How to Visit Gjipe Beach & Canyon, Albania (2025)
Wondering how to visit Gjipe Beach in Albania? It is one of the best and most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera and should not be missed. You can easily get to the beach from Dhermi or Himare, where you can spend a few hours relaxing and walking in the beautiful canyon.
This ultimate guide to Plazhi Gjipe & Canyon includes the best time to visit, how to get there, a map, what to expect on the hike, and tips for visiting.
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Best Time to Visit the Albanian Riviera
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Albania is from May to October. The hottest months are July and August. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 40°C.
The summer months are the peak season in Albania when hotel prices are higher and attractions are busier. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
We visited Himare and Dhermi beaches at the end of May, and although the weather was warm, the water was still a bit cold.
Where is Gjipe Beach
It is located in the Gjipe Canyon, between the coastal towns of Himare and Dhermi, on the Albanian Riviera. The beach is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Vlore, 2 hours from Saranda, and 3.5 hours from Tirana, depending on traffic.
Recommended post → Ultimate Albania Itinerary
How to Get to Gjipe Beach
This is one of the most inaccessible beaches in Albania, but well worth the effort. Most people come from Himare or Dhermi, but you can also visit from Saranda, Vlore, or Tirana.
The beach can be reached by car, bus, water taxi/boat tour, or a scenic hiking trail. You cannot get directly to the beach by car, so you have to hike from the parking lot down to the beach.
Gjipe car park is about a 20-minute drive from Dhermi and 30 minutes from Himare.
If you are coming by car from Himare, follow the road through Vuno and turn left towards the beach. The road to the car park is asphalted and well-maintained. But drive carefully as the road is very narrow, and two cars cannot pass each other. If someone is coming towards you, you will probably have to reverse. But don’t worry, the road is wider about every 50 meters so you have the opportunity to stop.
You can also take a bus from Dhermi/Himare to the beach. Just let the driver know you want to go to Gjipe Beach and get off at the bus stop marked on our map. However, we couldn’t find any official information on bus timetables or prices so we recommend asking the locals how to get there by public transport.
See also → Things to Do in Himare
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Car Rental in Albania
The best way to get around Albania is by car, as you can easily reach the best places and hidden gems. We did our Albania Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. Once you arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car.
Buy an eSIM and data package for Albania.
The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Albania in high season (June to September) or low season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute. You will spend around 30-50 EUR daily for a standard car with full coverage.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
Gjipe Beach Entrance & Parking Fee
The beach is open all day, and there is no entrance fee. The parking fee is 400 LEK (4 EUR) for the day and 600 LEK (6 EUR) for overnight parking. Parking with a campervan costs 500 LEK (5 EUR) for 0-12 hours and 1000 LEK (10 EUR) for 0-24 hours.
Good to know
The parking fee can only be paid in cash (LEK or EUR).
Gjipe Beach Hike
It takes about 20-30 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the beach. We do not recommend wearing slippers, as the path is rocky. You should wear sports shoes or hiking sandals instead. On the way, you can see some concrete bunkers, enjoy the beautiful sea views, and take some great photos. These bunkers were built by the communists to protect the coastline during the Cold War.
It’s not a difficult hike to the beach, but we do not recommend starting at noon as there is no shade on the path, and the heat will make the walk unbearable. If you want to avoid the crowds and the burning sun, arrive early in the morning. After a rainy day, the trail can be very muddy and slippery.
The beach offers breathtaking scenery as it is situated between the canyon and the sea.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Plazhi i Gjipesë is a pebble beach with beautiful clear water. You can swim, kayak, snorkel, and explore the nearby caves. Although it was a fantastic experience to visit, it would have been more comfortable to go into the water with water shoes.
The Gjipe Beach facilities include toilets, showers, beach bars, and a restaurant where you can buy beer and food. You can also rent an umbrella with two sunbeds for 20 EUR or relax on your own towel for free.
If you are looking for a less visited but beautiful beach, we recommend the nearby Aquarium Beach.
Gjipe Canyon
The Gjipe Canyon trail takes about 30 minutes. This is an easy walk and a truly refreshing experience in summer.
Alternatively, get an unforgettable experience in Albania. Climb to great heights and enjoy the stunning views of the canyon.
Book your rock climbing adventure via Viator or GetYourGuide.
TIP
Check the weather forecast before visiting the beach and canyon.
What to Pack
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Swimsuit
- Hat and sunglasses
- Flip-Flops
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Snacks
- Water
- Local money
Keep reading → Sustainable Backpacks for Every Use
Where to Stay near the Beach
The beach is just a 20-minute drive from Dhermi and 30 minutes from Himare. Both towns have some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Dhermi
- Luxury: La Brisa Boutique Hotel
- Mid-Range: Nassau Hotel or Splendor Hotel
- Budget: Sofo Hotel Dhermi
Recommended post → Dhermi Beach Hotels & Resorts
Best hotels in Himare
- Luxury: Miamar Luxury Hotel & Spa or Rea Boutique Hotel
- Mid-Range: Oniro in Sea & Sun
- Budget: Alex Boutique Hotel
Recommended post → Best Himare Hotels
TIP
Alternatively, stay in Vuno, a 15-minute drive away.
Gjipe Beach Camping
Camping is allowed on the beach. If you are planning to camp, you should bring all the necessary camping equipment & accessories or book a campsite.
For the best experience, camp near the beach and spend your day swimming, kayaking, exploring the nearby caves, and walking the canyon. This is a great way to enjoy the beach without the crowds and see the magical sunrise.
We recommend staying at the Gjipe Eco Campground.
Gjipe Beach Map
We hope you found our guide to Gjipe Beach useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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