Himara Castle & Old Town
In town — 15–20 min walk uphill from the promenade
Kala
Porto Palermo Castle
Central peninsula of Porto Palermo Bay, south of Himara
- Periudha
- Early 19th century (c. 1804)
- Nga Himara
- ~10 km south on SH8 (14–20 min drive)
- Hyrja
- 300 ALL (~€3), cash only — Albanian Lek only, no card or euros
- Orari
- Typically 09:00–19:00 in summer; check on arrival in shoulder season
- Koha e nevojshme
- 1–1.5 hours at the castle, 2–3 hours including a swim in the bay
Rreth Porto Palermo Castle
Kështjella e Porto Palermos është një fortesë trekëndore osmane me tri bastione të rrumbullakëta, e ndërtuar mbi një gadishull të ngushtë në një nga gjiret më fotogjenikë të Rivierës Shqiptare. E porositur në fillim të shekullit të 19-të nga Ali Pasha i Janinës, kështjella është pikë referimi kryesore e çdo turi me varkë në drejtim të jugut nga Himara — dhe ekskursioni gjysmëditor më i lehtë e më shpërblyes nga qyteti me makinë.
Historia
The present castle was built around 1804 by Ali Pasha Tepelena, the powerful Albanian-Ottoman ruler who controlled much of southern Albania and northwestern Greece between 1788 and 1822. Some sources point to earlier Venetian or Turkish fortifications on the site dating to around 1662, but the current triangular structure with three round bastions is Ali Pasha's design. Its purpose was strategic — to control the Himariot population and project Ottoman authority along this stretch of coast. The bay's geometry made it valuable to every regional power that came after, including the Cold War submarine programme in the 1960s.
Çfarë shihni
The triangular plan with three round bastions at each corner; dark vaulted galleries running inside the curtain walls; the rooftop terrace with 360° views over the bay and the submarine tunnel opposite; the seaward face — the most photographed angle, especially in morning light; the small swimming spots on the rocks just below the castle walls.
Foto
Si të vizitoni
Drive south from Himara on SH8 — the same coastal road that runs the length of the Albanian Riviera. The turnoff to Porto Palermo is signed about 8–10 km out of town. A short paved road descends to the peninsula, with parking near the castle gate. By scooter: works perfectly for this trip; rentals in Himara run €15–20/day. By taxi: ~1,500–2,000 ALL (€15–20) one way — negotiate a round-trip.
Koha më e mirë për të vizituar
Morning (08:00–11:00) when the sun lights the seaward face and the bay is at its calmest. Late afternoon for golden light on the inland side. Sunset cruises silhouette the castle dramatically but leave the structure itself in shadow.
Thellimi: Udhëzuesi i plotë i vizitorit
Historia, këshilla praktike dhe shënime për itinerarin në formë të zgjeruar — artikulli që shkon më thellë se kjo faqe.
Shihni Porto Palermo Castle nga deti
Si mbërrijnë operatorët në këtë vend me varkë, cilat turne e përfshijnë dhe si duket mbërritja nga deti.
Kombinojeni me: Porto Palermo Beach
Gjysma tjetër e natyrshme e ditës. Rërë dhe det pas gurit dhe historisë.
Rezervoni një vizitë me udhërrëfyes
Preferoni të shkoni me udhërrëfyes? Shfletoni turet dhe ekskursionet për Porto Palermo Castle me çmime fikse dhe anulim falas.
Shiko turet në GetYourGuide →Aty pranë
- Porto Palermo BeachPlazh
- Porto Palermo Submarine TunnelVend i Luftës së Ftohtë
- QeparoPlazh
Pyetje
Who built Porto Palermo Castle?
Ali Pasha of Ioannina (also called Ali Pasha Tepelena), the Albanian-Ottoman ruler who governed much of southern Albania and northwestern Greece from 1788 to 1822. Construction was completed around 1804. Earlier Venetian or Turkish fortifications may have stood on the same site, but the present triangular castle is Ali Pasha's design.
How much is the entrance fee?
300 ALL (~€3), cash only. Albanian Lek only — no cards and no euros accepted at the gate. The bay and surrounding beach are free to access; the fee only covers entry to the fortress itself. The nearest ATMs are in Himara, so sort your cash before driving down.
Is the castle the same as the submarine tunnel?
No — they are different sites in the same bay. The castle sits on the central peninsula and dates from the early 19th century. The submarine tunnel was built between 1969 and 1988 at the bay's northern end and remains a restricted military zone. Both are visible from each other; most boat tours include the tunnel exterior as a separate stop.
Can you swim at Porto Palermo Castle?
Yes — there is no entry fee for the water. You can swim off the rocks immediately below the castle walls and on the small beach near the peninsula's base. The water is exceptionally clear, often considered the most photogenic on this stretch of coast. Bring water shoes for the rocky entry points.
How long does it take to visit?
Budget 1–1.5 hours for the castle itself — the gallery walk, the rooftop, and photos. Add another hour or two if you want to swim in the bay or include the submarine tunnel viewpoint. A morning visit pairs naturally with lunch in Qeparo village or back in Himara.
Pika të tjera interesi pranë Himarës
Vazhdoni të eksploroni
Diçka mungon ose është e pasaktë? Na shkruani në info@himara.net