Borsh

The Riviera's longest beach

Borsh is where the Riviera exhales. After the drama of Dhërmi's cliffs and Himarë's coves, the coast opens into a seven-kilometre sweep of pebble and sand backed by the biggest olive grove in Albania — more than a hundred thousand trees running from the mountains down to the sea. It's the longest beach on the Riviera and, precisely because it's so long, it never feels crowded. You can always find your own stretch of shoreline here, even in August. That, and prices noticeably lower than the marquee resorts, is the whole pitch.

Where to base yourself

Borsh is low-key by design — think family-run guesthouses and simple beachfront rooms rather than resorts. The village proper sits up the hillside, with a ruined castle above it; most accommodation is strung along the beach road below. Rooms run €30–€70 in summer, among the best value on the coast. If you want more infrastructure, Sarandë (45 minutes south) and Himarë (30 minutes north) are both easy day-base alternatives. Browse our Borsh hotels list for what's currently open.

The essentials

The beach is the reason to come — long, quiet, backed by cafés and olive trees, with clean Ionian water. Walk up to Borsh Castle for the view over the whole bay and the olive plain. Behind the village, a short path leads to a small waterfall and freshwater pools, a cool break from the sun. And do eat the local olive oil — this is one of Albania's great oil-producing valleys, and the difference is on the plate. See our Borsh beaches list for the best entry points to the sand.

Getting here and around

Borsh sits on the Riviera coast road between Himarë and Sarandë. Coast buses stop on the main road; from there it's a short walk or drive down to the beach. A car is the easiest way to enjoy the long shoreline and to combine Borsh with Qeparo, Himarë and the Blue Eye. There's little to no nightlife — that's the point. For the fuller picture, our complete Borsh guide is linked below.