Your Essential Guide to Himare – Albania’s Greek Beach Town 2025

This guide to Himare covers everything to help you plan your visit. If you’re looking for an Albanian Riviera beach town that is quieter, more local and very scenic Himare is worth visiting.

I spent a week in Himare and it became one of my favourite places to stay in Albania. It’s not packed with things to do, and the beaches aren’t as jaw dropping as Ksamil’s, but it has something other coastal towns don’t – a unique Greek culture.

Travel Guide to Himare

Culturally, Himare is a unique beach destination. It’s in Albania but home to a Greek majority. Locals are bilingual in both languages, and there’s a lot of Greek influence in the food and architecture.

I heard more Greek on the streets than Albanian, noticed a lot of Greek foods on menus, saw traditional Orthodox churches and noticed locals regularly go to Igoumenitsa, Greece to shop.

When to Go to Himare

The best time to visit Himare is shoulder season: May to mid June and September. It’s cheaper, there’s less tourists and the weather is cooler.

July and August are peak season. Everything costs more and it’s very hot. While Himare doesn’t get as crowded as Saranda or Ksamil, it does get fully booked in summer. Don’t show up without a reservation!

I was there at the end of June and it wasn’t too busy. But it was getting hot, reaching 32C (90F).

Planning a longer trip to Albania? See how I fit Himare into this two-week highlights of Albania itinerary, with both car and bus versions.

How to Get to Himare

Himare isn’t a big transport hub like some other coastal destinations in Albania, so it’s important to plan ahead.

If you’re planning on taking the bus, check this website for timings, but keep in mind it doesn’t list every bus. Buses to Himare won’t be as frequent as buses to Saranda or Vlore, for example.

• From Tirana: There are direct buses to Himare from the South North Bus Terminal, or you can hire a private transfer. The bus fare from Tirana is 1500 lek ($18 USD). Airport taxis charge 17,000 lek ($205 USD) for a Himare transfer. I’ve done this bus ride and it can be long if it stops in Vlore (5 hours).
• From Saranda: There are daily buses to Himare from Saranda. A private transfer is also a good option. Saranda Eco Taxi charged me 6,000 lek ($72 USD) for the trip.
• From Vlore: There are shared vans (furgons) and buses daily. You can also arrange for a private transfer. I’ve used Taxi Landi for transfers from Vlore. They’re very reliable.
• Via Corfu: You can take a ferry from Corfu to Saranda and continue on to Himare by bus or taxi.

Should you Rent a Car?

Renting a car and driving to Himare is another option. The roads and highways in Albania are pretty good, as long as you stick to the numbered highways for long drives.

The best part about driving yourself to Himare is you’ll be able to enjoy the coastal drive at your leisure. Whether you are coming from the north or the south, this is one of the most scenic drives in Albania.

If you have a car you’ll also be able to explore around Himare. There are spectacular beaches, cute towns and historic sites within a 15 km radius.

Most guest houses and hotels in Himare include parking.

Things to do in Himare

Here’s the honest truth: there’s not a lot to do in Himare, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s all about enjoying the scenery, eating well, and slowing down.

Obviously the beaches are a major draw. Most visitors spend the day at the beach and then head out for dinner and drinks later.

You can go beach hopping and check out a different one each day!

Beaches

• Spille Beach: Himare’s main beach. Long, fine pebble sand, and free! Some parts are managed by restaurants, but most are open to the public.
• Prinos Beach: Smaller, with beach bars and clubs. This is the livelier option.
• Livadhi & Llamani Beaches: Quieter, cleaner beaches 4 km from town in opposite directions. You’ll need a car or be up for a hike. Locals prefer these beaches.
• Hidden Gems: If you’ve got a car, check out Gjipe, Jale, and Aquarium beaches – secluded and spectacular.

