Best Things to do in Himare, Albania (2024 Guide)

Himare, also known as Himara, is one of the top places to visit when traveling through Albania. What was once a fishing village is slowly becoming a more and more popular holiday destination. From crystal clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming to multi-colored sandy beaches and hidden coves—there’s plenty of beauty to discover in the area. This charming beach town is precisely what you need when traveling down the Albanian coast. Here are all the best things to do in Himare, Albania.

7 Best Things to do When Traveling to Himare

Himare stands as a quaint coastal enclave along the Albanian Riviera, approximately four hours south of Tirana and a mere hour and a half north of Saranda. With its sandy shores, crystalline waters, and picturesque bays, it offers an idyllic setting to unwind for a day or two.

And what’s even better is that it’s not as bustling as other coastal towns like Ksamil. This means you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere without the hustle and bustle of big tourist crowds, and you won’t have to jostle for space on the beaches among rows of umbrellas and sunbeds.

Tip: Himare is a cozy little town where folks come to unwind and soak in the charm of the Mediterranean Sea. If you're in the mood for nightlife and excitement, Saranda or Ksamil might be more up your alley.

1. Visit Himare Castle

Perched on top of a hill only a short drive from Himare’s main beach sits the ancient Castle of Himare. This archeological site dates back to the 5th century B.C. and is one of the top things to do in Himare. Not only the remains of a once important stronghold and its history, but the beautiful views of the Old Town, beaches, and gentle waters below, make it a great place to visit.

You have the option to trek to the castle via a challenging trail starting at the main beach; this hike should take around an hour. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the town center for approximately 400 LEK (3.40 USD). As you make your way up, enjoy getting absorbed in the maze of narrow streets adorned with stone buildings, quaint shops, and cozy cafes, until you arrive at the castle perched above.

The ideal time to visit is at sunset, when the area is bathed in a golden light, providing breathtaking views. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of the Greek island of Corfu on the horizon! For those who prefer walking, it’s best to go early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.

Read also: Best Things to do in Albania in 2024

2. Visit Himare Beaches

Traveling to Himare isn’t complete until you’ve spent a day unwinding on its varied beaches. Whether it’s bustling pebble shores, expansive stretches of white sand, or secluded coves, the coastline offers endless opportunities for soaking up the sun and sea.

Himare comprises two distinct bays: one is bustling with a lively boulevard, numerous hotels, and restaurants, while the other offers a more tranquil setting with a spacious beach ideal for a relaxing day of sunbathing.

Beyond Himare, there are numerous stunning beaches to choose from, all conveniently close to each other, making it easy to hop from one to the next.

Tip: Aim to hit the beaches around 4 PM to enjoy milder sunlight. Since there's limited shade, make sure to pack ample sun protection.

Visit Himare Beach

Right in the middle of town is Himare Beach. It’s the main beach where lots of stuff happens. There’s a walkway with restaurants, stores, and places to get ice cream and souvenirs. It leads to a smaller pebbly beach where people, both locals and tourists, like to swim in the pretty blue water. In the summer, it’s super busy and popular with visitors.

Gjipe Beach

Hidden between tall cliffs covered in lots of green plants, Gjipe Beach is a bit far from Himare. This sandy beach is part of the Gjipe Canyon and isn’t easy to reach. That’s why it’s usually not very crowded. In the summer, you can rent a beach umbrella and chair for the day. There are also a couple of restaurants nearby where you can get fresh seafood and cold drinks.

To reach Gjipe Beach from Himare, you need to drive for about 30 minutes to get to Gjipe Car Park. If you’re coming from Tirana or Vlorë, you can take a bus (Furgon) to reach there too. From the car park, you’ll have to walk for another 2 kilometers down a steep gravel road to reach the beach. On the way, you’ll see a few spots with amazing views of the sea and the beach.

Palasa Beach

Palasa beach is a big beach next to the village of Palasa. It’s the topmost beach on the Albanian Riviera. Behind the beach are big mountains. It’s not very crowded because it’s still being built up. There are a few bars and hotels nearby. You can rent a sunbed or umbrella if you want. You can get to Palasa Beach by car. It takes about 40 minutes from Himare, two hours from Saranda, and only 12 minutes from Dhermi.

