The secret is definitely starting to get out! And that secret is the beauty of the Albanian Riviera. This corner of the world is home to some of the best wild beaches in Albania and in Europe in general.
Not only is this one of the cheapest places in Europe to explore but it is still considered a hidden gem (excluding Ksamil which you certainly will NOT find on this list!).
Imagine impossibly clear turquoise waters, white cliffs and green-topped cliffs. This is what you can expect from the coastline of Albania. It is truly breathtaking.
While many beaches are frequented by local and international tourists in summer, there are still many lesser-known beaches and wild coves for you to explore in Albania. Rest assured you will leave Albania (hopefully) knowing that you truly have found heaven on Earth.
I have been to Albania’s Riviera twice now, the most recent being in September & October 2023 so this list is up to date according to that timeframe. This part of the world is one of my favourite places to enjoy the beach and the incredible scenery
Continue reading to discover the best secret, unspoiled and secluded beaches in Albania (in my opinion!).
1. Gjiri i Filikurit Beach
Gjiri i Filikurit Beach is the best-secluded beach in Albania that is still wild, for me anyway! I just have so many magical memories here. When I went to this beach in July 2016 it was definitely a secret with no other souls in sight. However, when I went back in September 2023 it was pretty crowded mostly with backpackers! But it still had great hidden beach vibes, increidble views and is totally wild still. To reach the beach you can walk from Himara and climb down a cliff (quite scary!). Your other options are to hire a kayak or a pedal boat from Himara – this can be a little scary too if the sea isn’t flat. Or you can get a boat to drop you off and pick you up for 50 euros. I’ve done all options and the boat is definitely the easiest although less adventurous!
It is located a couple of coves south of the main beach in Himara.
This beach has crystal-clear water and dramatic rock, cave and cliff formations. There is cold fresh water running down the cliffs on the side of the beach which mixes with the warm sea. This is a very special place!
2. Pigeons Cave
Pigeons cave is definitely one of the best wild beaches in Albania. This magical beach is only reachable via boat and is a main stop on the boat tours in Himara. If you opt for a boat tour make sure they drop you here!
Beautiful mountains and cliffs are dropping into impossibly blue clear water – it is reminiscent of Palawan in the Philippines. Plus there is an incredibly cool and huge cave (hence the name) where you can go to cool off or have a snooze if it gets too hot.
3. Krorëza Beach
Coming in at number 3 for the best wild beaches in Albania is Kroreza Beach. This unspoilt paradise remains one of the most beautiful (somewhat) wild beaches in Albania.
Kroreza is a beautiful cove which is really only accessible by boat or a 5km hike from Lukova Beach (judging by hikes in Albania, it could be challenging, confusing and/or straight-up dangerous).
I went to Kroreza Beach twice while I was staying in Saranda on two separate boat tours. This beach is where they left us for a few hours to enjoy. Every boat tour (which now there are many, especially in season) comes to this beach so it isn’t so hidden in that regard and they had a couple of shacks/bars set up where you could buy drinks and some really sad-looking umbrellas.
But don’t worry, there is a trick to finding paradise on this beautiful beach. Head to the very north end of the beach where there is a bunch of rocks, keep walking around the rocks and you will find a perfectly secluded bay in a beautiful rocky setting. The rocks in the crystal clear blue sea are stunning to snorkel. Except to find plenty of fish to follow around! You can also continue swimming along the coastline and explore the rock formations and caves.
I have included an image of the map of the beach with the exact location I am talking about circled. If you’re on a boat tour try and make sure they take you to the stretch of beach that is further north (the further south section is blocked off by rocks – trust me I tried to get there!).
4. Lukova Beach and The Old Anchor Beach Lukova
Located on the coast between Himare and Saranda, you will find the secluded Albanian beach of Lukova. This is one of the beaches on this list that you can actually drive to! There is no public transport here so you will need a rental car.
I visited this beach in October so I can’t say what it is like in peak season but during the shoulder season, it was idyllic. While there were beach clubs there, you didn’t have to use one to enjoy the beach. The beach was quite long and in two different sections with more wild areas with no amenities and then the option to get drinks as well (which we don’t mind!).