Other sites and attractions

• Himare Castle & Old Town: Just 2 km uphill. It’s walkable but I took a taxi for 500 lek – $6 USD. Peaceful and atmospheric with great views and a glimpse into Himare’s history.
• Porto Palermo Castle: A few kilometers down the coast. A must-visit fortress surrounded by turquoise water and a small beach.
• Villages like Qeparo Fushe, Lukove & Vuno: Authentic, charming coastal towns that show a different side of Albania.

More things to do in Himare

• Scenic Hikes: My dog and I loved early morning walks along the coast. We passed goats, chickens, olive trees, and stunning sea views.
• Boat Tours: Visit secluded beaches, some of which can only be accessed by boat. The boat tour stands are along the promenade in front of Spille Beach.
• Rooftop Drinks: Locca Lounge has some of the best views of Himare from their outdoor terrace. Come here for a drink after your day at the beach. They stay open until 2 or 3 am in summer.

Where to Stay

Himare is small, and where you stay matters, especially if you don’t have a car. This guide includes my favourite Himare picks for all budgets.

The town is basically divided into two sections. The main part is behind Spille Beach where the beach promenade, most of the hotels, restaurants and shops are located.

Prinos beach area is next to it, separated by an outcrop of rocks. It’s where most of the beach clubs and night life is. There’s not as much in this area.

You can easily walk between the two areas, but I think it’s more convenient to stay in the main section behind Spille Beach.

When I was in Himare I stayed at Ylli’s Rooms, which aren’t rooms, but apartments. It’s at the edge of town in a peaceful spot (except for the roosters), very close to the sea.

My top picks for places to stay in Himare:

• Luxury hotel: Rea Boutique Hotel is a stylish waterfront hotel at the quiet end of Spille Beach.
• Mid-priced hotel: Guesthouse 1932 located right on the promenade in the heart of everything.
• Mid-priced hotel: Elpis Guesthouse is a family run guest house on the main road about 100 metres from the centre.
• Best budget holiday apartment: Ylli’s Rooms located at the far end of Himare, about 400 metres from the beach, restaurants and shops.
• Camping: Pine Side Camp offers camping (including tents) beside the dramatic coast in a pine forest. This site was beside my Airbnb – it’s a beautiful location.

Many guesthouses offer sea or mountain views. I could see both from the lane of my Airbnb, which sums up Himare beautifully: sea on one side, mountains on the other.

Where to Eat in Himare

Thanks to its Greek roots, you can enjoy the best of Greek and Albanian traditional cuisine. But the thing to eat in Himare is seafood. It comes in every day from the ocean – so you know it’s going to be good.

My favourite places to eat in Himare:

• Himara 28: Upscale beachside restaurant. Try the Himara 28 salad with kadaif wrapped shrimp – it’s fantastic!
• Lefteri’s Tavern: Traditional taverna with home style food. I had excellent moussaka here.
• Meraklis Fast Food Grill: Great spot for a quick gyro (Brothers Grill & Fast Food is supposed to be great too, but when I went the gyro wasn’t ready yet).
• Pasticeri Delight: One of my favourite pastry shops in the Balkans. Open at 7 a.m. – perfect for a morning coffee and croissant.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Cell reception can be weak because of the location between the sea and mountains. I use Vodafone in Albania – it’s the best available but don’t expect a strong signal everywhere.
• Tap water isn’t drinkable, and depending on where you’re staying the nearest shop might not be super close. Stock up when you can.
• You’ll need a car or scooter to fully explore the area. Taxis are available, but they add up quickly and most drivers don’t speak English.

If it’s your first time visiting, you might find these Albania travel tips helpful for getting around and knowing what to expect.

Last Words on Your Essential Guide to Himare – Albania’s Greek Beach Town

As this guide to Himare shows, it’s best for travellers who enjoy beaches and a seaside setting in a place that’s not too commercialized and still laid back.

The mix of Greek and Albanian culture is charming and unique in Albania. If you want to unwind and relax, Himare is perfect.

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