Dhermi Beach

South of the coastal town of Dhermi, you’ll find Dhermi Beach, a large stretch of soft sand with both public and private beach areas. Although there are often lots of people on this particular beach, there is plenty of space, so it’ll never feel too crowded. Enjoy the views from cute beach bars, looking out over the colorful umbrellas and up at the mountains behind.

Read also: The Best Things to do in Dhermi, Albania 2024

Dhermi Beach is 2 kilometers away from Dhermi town, down a steep path. If you’re coming from Himare, it takes about 30 minutes by car. If you don’t have a car, you can take a Furgon bus to Dhermi town. Then, you can walk or take a taxi to the beach from there.

3. Take a Boat Tour When Traveling to Himare

Lots of pretty places by the sea in Albania you can get to by walking. But there are special spots you can only reach by boat. Find lovely quiet beaches with soft sand and little hidden spots in big cliffs by going on a boat trip. Spending the day on the water in summer is one of the top things to do in Himare.

Lots of companies let you go on a fun boat ride on the bright blue water. You can go alone or with a bunch of people. During the trip, the boat stops at some little spots where you can swim, look at fish with a snorkel, or relax on the sand. The boats usually start in the morning and come back to Himare later in the day.

4. Go to Dhermi

Dhermi is a cute village on a hill by the sea, not far from Himare. It has pretty houses and old churches. It’s a great place to visit for a day trip. Walk around the streets made of stones and take lots of pictures of the beautiful views.

You can go to the old Monastery of St. Mary on the big hill. It has pretty paintings inside. Or you can go to one of the great beaches with small rocks nearby. But remember, it takes around 45 minutes to walk from the town to the beach.

Dhermi is a nice spot to go in the afternoon or at sunset when the town looks golden. It takes around 30 minutes to drive there from the coast. If you’re going by bus, it costs 250 LEK (about 2.12 USD) for a ticket. Just let the driver know if you want to get off at Dhermi town or Dhermi Beach.

5. Visit Ksamil

It’s a beautiful place in Albania that you shouldn’t miss. Just like Himare, it’s by the sea and has amazing beaches with different colors and blue-green water.

During the day, chill out on a beach, either private or public. You can rent sunbeds from fancy beach clubs by the water. At night, do what the locals do: take a stroll along the boardwalk and grab some food while watching the sunset.

Read also: Exploring Ksamil, Albania: Must-Do Activities in 2024

You can visit four little islands near the shore. Rent a kayak or SUP for the day to explore the rocky shores and jump into the water to cool down. You can also go on a boat ride to one of the larger islands and even take a ferry to Corfu, Greece!

Ksamil is a nice place to go for a short trip after you’ve been to Himare. It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive there along the beautiful coastline.

6. Visit Butrint National Park When Traveling to Himare

Not too far from Ksamil, you’ll find Butrint National Park, a stunning UNESCO park with an important archaeological site illustrating Albania’s history. Surrounded by wetlands, this is a unique historical location to discover.

Read also: Best Beaches to Visit in Vlorë (2024 Guide)

The park has old stuff from a long time ago, like from when people used iron tools until the Middle Ages. Some of the old buildings and things are still there. You can walk through shady paths in the pretty nature and learn about the area’s history. Butrint National Park is about a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from Himare and just 10 minutes from Ksamil.

The park is open every day from 8 in the morning until the sun sets, which is around 6 in the evening. It costs 700 LEK (about 6.10 USD) for one person to get in.

7. Porto Palermo

Not far from Himare, you can visit the amazing Castle Palermo. It’s a huge fortress shaped like a triangle on a piece of land sticking out into the pretty blue sea. Long ago, it was all by itself, away from the rest of the land. People think it was built in the early 1800s by Ali Pasha, who was a leader in Albania under the Ottoman Empire. The bay you see today used to be one of the busiest ports in ancient times.

Read also: Best Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania (Guide 2024)

When you go to the castle, you can find out about its past, walk around underground, and see the great views from the roof. You can park your car on the street and walk a small path to get to the old castle. If you want, there’s a beach nearby where you can chill and swim.

