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Continue ShoppingAlbanian Riviera: 8 Day Beaches & Unesco Tour
The Albanian Riviera is a 120 km long coastline in the South of Albania. The area has some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Europe. There are many beaches and sights to visit in the Albanian riviera.
Highlights of the Albanian Riviera Tour
- Visit to the Blue Eye Spring
- Boat trip to the Karaburun Peninsula
- Unspoiled and private beaches of the Albanian Riviera
- Ksamil beach and boat trip to Ksamil islands
- Butrint & Gjirokastra UNESCO World Heritage sites
Day 1: Arrival Day
Day 2: Zvernec Island – Karaburun Peninsula – Vlore
Breakfast at the hotel
Drive to the Albanian Riviera
Sightseeing at Zvernec Island
Zvernec Island is a little island in the Narta Lagoon. A long bridge leads you from the mainland to Zvernec Island. On the island, you can visit the little Zvernec monastery. The island is a beautiful location to make pictures.
Boat trip to Karaburun Peninsula
The Karaburun Peninsula is a stretch of land that points into the sea. The peninsula is known for the spectacular beaches, which can only be visited by boat. The beaches at the Karaburun peninsula are very private, as they can only be reached by boat and the beaches are enclosed by cliffs. The boat trip starts from Vlora harbour and stops at one of the small beaches, where you can relax and swim. The boat will also stop at the Haxhi Ali Cave, which is a very large cave which bends into the sea.
Vlore Beach
The city Vlore is a very popular and large beachside city. It is also the starting point of the Albanian Riviera, which leads from Vlore southwards to Saranda. The city is built around a large horseshoe bay in the sea. Along the bay, there is a popular beachside promenade called Lungomare. Along this promenade, you can find many shops, restaurants, clubs, coffee houses and bars.
Free time to walk by Vlore beach in the evening.
Overnight accommodation in Vlore
Day 3: Llogara Pass – Dhermi beach
Breakfast at the hotel
Stop at the Llogara Pass
There is a coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, that leads by all the beaches of the Albanian Riviera. The highest point on the coastal road is the Llogara Pass. We will make a stop at the Llogara Pass on our journey southwards. The Llogara Pass is famous for the spectacular view. From the pass, you can see the Ionian Sea and the beaches below. At the pass, there is a coffee house, where you can have a refreshing drink or a coffee, while admiring the view down below.
Dhermi beach
Dhermi beach is one of the most popular beaches in the Albanian Riviera. There is a little village on the mountain side, it is worth walking up the hill to see some of the old houses and little churches. Afterwards, you can relax and swim on the lovely beach. Moreover, you can also walk along the beach to the stunning Drymades beach, which comes highly recommended by the Lonely Planet.
Overnight accommodation in Dhermi
Day 4: Gjipe beach – Jale beach – Himare village
Breakfast at the hotel
Gjipe beach
The beach of Gjipe is a very private beach, because the beach is entirely enclosed by cliffs. After a short drive from Dhermi, you need to walk for 10 minutes to visit the beach of Gjipe. The beach is one of the most hidden beaches of Albania. It is a beautiful place, and it is known for the perfect turquoise water. You will have some free time at Gjipe beach to relax and swim.
Jale beach
Jale beach is close to Gjipe and it is known for the clear water. There is a little bay at this beach, but there are not many facilities yet. It is possible to go by road to Jale, but you can also go via the sea on a little kayak or by foot.
Himare village
In the late afternoon, we transfer to the village of Himare. There is a small walking tour of the old village, which is on the hill. You can see some of the traditional houses, which are on the hillside. Moreover, since the village is on the hill it offers a beautiful view towards the Ionian Sea.
Overnight accommodation in Himare
Day 5: Ali Pasha castle – Borsh beach – Saranda
Breakfast at the hotel
Porto Palermo and the Castle of Ali Pasha
Porto Palermo is a large blue bay in the Albanian Riviera. In the middle of the Bay of Porto Palermo, you can visit the Castle of Ali Pasha.
The castle of Ali Pasha is a triangular-shaped fortress on a little island in the Bay of Porto Palermo. The castle is very picturesque and from the rooftop, you have a stunning view of the sea.
