.
The most natural way to add it is on the return from Borsh. You have already driven past it twice (on the way there and back), and a late-afternoon stop lets you see the fortress in warm, low light. If you are short on time, skip Porto Palermo and prioritize the beach hours — you can visit it on a separate shorter outing from Himara.
Day-Trip Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Cost (ALL) | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (scooter rental for the day) | 1,500–2,000 | 15–20€ |
| Sunbed + umbrella (2 loungers, 1 umbrella) | 700–1,000 | 7–10€ |
| Lunch at Ujvara (2 people, with drinks) | 2,000–3,500 | 20–35€ |
| Porto Palermo entry (optional) | 300 | 3€ |
| Water + snacks | 200–400 | 2–4€ |
| Total (solo, budget) | ~3,000 | ~30€ |
| Total (couple, comfortable) | ~5,500–7,000 | ~55–70€ |
Note: All three Borsh attractions (beach, waterfall, castle) are free to access. The only costs are transport, food, and optional sunbed rental. Bring cash — there are no ATMs in Borsh. The nearest ATMs are in Himara. For money tips, see our Himara money and ATM guide.
Practical Tips
- Bring cash. No ATMs in Borsh. Load up in Himara before you leave
- Wear hiking shoes for the castle and bring flip-flops for the beach. You need both
- Carry 1.5–2L of water per person. The castle hike is unshaded and there is nothing to buy at the top
- Start with the castle. Morning is the only comfortable window for the exposed climb in summer
- Download offline maps. Mobile signal is good in Borsh but GPS navigation works better offline on the mountain curves of the SH8
- Sunscreen is mandatory. Between the castle hike and the beach, you are in direct sun for most of the day
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Borsh from Himara?
Borsh is 18 km south of Himara on the SH8 coastal road. The drive takes about 25 minutes. By bus, it is approximately 30 minutes and costs 200–300 ALL (2–3€). By taxi, expect to pay 2,000–2,500 ALL (20–25€) one way.
Is Borsh worth a full day trip?
Yes — if you visit all three sites. The castle alone takes 2–3 hours with the hike, the waterfall and lunch take another 1–1.5 hours, and the beach fills the rest of the day. Most travelers who only stop for the beach miss the best parts of Borsh. The castle views and the waterfall restaurant are the real highlights.
Can I visit Borsh without a car?
You can reach Borsh village by bus from Himara, but getting between the castle, waterfall, and beach on foot adds significant walking (the beach is 2 km downhill from the village). A scooter rental (1,500–2,000 ALL / 15–20€ per day) is the minimum recommended transport for a multi-stop day. See our Himara without a car guide for more options.
Is the castle hike difficult?
Moderate. The cobblestone path gains 250 meters of elevation over 1.3 km. The main challenge is the complete lack of shade — on hot summer days, the exposed hillside is relentless. Start early (before 9:00), bring plenty of water, and wear proper shoes. The hike is manageable for reasonably fit adults and older children.
What should I bring for a Borsh day trip?
Cash (no ATMs in Borsh), hiking shoes, flip-flops, swimwear, sunscreen, 1.5–2L water per person, a hat, and a towel. If you plan to eat at Ujvara, no reservation is needed for most of the season.
