Quick Travel Guide To Himare – My Favorite Beach Town in Albania

I traveled along the Albanian coast for over two weeks and hands down, Himare was my favorite beach town. I have a somewhat controversial opinion of the Albanian Riviera and some of the beach towns I visited were amazing, but some were a little less so.

But if I were to return to Albania for the beaches and wanted to stay in a nice town with a great vibe, awesome restaurants and affordable prices, I would definitely choose Himare.

In this short travel guide to Himare, you’ll learn why Himare was my favorite beach town in Albania, what to do in Himare and I’ll give you some useful tips for your upcoming trip, such as where to stay, what to pack, and how to get around.

Is Himare worth visiting?

Himare is a cute little beach town known for its many beautiful beaches. It is a touristy town so if you are looking for an off- the-beaten-path remote beach getaway, Himare is not for you, especially not in the peak summer months. But of all the touristy beach towns I visited in Albania, Himare had the most charm.

There’s not much to do in the town itself, but Himare is a great base for beach hopping or visiting smaller coastal villages like Dhermi or Vuno. There are also many stunning beaches, restaurants specializing in a variety of cuisines, and pretty vibrant nightlife. As such Himare is a great destination for a vacation or a beach weekend in Albania.

If you are looking for more cultured destinations, places like Gjirocaster, Berat, or Tirane would be a better choice. Himare is also quite small and offers fewer facilities, especially in comparison to coastal towns like Sarande, Vlore, or Durres. You won’t find large supermarkets or shopping malls in Himare. But this in my opinion adds to its charm.

I was sure I would like Sarande more than Himare mostly due to its facilities and accessibility. I am not a touristy town kind of traveler. But I found Himare to be charming and cute. In a simple, chilled, beach viby way.

An important thing to know, especially if you are deciding between Himare and places like Ksamil for example is that Himare is cheaper in general and you will find plenty of free beaches to enjoy. This means you can come to the beach with your own towel and stay there for free. There are very few if any free beaches left in Ksamil. And even if you choose a paid beach or private lido you will be expected to pay between 10 and 20 euros in Himare while prices can go as high as 60 euros in Ksamil.

Things to do in Himare, Albania

So here are a few of the things you can do in Himare that is if you want to do something other than laze on the beach and eat fantastic food!

The beaches in town

As for the beaches in Himare itself, you’re spoiled for choice. Four different beaches stretch along the coast and truly they’re all really great!

The great thing about Himare’s beaches is that every single one of them offers enough “free space” for you to spread out your towel. You’ll find plenty of cool beach bars and private lidos with posh sun loungers, but if you don’t fancy that, you’ll find a spot for yourself too.

Prinos Beach is pebbly and can get pretty deep quite quickly, so perhaps it’s not the best choice for families with kids. However, I really liked this beach and thought the water was to die for! This was my favorite beach in Himare!

Plazhi i Maraçit is also a pebbly beach with very reasonably priced and comfy sunbeds but also has enough space for you to spread your own town for free. The water is crystal clear and there is a super cool bar/restaurant which unfortunately can play loud music during peak season so keep that in mind.

Sfageio Beach is a sandy beach located right in the center of Himare and it’s pretty small yet quite picturesque. It is a great beach to take a morning dip as it can get a bit more busy in the afternoon given its location.

Spile is a smaller but really lovely free beach where you will find some sand and some pebbles. It’s a perfect beach to spend a day on, as it is located behind the main Himare strip. Its shallower water is also great for families and kids. But again, during the peak season, it gets quite crowded and noisy.

Beaches near Himare

The main reason I wanted to stay in Himare was that I was dying to see Gjipe and Aquarium Bay. The best beaches in this area are not exactly in the town of Himare, but they are very much worth the trip. You can rent a car or a quad bike (so much fun!), but some of them can also be reached on foot and if you fancy and/or on a budget, you can also hitchhike.

I wrote a separate post about the best beaches near Himare (where you will find all the details including directions) but here is a short list of those most beautiful!

Himare Castle and Old Town

The old town of Himare is perched on a hill and is often missed out as it is a bit further away from the main town and requires a bit of a hike. It’s not breathtaking and can’t be compared to the town of Gjirocaster or the beautiful Berat, but I think it’s worth visiting for an hour or two, so try to set aside a couple of hours for this adventure.

It’s around a 45-minute hike up and you’ll be rewarded with views of the nearby Livadi beach. Once at the top, you’ll find some churches with Byzantine murals and Himare Castle.

Himare main town

This is where you will find all the action, bars, restaurants, and beaches. I found Himare quite charming and liked walking along its streets and snapping photos.

Along the main promenade, you’ll find lots of great restaurants, souvenir stalls, and all that touristy jazz. It’s especially nice in the evening when live bands play on the beach and people stroll and have fun until the late hours.

I found Himare town welcoming and safe and for a few days’ stay it had everything I needed.

Great day trips from Himare

Himare is a great base for visiting nearby towns and there are quite a few to choose from.

I didn’t go to see the castle while I was in Palermo as after seeing one in Gjirocaster or Berat I didnt feel like this one would make a massive impression on me. But if you are a castle enthusiast apparently it is worth a stop.

I did enjoy the beach in Porto Palermo as it felt very local and the water was crystal clear! There isn’t a massive amount of space and the beach is pebbly and there isn’t much around, so I wouldn’t choose it as a whole day stay but again if you are passing by, it’s worth a stop or maybe a couple of hours.

Dhermi is a village located between Vlore and Himare. and the village itself is situated on a hillside and offers incredible views.

