Albanian Coastline
One of the greatest assets of Albania is its coastline, the waters and the beaches of which results very clean by Mediterranean norms.
The pleasant Mediterranean climate, sunny beaches, and beautiful nature characterize the Albanian coast, which offers you the best opportunities to relax. Travel guide Frommer’s has declared the Albanian Riviera as the Top Value Destination for 2012 according to its editors, authors, and experts from around the world. (follow this link).
Its total length is 427 km and is divided in two distinct zones: the Adriatic and the Ionian. The Adriatic coast is 273 km long, which has shallow water and long sandy beaches (up to 5 km). Much of the coast is pine forest. The southern Ionian coast is 154 km long, being rugged and dramatic, with steep backdrops to fine white sandy beaches. The beaches are smaller and rockier here, and the water is deep right from the shore.
Citrus, fig and olive trees dominate the landscape, giving it a classical Mediterranean beauty. There are several environmentally sensitive lagoons (coastal lagoons 130 km2) along the coast, the most important is Karavasta, near Divjaka in the central region, and Butrint in the south.
Many migratory birds visit the coasts. Twenty-four coastal zones have been chosen for potential tourism development. This consists of hotels, holiday villages and marinas.
Holidays in the Albanian coastline
Adriatic Coast
With the Albanian Adriatic coast running from the Montenegro border south to the Bay of Vlora, where the Ionian Sea begins, we can offer to our guest different type of beach based Holidays. Adriatic coast is a low-lying one, with large protected bays (such as those of Vlora and Durres), which have been used as harbors since ancient times.
Choosing one of our vacations by the Adriatic Sea, you can choose different type of accommodations from the best resorts (like Adriatik hotel or Tropical resort) to the most particular ones (like the bunker Hostel).
Adriatic coast is excellent for long and different type of vacations. People that feel like getting bored by spending all of their time lying by the sea, can have a lot of opportunities for alternative tourism just close by and they can very easily combine their sea holidays with different day visits. Much of the Adriatic coast is composed of pine forest and there are also several lagoons, what offers to our nature lovers guests a great potential for eco-tourism, and bird watching. But history lover guests will have the possibility to explore the historical towns like Durres , Lezhe, Shkoder and much more with their amazing ancient ruins medieval fortresses and rich museums. The Adriatic coast offers possibilities for exercising a wide range of sport activities such as swimming, sailing by boats, strolls by motor - boats, diving etc. One of the most remarkable is beach volley. The Adriatic beach from Durres to Divjaka, offers all the possibilities for organizing international activities as Beach Volley.
Beaches on the Adriatic Sea
Mali Robit
This one is one of the most popular beaches in the country. It is located less than an hour drive from the Capital city of Tirana. It features white sands and the shade of pine forests.
Spile Beach
It is located south of Tirana west of Kavaje. This is a vast sandy beach and an amazing pine forest near the beach. The waters are crystal clear.
Lalzi Bay
Is definitely a favourite of our different guests. The beach there, is one of the most favorite beaches in the Albanian Adriatic coast.
Shëngjin
It is located about an hour drive north of Tirana. It is a small beach town. After the construction of a new road, the access to the beach is easier. This beach has a great future. To complete the scenery there are wetlands and pine trees nearby.
Ionian Coast
On the other hand, a holiday on the Ionian coast is also very interesting. The Ionian coast is very rugged with rocky coves along the narrow coastal strip and steep mountains, rising straight up almost much of its length. Geologic activity and erosion have created many caves at the base of these cliffs, some of which were inhabited in prehistoric times.
Ionian coast is known and preferred among our guest for its small isolated beaches and deep sea waters. We offer different type of accommodations starting from the best ones (like the Drymades Inn) or the most typical and interesting ones (like the bungalow village of Porto Palermo).
This part of the coast is a preferred destination for both young and older people. Again if you feel like don’t want to spend all the time lying by the sea , you can choose a mix sea holiday which will permit you to visit the different charming medieval villages of the area with their very old frescoed churches, imposing castles and astonishing views. Numerous possibilities for under-water diving also exists. Areas worth mentioning are the Cape of Rodon, Cape of Lagji around the Peninsula of Karaburun, the island of Sazan, beach of Dhermi etc, which have a rich flora and fauna, wrecked ships, corals as well as objects of archeological values. The main beaches on the Ionian coast are Dhermi, Jala, Himara, Qeparoi, Borsh, Saranda and Ksamil. This area is also known as the Albanian Riviera.
Saranda beach
Saranda Beach is located directly opposite to the Greek Island of Corfu. It takes half an hour by ferry to ride between the two countries. Saranda is a neat sand and pebble beach with crystal clear waters.
Ksamili beach
Some say that Ksamil Beach belongs among the Caribbean Islands because of its powdery white sands and clear waters. It is located even closer to the Island of Corfu. Very close to this beach is located the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrinti.
Borshi beach
This is a small village with a breathtaking beach surrounded by olive groves. It is not so developed for mass tourism, so do not expect fancy bars or restaurants. But, not to worry about if the waters are turquoise clear.
Dhërmi beach
It is located south of Vlora over the Llogora Pass National Park. It is a small piece of paradise, people are starting to talk about it and it is also getting coverage from important travel publications.
