What is the Best Beach in North Albania?
There’s not much info about best beach in North Albania online. So, What is the best beach in North Albania? The best one is Rana e Hedhun beach. It has a big sand dune that slopes from the mountain into the sea. Rana e Hedhun is about 70 kilometers north of Tirana and near the coastal city of Shengjin. You can only get there by car or taxi. Most tourists focus on the beaches in South Albania, but there are many beautiful ones in the North too. Also, since many tourists fly into Tirana airport, it’s much easier to visit the beaches in North Albania.
Read also: The Best Beaches in Albania near Tirana
Why is Rana e Hedhun the Best Beach in North Albania?
Rana e Hedhun beach stands out because of its big sand dune. This beach in Albania is special because it has a sand dune that goes from the mountains right into the sea. One fun thing to do at Rana e Hedhun is to climb up the sand dune and then slide down towards the sea. It’s a great place to bring kids. The name “Rana e Hedhun” means “thrown sand” in English, which is exactly what you’ll see when you visit. It looks like someone threw white sand onto the mountainside to make a beach.
Rana e Hedhun is a quiet, undiscovered beach. Many tourists go to the south of Albania and miss out on beaches in the north, like this one. Rana e Hedhun is unspoiled and offers beautiful white sand and clean seawater. The beach is 8 kilometers long and is surrounded by pine trees, making it perfect for a long walk. There’s a small fish restaurant at the beach, but it’s also a nice spot for a picnic lunch.
To get to Rana e Hedhun, drive north from Tirana towards Lezhe. It’s near Shengjin beach, so you can follow signs towards Shengjin. Once you’re in Shengjin, drive another 3-4 kilometers to reach Rana e Hedhun. It’s about 70 kilometers from Tirana. You can only reach Rana e Hedhun by car or taxi. You can take public transportation from Tirana to Lezha, and then a local bus from Lezha to Shengjin. But to get to Rana e Hedhun from Shengjin, you’ll need a car or taxi.
Read also: Best Beaches to Visit in Vlorë (2024 Guide)
What are the Best Beaches in the North Albania?
Besides Rana e Hedhun, there are many other beautiful beaches in North Albania. Some of these beaches are nearer to Tirana, making them easier to reach.
Here’s a list of the best beaches in North Albania:
1. Durres Beach and Golem Beach
Durres Beach is well-known beach in north Albania. It has all the amenities you’d expect, including hotels, restaurants, apartments, and bars along the coast. If you like a lively atmosphere and beach parties, you’ll have a great time in Durres. Keep in mind, though, that it gets very busy and crowded during the summer months.
Read also: How to get to Gjipe Beach: Travel Guide 2024
If you prefer a quiet, small beach, Durres might not be your best choice. You might want to look into smaller, less crowded beaches instead.Durres is popular mainly because it’s conveniently close to Tirana, just 37 kilometers away. Getting there from the capital is quick and easy, taking about 45 minutes by car, bus, or taxi. A bus ride costs 130 LEK (about €1), while a taxi will be around 2000 – 2500 LEK (€17 – €21).
2. The Cape of Rodon
One of the quieter beaches in north of Albania is Cape Rodon. It’s a rocky area that stretches out into the sea. On this cape, you can see the remains of a castle that Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero, built. Most of the castle is underwater, but you can explore it by snorkeling. Nearby, there’s also Saint Anthony church next to the beach.
Read also: Most Beautiful Lakes to Visit in Albania
Cape Rodon is north of Durres. To reach it, you drive on the highway from Tirana to Durres. Before reaching Durres, exit at Maminas and follow the road to the end. The drive from Tirana takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Unfortunately, there’s no public transport available, so your choices are renting a car or taking a taxi.
The cape is a peaceful spot for sightseeing, though the cliffs make swimming a bit challenging. I suggest visiting Cape Rodon first and then heading to Lalzit Bay for a swim later in the day. They’re along the same road.
3. The Bay of Lalzi
Lalzi Bay is one of the loveliest beaches near Tirana. It’s calm and not too crowded, surrounded by pine trees and mountains reaching down to the sea. The only buildings there are two small restaurants. What makes Lalzi Bay so special is its natural beauty. The beach has clean, white sand and it’s very peaceful—you can easily hear the waves. Lalzi Bay is located north of Durres. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes to drive there from Tirana. Just follow the road from Tirana to Durres, then look for signs pointing to Maminas. Follow that road until you reach the beach.
4. Spille Beach
At Spille, you’ll discover a beautiful white sand beach that stretches for 6 kilometers. This means there’s plenty of room for visitors to spread out. Families with young kids love Spille because the water is calm and safe.
Spille beach is a bit farther from Tirana compared to Durres, but it’s worth the trip if you prefer a quieter beach experience. While there are some amenities like a walkway and a fresh fish restaurant, Spille is much less crowded than Durres.
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Spille beach from Tirana, covering roughly 75 kilometers. Follow the SH2 highway from Tirana towards Durres, then head south past the town of Kavaje. Look out for the sign pointing towards Spille.
5. The General’s Beach
The General’s Beach, also known as Generali Beach, is a small and pleasant stretch of coastline just north of Spille. The water here is clear, and the beach itself is clean and well-kept. There’s a small walkway along the shore and a few restaurants nearby, but overall, it’s a peaceful spot away from large crowds, making it great for a family outing.
To get to Generali Beach, start by driving from Tirana to Durres. Then, head south from Durres along the main road. Leave the highway somewhere between Kavaje and Lushnja. After exiting the highway, you’ll need to travel about 15 kilometers on a narrow road to reach the beach.
6. Velipoje Beach
Velipoje is one of the farthest north beaches in Albania. It’s north of Shkodra and near the Montenegrin border. If you’re traveling between Montenegro and Albania, it’s a good spot to visit because it’s about a two-hour drive from Tirana. Velipoje is one of the smaller beaches in Albania and has a few cafes and restaurants nearby.
7. Shengjin Beach
Shengjin beach is a popular spot in northern Albania. It’s not just a beach; it’s more like a big seaside town with lots of hotels, apartments, and bars. You’ll find a range of restaurants there too, offering Albanian dishes, seafood, and Italian meals. One of the best things to do at Shengjin is take a long stroll along the bay because the beach stretches out for quite a distance.
Read also: Mirror Beach Albania: Tourist Travel Guide 2024
Getting to Shengjin is easy by public transport. You can catch a bus from Tirana to Lezha, which runs every half hour from 9am to 7pm. The ride to Lezha takes about 1.5 hours. From there, it’s just a 15-minute bus ride to Shengjin. Also, nearby Shkodra city has many tourist attractions like Rozafa Castle, Lake Koman ferry rides, and a famous photography museum. So, if you’re planning to visit Shkodra during your trip, Shengjin is a convenient beach to stop by.
8. Tale Beach
Tale Beach is a natural and unspoiled beach near Lezha. It has only recently started attracting tourists, so it’s not crowded. The beach is pristine and looks beautiful in pictures. It stretches for 3 kilometers with clean sandy shores. Tale Beach is situated 7 kilometers away from the Lac-Lezha road.
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