Albania might just be Europe's most underrated gem. While surrounding countries are swamped with tourists, here you'll still find undiscovered caves, crystal-clear blue water, and charming small villages. In this blog post, I'll take you on a journey: a 7-day route along the Albanian Riviera, from Tirana Airport via the coastal towns of Sarandë and Ksamil to the tranquil Himarë. Get ready for a trip full of hidden beaches, fresh seafood, and sunsets that will take your breath away!
What can you expect from this route?
This 7-day itinerary combines the best of the Albanian Riviera. You land at Tirana airport and drive your rental car south, where you’ll stay for four nights in Sarandë. From there, you'll take day trips to beautiful Ksamil and the famous Blue Eye lake. You’ll spend the last 3 days in Himarë, where you'll discover the most beautiful caves and beaches along the coast by private boat. A rental car is essential for this route: the coastal road between locations is spectacular, and public transport is unreliable.
Arrival in Tirana
Your journey begins at Tirana International Airport, Albania's only international airport. Once you've cleared customs, the first step is arranging transportation: for this route, we strongly recommend renting a car. The coastal road heading south is spectacular, but public transport between the coastal towns is slow and irregular.
We rented our car from Karruka Rental, located about a 2-minute walk from the airport. For just €50 a day, you get a reliable car and save a lot of hassle with shuttle buses to more distant rental companies.
From Tirana, it's about a 3.5-hour drive to Saranda, your first base for the next few days. The route takes you through the mountains of Southern Albania, with plenty of opportunities for a coffee break with a view halfway.
Reserve your car before you leave: in high season (July-August), good car rental companies like Karruka Rental at the airport quickly sell out. You often also get a better rate if you book online in advance. An automatic car will also save you a lot of hassle, due to the many changes in elevation.
Sarandë
Sarandë will be your base for your first four nights. We stayed at the Sunset Shoreline Hotel, which has a good location relative to the center and a beautiful view of the sunset. From here, both the center of Sarandë itself and day trips to Ksamil and the Blue Eye are easily accessible.
Sarandë has enough to offer to keep you entertained for a few days. For the best fresh seafood in the center, head to restaurant Marini, where the fish comes from the water just 50 meters away.
For the best view of Sarandë, with glimpses of the Greek island of Corfu on clear days, drive (or hike) to Christopher Viewpoint. Especially at sunset, this is the perfect moment for a beautiful photo opportunity.
If you want to turn the sunset into a romantic moment, drive to the hidden gem The Hidden Sea Sarandë for dinner as the sun slowly sets behind the water. The combination of delicious meat and this spectacular view makes this one of the highlights of your holiday.
Ksamil
Ksamil is about a 20-minute drive from Sarandë and can easily be combined with your stay there; a separate overnight stay is definitely not necessary. The village is known for its clear blue water and islets just off the coast, but there's more to do than just sunbathing.
For lunch or dinner, The Mussel House is highly recommended. This restaurant is literally on the water next to a mussel farm, so the seafood doesn't get any fresher than this. For beach club vibes with good music, cocktails, and a swimming pool, Mulino Beach is the place to be.
For the adventurers among us who love action on the water: rent a jet ski at Jetski Sidi in Ksamil. Are you looking for a beach with fewer tourists than the rest of Ksamil after your jet ski ride? Then go to Hidden Bay Beach, in our opinion the most beautiful and quietest beach in the area, not overcrowded with tourists.
Also plan a day trip to the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a natural spring with an intensely blue colour that you almost won't believe until you see it with your own eyes. It's a popular day trip from both Sarandë and Ksamil. Do go early, as it gets very busy in the afternoon!
Himarë
For the last three days of your trip, you'll drive on to the quieter mountain town of Himarë. While Sarandë and Ksamil are becoming increasingly busy, Himarë still feels relatively undiscovered.
The best way to explore this coastline is with a private boat. We booked one through GetYourGuide for €230, view the boat here. With a boat, you can discover several cool caves and relax on otherwise inaccessible beaches in one day. This is not possible if you book a spot on a shared boat: they only take you to the popular caves and beaches.
Make sure to include Guma Beach, Jale Beach, and Gjipe Beach on your list. Also sail past the Pirate Canyon and Meguci Bay, known for its marble beaches. The water here is incredibly clear blue!
Do you still want more adventure? Take a day trip to the Karaburun Peninsula. Highlights here include the Haxhi Ali Cave, a cave with a hidden beach, and Kantina & Ferma Dukat, where a wine tasting and tour are highly recommended!
What's the best time to visit Albania?
The best time for a holiday in Albania is from May to September, when the sea is warm enough for swimming and most beach clubs and boat rentals are open. July and August are the most popular and warmest months, but also the busiest and most expensive. If you choose May, June, or September, you'll get the best deal: pleasant weather, but quieter beaches and lower prices!
Frequently asked questions about a round trip through Albania
No. Although Albania is in Europe, it does not fall under the EU roaming regulations. Therefore, your Dutch or Belgian data bundle will not work here as it does at home, and roaming can be very expensive. I experienced this myself: I opened WhatsApp with my Dutch SIM card, and a minute later I had a bill for €80... So, before you leave, buy an e-sim (for example, via Airalo or Holafly) so that you have internet immediately upon arrival without the hassle of a local SIM card.
Not always. Especially smaller restaurants, market stalls, and beach clubs outside the major cities often only accept cash. Make sure you have enough Albanian lek on hand, especially if you are traveling towards Ksamil and Himarë. ATMs are available, but not always easy to find everywhere. Many places also accept euros, with an exchange rate of 100 lek = 1 euro. Check the currency's current standing carefully before agreeing to this.
For this route, yes. Public transport between Tirana, Saranda, Ksamil, and Himara is limited and unreliable. With your own car (we rented from Karruka Rental for €50 per day), you are flexible and can stop at every view you encounter along the way.
7 days will get you a long way: 4 nights in Sarandë (with day trips to Ksamil and the Blue Eye) and 3 nights in Himarë. Do you have more time? Then you can easily add a few days to explore Tirana or northern Albania.
Albania is often labeled as a dangerous country full of mafia activities. Nothing could be further from the truth; it is simply a safe country to travel in. Do keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas and always make sure you have cash with you.
Bring light clothing and flip-flops for the beaches, and something warm for the evenings in the mountains. A power bank is also useful. For your flight, bring a sleep mask and inflatable neck pillow. And of course, the Legpack: ideal as a backpack on the boat and as a suitcase in the car!
The perfect bag for Albania
50 liters, to be used as a suitcase and backpack. Perfect for boat trips along Himarë and the beaches of Ksamil.
View the Leg Pack →
