Zhanpovel

Reached only by boat along the cliffs near Vlorë's Pirate Caves, Zhanpovel has the kind of pebble shoreline that looks spectacular in photos — clear water, dramatic rock, the sense of having found somewhere remote. The beach itself gets genuine praise; the restaurant that operates on it does not, with visitors repeatedly flagging steep, unadvertised charges for sunbeds and food that falls well short of the setting. At 3.9 stars from 254 reviews, it's worth the boat trip for the swim and the scenery, but pack your own lunch and agree on umbrella prices before you sit down.

Sand

pebble