Albania had been on my list for a while, and after finally spending a week exploring the Albanian Riviera, I can safely say it deserves a spot on your Europe bucket list.

What I loved most about Albania is just how diverse it is. In one trip you can go from dramatic mountain landscapes and winding coastal roads to turquoise Ionian beaches, centuries-old villages, Ottoman architecture and fascinating history. And while Albania has been getting increasingly popular, there are still plenty of places where you can find that feeling of discovery that can be harder to come by elsewhere in Europe.

For this trip, we focused specifically on the Albanian Riviera, spending time in Dhërmi and Himarë, with one day in Gjirokastër. We intentionally skipped Ksamil and Sarandë. While they are some of the country’s most famous coastal destinations, we were looking for something a little more offbeat, low-key and authentic. We weren’t interested in crowded beach clubs or overly developed resort areas, and instead wanted to explore the quieter side of the Riviera.

So this guide is specifically for those looking to experience one week in the Albanian Riviera, with a mix of beautiful beaches, charming towns, scenic drives, boat days and a little bit of history.

Why Albania?

Albania feels like one of those destinations that is on the cusp of becoming very popular but still retains much of its charm.

The Albanian Riviera has that gorgeous Mediterranean combination of rugged mountains dropping dramatically into the sea, tiny coves, crystal-clear turquoise water and charming stone villages. Add in the country’s fascinating history and incredible value compared to many other European beach destinations, and there is a lot to love.

What surprised me most was the diversity. This isn’t just a beach destination. You can spend the morning hiking down to a secluded beach, the afternoon exploring an ancient castle and the evening wandering through a centuries-old stone village. And for us, the fact that there are still quieter corners to discover was a huge part of the appeal. Its so underrated!

How to Get to Albania

There are two main ways we considered getting to the Albanian Riviera.

Fly into Tirana

The easiest option is to fly into Tirana International Airport and rent a car. From Tirana, you can drive south toward the Riviera, passing through Vlorë and over the spectacular Llogara Pass before descending toward Dhërmi. The drive is several hours, but the scenery is beautiful and having a car makes the journey part of the experience.

Fly into Corfu + take the ferry

Another great option, particularly if you’re combining Albania with Greece, is to fly into Corfu and take the ferry across to Albania. Ferries operate from Corfu to Sarandë, and seasonal services can also connect directly with Himarë. From Sarandë, you can pick up a rental car and drive north along the Riviera.

One important tip: if you’re coming from Corfu, don’t assume you can take your Greek rental car into Albania. It’s generally much easier to travel as a foot passenger and rent a separate car once you arrive in Albania.

How to Get Around Albania

If you’re planning to explore the Albanian Riviera, rent a car. The coastline is incredibly scenic and there are so many beaches, viewpoints, villages and little stops along the way that having your own car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

The main coastal road is winding and mountainous in places, so don’t expect to cover huge distances quickly. But honestly, that’s part of the fun. We loved being able to stop whenever we saw a beautiful viewpoint or wanted to explore somewhere along the way.

Our One-Week Albania Itinerary

Here’s how we split up our week:

3 nights — Dhërmi
2 nights — Himarë
1 night — Gjirokastër
1 night — Tirana

 

DHËRMI

Dhërmi was our first stop on the Albanian Riviera and one of my favorite places we visited. The town is tucked into the mountains above the Ionian Sea, with a beautiful old stone village, dramatic views and easy access to some of the Riviera’s most beautiful beaches.

Where to Stay: Zoe Hora

We stayed at Zoe Hora, a beautiful boutique property tucked into the historic old village of Dhërmi. What makes it special is that it doesn’t feel like a traditional hotel. The property is spread throughout restored stone houses within the old village, so staying here feels like you’re actually experiencing Dhërmi rather than simply visiting it. The design beautifully blends the character of the old stone village with modern, understated luxury, and the views are incredible.

Things to Do in Dhërmi

Explore Dhërmi Old Town

Spend some time simply wandering through the old town. The narrow cobblestone lanes, traditional stone houses and mountain views make this one of the most atmospheric parts of Dhërmi. It’s especially beautiful around golden hour when the village starts to glow.

