Himara

Himarë is another old town atop a nearby hill to the seashore. The old village is in stark contrast to Himarë’s beach which is lined with hotels, restaurants, and shops. Tourism is in full swing when it comes to this coastal town. The shore is well built up with a nice promenade where you can walk around in the sunset and enjoy many of the local seafood restaurants.

Himarë’s beachfront boardwalk is lined with pizza joints, upscale seafood bistros, and grab-and-go gyro spots. Bumper cars crash in the children’s area at the end of the seaside promenade. Albanian family vacations, hostels full of backpackers, and romantic getaways all have a place in quirky Himara. Hiking along the seaside cliffs, you'll find Livadh beach just north of town; the view from above is a tri-colored flag of the turquoise sea, bright white stones, and olive groves stretching far beyond. Leaving Himarë and heading south on the coastal highway, you’ll pass Albania’s longest beach, Borsch, a local favorite. A short way further you’ll hit Buneci, where mountain springs trickle into the ocean. Throughout this region, wandering is its own reward.

Location: Vlorë County, Albania
TripAdvisor Review: 4.5/5 (1280 reviews)