{"id":61412,"date":"2026-07-07T11:54:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T08:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/himare-albania\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T10:35:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T07:35:44","slug":"himare-albania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/himare-albania\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach vacation in Himare, Albania"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why did we choose Himare for a seaside holiday in Albania?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wanted a clean, transparent sea, not many people on the beaches, the possibility to relax on well-maintained municipal beaches, see beautiful wild beaches and coves without crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Himare<\/strong> fully met these requirements. And it\u2019s also a great place for a vacation with kids, even if they\u2019re still in a stroller. There is accessible entry to the beach from the promenade, sandy areas, free umbrellas. Or affordable paid beach clubs with sun loungers – all of this is available in Himare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll share more details from my own holiday experience in June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Albania itinerary \u2013 a week in the mountains and at the sea<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The town of Himare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Himare is located on the so-called Albanian Riviera. Specifically – between the cities of Vlora and Saranda. After the Llogara Pass, or the new tunnel beneath it (in 2026, it was still free, but the price for passage was already posted \u2013 250 lek for a regular car (2.5 euros)).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The town of Himare is situated in a natural bay, protected by two mountainous capes. The old town is located on the hill, and by the sea there are already hotels and apartments built, although many old buildings remain. There\u2019s even a bunker, now hard to spot among the dumpsters and the cars parked next to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is small \u2013 the neighboring Dhermi is twice as big and there is major development with hotels there. There is also some construction in Himare, but a bit away from the center. So we didn\u2019t feel any annoying noise or dirt from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did I choose Himare for a holiday?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I wanted to be in civilization, but not where night bars and discos are blaring all night. In big cities, Albanians have a habit of setting off fireworks every night, but Himare is relatively quiet. Well, maybe there\u2019s a mad motorcyclist speeding around \u2013 that\u2019s the maximum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wanted access to a seafront promenade with cafes and restaurants<\/strong> with a sea view, which Himare has, although it\u2019s not very long. Pine trees are planted along it, and pines with the sea \u2013 that\u2019s beautiful, no matter what.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Himare it\u2019s easy to get to neighboring wild beaches (provided you have a car), of which there are still plenty in this part of Albania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here the Ionian Sea<\/strong> is very beautiful \u2013 transparent, blue, because the beaches are covered everywhere with white pebbles. Although on the upper part of the beaches there is fine sand as well, which is nice to lie on with your own towel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water in the bay is calm and perfectly suited for swimming. There is not a big concentration of private beach clubs here, and all the beaches are easily accessible on foot from the town center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And most importantly \u2013 in Himare there are several good municipal beaches.<\/strong> I don\u2019t like to go to beach clubs because I don\u2019t stay on the beach all the time. I only need to swim and sunbathe for a couple of hours in the morning and the same in the evening. So I found everything I needed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beaches in Himare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you look at the map, you might think there is just one stretch of beach in Himare, but in reality there are three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beach in the center of Himare offers everything you need for a lazy day, giving you the opportunity to swim and sunbathe just a few steps from your accommodation. It\u2019s divided into two parts by a concrete pier, where boats and launches dock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spille Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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On the right (facing the sea) from the concrete pier there is a strip of beach Plazhi Spillese<\/a>. It is so narrow that there is space only for one group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Himare Municipal Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Himare<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Left of the pier is the large municipal Himare beach<\/a>. The promenade with most restaurants and bars runs alongside it. This beach, farther from the pier, becomes wider, has a row of free umbrellas (those marked with the city symbol), a sandy area near the promenade, and small pebbles at the entrance to the sea. If you see umbrellas stacked closer to the water \u2013 these are left by locals overnight, and then they come back in the morning or afternoon. So, they belong to someone \u2013 keep that in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These two free sandy beaches were located near the hotel we stayed at. So we spent most of our time there in the mornings and evenings. We would have breakfast or coffee at San GIORGIO<\/a> caf\u00e9 and would immediately go down to the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Himare beach also has fresh water showers and is cleaned every morning \u2013 the sand and pebbles are clean. In the evenings there were always more people here than in the mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sfageio Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Continue walking left along the path and you’ll come to a small square with beautiful views and an accessible ramp for wheelchairs that leads to Sfageio Beach<\/a>, which really is not much different from Himare Beach. Part of it is a paid zone \u2013 beanbags and umbrellas that belong to Acta Restaurant. The other part is just as free