The Albanian Riviera, beaches below the mountains.
White pebble coves from Vlorë to Sarandë, the ruins of Butrint and village bases above the sea, often for less than on the rest of the coast. How to get there, where to stay and what changed in 2026, checked against official sources.
Where the Adriatic becomes the Ionian.
Albania’s coast runs from the Montenegrin border to the Greek border opposite Corfu. The northern half is low and sandy, around Durrës. South of Vlorë the mountains meet the sea, and the road climbs over the Llogara Pass before dropping to the Riviera: Dhërmi, Himarë, Borsh, Sarandë and Ksamil.
Albania is outside the EU and Schengen and uses its own currency, the lek. It is the fastest-growing of the three countries on this site: the national news agency reported 17.5 million entries in the first nine months of 2026, and new flights from the UK and Canada keep arriving.
The southern Riviera is closest to Corfu, just across the strait, which is why many visitors arrive by ferry rather than flying into Tirana.
The Riviera, south to north
Distances look short on the map, but the coast road is winding. One or two bases are plenty for a week.
Ksamil and Butrint
Ksamil’s small beaches face a cluster of rocky islets in clear, shallow water, and get very crowded in July and August. In 2026 the authorities marked out free public beach zones alongside the paid sunbed areas, and added lifeguards. Butrint, a few kilometres south, is a UNESCO-listed ancient city in a lagoon national park.
Sarandë
The Riviera’s main town, built around a bay with a long seafront promenade. Not the prettiest place, but the most practical: the Corfu ferry docks on the waterfront, buses run to Ksamil and Butrint, and there are restaurants and hotels at every price.
Himarë, Borsh and Qeparo
A quieter stretch with long pebble beaches, old hill villages and olive groves. Himarë has a small town beach and coves nearby; Borsh has one of the longest beaches on the Riviera. A car makes the most of it.
Dhërmi, Drymades and Palasë
Below the Llogara Pass, with white pebble beaches, beach clubs and new resorts. The road over the pass is spectacular; since 2025 the Llogara tunnel offers a faster way through.
Vlorë and the Karaburun peninsula
A busy city with a long seafront, and the starting point for boat trips to the Karaburun peninsula and Sazan island. A good stop between Tirana and the Riviera.
Reaching the Riviera
There is no airport on the Riviera itself. Most people come through Corfu or Tirana.
| Way in | Time to the Riviera | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry from Corfu (Greece) | 30–45 min by hydrofoil, 55–70 min by ferry to Sarandë | Daily all year, one sailing each way from 11 November to 31 December 2026. Corfu hire cars can’t be taken across. See our Corfu to Sarandë guide |
| Tirana airport | About 5 to 6 hours by bus to Sarandë | Albania’s main airport, with the most flights. Air Transat added Toronto–Tirana in 2026 and Ryanair based a fourth plane there |
| Vlorë airport | — | Built but not operating. The government moved to end the operator’s contract in 2026 and no opening date has been set |
| By road from Greece | A few hours from Ioannina to Sarandë | Land crossings at Kakavia and near Konispol |
| By road from Montenegro | A full day to the southern Riviera | Via Shkodër and Tirana. Better split over two days |
Buses, minibuses and driving
Public transport works for the main towns. For the smaller beaches and villages, a car is much easier.
Sarandë to Ksamil
Local buses leave from near the ferry terminal for Ksamil and Butrint, taking about 20 to 25 minutes. Ask the driver about the last bus back.
Coaches and furgons
Coaches and minibuses (furgons) link Sarandë with Himarë, Vlorë and Tirana. Sarandë’s intercity buses moved to a new terminal on the edge of town in July 2026.
Driving the coast road
The SH8 coast road is winding and slow, with hairpins over the Llogara Pass. Drive in daylight, watch for livestock, and expect parking pressure in Ksamil in August.
Hire in Albania
Hire your car in Albania. Cars rented in Corfu can’t go on the ferry, and Croatian or Montenegrin rentals need permission and Green Card insurance.
Beach boats
In summer, small boats run from Ksamil to the islets and from Himarë and Vlorë to beaches you can’t reach by road.
One hour behind Greece
Albania is on Central European Time, an hour behind Corfu. Ferry times are always local, so don’t miss the boat back.
June and September for beaches.
July and August are hot, crowded and the most expensive, especially in Ksamil. June and September have warm sea, long days and a full set of beach services.
May and October are good for Butrint, walking and village stays, with fewer boats running. The Corfu ferry drops from about a dozen sailings a day in summer to one a day each way from mid-November.
From November to March many Riviera hotels, beach bars and restaurants close, especially in Ksamil, Dhërmi and the villages. Sarandë and Vlorë stay open.
Rules and costs to know
The points visitors most often get wrong.
Entry
No visa for a holiday. US citizens can stay up to a year; UK and Canadian citizens up to 90 days in any 180. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your stay.
Money
The currency is the lek. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but at poor rates. Carry cash for buses, small restaurants and beach sunbeds.
Travel advice
The US State Department rates Albania at Level 2 (exercise increased caution). Read your government’s advice before travel, especially on road safety.
Coming back into the EU
Returning to Corfu or Croatia means the EU’s Entry/Exit System for non-EU visitors. If you need a Schengen visa, it must be multiple-entry for a day trip out and back.
Questions people ask
Do I need a visa for Albania?
Not for a holiday if you hold a US, UK, Canadian or Australian passport. US citizens can stay up to one year; UK and Canadian citizens up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What currency does Albania use?
The lek (ALL). Euros are widely accepted in tourist areas, but you usually get a better deal paying in lek.
Is there an airport on the Albanian Riviera?
No working one. Vlorë airport has been built but has no commercial flights, and in 2026 the government moved to end the operator’s contract. Fly into Tirana, or into Corfu and take the ferry to Sarandë.
How much is the ticket for Butrint?
1,000 lek per adult in 2026, according to Butrint National Park. From April to October it opens at 08:30 with last entry at 18:00; winter hours are shorter.
How do I get from Sarandë to Ksamil?
By local bus from near the ferry terminal, in about 20 to 25 minutes, for about 200 lek. Taxis are quicker in summer traffic but cost more.
Beaches, ruins and village views. The Riviera is planned.
Most visitors arrive by sea from Corfu. Here is how the crossing works.
Corfu to Sarandë ferry →Explore another country: the Croatia travel guide → or the Montenegro travel guide →