Is Himare Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons of the Albanian Seaside Town

When I was first planning a trip to the Albanian Riviera I wasn’t sure if Himare was worth visiting, especially since I planned to stay 7 days. But Himare turned out be one of my favourite Albanian beach destinations.

Himare won’t be for everyone. It’s quiet and the beaches aren’t as glamorous as Ksamil’s. But Himare is charming, quaint and interesting. After a week exploring Ksamil’s beaches, it was a welcome change.

Is Himare Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons

I spent a full week in Himare exploring, relaxing and just soaking up the vibe. While Himare won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, here are the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself if it’s worth visiting.

1. Pro: Himare is Very Scenic

Himare has a rugged, dramatic coast line on one side and stunning mountains on the other. It’s a very picturesque town.

From the lane of my Airbnb I could see mountains in one direction and the sea in the other. Many guest houses and hotels offer sea or mountain views.

2. Pro: You Can Walk to the Beaches

There are two main beaches right in town, Spille Beach (public beach – free) and Prinos Beach.

Spille Beach is quite long, almost the entire length of the town. Parts of it are managed by restaurants, but most of it is free. Prinos Beach is where the beach clubs and beach bars are located.

If you have a car, or like hiking, you can reach two more spectacular beaches: Livadhi and Llamani. Both are about 4 km from Himare in opposite directions. They are quieter and cleaner than the beaches in town.

There used to be a coastal path from the camping grounds in Himare to Livadhi, but it’s currently closed off – I tried several routes to get through.

3. Pro: Himare isn’t Crowded

Himare is a lot smaller and not as well known as Albania’s other beach destinations like Saranda and Ksamil. The beaches, restaurants and bars are less crowded in peak season.

They do get busy, and you absolutely should not turn up without a hotel reservation, but Himare doesn’t get massive tourist crowds.

4. Pro: Himare is Cheaper

Himare is less expensive than Ksamil and Saranda.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s not a cheap holiday spot, but it’s definitely more budget friendly than other popular Riviera destinations.

And there are free beaches in Himare.

5. Pro: Himare Feels Authentic

Himare still feels like a sleepy little village. It has an authentic vibe that is lacking in some other beach towns, especially Ksamil.

I told my daughter it’s all bees, goats and olive trees. That’s exactly what it seems like once you’re 2 minutes from the centre.

Although Himare is getting busier each year, it’s not over commercialized and locals still outnumber the tourists.

6. Pro: Himare is More Greek than Albanian

If you love Greece, you’re in luck because Himare is predominantly Greek.

Albania is home to a Greek minority, and much of that minority lives in Himare.

Locals speak both languages, and Greek culture is reflected in the architecture, food and grocery store items. I heard more Greek on the streets than Albanian and ate amazing moussaka in Himare!

7. Pro: The Food is Amazing

The cuisine of Himare is excellent. Lots of fresh seafood, and traditional Greek and Albanian dishes. I also found an amazing pastry shop!

While there aren’t lots of restaurants, there’s enough so you don’t have to eat at the same place twice in one week. My favourites were:

• Himara 28: Fantastic spot on the promenade facing the beach, wonderful food and nice ambience. Try the Himara 28 salad with kadaif wrapped shrimp – amazing!
• Lefteri’s Tavern: Nice tavern style restaurant specializing in seafood and traditional dishes. I had terrific moussaka here.
• Meraklis Fast Food Grill: Excellent gyros in the centre.
• Pasticeri Delight: Amazing pastry – one of my favourite bakeries in the entire Balkan region. Open early at 7 am for coffee, byrek and croissant.

8. Con: There’s Not Much to Do in Himare

This is a small town and apart from the beaches there isn’t much going on. It’s a peaceful, laid back place. You’ll need a car or moped to see points of interest.

The closest site is Himare Old Town and castle. It’s 2 km outside of the centre and beautiful. You can walk there or take a local taxi for 500 lek ($6 USD).

Along Prinos Beach there’s a few beach clubs and bars, but not many. Locca is a popular rooftop bar with fantastic views over Himare Bay.

If you like action, night life options and a busier, more social atmosphere with great beaches, Ksamil is better a fit than Himare, or you may prefer Saranda.

9. Con: You Need a Car to Explore Further

There are places to visit near Himare, but you need a car to reach them. Renting a moped is another option – you can rent them in town.

The coast north and south of Himare has smaller and more secluded beaches (Gjipe, Aquarium, Jale) as well as bigger ones like Livadhi and Llamani. All are quieter and cleaner than the beaches in town.

With a car you can explore the cute coastal towns south of Himare like Porto Palermo with its fort, Qeparo Fushe and Lukove. I think this is one of the best things to do while visiting Himare. The highway down the coast (SH8) is extremely scenic.

10. Con: It’s Harder to Get to Himare

There’s not as many direct transport links to Himare as other Albanian seafront destinations like Durres, Vlore, Saranda or Ksamil.

It is possible to take a bus from Vlore or Tirana to Himare, and there’s a few from Saranda.

I check this website for bus routes in Albania, but they don’t list all of them. If possible go to the local bus station and inquire.

You can also take a taxi or private transfer to get to Himare. This is the most expensive, but convenient option. I use Taxi Landi for private transfers.

It’s possible to get to Himare by taking the ferry from Corfu to Saranda, and taking a bus or taxi from Saranda. Saranda Eco Taxi charge 6000 lek ($72 USD) for a Himare transfer.

11. Con: The Cellular Network is Not Great

Himare does not have great cell phone reception. This is partly due to its location between the Ceraunian Mountains and Ionian Sea.

I generally had 2 bars inside my Airbnb and sometimes 3 outside. It was enough to make calls and do the basics, but using my phone as a hotspot for my computer during power outages was almost impossible.

I use Vodafone in Albania. Locals all say it’s the best.

12. Con: You Can’t Drink the Tap Water

This is true for Albania in general. But in Himare it was a bit more of a nuisance because there’s not a lot places to buy water.

I was staying at the far end of town near the stadium, a beautiful location near the sea and forest, but the closest spot to buy water was 400 metres away. Not fun when you’re carrying 7 litre jugs of water uphill.

Last Words on is Himare Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons of the Albanian Seaside Town

For families and anyone who enjoys a slower pace and less touristy location, Himare is worth visiting. It’s a charming seaside town with a unique cultural mix of Greek and Albanian. Personally, I enjoyed Himare and plan to return.

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