Fier
A busy working city at the start of the coast road — and the easiest base for Apollonia, Ardenica and the long sandy beaches to the west.
Seven days down the Albanian coast
From the ancient city of Apollonia to the white sand of Ksamil, this is the whole coast in a week by car — two nights in Himarë in the middle, and the best of the north and south either side.
Day 1
Fier and Apollonia
Arrive in Fier, explore Apollonia in the afternoon light, and finish with sunset at Darëzezë Beach.
Apollonia Archaeological Park
A 2,600-year-old city on a hill above the plain — columned civic buildings, a theatre for music and a medieval monastery, with the sea on the horizon.
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.
Day 2
Vlorë Bay
Drive south to Vlorë: flamingos at Narta Lagoon in the morning, a swim at Radhimë, seafood by the water.
Zvërnec Island & Narta Lagoon
A 270-metre wooden footbridge to a pine-covered islet and its Byzantine monastery — with flamingos in the lagoon if your timing is right.
Vlorë Beach
The Riviera starts in a real city — beaches with every amenity, a palm-lined promenade, and history on every corner.
Radhimë Beach
A string of calm pebble coves and family resorts on the quiet side of Vlorë Bay — famous locally for its fish tavernas.
Day 3
Over the Llogara Pass
Take the old road over the pass for the view, stop at the Big Bunker, then swim at Palasë and Dhërmi.
Llogara Pass
The gateway moment — pine forests, paragliders, roast lamb, and the instant the whole Ionian appears beneath you.
The Big Bunker
A Cold-War relic turned the Riviera's favourite photo stop — a concrete dome hanging over the bluest view in Albania.
Palasë Beach
The first beach after the mountain descent — a long sweep of white pebbles, paraglider landings and the clearest water around.
Dhërmi & Drymades
Beach bars, summer festivals and a stone village on the hillside — with calmer Drymades waiting around the headland.
Day 4
Gjipe and Jale
Hike down the canyon to Gjipe in the morning, then cool off at Jale before checking in to Himarë.
Gjipe Beach
The Riviera's worst-kept secret that still feels secret — a canyon-mouth beach you can only reach on foot or by sea.
Jale Beach
A compact turquoise bay of beach clubs and summer energy — loudest by day, surprisingly swimmable at dawn.
Himarë
A seafront promenade, a castle above, a harbour of waiting boats — the best base for exploring the whole coast.
Day 5
Himarë's beaches
Potami in the morning, a long lunch at Livadhi, sunset from Himarë Castle.
Potami Beach
Himarë's quieter beach — smooth pebbles, remarkably clear water and the lights of town across the bay at sunset.
Livadhi Beach
A wide, generous bay of tavernas, olive groves and easy days — the most settle-in-able beach on the Riviera.
Himarë Castle
A lived-in hilltop old town inside ancient castle walls — alleys, ruined churches and the best sunset view over the whole Himarë coast.
Day 6
South along the Riviera
Porto Palermo's fortress, Old Qeparo, then the long sweep of Borsh on the way south.
Porto Palermo Castle
Ali Pasha's triangular fortress on its own tiny peninsula — dark vaulted halls, rooftop sea views, and a swimmable cove right beside the walls.
Qeparo Beach
A relaxed pebble shore beneath one of the coast's most beautiful stone villages — with a fortress bay just down the road.
Borsh Beach
Seven kilometres of shoreline fed by mountain springs, backed by Albania's largest olive grove — room for absolutely everyone.
Day 7
Butrint and Ksamil
Butrint in the cool of the morning, the afternoon on Ksamil's sand, and sunset from Lëkurësi Castle.
Butrint National Park
A 2,500-year-old city wrapped in forest and lagoon — Greek theatre, Roman ruins, Byzantine mosaics and Venetian towers, all on one shaded walking loop.
Ksamil Beach
White sand, swim-to islands and Caribbean-blue shallows — Albania's postcard, with a UNESCO wonder ten minutes away.
Lëkurësi Castle
The definitive sunset of the Albanian south — a hilltop castle terrace with Sarandë bay below, Ksamil to the south and Corfu floating on the horizon.
Take it with you
Add the stops to My trip and open the whole route in Google Maps, in driving order. Your trip is saved on this phone.