7 Best Beaches in Himare You Must Visit
One of the best things to do in Himare is to visit the beautiful beaches. Himare is a popular beach destination on the Albanian Riviera with beautiful pebble beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, unique rock formations, and exciting water activities.
We recommend you spend at least 2-3 days in Himare and take boat tours, swim in the crystal clear waters, snorkel, or relax on the stunning beaches.
We’ve put together a list of the most beautiful beaches in Himarë. Use the map at the bottom of this post to find the best beaches near Himare.
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- 7 Best Beaches in Himare You Must Visit
- When is the Best Time to Visit Himare Beaches?
- How to Get to Himare
- Best Beaches in Himare
- 1. Himare Beach (Plazhi i Himarës)
- 2. Gjipe Beach (Plazhi i Gjipesë)
- 3. Porto Palermo Beach
- 4. Aquarium Beach (Plazhi I Akuariumit)
- 5. Jale Beach (Plazhi i Jalës)
- 6. Dhermi Beach (Dhërmiu Beach)
- 7. Kico Beach
- What to Pack for Visiting Himare Beaches
- Map of the Best Beaches in Himare
- Where to Stay in Himare
- Tips for Visiting Himare Beaches
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When is the Best Time to Visit Himare Beaches?
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Himare is from May to September. 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 the beaches at the end of May, and although the weather was warm, the water was still a bit cold.
Good to know
All beaches in Himare are free to visit.
How to Get to Himare
The distance between Himare and Tirana is about 250 km, which is 3.5-6 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport. You can easily get to Himare by taxi, bus, minivan, or rental car.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Tirana to Himare with all the information you need.
We arrived by car from Berat and easily explored the beaches around Himarë. If you don’t have a rental car, we recommend renting a scooter in town to get to the beaches.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Himare
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.
The drive time between Tirana and Himare is usually 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. The roads are in good condition. Always wear your seat belt and obey the speed limit!
Best Beaches in Himare
1. Himare Beach (Plazhi i Himarës)
Himare Beach is a stunning public beach in Albania that is free to visit. Around the beach, you will find many cozy restaurants, bars, local vendors, and shops. We suggest you visit Himara Castle in the morning and then spend the day relaxing on the beach.
You can easily book epic boat tours and water taxis or rent kayaks at the beach. On a boat tour, you can visit stunning places like Grama Bay, Pirate Cave, Pigeon Cave, Porto Palermo Beach, and Filikuri. For the best experience, we recommend you visit the beach at sunset or enjoy the beautiful view from one of the nearby restaurants.
If you are looking for a hotel with a sea view near Himare Beach, we recommend staying at the Rea Boutique Hotel or Geo & Art Boutique Hotel Himara.
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.
2. Gjipe Beach (Plazhi i Gjipesë)
Gjipe Beach is located in the Gjipe Canyon, between the coastal towns of Himare and Dhermi. This is one of the most inaccessible beaches on the Albanian Riviera, but well worth the effort. The beach can be reached by car, bus, water taxi/boat tour, or a scenic hiking trail.
The Gjipe Beach car park is about a 30-minute drive from Himare. The parking fee is 400 LEK (4 EUR) for the day and 600 LEK (6 EUR) for overnight parking. You cannot get directly to the beach by car, so you have to hike from the parking lot down to the beach.
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If you have a drone, bring it with you because the views from above are stunningly beautiful.
Read the full post → Gjipe Beach & Canyon
3. Porto Palermo Beach
This is one of the best beaches near Himare, where you can also visit an impressive castle. Porto Palermo Beach is just a 15-minute drive from Himare.
Parking is free in front of Palermo Beach, and the castle is just a short walk away. We recommend you explore the castle first, enjoy the panoramic view, and then relax on the beach.
Porto Palermo Castle is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM during the summer season and from 8 AM to 4 PM in the winter season.
The entrance fee to Porto Palermo Castle is 300 LEK (3 EUR) per person. The entrance ticket can only be paid in local cash (LEK).
See also → Albania Itinerary for 2 Weeks
4. Aquarium Beach (Plazhi I Akuariumit)
The Aquarium Beach is a small, secluded pebble beach with crystal clear water in a small cove among the rocks. It is located about a 20-minute drive from Himare.
This was our favorite beach on the Albanian Riviera, which can easily combined with nearby beaches, such as Jale Beach, Livadhi Beach, and Guma Beach. Although still a hidden gem, it is becoming increasingly popular with tourists.
The beach is very small, so arrive early in the morning and avoid weekends. We were lucky as we were there at the end of May and there were few tourists. But during the peak summer season, this small beach fills up quickly. The beach is ideal for swimming, cliff jumping, and snorkeling.
Recommended post → How to Visit Aquarium Beach
5. Jale Beach (Plazhi i Jalës)
Jale Beach is a beautiful, secluded beach with crystal clear azure waters, just a 20-minute drive from Himare. The beach is easily accessible by car. If you are arriving by car, we recommend you stop on the way and enjoy the magnificent views of Jale Beach.
The beach is surrounded by campsites, hotels, restaurants and bars. You can also rent an umbrella with two sunbeds for 1000 LEK (10 EUR).
We loved exploring Himare and the nearby beaches. But if you are looking for sandy beaches on the Albanian Riviera, we recommend visiting Ksamil.
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Don’t miss the nearby Folie Marine Beach.
6. Dhermi Beach (Dhërmiu Beach)
Dhermi Beach was one of our favorite beaches, just a 35-minute drive from Himare. It’s a beautiful pebble beach surrounded by beach clubs, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Spend a few hours relaxing on the beach, drinking a refreshing cocktail, or trying delicious Albanian food.
We recommend you stroll along the cozy promenade. Then visit the Monastery Of Saint Mary in Dhermi and enjoy the fantastic views. Don’t miss Palasa Beach, just a 10-minute drive away.
See also → What to Do in Ksamil
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.
7. Kico Beach
Looking for one of the best beaches in Himare? The best way to reach Kico Beach is by car, but we recommend leaving your car at the top of the hill, as the road is unpaved, rocky, and very bumpy. After parking, you have to take a steep walk, which takes about 15 minutes.
Access to the beach is only recommended by a 4×4 car. If you arrive on foot from Himare, you can reach it in about 20-25 minutes via a narrow path.
The water is super clear, so it’s the perfect place for snorkeling and swimming. There is also a platform to jump into the water. You can also rent an umbrella with two sunbeds for 1000 LEK (10 EUR).
The Kico Meniko Himarë restaurant offers fresh seafood, salads, and refreshing drinks.
What to Pack for Visiting Himare Beaches
- 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, Water shoes
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Snacks
- Water
- Local money
Map of the Best Beaches in Himare
Where to Stay in Himare
Himare has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. Alternatively, stay in Dhermi, a 30-minute drive away. 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
Tips for Visiting Himare Beaches
- The best way to visit the beaches is to rent a car. Alternatively, you can hire a scooter or join boat tours.
- As most beaches in Albania are pebbly, bring water shoes.
- Avoid sunburn and always use sunscreen.
- Take plenty of water and snacks.
- Petty theft sometimes occurs on the beaches. So always keep an eye on your valuables while swimming.
- If you want to beat the crowds, get to the beaches early in the morning and avoid the weekends. Alternatively, visit Himare in the shoulder season.
- Currents can be strong and unpredictable, so be careful when swimming or snorkeling!
- Card payments are not accepted everywhere, so bring enough cash (LEK or EUR).
- Spend as much time as possible on the Albanian Riviera and enjoy the best beaches.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
We hope you found our guide to the best beaches in Himare useful and will inspire you to visit some beautiful beaches. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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