The Albanian Riviera

My incursion into Albania started in the summer of 2023, with the first stop being beautiful Sarande.

This serene resort in the gulf of the Ionian sea has remained steeped in my memory through its white buildings perched on a hill, looking serene and simple in the twilight of our first night in Albania. Our accommodation overlooking the Riviera, with its boats and bustle, added to the charm - I was fully ecstatic with our enchanting room at Hotel Ramo Saranda. The staff even aided us to rent a car to explore other faraway beaches.

Looking to spend a languid day at the beach, we had an expedition to Ksamil, which was a short but bumpy bus ride from Sarande. Finding a peaceful, not crowded spot proved tricky, as the placed was obviously on the popular side, with most beaches playing loud music and sunbeds mastering the palm of sand.

Dhermi beach was not that easily accessible from Sarande – you needed a car and a penchant for winding roads through mountainous territory. The turquoise waters of Dhermiu made the 2-hour trip worthwhile – it intensely resembled a Greek scenery, the sea washing rocky formations and the turquoise waters glistening in the sun.

Gjirokastër was an unexpected finding at the base of the mountains. Quaint and charming, its narrow streets bustling with merchants, the place reeked of history. We even visited one of its many notorious bunkers: it was cool and reminiscing of Soviet era mysteries. Another captivating stop was at the Blue Eye, a natural pool with clear turquoise waters, swarming with tourists. 

This incursion into the Albanian Riviera in torrid mid-summer had an aura of whiteness and unforeseen delights that will tickle my senses for a long time.