The best beaches on the Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera isn't one beach — it's two dozen of them, strung along nearly 100 kilometres of switchback road between Vlorë and Sarandë. Some are fully set up with loungers and bars, others you reach only on foot or by boat. Here's the shortlist that actually earns your time, north to south.

Radhimë and Uji i Ftohtë (near Vlorë)

The first solid stop coming from the north, minutes from Vlorë. Clear water, a pebbly-sandy bottom, and enough loungers and simple tavernas to make it an easy break. Not the most dramatic beach on the coast, but close to the road and rarely packed solid — good for an hour or two if you're not pushing all the way to Dhërmi on day one.

Dhërmi and Gjipe

Dhërmi's main beach is long, sand-and-fine-pebble, lined with beach bars and hotels right on the shore — music, rows of loungers, the "proper holiday" feel. Popular with younger crowds and anyone after comfort.

Five minutes' drive away hides Gjipe: a narrow canyon that suddenly opens onto a wild beach with no paved road in. You reach it either by a 20-30 minute canyon trail or by boat from Dhërmi. No power, minimal facilities (a small seasonal bar, tents for rent), but some of the cleanest water on the entire coast. Go for adventure, not comfort.

Himarë: Livadhi, Potami, Jalë

The Himarë area is arguably the Riviera's best all-round mix. Livadhi is the town beach — easy access, plenty of places to stay and eat nearby. Potami, just south, has a mountain stream flowing into the sea — cold, clear water, natural shade from rocks and trees, and noticeably fewer people than Livadhi. Jalë, a bit further south, is one of Albania's most photogenic coves: turquoise water, a few boutique beach bars, but a trickier drive down tight switchbacks.

Qeparo and Borsh

Qeparo Fushë has a long, relatively quiet beach — good for families who want room without fighting for a lounger. Borsh is the longest beach on the whole Riviera: kilometres of sand and pebble backed by palm trees and citrus groves. Being that long, it never packs the way Ksamil does — you can usually find a quiet stretch even in August.

Porto Palermo and Kakome

Porto Palermo is more a spectacular bay than a beach to sunbathe on — an Ottoman castle sits on a small peninsula in the middle of the water. The actual beach is small, but the view earns the stop, if only for photos and a quick swim.

Kakome is the most isolated entry here: a hidden bay with almost unreal turquoise water, reachable mostly by boat (organised trips from Himarë or Sarandë) or a long, tough trail. If you want the beach that looks like a wallpaper image, this is it — but there's no infrastructure, so bring your own water and shade.

Sarandë and Ksamil

Sarandë has a long town beach with a promenade full of restaurants — practical, but not Albania's prettiest stretch of sand. Ten minutes further south, Ksamil is the country's Instagram star: small turquoise coves and offshore islands you reach by boat or a swim. It's also the most crowded spot on the coast in July-August, with loungers claimed early and inflated prices at some private beaches. Worth it, but go early morning or pick a lesser-known end of the coves.

How to choose, quickly

• Want comfort, beach bars and music → Dhërmi or Livadhi (Himarë).
• Want adventure and standout water without the crowds → Gjipe or Kakome.
• Want space for the family, no scramble for loungers → Borsh or Qeparo.
• Want the Instagram shots and can handle the crowds → Ksamil, early morning only.
• Short on time coming from the north → Radhimë as a quick stop, then push on to Dhërmi or Himarë for the night.

Verdict

There's no single "best beach" on the Riviera — only the best beach for what you're after that day. With just 2-3 days, pair one set-up beach (Dhërmi or Himarë) with one hidden cove (Gjipe or Porto Palermo), and save Ksamil for early morning before it fills up. That way you get both the comfort and the wild side of the coast, without losing a whole day driving end to end.