Albanian Riviera
Discover Albanian Riviera
The Albanian Riviera (Albanian: Bregu) lies along the southwestern coast of Albania, from the village of Palasë and ending in Lukovë. 40.11666719.7333331 Himara is the only city, but there are a lot of small, picturesque villages mostly located on the overlooking mountain passes:
Taste of Albanian Riviera...
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Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe most efficient way to explore the Albanian Riviera is by car. From Tirana, take the SH2 highway toward Durrës, then either turn onto the SH85 Durrës Bypass at Shkozet or enter Durrës via Rruga Pavarësia/SH4. Continue south along SH4, passing towns such as Kavajë, Rrogozhinë, and Lushnjë. Note that certain sections of SH4 were being upgraded to a dual carriageway standard as of 2011. Travelers should be cautious of slow-moving vehicles, pedestrians, and erratic driving behavior. At Fier, exit the highway to enter the city center, as the Fier Bypass was under construction as of 2014. From there, take the A2 Highway at Levan, which connects Fier to Vlorë. Upon exiting Vlorë, continue along SH8, passing through Orikum and ascending the Llogara Pass. The road through Llogara Pass can be challenging, with narrow sections, steep inclines requiring frequent braking and gear shifts, tight curves, and areas lacking barriers. The scenic coastal road that follows provides a picturesque drive....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Many prefer to tour around with camper vans, rented cars or simply by foot. Most of the roads going down to the beaches have been paved. Others cycle through the winding coastal road. Most religious sites are located in strategic locations uphill from villages or beaches. Castle of Porto-Palermo (Ali Pasha Tepelena Castle): Located south of Himara in Porto Palermo, this castle was designed by a French engineer and constructed in the shape of a pentagon, with stone walls up to 1.6 meters thick. It is historically associated with the Ottoman ruler Ali Pasha Tepelena. Castle of Sopoti/Borshi: This site includes the Borshi Mosque and the ruins of the Old Qeparo, which reflect the area's rich cultural and historical heritage. Churches of Shën Stefani and Shën Dhimitri: These medieval churches, located in the village of Dhërmi, date back to the 12th–14th centuries and are important examples of Byzantine and Albanian Orthodox architecture.
Language & Talk
Most of the villagers of this region are bilingual (Himara) and speak both Albanian and Greek. You might find also people that speak Italian and English. However, since the beaches are full of educated people from Tirana and other cities or part of Albania. just ask help from them (search for young people) and they are very willing to help you understand the steward or someone else, that doesn't speak your language. The most efficient way to explore the Albanian Riviera is by car. From Tirana, take the SH2 highway toward Durrës, then either turn onto the SH85 Durrës Bypass at Shkozet or enter Durrës via Rruga Pavarësia/SH4. Continue south along SH4, passing towns such as Kavajë, Rrogozhinë, and Lushnjë.