The scenery is stunning with beautiful views on the layers of mountains towards Himara dropping into the sea. Plus this beach is truly facing west so the sunset happens directly in front of you. The sunsets in Albania are a truly magical experience, unlike anything I have experienced before. There is something about the quality of the colours and the air that has really left a deep impression on me and the sunset I had on this beach was one of the best!
The Old Anchor Beach is below the village of Lukova and isn’t to be confused with the more popular Lukova beach. A 15-minute walk from Lukova will bring you down to this unspoiled beach.
Here you will find a place to camp and a local restaurant called The Old Anchor, where you can also rent umbrellas and chairs if you desire. This is not compulsory, you can also perch wherever you desire for free.
5. Qefal/Kefalos
I’m not sure that you can really call this a beach but it was certainly one of my favourite places in Albania, especially for swimming so I just had to include it. On Google Maps it is called Qefal or Kefalos, brain and it is a location only accessible by boat.
This is a small bay with incredible cliff formations. The way the rocks are layered and stacked form a trippy wall (see pictures) that falls down onto a small pebbly beach. The water in front of the cliffs is deep, impossibly blue and full of beautiful rocks and fish to explore. It is an underwater wonderland!
This spot is one of the stops on the boat tours that leave from Saranda so when selecting your boat ensure that this is a place where they will be stopping for at least 30 minutes!!
The Best Wild Beaches in Albania I didn’t make it to, but wish I did!
Full disclosure – I never actually made it to the next 4 beaches on the list. This is because I didn’t have a car and so was limited to the beaches I could explore around Himara. Plus I did see these beaches with my own eyes on the bus journey from Himara to Saranda and they looked insanely good so I am happy to recommend them!
6. Mateus Beach
The first of these beaches on the stretch of coastline just south of Himara is Mateus Beach. I received a trusty recommendation that this beach is pure paradise. It is located just 20 minutes south of Himara and would be a great stop on your way from Himara to Saranda or vice versa.
7. Porto Palermo Beach
Go a little further south of Himara on SH8, you will find the beautiful deserted bay of Porto Palermo protected by the Porto Palermo Castle. This Venetian Fort overlooks a small beach that remains mostly untouched by tourism, except for a charming cafe. This is well worth a stop and a swim.
Expect to find freedom campers and a whole lot of beautiful water!
8. Qeparo Beach
Just around the corner from Porto Palermo, you will find the gorgeous village and beach of Qeparo. This is a small beach that is less crowded but equally as beautiful as other beaches in Albania. Fall in love with the beach and don’t forget to explore the upper village which is half abandoned! Sunset Boulevard Cocktail Bar apparently makes a mean Margarita too.
9. Llamani Beach
This beautiful bay is the one that is nearest to Himara. I saw it from the road and it looked so stunning and inviting, I couldn’t leave it off the list. It did appear to have umbrellas and chairs when I went past so not a totally wild beach and I imagine it is quite busy in the peak season but definitely worth a visit if you have a car.
10. Grama Bay
Grama Bay is another beach I didn’t make it to because we opted to not take the longer boat tour from Himara, however, I have heard and seen so many good things about Grama Bay I couldn’t leave it off! This beach is located quite far north of Himara in a very remote and isolated part of the country in Karaburun National Park. It is only accessible by boat or a very hard 8-hour hike! It is always the places that are the hardest to get to that are the most rewarding and that is a fact!
This is a secluded and secret pebble beach in Albania with pristine waters, dramatic cliffs and no people. It is a hidden paradise and can be thought of as Albania’s answer to ‘The Beach’. I will definitely make the effort to reach Grama Bay on my next visit to Albania.
Special Mentions!!
The following beaches are listed as special mentions because they don’t meet my criteria for being a wild beach in Albania but they are definitely worth a visit plus they are all accessible from Himara and Saranda.
1. Secret swim spot in Saranda – Concrete Beach
When I visited Saranda in September 2023, I was pretty sad to see that most of the coastline nearest to where I was staying was all privatised, you had to pay for a chair & umbrella to swim and tan. The prices of these sunbeds can vary a lot! While this is cool if that’s the kind of experience you’re after, it’s more of a one-off thing for me and I prefer to have a beach spot I can just go to every day… for free since it’s nature and all?!
Anyway, I was lucky enough to find a secret swimming (and glorious sunset) spot directly below where I was staying. The reason why I could go there was because it looks like the construction development happening there was never really finished (if you go to Albania in the future this secret spot may be gone!).
