Secret beaches of the Albanian Riviera reachable only by car
Beyond the crowds in Ksamil and Sarandë, there are 7 secret beaches on the Albanian Riviera reachable only by car. Here are the map and the secrets.
Why secret beaches are worth the effort
The Albanian Riviera has 100 km of coastline with dozens of beaches — but most tourists know only 5: Ksamil, Borsh Beach, Himarë, Dhërmi and Sarandë Central Beach. All are crowded and expensive in season.
Secret beaches lie 5–15 km off the main roads. Some need a 20-minute walk after parking; others are reachable directly by car along narrow roads. None of them have public transport.
Why bother? Because after 30 minutes of effort you are on a beach with 5 people, water as clear as a mirror, and no commercial music. This is the Riviera as it was 30 years ago — still here today, if you know where to go.
Beaches you can reach directly by car
KRORËZ BEACH (12 km north of Sarandë): asphalt all the way, free parking. A single family-run bar with grilled fish. Exceptionally clear water, fine sand. Before 11:00 the beach is almost empty. GPS: 39.9583, 19.9728.
PASQYRAT BEACH (8 km south of Sarandë): winding asphalt, parking 200 lek. Shallow and ideal for families. Named after water as clear as a mirror. Small bar with coffee and ice.
JAL BEACH (between Himarë and Vlorë): leave the main road at the "Jal" sign and descend 5 km. Pebble beach, deep water (good for diving), and several elegant restaurants. €15–€20 for a sunbed, but worth it.
Beaches that require a hike
GJIPE BEACH (8 km south of Dhërmi): famous for its 70-metre canyon. Park at the "Gjipe Beach" sign and walk 25 minutes down a mountain path. Cleanest water on the Riviera. Bring water and sport shoes.
FILIKURI BEACH (south of Llogara Pass): even more hidden than Gjipe. Park at the "Filikuri" sign, then 35 minutes down a rocky path. Only 2–3 groups of people per day. Ideal for those seeking absolute solitude.
ST. ANDREW'S BEACH (near Borsh): fifteen minutes of walking from the road, through century-old olive trees. A very small beach, only 50 m wide, but water so clear you see the floor at 5 m depth. Recommended for couples wanting a private beach.
How to plan a "many beaches" day
With a car you can visit 3–4 secret beaches in one day. Morning (08:00–11:00): a far beach like Krorëz, when water is clearest and few people are there. Midday (11:00–14:00): a beach with bar and restaurant for lunch (Jal, Drymadhe).
Afternoon (14:00–18:00): rest at a mid-range beach with sunbeds since the sun is strong. Sunset (18:00+): a beach bar for drinks and light music. Plan: 4 beaches, ~80 km of driving, €50 fuel + parking, and an unforgettable day.
Preparation: a bag with separate towels for each beach, enough water (no shops at secret beaches), sport shoes for the walks, and a backup phone charger (photos are mandatory).
Etiquette at secret beaches
No litter. Secret beaches stay clean because the first tourists respect them. Bring a plastic bag and take your trash back to the city. If you see other litter, take it too — that is how these beaches stay valuable.
No loud music. Arriving at a secret beach with a Bluetooth speaker is one of the most disliked things. Headphones are your friends.
Respect private areas. Some beaches (especially Filikuri) skirt private property. Do not light fires, leave no trace, and if the owner asks you to leave — do so politely. Beaches are public on the water, but the land alongside often has an owner.
Explore the destinations in this guide
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