Checking out the local beaches is always a good idea while travelling to a new country or city. The Mediterranean, especially, is particularly lovely in the summer, when there are fewer tourists, and it won’t break the wallet. We’ll look no further than the stretch on the Adriatic and Ionian coast from the Albanian city of Sarande to the sleepy town of Ksamil in southern Albania. Here, we will cover the 5 most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera, and you can find some of the beautiful and most underrated beaches in Europe.
This location is best for holidays, as it’s filled with immense natural beauty from its countless unspoiled beaches with cascading Albanian Alps in the background. The beaches have great nightlife, restaurants, and an unmatched vibe. I know it can be overwhelming, so I will detail some of the main highlights that will help you before planning your trip. You can also check out our recommended Albania-related articles.
1. Vlorë Beach
When thinking of the beautiful and popular beaches on the Albanian Riviera, then Vlore Beach Resort is just the spot. The beach is considered the glorious coast and it sits on a bay that marks the meeting of the Ionian seas and Adriatic. The beach is known for its clean water and attractive environment. Vlore is a harbour city that holds special meaning for the Albanians. This is where the country declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire at the start of the 20th century. It’s the northernmost point of the Albanian Riviera and a place where the Albanian Alps meet its shore.
If you love a slick city beach, then Vlore fits the bill. From rating, this beach resort in the Albanian Riviera is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Albania. Vlore is the third most populous city in Albania, so you should expect the place to be a bit crowded, sometimes unkempt, especially during the peak of summer when the mercury soars. Meanwhile, if you are arriving in Albania through the Tirana International Airport, you will have to take a three-hour one-way bus ride from Tirana for about 415 LEK (4.3 USD).
The city itself is pretty and filled with bars, restaurants with both local and international cuisine, and cafes. You can experience good nightlife, which is on this large boardwalk that absolutely comes to life during the nighttime. The Vlore beach isn’t very impressive, with a rating of 8/10. But if you don’t want to go too far, then it’s a nice place to pass the time. However, there are countless beaches on the coastline just outside that you should check out.
2. Sarandë
This resort is one of the most beautiful resorts on the Albania Riviera. It’s about a 3hr 46 min drive from Tirana, and this beach resort is the next place I recommend you visit. This beach is often referred to as the heart of the Albanian Riviera. It’s a quintessential Mediterranean destination and completely underrated by its much more famous neighbouring coastlines. You’ll find plenty of attractions here to keep you fully entertained.
It’s hard to beat, though, with its unreal beaches and day trips in the immediate surrounding areas and for only about half the cost. No doubt, the city itself is gorgeous, and it’s defined by the massive boardwalk where the majority of the activity takes place flanked by a massive, beautiful beach right in town that meets the gorgeous Indian sea and of course the famous Albanian Alps. Overall, I will rate this beach resort 9/10. Also, there are countless places to visit just outside of this place, and practically all of them are incredible.
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3. Krorëza Beach
Just above the Kakome Bay is the Krorëza Beach on the Albanian Riviera. The beach is stunning, and it’s known for its large no-frills untouched stretch of white sandy, and pebbly backed by rolling hills. However, due to its remote location, you won’t find a lot of facilities there, and the beach has nicely concealed rocks on three sides and amazing turquoise water. You can get to the beach by boat, and during the summer when a lot of tourists visit, you won’t have to worry about getting there because there will be a lot of boats offering tours to Krorëza Beach.
As part of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera, Krorëza Beach is a great little getaway from the hustle and bustle of Albania. Also, it’s a great place to get some peace and have a relaxing beach time during your tour. You can get more time to swim and enjoy the ocean. Overall, I will rate Krorëza Beach a 9.2/10 for being an absolutely stunning beach and a great place to spend the day.
4. Borsh Beach
Like the rest of the beaches on the Albanian Riviera, Borsh, as many tourists refer to it as Paradise-like beach. It’s the most tranquil coastline and largest beach on the Southern Riviera. Stretches over a length of 7 kilometres in the front of the town of Borsh, making it great for a long beach walk. The beach is about 3hr 30 min drive from Tirana, about 236.4 km.
The beach is very spacious, so you can either choose to use the public beach bed or rent a beach bed with an umbrella at one of the privately operated areas. I will rate Borsh Beach a 9/10 because it’s a great spot for exploring nature, clean space, and crystal blue water with amazing trails through the hills surrounding the beach.
Despite the place isn’t fully developed yet, you can still find some nice bars and restaurants to try Albanian local and international cuisine. And no matter what your choice of meal is, you are guaranteed a delicious experience.
5. Ksamil Beach
This paradise-like beach resides right on the border of Greece and is filled with sandy beaches, clear and warm water, and fresh seafood. If you are planning your trip to Albania, you shouldn’t miss out on this place because it is the perfect place to relax. It feels like you’re in the Maldives or Southeast Asia, but it’s only a quick 1 USD one-way bus ride from Sarandë and 278.2 km from the country’s capital.
The best way to enjoy the beach is to grab a seat under an umbrella at one of the many beachside restaurants or bars and spend your day without any worries. Perfect for a fun day on the beach or a romantic holiday. Meanwhile, as being one of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera, one thing with Ksamil is that it’s incredibly popular. The beach gets very busy during the high season, which is in July and August. I recommend that you check it out during the shoulder season, which is either June or September.
Also, the place has fewer crowds with great weather. Overall, I will rate Ksamil Beach a 9.3/10 solely on the quality of the beach and the ease of getting there.
It’s important to know that here at Adventure Twist, all travel recommendations and tips are based on personal experience and thorough research by our travel experts and locals.
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