Why Concrete Beach?
I named this beautiful/ugly beach Concrete Beach because that’s what it was. A concrete staircase, leading to a concrete platform with a big concrete wall behind it and a rusty ladder going into the sea. However, the concrete platform was a great place to tan and there was even a big flat rock you could lie down on or sit on for a perfect sunset view. The quality of the water in this area was pretty good too, it was deep, full of fish and away from all the boats and jetskis at the public beach.
Visiting this beach for a daily swim and tanning session was my ritual and I have a nice cosy place in my heart for my concrete beach.
It is located directly in front of Caffe Italia (which is an amazing cafe with excellent coffee, great wifi and epic views). If you walk down the driveway just to the left of Caffe Italia you will find my secret spot (if it still exists!).
2. Himara Town Beach
The beach in Himara has got to be one of my favourite beaches that is actually in the main part of the town. On a calm day, the colour and quality of the water are spectacular. It’s go beautiful. The colour of the sky at sunrise and sunset on this beach is like a cotton candy dream! No matter where you are staying in Himara this beach won’t be very far away.
My favourite section of this beach is directly below the restaurant La Famiglia and is labelled on Google Maps as Sfageio Beach. There is a beach club there with bean bags and umbrellas but you can enjoy the beach without paying.
3. Livadi Beach for sunset
Livadi Beach is one bay north of Himara Beach. The best way to get to this beach from Himara is by car. Or you can walk through the mountain to get there. I have done this twice and both times have been quite ridiculous and difficult. I’m talking unmarked paths, multiple pathways, dead ends, random camping grounds, crazy construction, goats, and dangerous rocks, it was a challenge! I did make it and I’m sure there is an easier way so just do some research before attempting. And don’t necessarily trust the instructions that travellers and locals give you because it could lead you astray. This is hiking in the Balkans! It looks like a small hike but it goes through some pretty wild terrain and is longer than it looks.
With that being said Livadi Beach is a beautiful pebbled bay. This is certainly a serviced beach that is full of beach clubs and umbrellas (which aren’t compulsory to use by the way, yay!). The real magic happens on Livadi at sunset. After my friend and I had the craziest walk to find this place, popping out of the bush and seeing the view over this beach at Golden Hour made it all worth it. This is a beautiful place in Himara to go to see the sun drop into the sea. Experience the magical colours of an Albanian sunset. You can’t see the sunset from Himara due to the hill being in the way!
To get back to Himara DO NOT walk in the dark. Go to one of the restaurants for dinner and then pay the 10 euros for a taxi. If you can’t see any taxis around ask someone at a shop or restaurant to call one for you.
BONUS: Drive the SH8 from Saranda to Himara
The coastal drive from Saranda to Himara of SH8 is simply stunning. Stopping by at turnoffs that look like they lead to the water is the best way to discover hidden gems and secret beaches. Even ones that no one else knows about! Much of this region is still pretty undiscovered (and hard to reach!).
When to visit the best wild beaches in Albania
The best time to visit is of course when the weather is sunny and warm. This region is sunny most of the year. However, the warmest months are from April to October with June-August being the peak summer months.
While the peak months bring great weather and lots of energy from the other tourists, it means even the most secret beaches can be busy!
Therefore, the best time to visit the secluded beaches are the months of April to May and September to October. You will also have have access to better deals and more accommodation. The first two weeks of October were particularly magical! I definitely recommend arriving mid-September to mid-October. The weather is perfect, there is still enough light and the sea is toasty.
How to get to the secluded beaches
While there are lots of buses in Albania that can take you to most places. Unless you want to hike a lot, the best option to discover the hidden beaches is to hire a car. Just be warned that the roads and pathways to these beaches may be unmarked and treacherous (as mentioned above). So proceed with caution! Always check recent Google reviews of the beach before going. This will give you a good idea of the journey you have signed up for! Things be reckless in Albania.
If you are a solo traveller this may be a more challenging option. However, you can use Facebook Groups and hostel connections to connect with other solo travellers to go on beach exploration missions together.
Some of the beaches listed are also only reachable by boat. This is a list of the best wild beaches in Albania after all! For this, you can either hire a private boat charter to drop you off or join one of the group boat trips. Yes, they take you to places where you will find other people, but it is worth it – trust me!
