Himarë
Eastern Europe and the Balkans · Albania
Did you know?
- Pirates' Cave near the Monastery of St. Theodore is reached from the sea.
- The town's tavernas reflect a bilingual Albanian-Greek heritage.
- Porto Palermo's castle has a triangular plan.
See also
Gjirokastër
Albania40.08°N 20.13°E · 286 m
Sarandë
Albania39.88°N 20.01°E · 0 m
Overview
Himarë lies between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian Sea. Nearby beaches such as Spile, Marachi and Livadhi shape a relaxed coastal stay.
Languages: Albanian
Why go?
Himara sits on Albania's Riviera between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian Sea, offering some of the country's most beautiful beaches—Spile, Marachi, Livadhi, and Jali—within walking distance of town. The region remains relatively undiscovered compared to more touristed Mediterranean destinations, meaning you'll often have these beaches to yourself in the low season. The bilingual Albanian-Greek character of the town brings excellent seafood tavernas and a distinct cultural atmosphere.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Himara is accessed via the coastal road from Vlorë (35 km north) or Sarandë (45 km south). The nearest airport is in Tirana (Nënë Tereza International Airport), about 3 hours by bus from Himara. Intercity buses run daily from Tirana's South Bus Station to Himara; the journey takes roughly 4 hours. From Sarandë, buses heading north to Vlorë stop at Himara.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
Himara is compact enough to explore on foot—the old town (Kastro) is a relaxed 40-minute walk from the center uphill. You can rent kayaks on the beach for 400-800 lek per hour for a 2-person boat. Cycling is popular, and the Himara Hostel offers bike rentals. The hiking trail to Gjipe beach starts behind the city beach, reaching the secluded cove in about 4 hours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
The best time to visit is May through September. July and August are peak season with more visitors and higher accommodation prices. June and September offer warm weather with fewer crowds—ideal for budget travelers seeking beach tranquility. The Vranisht Dolmen hike and mountain villages like Pilur are best accessed in spring or early autumn when temperatures are cooler.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Himara Hostel (from €10 dorm, €7 tent, €29 private room) is the standout budget option, set in a renovated traditional stone house with a peaceful garden, 5 minutes from the main beach. Solive is a small bed-and-breakfast in Potam with English- and Italian-speaking hosts. Rapos Resort Hotel offers higher-end accommodation. Budget travelers can camp at designated areas near the beaches, with tent pitches at Himara Hostel for €7 per night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
The town center is filled with traditional tavernas and fish restaurants serving local Albanian-Greek cuisine. Cafe Kanda on Rruga Qendrore Spile offers traditional dishes at budget prices (around 500 lek per meal), open from 07:00-02:00. Mojo Cafe Bar is a popular evening spot open until 03:00. For coffee, try Kafe Pasticceria Himara 1928 or San Giorgio Coffee in the main tourist area.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
The Himara old town (Kastro) sits on a hill 40 minutes from center—explore the Illyrian-era castle ruins and a very old church, with sunrise views over the sea. Porto Palermo Castle is a triangular fortress on a small island 30 meters offshore, built by Ali Pasha in the early 19th century. The Pirates' Cave near the Monastery of St. Theodore is accessible only by sea. Hikers can tackle the trail from Himara to Gjipe beach (4 hours) passing through untouched canyon landscapes. For water activities, rent kayaks on the city beach to reach secluded coves.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
The mountain village of Vuno is just 30 minutes from Himara—a sleepy place with traditional atmosphere and beautiful views over the Albanian Riviera. Pilur is another mountain village accessible via an inland hiking trail with rewarding panoramic scenery. From Himara, you can also visit Porto Palermo Bay and its castle, the nearby village of Qeparo (where Ali Pasha's Tower stands), and continue south to Sarandë or north to Vlorë for longer excursions.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Himara, the coastal road runs north to Vlorë (35 km)—a lively seaside city with passenger ferries to Italy. Further north lies Tirana, Albania's vibrant capital. Southward, Sarandë is a bigger seaside city with ferries to Greek Corfu. Inland, Gjirokastër is a must-see stone city, and the small mountain village of Vuno offers a quick escape into traditional Albanian life.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Mobile coverage in Himara is good with Albanian carriers like Vodafone, Telekom, and ALBtelecom offering prepaid SIM cards. WiFi is available in most hostels, cafes, and restaurants. Power outlets use the standard European Type C/F sockets (220V).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Himara is generally safe for travelers. Standard precautions apply—keep valuables secure on beaches and avoid leaving items unattended. The beach area can get lively at night during peak season. Hiking trails are sometimes poorly marked; go prepared with water and inform someone of your route when heading to remote areas like the Vranisht Dolmen.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Himara Hostel
It is set in a renovated traditional stone house with a peaceful garden full of fruit trees. It is a 5-minute walk from the main beach. Bikes and kayaks are available for rent (EUR
Recorded price: From private €29, dorm €10, tent €7
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Rapos Resort Hotel
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Solive
Small bed and breakfast, friendly environment. English- and Italian-speaking hosts.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Cafe Kanda
This small half bar restaurant and half traditional house in Himara serves delicious traditional cuisine with a very cheap price.
Recorded price: 500 lek
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Taverna Velco
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Himarë old town
uBilt around the ruins of the old castle, a magical place where you can watch the sunrise over the sea, meet the love of your life or enjoy the peace of your own companionship. It was built in the Illyrian period and is still partially preserved. Where today many of the buildings have fallen apart and rather persist as a ruin. In addition to the old buildings, there is also a very old church.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Kukum Castle
It was built in the 2nd century BC.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Porto Palermo Castle
The port of Porto Palermo is a monument of cultural heritage built on a peninsula between Himara and Qeparo in the district of Vlora, Albania. The small castle is set in a beautiful setting on a peninsula in the small tectonic bay of Porto Palermo (in antiquity known as Panormes Bay). The castle is located not far from the village of Qeparo. The port of Porto Palermo is located in the bay of the same name on the Ionian Sea coast in southern Albania. The castle is located on an island about 30 m from the shore where the narrow waterline between the coast and the island is filled with stones and to realize a land connection with it. The castle has a triangular planar shape with three powerful ramparts in the corners. Entrance is located in the middle of the southern wall. On the sea side, between two bastions a trapeze-shaped surface is surrounded by turret-walled walls. The rest of the castle is made up of a large number of covered environments that end up in the upper part with a shared terrace. The premises were used to shelter the garrison while one of them served as a prison.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Culture
Himara is bilingual (Albanian and Greek) with a predominantly ethnic Greek community. Traditional tavernas serve excellent seafood.
Money
Albanian lek is the local currency. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels and restaurants but carry cash for smaller establishments and markets.
Transport
Intercity buses from Tirana's South Bus Station take about 4 hours to reach Himara. Local transport includes rented bikes and kayaks on the beach.
Weather
Peak season is July-August with hot weather and busy beaches. May-June and September offer warm temperatures with fewer crowds.