UPDATED FEB 2020. When it comes to a European summer bucket list, I think it’s not complete without a visit to the beaches in southern Albania. They share the gorgeous, sparkling water with the more famous destinations, but don’t share the crowds or the cost. At least not yet anyway. I want to encourage you to visit before the crowds do so here are my tips to help you plan your Albania itinerary for a quick beach getaway.
Southern Albania Itinerary And How To Plan An Epic Beach Getaway
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
Planning basics
Do you need a visa?
Visas are not required for most countries but it depends on what citizenship you hold.
For the USA, Australia, and Schengen visas, you should be able to enter without a visa. I recommend checking with the travel department of your country to be sure though.
What is the currency?
The currency in Albania is the Albanian Lek (ALL). It’s a good idea to have cash on you and you can get it from ATMs when you are out.
In some places, the Euro was accepted, but I used Lek for most of my purchases.
Which airport should you fly to?
The international airport is in the capital, Tirana (TIA).
What is driving in Albania like?
It’s a good idea to have a rental car for your beach getaway to make the beach hopping easier. Renting a car in Albania is easy, but there are a couple of important things to know if you are renting from elsewhere.
Not all insurances cover Albania. If you drive your own car on a road trip, call your insurance company to check if Albania is covered and add it on for the trip if it isn’t.
Alternatively, you can get a ‘green card’ at the border which is an insurance card so you will be allowed to enter the country, though it’s easier and quicker to have it sorted prior.
Make sure you have your registration on you as well.
If you rent a car in another country and drive across the border, ask the rental company beforehand if you are allowed to drive into Albania as some companies do not allow it.
If they do allow it, they will be able to provide you with the documents needed to enter the country.
Either way, make sure you look into this prior and get your documents in order.
What to expect
Here’s what to expect when you are planning your Southern Albania itinerary. You’ll see some of the most beautiful beaches, eat fresh and delicious seafood, experience warm hospitality, and get all this without the hiked up costs of other summer hotspots like southern Italy or the French Riviera.
It’s a little more rugged than some of the popular beach destinations in Europe though.
For example, don’t be surprised if you see a donkey and cart transportation, cows walking on the roads in the mountains, semi-paved roads, or lots of unfinished construction.
It is building up quickly though and, in my opinion, it’s an underrated destination for a beach holiday in Europe.
Southern Albania itinerary destination #1
Dhermi is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and a perfect destination for a beach getaway.
Where to stay
I stayed at the Augustus Hotel which I found on Booking.com. It was a short walk to the beach, had a fresh breakfast each day, and all of the staff were so kind and helpful.
I absolutely recommend it and would stay there again.
Dhermi Beach
The beach is lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas which you can rent. There are generally sections in front of restaurants and bars and each place will arrange the rentals for their section. The information on how to rent one is usually on the chair, so check that for how to pay and cost.
In some cases, you can also have a ‘table service’ or ‘beach chair service’ where you can order drinks and they will be brought to you at your chair.
If you don’t want to rent a chair, you can lounge anywhere on the beach. It is quite open though so make sure you have a lot of sun protection.
Snorkeling and activities
The water is so clear which makes for great snorkeling visibility. I snorkeled up and down the beach multiple times and mostly only saw fish and starfish in the water.
Even though there wasn’t much wildlife, the pristine clarity made for nice snorkeling.
There is a rock at the start of the beach with a giant fork poking out of it, which is a good jumping spot.
If water sports are your thing, there are vendors along the beach where you could book a jet ski, waterski or boat tour.
Food
If you like seafood, you’re in the right place. Along the beach, you will find a range of restaurants where you can get fresh seafood for pretty cheap.
I liked the Havana Beach Club, Creperie and the Diego Bar Pizzeria.
Albania itinerary destination #2
Whereas Dhermi had a vibe of a much less developed Waikiki, Ksamil had an even less developed and local feel to it.
There were a lot of families at the beaches, some of the roads weren’t paved yet, and it was more gritty as opposed to a shiny, pretty tourist city if that makes sense.
Where to stay in Ksamil
I stayed at Nova Hotel and it was a great choice. It was a basic hotel with a great location, amazing staff, and comfortable rooms.
It has since changed owners, but from the reviews, it looks to have kept the same standard.
Great meal at the restaurant next to Nova Hotel
Ksamil Beaches
You will be able to explore beaches from Ksamil Beach to The Last Bay. Most are fairly small and lined with beach chairs and umbrellas to rent.
In my opinion, they weren’t as postcard-perfect as Dhermi, but they were still so much fun to hang out at. All of the restaurants and bars lining the beaches made for a fun atmosphere too.
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Snorkeling and activities
I did a big snorkeling day to the Ksamil Islands. At each one, I got out of the water to look around before getting back in the water to snorkel some more.
The water was not as crystal clear as Dhermi but there were more animals to see so that made it interesting.
It was a lot of snorkeling though, so if you prefer, you can rent kayaks or pedal boats to explore the islands.
The Blue Eye
During your drive to or from Ksamil, it would be a good option to visit the Blue Eye.
It’s a stunning natural spring that is bright blue in color. I didn’t get time to add in this detour because I was infatuated with the beaches, but it was on my list and I think it would be worth seeing.
Food
Most of the places I liked in Ksamil seem to have closed down according to my searches on Google Maps.
Restaurant Panorama and Agave Bar and Restaurant are a couple I liked that are still open. There are others all along the beach where you can get a great seafood meal for a decent price.
If you want to splurge a little on some nice food, this is the place to do it.
Also, in Ksamil and Dhermi, it was fairly common for the staff to bring a plate of fruit for dessert after the meal.
Other guides to help you plan your trip
- Balkans Road Trip Itinerary – How To Plan It And Where To Stay
- Caring For Your GoPro – A Practical Guide For Adventure Lovers
- How To Spend A Weekend In Budapest – Local Gems & Touristy Spots
Dhermi is a perfect beachy spot for your southern Albania itinerary
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