Cost to get in: 300 LEK (equals about 2.55 USD).

Where to Stay When Traveling to Himare

You can visit Himare in just one day from Saranda or Ksamil, but it’s better to stay for 1 or 2 nights to see more of the pretty Albanian Riviera. When you’re in Himare, you have two bays to pick from. One has lots of hotels and restaurants, while the other is quieter because it’s still being built up. Wherever you decide to stay, you’ll find lovely small guesthouses and fancy hotels.

You can also go camping in Albania! It’s a great way to see the country’s amazing scenery and different kinds of nature.

How to Visit Himare, Albania

Albania is a surprising gem and can be visited from many countries in Europe and the Middle East. The nearest airport to Himare is in the Greek island of Corfu, but most people fly to Tirana when they go to Albania.

Traveling to Himare by Car

The best way to get to Himare is by driving a car. Renting and driving a car in Albania is a great adventure because you can go around the country at your own speed. From the main city, it takes about 3.5 hours driving south to reach Himare. Even though it’s a bit far, the journey is really pretty with lots of beautiful sights along the way. You can also drive to Himare from other towns by the sea like Saranda or Ksamil.

Traveling to Himare by Bus

Alternatively, you can travel to Himare by bus. Note that getting around by bus in Albania is a little trickier, as many destinations don’t have direct bus connections. You may have to make multiple changes, and journeys can be long. The upside, however, is that tickets are very affordable!

From Tirana: There are two buses that leave daily From Tirana’s southbound station, one at 5.30 AM and one at 1 PM. Tickets cost max 1000 LEK (8.50 USD), and the journey takes about 4 hours.

From Saranda: There are four direct buses that leave daily to Himare (6 AM, 8 AM, 10 AM, and 1 PM). Tickets cost 600 LEK (5.10 USD), and the drive takes about 1,5 hours.

From Ksamil: There are no buses from Ksamil to Himare. You’ll either have to travel by taxi or book a private transfer.

Tip: Bus stops in Albania aren’t very well marked, and sometimes it’s merely just an agreed place on the road. If you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to ask the local people or your accommodation for directions. The Albanian people are incredibly friendly and eager to help. We used Google to translate.

Getting Around

Himare Beach and everything in the town of Himare are reachable on foot, even the castle up on the hill. If you’re planning on visiting some of the beaches in the area, however, it’s best to do this with your own transportation. If you don’t have a car, there are many rental places in Himare where you can rent a motorbike. Alternatively, you can arrange a taxi or transfer to take you.

Best Restaurants in Himare

As a coastal location, Himare is not short of beachfront restaurants serving freshly caught seafood, and you’ll find most in the busier bay. If you want dinner with a view, head up along the cliffs, where numerous upscale restaurants are located. Pizzeria La Famiglia, for example, has some good pizzas that you can enjoy while looking out over Himare Beach. Albania also serves lots of delicious vegetarian meals, leaving plenty of options for you to try.

Some of best restaurants in Himare:

• Merkur Merkuri (Albanian)
• ELÉA restaurant (Greek)
• UMI Sushi & Cocktail (Japanese)
• Lefteri’s Tavern (Fish)
• Pizzeria Bella Italia (Italian)

How Expensive is to Visit Himare?

In Albania, everything like food, places to stay, and things to do are really cheap. But remember, most places only accept cash. So, it’s smart to carry enough cash with you. You can find ATMs in Albania, but they might charge a fee if you’re using a foreign card. The Credins Bank ATM is usually the best option for withdrawing money.

Costs of Traveling in Himare

Going to Himare can cost differently based on what you choose. If you’re trying to save money, plan to spend about $110 to $150 per person each week. If you’re looking for a middle option, expect to spend between $400 and $530. And if you want to go all out, it could be anywhere from $530 to $660. But remember, how much you spend can change depending on where you stay, how you get around, and what you do. This doesn’t include the cost of flights.

Best Time to Visit Himare, Albania

The weather in Himare, Albania is usually warm and sunny, like in the Mediterranean. It’s nicest to visit during April to June or September to October. These months have good weather and fewer people. It’s not as good to go in July and August because it’s very hot and crowded.

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