Beaches in Albania

Dhermi is probably Albania's most famous beach. It's an exceptionally long and large sandy beach, backing onto lush vegetation and towering hills, offering some truly mind-blowing views in every direction. Due to this beach's beauty and size, it can become one of the busiest beaches in Albania, especially during the warm summer months when tourist numbers are at their peak. However, given the fact that Dhermi is such a big beach, you can just keep walking down on crowded days to find a quiet spot.

If beauty and aesthetics are what matter most to you in a beach, Drymades is probably the best option for you in all of Albania. Located near the little village of Dhermi, this small Albanian beach offers soft white sands and gorgeous, shimmering, welcoming waters, but the thing that really makes Drymades stand out is the beautiful unique rock formation that splits the beach in half. With a little natural window formed by erosion over time, you can stare at these rocks all day long and still not get bored. The beach is sandy on one side and filled with pebbles on the other, making it a equally adept spot for both sunbathing and exploration.

If you don't mind crowds and a little chatter to accompany the soft sound of the sea, Saranda is a good spot to check out. It's one of the most popular beaches in Albania, due to both its beauty and its location. This beach is conveniently situated close to the international border that separates Albania from Greece, with many Greek visitors hopping over the line to spend a summer weekend here. The town has a lot of good eateries and amenities and a few different beaches to enjoy. The beaches here tend less soft than some of the others, with little pebbles and shells washing up on shore, but there are plenty of loungers and other beach equipment to help you make the most of your stay.

If size is what matters to you most of all, Borsh is the beach for you. It's actually the biggest beach in the entire country of Albania, running for around 3 miles in length and offering simply unbeatable views of the sea and scenery of Albania's Riviera. With so much space to explore, this beach never feels crowded or oppressive. It's ideal for long romantic strolls as the sun goes down over the horizon and equally well-suited for other beach activities like games, swimming, sunbathing, and picnics. Despite being a really big and visually impressive beach, few tourists actually take the time to visit Borsh, so it's a good spot off the beaten track for backpackers to check out.

One of the prettiest, most charming little beach towns in Albania's Riviera, Himara is a must-visit location for beach-goers in this Balkan nation. There are actually a few different little beaches to be found near the town of Himara, each with their own features and advantages. The beaches here offer quiet, tranquil atmosphere and are dotted with large boulders and unique rock formations that can be a lot of fun to explore with kids. Be sure to check out the Livadhi area to see a truly unique site: a white sand beach lined with olive trees.