Dhermi Beach is one of the best beaches in Albania and is located south of the village. It is a long, wide beach that offers plenty of space even in the peak summer months. You can choose between renting a sun lounger or bringing your own towel or parasol.

There are numerous bars and restaurants on the beach, but given the size of the beach, you will also find more secluded spots. It’s a truly mesmerising beach with stunning views and a dramatic mountain backdrop.

I passed by Vuno on my way to Vlore and I loved how picturesque it was! It is known for its traditional stone houses, narrow cobbled streets, and stunning sea views but also its strong historical heritage, with roots dating back to antiquity. It played a role in Albania’s independence movement and has preserved its authentic architecture, with many old houses still standing. The Church of Saint Spyridon is one of its most notable landmarks.

Vuno is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including olive groves and rugged hills that descend towards the sea. It’s really dreamy!

Considering renting a car in Albania? If you are traveling in high season, book early. Prices increase the later you book a car. Of course, you can also rent a car at the airport. There are several car rental agencies outside the arrival terminal. You can also negotiate the price. You can also search for the best prices and pre-book online on Rentalcars or Discover Cars website. 

Qeparo is a sleepy, dreamy Albanian village between the towns of Himarë and Borsh consisting of main Qeparo and Upper Queparo which is home to the old historical village. Qeparoin the past, was famous for being home to both Greeks and Albanians cultivating some of the best olives and olive oil in Albania.

One of the highlights of Queparo is its picturesque setting amidst olive groves and citrus orchards, with panoramic views of the Ionian Sea and the surrounding mountains. 

Located right next to Qeparo, Borsh Beach is the largest (longest) beach on the Albanian Riviera and one of the most beautiful beaches in Albania. Surrounded by mountains and olive trees, it is very popular with locals, tourists, and camping enthusiasts. There are even a few official campsites on the beach.

Borsh is a nearby town and only small, so you should stay here mainly for the beach. Apart from that, Borsh Beach is one of the best places in Albania to simply unplug.

Go on a coastal hike

If hiking is your thing, you should take a coastal hike to nearby Livadi Beach. The walk can get a bit adventurous and good sturdy shoes are recommended but the views are stunning!

After that you can continue walking towards Aquatim Bay and further to Jale Beach. This would make for a great active and adventurous day and plenty of beach actin in between.

The whole hike from Himare to Jale is around 4 miles and would take a little over 2 hours one way. I found this trail map if you are interested but I always suggest using maps.me when hiking.

How to get to Himare

If you are looking for a beach town in Albania with great public transport connections, Himare unfortunately is not that. There is a bus passing through the town, but this is it really. Sarande or Vlore would be a much better choice if you wanted to travel around by bus.

But dont worry, not is lost. The bus that passes through Himare starts at Vlore and goes all the way to Sarande with many stops in between.

There is another bus between Tirane and Himare and some services continue towards Sarande and even Ksamil.

It is in fact very easy to get to Himare from Tirane with services departing from Tirana East Terminal.

There are also a few buses per day between Durres and Himare.

Gjirafa is the best website to check for bus timetables across all of Albania.

You can also travel to Himare from Corfu, Greece! You will first have to take a ferry from Corfu to Sarande. Multiple ferry companies operate this route, with options ranging from fast hydrofoils (30 minutes) to slower car ferries (1 hour and 30 minutes). Ferries run several times daily, especially in peak season. You can check companies like Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways for schedules and ticket prices.

From Sarande you can either take a bus or taxi to Himare.

Where to stay in Himare

There is a very healthy amount of wonderful accommodation options in Himare that will suit every budget and travel style. From iconic affordable hostels to luxury villas and hotels, you will find what you need in Himare.

If you are a budget traveler and still want to have access to some of the best beaches in Albania, Himare can be pretty affordable and is home to some great hostels. Sun Bakers Hostel is a great hostel that made it to the list of best hostels in the Balkans. This beach hostel has very spacious dorm rooms and a beautiful garden! 

Himara Downtown Hostel is a bit pricier but it’s still worth checking out. It is located in the heart of the town, very close to all the Himare beaches, the price includes breakfast and travelers are raving about it!

If you prefer an affordable private room I suggest you stay at one of the homestays in Himare where you can find a great room for as little as $30. Guest House Solive is a great example! For $30 to $40 you can find a studio or a small apartment like this Sea Breeze Rooms apartment or studio in Villa Xani. 

I  had a friend visiting me for a few days and we stayed at Meniko’s House which was just perfect! The location was unbeatable, the bed was super comfy, views to die for and Maria the owner was the nicest person ever!

For more of a midrange accommodation, I recommend Faidra or this wonderful Elpis Guest House offering incredible views!

Finally, if you are after a more luxurious stay in Himare you will not be disappointed either. Artis Blue Relax is just stunning and Rea Boutique Hotel is located right at the seafront. 

Vila Milo has beautifully decorated rooms, a swimming pool, and a garden and if you prefer to stay at the resort or hotel, then you should check out Sea View Hotel.

Things to know and what to pack for your Himare trip

Where to next?

Traveling along the Albanian coast? here you will find my totally honest guide to Vlore and in this post, you will find my slightly controversial guide to the Albanian Riviera.

For my Northern Albania guides check out this complete travel guide to Shkoder, and this guide to visiting Theth and hiking to Valbona, as well as my honest opinion on taking a day trip to the Shahla River.

If you are following my Albania itinerary You are probably heading towards Gjirocaster – one of the most magical towns in Albania and then to the wonderful town of Berat! If you only have time to visit one of the UNESCO towns, you might find this Gjirocaster and Berat comparison article useful!

Finally in this post, you will find your complete guide to the best things to do in Tirana.

Happy travels and enjoy Albania!

Pati