Where should I stay in Himarë?

Town or the bays

Himarë town has the shops, the restaurants and the longest stretch of accessible beach, and it stays functional out of the peak weeks in a way the smaller villages do not.

The bays either side — Livadhi, Potami, Llamani and the smaller coves beyond — are where the better swimming is. Staying in one buys you quiet at the cost of walking or driving in for dinner.

Getting there

Himarë sits midway down the Riviera road between Vlorë and Sarandë, so you reach it by driving the coast in either direction — over the Llogara pass from the north, or up from Sarandë in the south.

That middle position is its practical advantage: it is the natural stop if you are driving the whole coast rather than picking one end of it.

When to come

Late May to early October, like the rest of the Riviera, with the shoulder months noticeably better here than in the busier villages — Himarë never gets as crushed as Ksamil, so June and September are genuinely relaxed rather than merely tolerable.

Out of season much of the beach-side accommodation closes, though the town keeps functioning year-round.

Common questions

Is Himarë better than Dhërmi?

For quiet, value and a town that works out of season, yes. For beach clubs and nightlife, Dhërmi. They are twenty minutes apart and completely different in feel.

Which beach in Himarë is best?

Livadhi is the longest and easiest, while Potami and Llamani are smaller and clearer. The town beach is the most convenient rather than the best.

Do you need a car in Himarë?

Not to stay in the town, but yes to reach the smaller bays and coves comfortably, and to make the most of the coast road either side.

Is Himarë good for families?

Yes — calmer than Dhërmi, less crowded than Ksamil, with a proper town behind the beach for supplies and food.

Read next

• Dhërmi
• Sarandë
• The Riviera, town by town