Himara beach
Himara Beach: It is located half an hour south of Dhermi and offers the same clear waters and shale beaches. The small town is surrounded by olive and citrus trees.
Ohrid lake
Albania is rich also in big and small lakes, and a holiday next to the shores of the lake is to be taken in consideration. One of the most famous areas for holidays is the region of Lake Ohrid and Prespa, located in southeastern part of the country. There are several areas and beaches located next to the main two towns next to the lake. Arownd the town of Pogradec are located beaches and swimming areas like Lin, Drilon and Tushemisht and many more around the Ohrid and Struga towns.
Holidays on the Albanian Coast (Adriatic) - Sample Program
Day 1: Airport – Beach Resort
Upon arrival in Mother Theresa International Airport, meet with our guide and transfer at the Beach Resort along the Adriatic coast.
Day 2: Beach Resort
Along the Albanian Adriatic coast we can offer to our guest different type of beach based Holidays. Adriatic coast is a low-lying one, with large protected bays, excellent for long and different type of vacations. People that feel like getting bored by spending all of their time lying by the sea, can have a lot of opportunities for alternative tourism just close by and they can very easily combine their sea holidays with different daily visits. Much of the Adriatic coast is composed of pine forest and there are also several lagoons, what offers nature lovers a great potential for eco-tourism, and bird watching. But history lovers will have the possibility to explore the historical towns like Durres. The Adriatic coast offers possibilities for exercising a wide range of sport activities such as swimming, sailing, strolls by motor - boats, diving etc. One of the most remarkable is beach volley.
Day 3: Beach Resort– Durres city
After the breakfast, the first part of the day will be spent to visit the nearby city of Durres.
Durres: is the main port and the second biggest city in the country. Some important archaeological monuments that testify the glorious past of the city during different periods of history are: The ancient city walls, the roman amphitheater and baths, the byzantine forum, the Venetian tower, the ottoman hamam. The city offers to the visitors also a range of interesting buildings and museums such as: the Archeological Museum, the Exhibition of Folk Culture hosted in a very elegant house of ottoman architecture, the museum of History ect. Of interest to be seen are the Italian buildings constructed in between the WWI and WWII that now host the Municipality, the Cultural centre with the Aleksander Moisiu Theater, the main Library, the philharmonic orchestra ect.
After the visit return to the resort.
Day 4: Beach Resort
Day 5: Beach Resort – Berat town (UNESCO)
After the breakfast, leave the resort to spent half of the day to reach the Unesco protected town of Berat and visit its historical quarters.
Berat: is also known as “The town of a Thousand windows” due to the many large buildings that decorate the houses of the old town. The town is still renowned for its historic architecture and particular beauty and is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Historical Berat consist of three quarters. The quarters of Gorica and Mangalem are situated on the slopes of two hills that are divided by the river Osum. The Kalaja (fortress) quarter stands on the top of the Magalemi hill and is enclosed by a fortification wall that dates back to the IV century BC. The town has several XV century mosques, very well decorated and a very large numbers of Byzantine orthodox churches. Several of the churches has frescoes by the well known painter Onufri and his school, as well as from other later famous schools of frescos and icons of the Balkan area. Of particular interest are: The icons museum located in the old cathedral church of the Castle and the Ethnographic museum hosted in an old house in the Mangalem quarter.
After the visits of Berat return to the Resort.
Day 6: Beach Resort
Day 7: Beach Resort
Day 8: Beach Resort – Tirana – Airport
This day, after lunch we will drive to visit the capital city of Albania, Tirana.
Tirana: A cross between Istanbul and Naples with a pinch of Minsk. The capital and the biggest city in Albania offers a wide range of activities, museums and monuments to explore. In the main square of the city, Skanderbeg Square, and along the main “boulevard” named “The Martyrs of the Nation” are located most of the Museums buildings and monuments of Tirana. In the main square are located: The National Historic Museum with its façade decorated by a large mosaic called “Albania”, the huge statue of Skanderbeg, the Et’hem beg mosque with its delicious decorations, the Palace of Culture, where the Theatre of Opera and Ballet and National Library are located, the government buildings that close the square from the south side. Instead along the main “boulevard” and not far from it can be seen: The Catholic church of St. Paul completed in 2001, The Orthodox Cathedral, The late medieval bridge of Tabakeve, the remains of the old fortress of Tirana, different houses in ottoman style. The building of the Parliament, the academy of Sciences building, the Gallery of Figurative Arts, The International Cultural Centre, constructed in 1988 to be the Museum of the ex communist dictator Enver Hoxha and commonly called by the people “The pyramid” according to the strange and curious pyramidal shape of the building, the Palace of the Congresses and the Presidential Residence. The monument of Mother Albania, 12 meters high, was inaugurated in the “Heroes of the Nation” cemetery in 1971.
Transfer to the Airport.
Adriatic Coast Holiday Package
Couples Package – starting from 620 Euro or £500 per person in half board accommodation
BA Flights
07 Accommodations in 4* hotel & Beach Resort
Professional tour guide (driver) during the visits
Modern A/C Car and driver for the transfers
Entrance fees
Information material (maps, brochures)
Tax and Vat included
For more information please feel free to contact us.
