Darëzezë Beach
A long, quiet stretch of soft sand on the Adriatic, shallow enough for small children and wide enough to find your own space.
The best sandy beaches in Albania
Most of the famous Riviera is pebbles — that's why the water is so clear. If you want soft sand underfoot, you need to know where to look: the long Adriatic beaches around Fier, and Ksamil in the far south.
Updated October 2026
Long, shallow sand near Fier
The coast west of Fier is one long run of fine sand with a gently sloping seabed — you can walk a long way out before it gets deep. The water is warm but greener than on the Riviera, and the beaches are local and uncrowded.
Seman Beach
Fier's home beach — a long sweep of sand backed by pines, warm shallow water and fish restaurants at the end of a straight road across the plain.
Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
Albania's largest lagoon, home to Dalmatian pelicans, with a cool pine forest and a long sandy beach on the Adriatic.
White sand in the far south
Ksamil is Albania's most famous sand beach: white sand, turquoise shallows and little islands you can swim to. It's also the busiest beach in the country in July and August — arrive early.
Sand and pebbles in town
In between, a few town beaches mix sand with small pebbles — good if you want facilities and restaurants close by.
Vlorë Beach
The Riviera starts in a real city — beaches with every amenity, a palm-lined promenade, and history on every corner.
Orikum Beach
A long beach at the foot of the mountains, Albania's first marina, and an ancient Greek city hiding at the edge of town.
Himarë
A seafront promenade, a castle above, a harbour of waiting boats — the best base for exploring the whole coast.
Questions, answered
Does the Albanian Riviera have sandy beaches?
Mostly not: the Riviera between the Llogara Pass and Sarandë is mainly pebbles. For soft sand, head to Ksamil in the south or the long beaches around Fier in the north.
Which sandy beach in Albania is best for children?
Darëzezë and Seman near Fier: fine sand, very shallow water and far fewer people than Ksamil.
Is the water clear on Albania's sandy beaches?
Ksamil has famously clear turquoise water. The Adriatic sand beaches near Fier are warm and shallow, but the water is greener and less clear than on the Ionian side.