Have a meal at Zoe Hora Restaurant

Even if you’re not staying at Zoe Hora, make time for dinner here. The restaurant sits high above the village and has beautiful panoramic views over Dhërmi and the Ionian Sea. The menu focuses on Mediterranean cuisine using local ingredients, making it a lovely spot for a long dinner overlooking the coast. Reservations highly recommended. 

Explore the beaches

The beaches around Dhërmi are beautiful and each has a slightly different feel. We spent time at Dhërmi Beach, Drymades Beach and Gjipe Beach, and Gjipe was easily my favorite. Gjipe is a little more of an adventure to reach, it’s about a 30–40 minute hike down to the beach  but the walk is absolutely worth it. The dramatic canyon opening onto the turquoise Ionian Sea makes the arrival feel that much more special. If you’re looking for a beach that feels a little more wild and removed from the main Riviera crowds, don’t skip Gjipe.

 

HIMARË

After Dhërmi, we continued south to Himarë, a laid-back coastal town surrounded by beautiful beaches and some of the most spectacular coastline in Albania. Himarë was the perfect base for us because it offered a little more of a local-town feel while also making it easy to get out on the water and explore the coastline.

Where to Stay: Prado Luxury Hotel

We stayed at Prado Luxury Hotel, a modern beachfront property in Livadh, just outside Himarë. The hotel has spacious rooms with private balconies and beautiful views over the Ionian Sea, making it a comfortable base for exploring the area.

Things to Do in Himarë

One of the absolute highlights of our time in Himarë was getting out on the water. We did two private boat tours with Himara Beach Hopping Tours, and both were completely different experiences. The company specializes in private boat trips along the coast, visiting secluded beaches, caves and hidden bays that are difficult or impossible to reach by land.

Gramma Bay Tour

The Gramma Bay tour is an absolute must ! It was all about getting out into the wildest, most remote stretches of the Albanian coast. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you head farther south, with towering cliffs, tiny turquoise coves and stretches of coastline that feel completely untouched. We stopped along the way for swimming and exploring, making this a perfect day for anyone who wants to experience the more rugged side of the Riviera. Some of my favorite stops here included the Blue Cave, Gramma Bay, Pigeons cave and more.

Porto Palermo Tour

The Porto Palermo tour was another highlight, combining beautiful beaches with a fascinating dose of history. The boat takes you to several secluded beaches and coves before heading toward Porto Palermo, where you can explore the cave and see remnants of Albania’s communist-era history, including an old submarine tunnel and bunkers. The combination of crystal-clear water, dramatic coastline and these unexpected historical remnants made this one of the most interesting boat days we had. Some of my favorite stops here included Filikuri beach and random coves at Porto Palermo.

 

GJIROKASTËR

For a change of scenery, we spent one night in Gjirokastër a historic hilltop city that feels worlds away from the Riviera.  Known for its distinctive stone architecture and Ottoman-era heritage, Gjirokastër is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and absolutely worth adding to an Albania itinerary if you have the time.

Where to Stay: Hotel Kalemi 2

We stayed at Hotel Kalemi 2, a beautifully restored traditional house right in the heart of Gjirokastër’s Old Bazaar. The hotel combines original Ottoman-era details with modern comforts, and its location makes it incredibly easy to explore the old town on foot.

Things to Do in Gjirokastër

Wander the Old Town

The Old Bazaar is the heart of Gjirokastër and one of the prettiest areas to simply wander without a plan. Think cobblestone streets, traditional stone buildings, little shops and cafés, all surrounded by the mountains.

Visit Gjirokastër Castle

Sitting high above the city, Gjirokastër Castle is one of the main attractions and offers incredible panoramic views over the rooftops and surrounding mountains. Give yourself a couple of hours to explore the castle grounds and take in the views.

Conclusion

Our week in Albania was really about slowing down, getting off the beaten path and exploring a side of the Riviera that felt a little more authentic and less polished.

While places like Ksamil and Sarandë are undoubtedly beautiful and worth visiting if they’re your style, we intentionally chose not to include them because we weren’t looking for a beach-club-heavy trip. We wanted quiet beaches, scenic drives, charming old towns and experiences that felt a little more local and Dhërmi and Himarë delivered exactly that.

If you’re looking for a European summer destination that combines beautiful beaches, mountains, history, adventure and incredible scenery, Albania is absolutely worth adding to your list.