SightBetween Himarë and Qeparo

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.

Type: Fortress · swim spot
Entry: Small fee at the gate
Time needed: 1–2 hours + a swim
Best base: Qeparo or Himarë

Directions

Updated October 2026

Why it's worth your time

In a sheltered bay just south of Himarë, a low triangular fortress sits on a knuckle of land barely attached to the shore. Porto Palermo Castle is linked to Ali Pasha of Tepelena, the powerful early-19th-century ruler of this coast, and it remains remarkably intact: cool, dark vaulted chambers inside, and a flat roof with views over the entire bay.

The bay itself did Cold-War service as a secret submarine base — the tunnel bored into the far headland is still visible from the castle roof. Bring swimwear: the pebble cove beside the causeway has clear, calm water and makes the perfect post-fortress cooldown.

Ali Pasha fortressSwim coveHistoryPhoto spot

The practical bits

Getting there

Right off the SH8 between Himarë (15 min) and Qeparo (5 min) — the turn is signposted and parking is by the causeway.

Entry & hours

A small entry fee is collected at the gate in season (carry some lekë in cash). Daytime opening; hours stretch longer in summer.

Best time & tips

Late afternoon gives soft light on the walls and a quieter cove. Bring a torch or use your phone — the inner halls are genuinely dark.

Build the day around it

Base at Qeparo

The beach and old village are five minutes away — castle in the morning, beach all afternoon.

Or come from Himarë

An easy add-on to a Himarë stay — combine with the old town castle for a two-fortress day.

Lunch nearby

Tavernas at Qeparo beach or back in Himarë — fish, village salad, and the afternoon planned over coffee.

Local businesses

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Nearby

Town or villageAbove Qeparo beach

Upper Qeparo (Qeparo i Sipërm)

One of the best-preserved old villages on the coast — stone lanes, fig shade, near-total silence and a terrace view over the whole bay.

Beachkm 115

Qeparo Beach

A relaxed pebble shore beneath one of the coast's most beautiful stone villages — with a fortress bay just down the road.

Beachkm 109

Potami Beach

Himarë's quieter beach — smooth pebbles, remarkably clear water and the lights of town across the bay at sunset.

ExperienceFrom Himarë harbour

Himarë Boat Trips

The Riviera's secret coves don't have roads — they have boats. Himarë's harbour is where the coast's best swimming days begin.

Along the coast road

North along the coastPotami Beach South along the coastQeparo Beach