Is Himara expensive? Short answer: no. Himara (Greek: Χειμάρρα, Albanian: Himarë) remains one of the best-value beach destinations in the entire Mediterranean. You can eat fresh-caught seafood overlooking the Ionian Sea, sleep in a boutique hotel with a sea-view balcony, and spend a full day at a gorgeous beach — all for less than a mid-range dinner in Dubrovnik or Mykonos. But prices have been rising steadily as the Albanian Riviera gains international attention. Here's exactly what things cost today, broken down by how you like to travel.
The Short Answer
Himara is cheap by European standards, comfortable by global ones, and astonishingly good value for what you get. A budget traveler can do a full day — accommodation, three meals, beach, drinks — for 30-50 per day. A mid-range traveler spending 70-120 per day will feel like they're on a luxury holiday compared to what that money buys in Western Europe. And actual luxury? You can go all-out for 200+ per day at a level that would cost 500+ in Croatia or Greece.
The currency in Albania is the lek (ALL), with a rough exchange rate of 1 = 100 ALL. Euros are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, but paying in lek usually gets you a slightly better deal.
Daily Costs by Travel Style
| Category | Budget (30-50/day) | Mid-Range (70-120/day) | Luxury (200+/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Hostel or basic guesthouse (11-20) | Boutique hotel or apartment (40-90) | 5-star hotel or villa (150-350) |
| Food | Street food + simple dinner (8-15) | Restaurant meals + cafes (20-35) | Fine dining + cocktails (50-80) |
| Transport | Walking + occasional bus (0-3) | Scooter or occasional taxi (5-20) | Rental car or private transfers (20-40) |
| Beaches & Activities | Free beaches, hiking (0-3) | Sunbeds + group activity (10-30) | Private boat + premium beach clubs (120-140+) |
| Drinks | Coffee + a beer (3-5) | Wine + cocktails (8-15) | Premium bar rounds (20-40) |
These are current prices, not projections. Let's break each category down.
Budget Traveler: 30-50 per Day
This is real backpacker territory, and Himara handles it well. Hostel dorms run 11-20 per night — Himara Downtown Hostel is the standout option with clean rooms and social atmosphere. Breakfast might be a burek from a bakery (100-150 ALL / 1-1.50), lunch a gyros wrap (300-500 ALL / 3-5), and dinner a simple grilled meat or pasta at a local restaurant (800-1,000 ALL / 8-10).
Every beach in Himara is free to access. Bring your own towel, skip the sunbeds, and you pay nothing. Walking covers most of the town. An occasional bus ride to another beach costs a couple of euros.
This isn't roughing it. At 40 per day you're eating well, sleeping in a proper bed, and spending your days on some of the clearest water in Europe.
Mid-Range Traveler: 70-120 per Day
This is where Himara really shines. For what you'd spend on a basic hotel and pizza in most of Western Europe, here you get a boutique hotel with a pool (40-90/night), restaurant meals with fresh seafood and local wine (20-35/day), a rented scooter to explore the coast (15-20/day), and sunbeds at a beautiful beach (5-10).
At this budget you can afford a boat tour one day, a nice dinner at a waterfront restaurant another, and never feel like you're watching every euro. It's the sweet spot.
Luxury Traveler: 200+ per Day
Himara's luxury options have expanded significantly. Five-star hotels with infinity pools, spas, and private beach access run 150-350/night. Fine dining — think grilled lobster, local wine pairings, waterfront tables — costs 50-80 per person. A private boat tour to hidden coves and deserted beaches starts around 100 for a half-day.
Add premium beach club access (20-40), a rental car (25-35/day), and cocktails at rooftop bars, and you're looking at 200-400 per day. That same experience in Santorini or the Amalfi Coast would easily triple.
Accommodation Costs
Where you sleep is the biggest variable in your daily spend. Himara covers every price point.
| Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | 11-20/night | Clean, social. Himara Downtown Hostel is the best. |
| Budget guesthouse | 20-40/night | Private rooms, family-run, local character. |
| Mid-range hotel | 40-90/night | Sea views, AC, some with pools. |
| Boutique hotel | 70-130/night | Curated feel, rooftop bars, small spas. |
| Luxury hotel/resort | 150-350/night | Infinity pools, spas, beachfront, fine dining. |
Shoulder season matters. June and September prices drop 30-50% compared to peak July-August. A 90/night boutique in August might be 45 in early June. That single factor can shift your entire trip from mid-range to budget territory.
Apartments with kitchenettes, bookable on Booking.com or Airbnb, often cost the same as a basic hotel but save you money on food. For full accommodation advice, see where to stay in Himara or browse all hotels.
Food and Drink Costs
Food in Himara is genuinely affordable, and the quality floor is high. You're eating fresh seafood, locally grown produce, and Albanian home-cooking — not tourist-trap reheated pasta.
