Beaches & Coast

Himarë

The Riviera’s towniest stop — a working Greek-Albanian town under its hilltop castle, sandy beaches north and south, and Ali Pasha’s island fortress at Porto Palermo.

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COUNTRY: Albania
REGION: Albanian Riviera
BEST TIME TO VISIT: June and September are ideal
DURATION: 2 days

ABOUT THE DESTINATION

Himarë is where the Riviera stops being a beach strip and becomes a town: a working centre of Greek-Albanian life wrapped around Spile bay, with its own castle quarter on the hill, the best taverna cooking on the coast, and beaches on both sides — Livadhi’s kilometre of sand to the north, Potami’s long bay to the south. Just down the road, Porto Palermo’s peninsular fortress — Ali Pasha’s island castle — is the coast’s signature monument. Two days here cover town, castle, beaches and the fortress without hurry.

MAP & LOCATION

Himarë

THROUGH THE LENS

From the road

HISTORY & CULTURE

The Story Behind the Place

Himarë carries the Riviera’s longest continuous story. The castle ridge was fortified in Hellenistic times, and by the Middle Ages Himarë was a distinct Greek-speaking mountain community whose autonomy — negotiated with Venice and then the Ottomans in exchange for loyalty and arms — made it a name across the strait: the Himariots kept their Orthodox faith, their weapons and their councils while the coast around them changed hands. Pirates, Ottoman campaigns and the Ali Pasha era all broke against these walls; the fortress at Porto Palermo below the town is that age’s monument. The modern town stepped down to Spile bay around its fishing harbour, and after the 1990s it became the Riviera’s real town again — the only stop on the coast that is a living administrative centre first and a beach resort second, which is exactly its charm.

TOP THINGS TO DO

Experiences Not to Miss

THINGS TO DO

Himarë Castle & the Old Quarter

The hilltop castle above town — Hellenistic origins, a living quarter of stone houses and churches inside the walls, and the sunset view over the whole gulf.

THINGS TO DO

Spile Beach & the Promenade

The town beach at the foot of the centre — tavernas on the water, the evening xhiro promenade walk, and Himarë’s social life on the sand.

THINGS TO DO

Livadhi Beach

The kilometre-long sandy bay north of town — the Riviera’s longest proper beach, olive groves to the water and family-run camps behind.

THINGS TO DO

Porto Palermo Castle (Ali Pasha Fortress)

Ali Pasha’s triangular fortress on its own peninsula in Porto Palermo bay — the coast’s signature monument, twenty minutes south of town.

THINGS TO DO

Potami Beach

The long open bay south of the centre — Himarë’s biggest beach, broad and sandy-backed, with tavernas at its village end.

THINGS TO DO

Filikuri & the South Coves

The hidden deep-water coves below the castle ridge — Filikuri, Jala and the boat-access beaches where the Riviera gets its postcard water.

TOP ATTRACTIONS

Sights & Highlights of Himarë

More here soon — the road is still being mapped.

FOOD & DRINK

WHERE TO EAT

Seafood tavernas on the Spile waterfront — grilled octopus and the day’s catch on decks over the water; the coast’s best taverna row.

Family tavernas in Potam and Potami village — Greek-leaning kitchen, grilled fish and mezze away from the promenade prices.

HOTELS & STAYS

WHERE TO STAY

Boutique hotels and guesthouses between Spile and the centre — sea-view rooms, tavernas and the xhiro promenade at the door.

Beach hotels and family camps at Livadhi and Potami — sand-first stays for beach days, quieter than the town strip.

ITINERARIES

Keep Driving

2 days

Fortress Coast

Himarë → Porto Palermo → Qeparo → Borsh: the southern Riviera drive, castle-to-castle along the SH8’s quietest stretch.

View itinerary

2 days

Northern Beaches Run

Himarë → Livadhi → Gjipe → Dhërmi: beach-hop north, sand to canyon, ending under the Llogara pass.

View itinerary

2 days

Himarë in Two Days — Town, Castle, Beaches & Porto Palermo

View itinerary

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Practical Information

Getting There

Himarë sits mid-Riviera on the SH8 — about 1h15 from Vlorë over the Llogara pass, 50 minutes from Sarandë, with buses and furgons on the Riviera line stopping at the centre. The town is walkable; Livadhi, Potami and Porto Palermo are short drives or local furgon rides. Boat taxis from Spile harbour reach Filikuri and the south coves all summer.

What to Wear & Bring

Water shoes for the pebble town beaches, beach gear for the sandy bays, and cash — tavernas and camps are cash-first. Sturdy shoes for the castle path and the Filikuri trail; a windproof layer for the castle at sunset.

Accessibility & Mobility

The Spile promenade and taverna row are flat and step-free; Potami’s village end has beach-side parking and gentle entry. The castle quarter and Filikuri trail are steep rough paths; Porto Palermo castle has stepped interiors and a rough causeway — the bay viewpoints are accessible by car.

NEARBY ESSENTIALS

Services & practical stops nearby

Practical services and stops along the way — fuel, food, parking, campsites, medical and motorcycle services. Listings are compiled from published sources; confirm current opening dates, prices and facilities directly with each operator.

LaMer Restaurant
0 m
Food
Rruga Vangjel Zoto, Himarë, Albania
The town’s fine-dining pick with a rare perfect 5.0 rating — the owner selects the fish daily; Italian-influenced seafood. Reserve for July–August.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Rea Boutique Hotel
70 m
Accommodation
Central Himarë, Albania
The town’s top upscale pick — modern luxury suites with coastline views, central location steps from Spile.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Dimitri Hotel
140 m
Accommodation
Central Himarë, Albania
The value-for-money pick in the centre — clean modern rooms at the friendliest prices in town.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Tramonto Ristorante
169 m
Food
Castle ridge road, Himarë, Albania
Cliff-edge sunset dining above the town — the best view table in Himarë; book the terrace for golden hour.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Taverna Lefteri
196 m
Food
Spile Beach waterfront, Himarë, Albania
The quintessential Himarë taverna since 1998 — deck over the water at Spile, grilled octopus as the signature, 1,600+ TripAdvisor reviews.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Sea View Hotel Himare
256 m
Accommodation
Spile, Himarë, Albania
Solid four-star above the Spile bay — the name delivers: sea-view balconies over the town beach.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Castle Hotel Himare
281 m
Accommodation
Beachside, Himarë, Albania
Highly rated beachside hotel — rooms a minute from the sand, breakfast with the castle ridge above.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Taverna Velco
1.6 km
Food
Potam, Himarë, Albania
Family-run Greek-leaning taverna in Potam — quietly excellent grilled fish and tzatziki, away from the promenade foot traffic.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Camping Kranea
Campsite
Kranea, Himarë, Albania
Established camp between town and Livadhi — pitches, bungalows and RV spots under the olives; official site live and maintained.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Himara Camping
Campsite
Above Livadhi Beach, Himarë, Albania
Camping in the olive groves above Livadhi beach — shade, sea views and the kilometre of sand below; summer season.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
Kastrati Energy — Himarë
6.7 km
Fuel
SH8, Himarë, Albania
The Kastrati station on the SH8 at Himarë — the mid-Riviera fuel stop between the Llogara pass and Sarandë.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026
OTP Bank ATM Himarë
6.8 km
ATM / Cash
Himarë, Albania
OTP Bank’s ATM in Himarë — cash is still king at beach kiosks and parking; official bank ATM page.
Official website Open in map
Sources checked: 4 Nov 2026