Albania It is new territory for the traveler. It is a beautiful land, with a long and eventful history and much to know and enjoy.
It has four seasons and a multitude of beaches, the warmest being those that rest on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Precisely today we will talk about the best places on the Albanian coast to visit.
Saranda and Ksamil and Espejo beaches
The truth is that the country is not only about churches, mosques, archaeological sites and historical cities, it is also the owner of beautiful beaches and resorts ideal for resting and having fun. Saranda It is one of them, famous for its nightlife, its great restaurants and its terrible beaches on the Mediterranean Sea. For example, Pulebardha beach or beautiful Ksamil.
Ksamil It is the name of a small town whose coast has coves, mini islands, forests and lagoons that shine when the sun begins to set. That is to say, there are many beaches around here. Ksamil It is in the south of the country, just 15 minutes from Saranda, and its name can be translated as "the pearl of the Ionian". It is the capital of sun, sand and sea.
The west-facing beaches are near the northern tip of the Greek island of Corfu, and have the same vibe. The four islands off the Ksamil coast can be explored by kayak and boat, but the main beach is small rocks and clear blue waters. There are resorts and therefore, it is family-friendly. And for those looking a little closer there are the Butrint Roman ruins.
La mirror beach It is nearby and is called that because its waters reflect the sun with a thousand shines. The waters are deeply blue, the sand soft and white that transforms into pebbles as the sand gives way to the sea.
Finally, there are some rock formations that allow some privacy and you can also do snorkeling Well, there is marine life and even caves. Of course, Espejo Beach is very visited in summer and has beautiful sunsets, so it's a good idea to go when the sun is setting. You arrive in 15 minutes from Saranda.
Palasa Beach
This beach is in Vlore county, along the Llogara Pass. It is a beautiful beach, pristine waters with a lovely backdrop decorated with forests and cliffs. The waters in this part of the coast are deep and clear, while the closer we are to the coast, calm, low ponds form that are great for children.
It looks like a remote beach but it actually has bars and restaurants, so it is quite prepared for visitors, and you can always continue traveling to visit the mountains.
Potam Beach
This beach It is at the northern end of the Albanian Riviera, near Dhermi and Himare. It is close to Llamani Beach so travelers usually visit both together. Potam also has a backdrop of mountains, and is very green. That's why it has a lot of shadow throughout the day so if you go and it's hot, it's the best.
It also has bars and restaurants.
Drymades Beach
It is located south of Palasa, near the village of Dhermi, and it is really wonderful: extensive white sands, turquoise waters, many multicolored umbrellas. In addition, it has a huge rock formation that splits the beach in two and turns it from sand to pebbles. This beach is known as a beach with beautiful sunsets.
Jali Beach
This beach is also known as Plazhi i Jalës beach, and it is said that It is one of the best Albanian beaches for swimming. If compared to the neighboring beaches, it stands out for the transparency of its waters and its intense blue color.
It is popular because it has the best club or disco, or one of the best, in Albania. And if you go in a tent you can stay at the southern end of the beach.
Buneci Beach
On the way to Saranda, but a little further south, is Beneci beach, a extensive strip of sandy coast which is great for sunbathing. There are never too many people, it has a picturesque pier and the coast is decorated with, as a backdrop, mountains.
Buneci has turquoise waters, white sands and great views of the Ionian coast. There are also many restaurants and cafes.
Borsh Beach
This beach It is in the center of the Albanian Riviera, near the village of Qeparo, just 7 kilometers away. It is the largest beach in Albania, with white pebbles, blue waters and beautiful views of the country's coastal mountains.
It is lined with olive trees and is easy to get to by car, there is even parking. If you rent a car and your idea is to travel along the coast, it is an excellent stop. Luckily, although it is a popular beach, it is not that crowded.
It is about an hour from Saranda.
Filikuri Beach
This beach is ideal if you are looking something more secluded. It is between Potami Beach and Llaman Beach and is a treasure of the Albanian Riviera as it is only a handful of kilometers from the popular Himare.
Very high cliffs protect the bay and Its calm, turquoise waters are ideal for swimming. It's half private so You can only get there by kayak or boat. Only the most adventurous dare to go down the path that goes down the cliff to the beach as it is not signposted.
These are just some of the great beaches that await you on the Albanian coast. Yeah, The Albanian Riviera is great, has some of the best beaches in the Balkans and Europe. Believe it or not Albanian beaches have blue waters and white sands and they usually have mountains to finish with a wonderful decoration.
Many of the beaches in the north are pebbly, but the sandy beaches are found more in and around Ksamil. Dhermi and Bunec, for example, have white sands.
When should you visit the Albanian coast? The summer months and High season are June, July and August. Prices go up, it is more difficult to park and there are many people. Spring and autumn are better and luckily the temperatures are still warm enough for swimming. If not, you can always climb, walk through national parks and climb mountains.
If you are already thinking about visiting the Albanian coast then you should know that the largest cities such as Vlore or Saranda offer the best accommodation, cafes and restaurants. They are a good base for exploring the surroundings.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for something quieter, Dhermi or Himare are the best options. And if your thing is definitely the beach, then any of the ones on the list have their offer of hotels, family resorts, camping or guest houses.
To get to know the Albanian coast the best options are rent a car. You can get around by public transportation, yes, but the freedom of your own car is unmatched. And finally, keep in mind that all of Albania is a destination that is developing as a tourist destination, so if you know Greece or Croatia, it may not meet your expectations.