What Things Actually Cost
| Item | Price (ALL) | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee (espresso/macchiato) | 100-200 ALL | 1-2 |
| Beer (local, at a bar) | 200-400 ALL | 2-4 |
| Gyros / souvlaki wrap | 300-500 ALL | 3-5 |
| Pizza (whole) | 500-800 ALL | 5-8 |
| Restaurant main course | 800-1,500 ALL | 8-15 |
| Seafood platter for two | 1,500-2,500 ALL | 15-25 |
| Fine dining main | 2,000-3,000 ALL | 20-30 |
| Bottle of water (shop) | 50-80 ALL | 0.50-0.80 |
| Gelato (1 scoop) | 150-250 ALL | 1.50-2.50 |
A budget day of eating runs about 800-1,500 ALL (8-15): bakery pastry for breakfast, gyros for lunch, simple grilled dish for dinner, and a coffee. A mid-range day — sit-down lunch and a proper seafood dinner — lands around 2,000-3,500 ALL (20-35).
For the best spots, see the restaurant guide and budget eats guide.
Transport Costs
Himara is compact enough that you can walk to most beaches and restaurants. But if you want to explore the wider coastline, here's what transport costs.
| Transport | Cost |
|---|---|
| Walking | Free (covers most of town) |
| Local bus (to nearby beaches) | 100-300 ALL (1-3) |
| Bus to Saranda | 600-1,000 ALL (6-10) |
| Bus to Vlora | 800-1,200 ALL (8-12) |
| Taxi within Himara | 500-1,000 ALL (5-10) |
| Scooter rental (per day) | 1,500-2,000 ALL (15-20) |
| Car rental (per day) | 2,500-3,500 ALL (25-35) |
A scooter is the best value if you want to beach-hop. One day of rental lets you hit Gjipe, Jale, Livadhi, Llamani, and more. See getting around Himara and the scooter rental guide for details.
Activities and Beach Costs
Most of the best things in Himara are free or very cheap.
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Beach access | Free (all beaches) |
| Sunbed + umbrella | 500-1,000 ALL (5-10) |
| Group boat tour | 3,000 ALL (30) |
| Private boat tour (half-day) | 10,000+ ALL (100+) |
| Snorkeling gear rental | 500-1,000 ALL (5-10) |
| Kayak rental (1 hour) | 500-1,000 ALL (5-10) |
| Diving (intro dive) | 4,000-5,000 ALL (40-50) |
| Old town + castle visit | Free |
| Hiking trails | Free |
| Premium beach club (day pass) | 2,000-4,000 ALL (20-40) |
The biggest free attractions — hiking trails, the old town and castle, and the beaches themselves — could fill an entire week without spending a euro on activities. For a full list, check free things to do in Himara.
Hidden Costs and Surprises
A few things catch travelers off guard:
ATM fees. Albania runs on cash more than most European countries. ATMs charge 300-700 ALL (3-7) per withdrawal. Use a travel-friendly bank card (Revolut, Wise, N26) that reimburses ATM fees, or withdraw larger amounts less frequently. See our cash vs card guide.
Sunbed creep. At popular beaches like Potami and parts of Livadhi, sunbed operators have expanded coverage. You can always find free space, but it's shrinking at peak times. Arrive before 11am or head to less-developed beaches like Filikuri or Llamani.
Restaurant service charges. Some upscale restaurants add a 5-10% service charge. Check the bill. Tipping beyond that is appreciated but not expected — rounding up or leaving 5-10% is generous by local standards.
Scooter deposits. Most rental places require a 50-100 cash deposit or hold your passport (avoid the passport option). Budget for this if you're planning to rent.
Water taxis. Boats to isolated beaches like Gjipe charge 1,000-2,000 ALL (10-20) per person each way. Beautiful but adds up for a family.
How Himara Compares to Other Destinations
This is where the value becomes obvious.
| Destination | Avg. Daily Cost (Mid-Range) | Compared to Himara |
|---|---|---|
| Himara, Albania | 70-120 | Baseline |
| Ksamil / Saranda | 60-110 | Similar, slightly cheaper |
| Budva, Montenegro | 120-200 | 1.5-2x more expensive |
| Dubrovnik, Croatia | 180-350 | 2-3x more expensive |
| Mykonos, Greece | 250-450 | 3-4x more expensive |
| Bodrum, Turkey | 80-140 | Similar range |
The comparison with Croatia and Greece is the most striking. You get comparable water quality, better food value, and fewer crowds in Himara — for a fraction of the cost. Montenegro is closer in price but lacks the beach variety. Ksamil and Saranda are the nearest competitors within Albania, with similar prices but a different vibe (Ksamil is more beach-focused, Saranda more urban).
