Impossibly blue skies, a wild and dramatic coast, and warm Mediterranean waters lapping at your feet—welcome to Albania.

While a number of different mountain ranges run along the eastern side of Albania, its southwestern coast is home to paradisiacal beaches where the sun shines, umbrellas provide some needed shade for beachgoers, and the Mediterranean laps the shore. While its sandy stretches were long a secret compared to more popular neighbours like Croatia and Greece, increasingly the world is getting out. The beaches of Albania could become a summer romance that you’ll never forget.

Grama Bay

Small and captivating, with fine white sand, Grama Bay is hidden between steep cliffs and surrounded by lush vegetation. The easiest way to visit it is by sea given its remote and isolated location. It offers exactly what you’d want to find on your Albanian beach vacation including the glistening turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea. Don’t miss the ancient inscriptions on nearby rocks that date back to Roman and Greek times.

Plazhi i Ri and Uji i Ftohtë beaches, near Vlorë

These two beaches are the gateway to the Albanian Riviera—at its northern end—and a fitting start to this roundup of the best beaches in Albania.

Vlorë, located just over 90 miles from the Albanian capital, Tirana, is a port town where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet and miles of sand and cliffs run along the coast. The town attracts a variety of tourists who find different beaches and atmospheres for every taste. If you are looking for a lively party scene, the beach bars of Plazhi i Ri await. If you prefer something less crowded then head to the charming and more secluded Uji i Ftohtë.

Llaman, in Himarë

Himarë, the next village on the Riviera as you head south, has two very different sides. In addition to being a popular beach resort, there’s a quiet village where life goes on as it long has, with fishermen gathering in traditional tavernas after a day at sea. It’s a true reflection of the best of Albania—open to international travelers but not forgetting about its roots.

The best place to enjoy the sun and sea near Himarë is at Llaman, a beach that’s very popular with locals. Nestled between two hills, this pebbly cove is an ideal spot to put down your towel and then marvel at the Mediterranean.

Buneci

Buneci sits in the shadow of Sarandë and many travelers skip it, drawn to the bright lights and festive atmosphere of its southern neighbor. Those who choose to spend a few days in Buneci, however, will find an almost deserted white pebble beach that is as beautiful as any near Sarandë.

While it has some basic tourist infrastructure, this beach town remains relatively undeveloped. There are a few traditional cafes and a hotel, but you’ll still be able to hear the lapping of the waves—and who needs anything more than that?

Drymades

In Drymades you will find fine sand, white pebbles, and centuries-old olive trees, but also colorful sun loungers and umbrellas, trendy beach bars, and a range of accommodations, from modest bungalows to five-star hotels. It is considered by many to be the coolest beach in Albania.

Dhërmi

Although its name may not be familiar to those who haven’t visited Albania yet, Dhërmi is one of the most famous beaches in the country. It was long a secret guarded by locals who enjoyed the miles of sands here to themselves. This urban beach is also one of the largest in Albania and even in the middle of August you won’t have a hard time finding a space to put down your towel.

Adventurous spirits will also want to explore the coves and caves nearby, including Drymades, one of the few that can rival Ksamil’s claim to the title of Albania’s most beautiful beach.

Sarandë

The big kahuna of tourism on the Albanian Riviera, Sarandë, is also one of the most popular destinations in the Balkans with an atmosphere that often feels similar to that found in many of Spain’s Mediterranean resorts. The city is experiencing a construction boom, and the hills behind the sea are dotted with hotels and apartment buildings in the process of being built.

Borsh

A little over four miles of undisturbed beach is the main appeal of Borsh. Just south of Qeparo, the route to Borsh is dazzling, punctuated by cliffs and coves on one of the country’s most dramatic coastal roads.

The beach, surprisingly one of the least visited in Albania, is surrounded by olive trees and gentle hills. It’s a glimpse of a Mediterranean of yesteryear, which has managed to survive in its pure, untouched state.

Ksamil Islands

If we had to draw up a list of the best of the best of Albania’s beach destinations, the Ksamil Islands would at least be among our top three, if not in the top spot. This archipelago, 12 miles from Sarandë, is more than just a postcard image. Instead it feels like something from a dream: four wooded islands in the middle of an unbelievable turquoise sea.

While you likely will be won over after viewing them from a distance, wait until you reach the white-sand beaches (a rarity in an area where pebbles are more common). As you look out at the horizon, you’ll see a number of other islands that appear so close that you’ll want to reach out and touch them.

Qeparo

Qeparo is one of the most under-the-radar and least visited beaches on the Albanian Riviera. This photogenic village has two cliffs with views of the Mediterranean and it’s a scene that’s waiting to be captured on canvas—or on Instagram with, of course, no filter needed.

While word is getting out about Albania’s beaches, Qeparo’s beach manages to remain a secret. If you travel there you may find that you won’t come across any other tourists from beyond the region.

Durrës

Do not be scared off by the size of Durrës, the second most populous city in Albania. In addition to including some notable Roman sites, like the amphitheater, the baths, and the aqueduct, it is blessed with a stretch of beach about six miles long—you’re guaranteed to find a sun lounger where you can lay your towel.

Gjilekë

On Albania’s southern coast, near the village of Dukat, you’ll find a little-known beach called Gjilekë. The fact that it is so hard to get to has helped to preserve its pristine and uncrowded atmosphere. It is only accessible by boat or walking for almost half an hour along a path that starts in the village of Gjilekë and crosses an imposing canyon. Once you arrive, you’ll sit below its high cliffs with crystal-clear waters in front of you.

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