Visit Albania .guide
The Ksamil islets in shallow turquoise water under bright midday lightAI image

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Albanian Riviera

The Ionian coast from Vlorë down to Ksamil: beach towns, the SH8 road above them, and the country's sharpest gap between what a month costs and what it gives you.

4 to 7 days · best May to Jun, Sep · 4 places

Base townsHimarë, Dhërmi, Sarandë, Ksamil
Typical stay4 to 7 days
Best monthsMay to Jun, Sep
Getting inThe SH8 coast road runs its whole length, from Vlorë in the north down to Sarandë. The other way in is the ferry from Corfu into Sarandë. Tirana has the only airport with scheduled international flights.

The year · August is underlined

Albanian Riviera: viability by month
RegionJFMAMJJASOND
Albanian Riviera

Right now, in August: ok. Sea 27°C, peak prices. Read the whole of August.

  1. JanSea 14°C, towns half-closed.
  2. FebSea 14°C, rainy.
  3. MarCoast walks, quiet roads.
  4. AprGreen coast, sea still 15°C.
  5. May24°C days, sea 18°C, quiet.
  6. JunSea 22°C, Kala Festival.
  7. JulSea 26°C, severe crowds.
  8. AugSea 27°C, peak prices.
  9. SepSea 24°C, crowds gone.
  10. OctSea 20°C early month.
  11. NovRain days climb.
  12. DecBeach towns shut.

The Riviera is one road and the sea below it. The SH8 climbs out of Vlorë over the Llogara pass, drops through the villages at Dhërmi and Himarë, and runs down to Sarandë and Ksamil at the Greek border. Almost every beach is a turning off that road, and almost every turning is steep.

It is also where the gap between one month and the next is widest in Albania. The coves that are worth the drive in June take several times the people in the second week of August, and the price of a sunbed moves with them. September is the month this coast is at its best and at its quietest at the same time, which is why the site keeps pointing at it.

Places · 4 in Albanian Riviera

The Ksamil islets in shallow turquoise water under bright midday lightAI imageKsamilPeak prices and severe crowding; the islets are shoulder to shoulder.The curve of Himarë bay from an elevated viewpoint, pebble beach below olive and cypress hillsAI imageHimarëPeak season, and the answer to Ksamil in August.Sarandëno photograph yetPeak: the port and the promenade are both crowded.Dhërmino photograph yetThe most crowded and most expensive weeks of the year.

Walks

RouteDistanceAscentTime
The Gjipe canyon walk7 km250 m3 h

Routes through here

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