TIRANA, July 4 /ATA/ – With its turquoise waters, white beaches, hilltop villages and constant sunshine, the southwest coast of Albania is home to some of the most amazing beaches on the Balkan Peninsula, Thibault Petit writes on the leading French newspaper “Le Figaro”.
Let’s be honest. What do we know about Albania? Its communist dictatorship, its old Mercedes, its bunkers and perhaps the brilliant writer Ismail Kadare, that’s all.
Albania, however, that’s it, more than 2000 years of history, its unique culture, ancient cities and varied landscapes. To the north, its mountains and deep valleys. In the central part, its biggest cities. To the west, its bustling capital, Tirana. In the south, its coast and its beaches, the country’s most popular tourist destination.
Albania, one of the best-kept gems on the Adriatic
Llogara Pass, between sky and sea
Julius Caesar broke his teeth there. It was 48 BC and the Llogara Pass was snow-covered. The road has since been paved.
The Llogara pass is legendary in many ways.
First, because the Romans went there. Secondly, because it marks the entrance to the Albanian Riviera.
At every turn, a bird’s eye view of the Ionian Sea, the beaches and the villages, one of the most beautiful panoramas in the country.
The Pass is located in Llogara National Park. The area offers beautiful mountain hiking.
Dhërmi, jewel of the Ionian Sea
The “jewel of the coast”. That’s what we call it. Understandably: clear water, pebble beaches and bars almost in the water.
Dhërmi is one of the most popular seaside resorts on the coast. It has quality infrastructure and an environment one can dream about.
Another advantage: the beach is kilometers long. No place on the town side? Walk south, you will find deserted expanses, translucent waters and an exceptional setting. Around you, the mountain, the real one, peaks over 2000 meters.
Dhërmi is the seaside but also an ancient town. Climb up there and wander around a bit. There you will find cobbled streets, stone houses, fig trees, vines and flowering roses. The village is home to more than 30 Orthodox churches, including the Panagia Monastery Church, perched on the hill. Inside, beautiful XVI century frescoes.
Below the village, two beaches: that of Dhërmi and that of Dhrale. Further north, Drymades beach is very beautiful but also very lively. Still just above, the famous Palasa beach. In between, there is a small, secluded and uncrowded cove. It is accessed by climbing over some rocks.
Gjipe canyon and its hidden beach
It is a bit remote, discreet, less frequented. Here, no noisy club or party atmosphere, but just a few umbrellas and a small bar.
Gjipe beach is one of the most beautiful in Albania. 400 meters of pebbles, crystal clear water and cliffs around. Ideal for swimming, lazing around and strolling.
The rock face is pierced by an impressive canyon.
Himare
Himarë has 2,800 inhabitants, direct access to the sea, multiple beaches, but also an old fortified town, the Kastro, 180 meters above the sea. Up there, Byzantine churches, typical alleys and a magnificent panorama. From there you can see the coast and even a piece of Greece, the island of Corfu.
In Himare, Spille Beach is very busy. Small Sfajo beach lies at the entrance to the town.
A long stretch of sand with bars and restaurants, Potami Beach is 1.5 km south of Himare.
Famous diving site 4 km south of Himare, Llamani beach is 200 meters long.
The famous and huge Livadhi beach is about 4 kilometers from Himare and easily accessible.
Finally, an isolated beach: The Akarium, above Livadhi beach. Before arriving in Livadhi, take a track that spans a river and then take a 30-minute walk to north-west direction.
Porto Palermo and Qeparo, calm and authentic
There would be no inhabitant, no population, no one. Officially, Porto Palermo is part of the neighboring town, Himare. Only officially indeed.
The area actually deserves a visit in its own right. From above, it looks like an atoll, round and hemmed with clear water. From below, the site invites you into swimming and exploring. It is a beautiful and unspoiled bay.
Porto Palermo is regularly cited among the most beautiful destinations in Europe.
People come here to swim on the sandy isthmus, explore the Ali Pasha fortress and visit another village nearby, the village of Qeparo, considered the most beautiful on the Riviera.
A little further you will find space on the 5 km long Borsh beach.
Saranda, the bay and its surroundings
Let’s be clear. Saranda is the most popular tourist town city in the country: 17,000 inhabitants, a marina, buildings and a concrete bay.
People come here mainly to enjoy the beach, the infrastructure.
First visit the water spring Blue Eye, about 20 kilometers. On the spot, a brilliant blue green water arises on the surface.
On the way back, stop at St Nicholas Monastery of Mesopotam, one of the largest Byzantine churches in the Balkans, with its 10-meter high walls and four cupolas.
Finally, climb up to Lëkursi Castle, an Ottoman fortress built to control the region. On site, the view stretches over Saranda, Corfu, the hinterland and the site of Butrint.
15 km further south, it is impossible not to mention Ksamil, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country but also the most popular.
Butrint, ancient and mythological
It is the most beautiful site in Albania. He inspired Racine, Virgil, Lord Byron and Eugène Delacroix. The ancient city of Butrint is magical. It would have been founded after the Trojan War by Helenos, the only surviving son of King Priam.
For UNESCO, the site constitutes a “microcosm of the history of the Mediterranean.”
Around, wooded hills, two lakes and the strategic strait of Corfu. The region was declared a national park in 2000.
Gjirokastra, the beautiful citadel with Ottoman architecture
From a distance, it seems a little harsh, dreary, extinct. The houses pile up, we see them as being gray, like the citadel at the top, strong and austere, but, once inside, change of impression. White facades, cobbled streets, friendly locals, lively cafes, real village life and a mosque that must be visited.
Gjirokastra is considered the most beautiful city in Albania.
Walk another 15 minutes east and you’ll come across the city’s most important site, the Citadel. It is massive, huge, 600 meters long, on a rocky spur built by the Byzantines in the fifth century then reinforced by the Ottomans.
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