Choosing a Beach in Albania

Sand versus pebble

The Adriatic coast north of Vlorë — Velipojë, Shëngjin, Lalzit, Durrës, Golem, Spille — is sand: wide, shallow, gently shelving, and much easier with small children. The water is warmer earlier in the season and less clear.

The Ionian coast south of Vlorë is pebble and rock, deeper close in, and much clearer. This is the coast in the photographs. It is also harder underfoot; swim shoes are common.

If you are travelling with young children

Velipojë and Durrës are the obvious choices: sand, very shallow water, dense facilities, and short drives. On the Riviera, Borsh is long and rarely crowded and Ksamil is shallow, though Ksamil in August is not a relaxing place.

If you want to be alone

Krorëz, Grama Bay, Filikuri and Gjipe all require either a boat or a walk, which is exactly why they stay quiet. Kakome is beautiful and its land access is restricted by a long-running development dispute.

A note on superlatives

You will see 'best beach in Europe' attached to Ksamil and to several Riviera coves. This Atlas does not make that claim. Where a ranking is quoted anywhere on the site, the publisher and year are named so you can judge it.