as the other beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maraci Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Maraci Beach \/ Plazhi i Mara\u00e7it<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 this is the next beach further away, about a 5-10-minute walk from the town center along the main road. It\u2019s more exclusive than the other three, with limited access points and only a small area of public beach hidden in a corner. Most of the beach is a beach club with paid umbrellas and sun loungers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re staying in this part of Himare, this will be a more convenient option. But access to the beach is via stairs \u2013 it\u2019s not inclusive at all, unlike the Himare municipal beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prinos and Potami Beaches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prinos and Potami are located on the other side of the Himare bay, closer to the southern cliff. And the sunsets here are incredibly beautiful!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fairly long stretch of small-pebble beach flows smoothly from one into the next with no distinct boundaries. However, some might like them more than the more crowded town beaches of Himare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On foot, it\u2019s about 15-20 minutes along the main road from the center of Himare, or 5 minutes by car. There is parking near the beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prinos<\/strong> (Prinos beach<\/a>) is the first wide area and a more luxurious enclave with various beach clubs featuring neat straw umbrellas and loungers. The price is 10\u201315 euros for an umbrella and two loungers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Himare,<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Potami<\/strong> (Potami beach<\/a>) is a more peaceful spot, with many more free beaches and a wonderful little rocky cove with crystal-clear water at the far end. There is also a sunset point<\/a> here \u2013 a really great place to watch the sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Himare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hotels and guesthouses near Himare promenade<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Margarita Guesthouse<\/a> \u2013 very conveniently located close to several beaches: Himare municipal, Sfageio beach, and the beach club at Maraci beach. This family guesthouse has stunning views both from its beautiful blooming garden and some rooms. The rooms are simple but comfortable, and there\u2019s a tasty breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rooms by the sea<\/a> \u2013 guesthouse with clean rooms with balconies featuring stunning sea views. Directly in front of the hotel is Spille Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIAL Rooms<\/a> \u2013 a small and very clean hotel with an elevator, located 7 minutes from the promenade. We stayed here and really liked it, the balcony has a great view of the town and the sea. There is private free parking in front of the hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So\u00f1ar en el Mar<\/a> \u2013 this guesthouse is probably the best choice in Himare. It offers large, modern minimalist rooms right on the promenade with beach views. The price includes a wonderful breakfast served on the rooftop terrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotels near Prinos and Potami beaches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are many accommodation options with a view of Prinos and Potami, but keep in mind that there is construction going on in some areas opposite the beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vourtar\u00e9a Guesthouse<\/a> \u2013 apartments in a quiet area near Prinos Beach. Well-equipped, clean and comfortable. The hosts and staff are extremely pleasant and helpful. It was truly nice to stay there. Parking is next to the building. Shops and restaurants nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Stay Boutique Hotel<\/a> \u2013 located right across from Potami beach without rows and rows of umbrellas. Rooms have kettles and cups, so you can enjoy coffee or tea on the veranda with a sea view. The hotel itself is retro-style, but very, very clean. Free parking, and beach chairs are provided for guests upon request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seaside Hotel Himare<\/a> \u2013 a clean and renovated hotel near the sea. There is parking, and the hotel is located right on Potami beach, at the very southern end of this beach, where it’s not too crowded. The balcony has a wonderful view, especially of the evening sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Himare<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Himare.<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

See the ghost town of Old Himara<\/strong> on top of the cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Take a sunset walk among the abandoned buildings and labyrinth of cobblestone streets. It\u2019s believed to have been founded by Greeks 3,500 years ago, mentioned by Pliny in the 1st century, became a powerful Byzantine fortress, and resisted the Ottomans before it was eventually abandoned in favor of the new port and seaside settlement. Entry here, on Google Maps<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Old Himara, you can also stumble upon a small family caf\u00e9 called “Butterfly” with a terrace where you can enjoy coffee, juice, beer, a traditional dessert, and a view of the Ionian Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Himare.<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you have free time or are seeking solitude, you might want to be more adventurous \u2013 I recommend kayaking. This way, you can see hidden coves and beaches. We paddled in Porto Palermo bay, which used to be a submarine repair base. There is a preserved fortress on the Porto Palermo peninsula \u2013 entry is 300 lek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Himare.<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also recommend walking to the remote and pristine Filikuri bay<\/a>, which is located just over the hill from Potami. You can only get here using a rope that hangs on the rocks near the beach. So, put on comfortable shoes (preferably sneakers) and go see some empty beaches near Himare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan a walk through the old town of Dhermi<\/strong> \u2013 it\u2019s a 20-minute drive from Himare. Wonderful architecture, cute cafes, and beautiful sea views from viewing platforms await you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boat excursions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n