For detailed comparisons, see Albanian Riviera vs Croatia, Albanian Riviera vs Greek Islands, and Himara vs Saranda vs Ksamil.
How Prices Have Changed
Himara is no longer the rock-bottom secret it was five years ago. Prices have risen noticeably, especially for accommodation and restaurants, as international tourism has grown. Here's what's shifted:
- Accommodation: Budget guesthouses that were 15/night in 2021 now charge 25-35. Boutique hotels have jumped 30-50% at peak season. New luxury properties have appeared, pushing the top end higher.
- Food: Restaurant prices are up 20-30% from 2022 levels. A main course that was 600 ALL is now 800-1,000 ALL. Street food remains the best value.
- Sunbeds: Beach operators have become more organized (and more expensive). What was universally 300-500 ALL is now 500-1,000 ALL at popular spots.
- Activities: Boat tour prices have stabilized. Diving and organized excursions have gotten slightly more expensive.
Despite the increases, Himara remains dramatically cheaper than most Mediterranean beach destinations. The value gap with Croatia and Greece has narrowed slightly but is still enormous. The best strategy: visit during shoulder season (early June or September) when prices drop 30-50% and crowds thin out.
Tips to Save Money in Himara
- Visit in June or September. Prices drop significantly, weather is still excellent, and beaches are less crowded. This is the single biggest money saver.
- Book an apartment with a kitchen. Cooking breakfast and some lunches saves 10-15/day versus eating every meal out.
- Pay in lek. Shops and restaurants that accept euros often round up unfavorably. Withdraw lek from an ATM and pay in local currency.
- Use a no-fee bank card. Revolut, Wise, or N26 eliminate the 3-7 ATM fee that adds up fast.
- Skip sunbeds at premium beaches. Bring a towel. Every beach has free areas, and some of the best (Filikuri, Llamani, Gjipe) have minimal sunbed coverage.
- Rent a scooter instead of taking taxis. A full day of scooter rental (15-20) costs less than two taxi rides. Plus you can explore at your own pace.
- Eat where locals eat. The best gyros and byrek spots are in the town center, not on the waterfront. Follow the locals to cheaper, better food.
- Take the bus. The Himara-Saranda bus costs 6-10, versus 40-50 for a taxi. Slower but scenic and perfectly comfortable.
For a full deep-dive into budget strategy, see our dedicated Himara on a budget guide.
Is Himara Expensive? The Bottom Line
No. Himara is not expensive. It's one of the last genuine bargains on the Mediterranean — a place where the water is Caribbean-clear, the food is fresh and honest, the people are welcoming, and the prices haven't caught up to the quality. A budget traveler can live well here on 30-50/day. A mid-range traveler spending 70-120/day will feel like royalty. And even luxury travelers will notice how much further their money goes compared to the usual Mediterranean suspects.
Prices are rising, and they'll continue to rise as more people discover this stretch of Albanian coastline. But for now, the value proposition is extraordinary. The best time to visit Himara on a budget was five years ago. The second best time is this summer.
For more planning help, explore our practical information page, the budget eats guide, and the full restaurant directory.
Is Himara cheaper than Croatia?
Yes, significantly. A mid-range day in Himara costs 70-120 versus 180-350 in Dubrovnik. Accommodation, food, and drinks are all 2-3x cheaper in Himara, with comparable (many would argue better) beach quality. Even during peak August, Himara undercuts most Croatian coastal towns by a wide margin.
How much money should I bring to Himara for a week?
For a comfortable mid-range week — good hotels, restaurant meals, a boat tour, scooter rental — budget 600-850. A budget week with hostels, street food, and free beaches is doable for 250-350. Luxury travelers should plan for 1,400-2,500+ depending on hotel choice and activities.
Do I need cash in Himara?
Mostly yes. While hotels and some restaurants accept cards, many smaller establishments, beach operators, taxis, and markets are cash-only. Carry lek for daily spending. ATMs are available in town but charge fees — use a travel bank card that reimburses withdrawal fees. See the cash vs card guide for the full breakdown.
Is Himara more expensive than Saranda or Ksamil?
They're roughly comparable. Saranda has slightly more budget accommodation options due to its larger size. Ksamil beach access is free but sunbed prices are similar to Himara. Restaurant prices are within 10-15% across all three towns. The biggest difference is accommodation: Himara has more mid-range and boutique options, while Saranda has more budget hotels. See the full Himara vs Saranda vs Ksamil comparison.
Are prices in Himara going up?
Yes. Accommodation prices have risen 30-50% since 2021, and restaurant prices are up 20-30%. Albania's growing popularity as a tourist destination is driving the increases. That said, Himara remains dramatically cheaper than most Mediterranean alternatives, and the rate of increase has been gradual rather than explosive. Visiting in shoulder season remains the best hedge against rising prices.