Although, many guidebooks state that the castle was build by Ali Pasha, the Albanian governor during the Ottoman empire. It is actually not true, and the castle was build by the Venetians. Because it gave the Venetians easy acccess by sea and it has the same triangular design as the Venetian castle in Butrint.
It is very likely that the written history was changed during the communist period. The communists wanted to believe that the Albanian Ali Pasha constructed the castle. Because it is more in line with the communist nationalist ideas. During the communism, the castle was used as a Soviet submarine base.
Borsh beach
The beach of Borsh is an impressive sight, because the beach is extremely long. You can choose to stay amongst other people, close to the restaurants. Or you can walk along the beach to be by yourself. The beach has perfect clear blue water and there is a good restaurant at the beach as well.
Saranda beach
Saranda is located all the way in the south of Albania, close to the Greek border. The city is the most well-known beach destination in Albania, and it is known for the vibrant nightlife. Along the seaside, there is a great variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and coffee houses. In the evening, you can walk along the waterside and see all the little lights along the bay.
Overnight accommodation in Saranda
Day 6: Butrint UNESCO site – Ksamil beach & islands
Breakfast at the hotel
Guided tour of Butrint UNESCO heritage site
Butrint is the most impressive, archaeological site in Albania. At Butrint, you can visit the ruins of an ancient city. The site was inhabited by the Greeks from Corfu, the Romans and the Byzantines. What makes the site special, is that it is a little sanctuary and it feels very romantic. The ruins are surrounded by the trees and nature of the national park. Moreover, the site is located on a small hill, which is surrounded by water from Lake Butrint and the Vivardi channel. The archaeological remains and the beautiful setting, make Butrint worth a visit.
Ksamil beach and islands
Ksamil beach is the most beautiful beach in Albania. The beach is paradise-like with perfect white sand and the clearest sea water you have ever seen. Moreover, there are four little islands in front of the beach. The islands are grown with nature and they have a very tropical feel. We take the boat to the Twin islands, that are connected to each other by a little strip of land. There is free time in Ksamil to swim and relax.
Overnight accommodation in Saranda
Day 7: Blue Eye Albania – Gjirokaster UNESCO site – Tirana
Breakfast at the hotel
Visit to the Blue Eye Spring
The Blue Eye Spring is a natural wonder and touristic highlight. The underwater spring pumps water from an underwater cave to the surface. The Blue Eye spring is very beautiful, because of its bright blue colour. The blue/green colour of the water seems artificial, but it is natural. Moreover, the spring looks like a human eye. The blue water is the iris and the black underwater cave is the pupil. The Blue Eye is something truly unique, that you cannot see anywhere else.
Gjirokaster city
Gjirokaster is a historical city, which is on the UNESCO heritage list. Walking through Gjirokaster gives you an insight into what the city was like during the Turkish Ottoman Empire. The city has typical stone houses and cobble stone streets. Therefore, Gjirokaster is also knows as the “stone city”.
The city of Gjirokaster is known in Albania as a “museum city”, because it has beautiful historical buildings everywhere. It is a lovely city to stroll through.
Gjirokaster Castle
The Gjirokaster Castle is a large fortress on the top of a hill in the city. The fortress has a spectacular view of the historical city and the traditional stone houses of Gjirokaster. It is one of the biggest hilltop castles in the Balkans and it therefore dominates the city.
The castle was originally build in the 12th century by the local Byzantine government. But it was renovated and additions were made during the Byzantine rule, the Ottoman empire and the government of King Zog. From the 1930 onwards, it was mainly used as a prison for people who were resistant against the government.
Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster
The Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster is the traditional market place in Gjirokaster. The bazaar was originally build in the Middle Ages. There are a variety of craftsmen, souvenir shops and coffee houses along the Bazaar. You can buy handmade wooden pieces, handwoven rugs and delicate lace items. The street of the Bazaar is made of cobblestones and it set on a steep hillside.
Overnight accommodation in Tirana
Day 8: Departure day
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Tirana International Airport for your return flight home
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