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Voykit pocket guide · Albania
Himara
Himarë
Stay 2–3 days: beach walks, old‑town stroll, short hikes and a day‑trip to Porto Palermo; budget 1 night if you only want a beach base.
Himara sits between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian Sea on the Albanian Riviera. Its pebble beaches (Spile, Marachi) are reachable on foot, and the old town and nearby forts add cultural interest. A 2‑day stay covers the main sights; a third day allows a hike to Gjipe beach or a visit to Porto Palermo.
- Country
- Albania
- Local name
- Himarë
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cool, limited services)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ALL
- Money
- Currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants in Tirana and resorts; guesthouses, furgons, markets and small cafés are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–€45 excl. bed · Mid €45–€70 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodafone and One sell tourist SIMs at the airport and in shops; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 127 · Fire 128
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: About 10%.; Guide: 1,000–2,000 lek per person for a day.
- Water
- Tap water is not reliably drinkable in all towns; bottled water is cheap and standard.
- Toilets
- Cafés for customers; ruins and beaches have basic facilities.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 150 lek |
| Seafood plate | 800–1 200 lek |
| Taxi 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi 3.1 mi (5 km) | 800–1 000 lek |
| Bus ticket Tirana → Himara | 1 200 lek |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TIA · Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza
- About 4 h 30 min (220 km (137 mi)) by SH8; main gateway for international travelers.About 4 h 30 min (137 mi (220 km)) by SH8; main gateway for international travelers.
Typical fares
- Tirana → Himara bus
- ≈1 200 lek, ~5 h (check)
- Bike rental per day
- ≈5 €
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town centre is walkable; buses stop at the Big Market (lat 40.10173, 19.74641). Rent bikes or kayaks for short trips. Car on SH8 gives access to nearby villages.
See and do
Known for
- Spile and Marachi beaches
- Himara old town (Kastro)
- Porto Palermo Castle
- Gjipe coastal hike
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Porto Palermo Castle | Local bus or taxi 15 min north; walk from the landing point | ≈30 min total |
| Gjipe beach hike | Start at Himara soccer field, follow marked trail along coast | ≈4 h round‑trip |
| Vuno | Bus or car 30 min south on SH8 | ≈45 min total |
Sleep
- Himara Hostel
- Renovated stone house, 5 min walk to main beach; private rooms €29, dorm €10, tent €7.
- Rapos Resort Hotel
- Mid‑range resort near promenade; price check.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Më falnimeh fahl-nee |
| Thank you | Faleminderitfa-leh-mee-nder-eet |
| How much is this? | Sa kushton?sah kooshton |
| Where is the bus stop? | Ku është ndalesa e autobusit?koo eshte ndah-lee-sah eh ah-oo-toh-boosit |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'tungjatjeta'; avoid: Ignoring elders at a gathering
- Gestures: Confirm yes/no in words; avoid: Assuming a nod means yes
- Hospitality: Accept coffee or raki; eat what is offered; avoid: Refusing everything
- Besa: Keep your word and appointments; avoid: Promising what you cannot do
- Conversation: Ask about family, food, the diaspora; avoid: Jokes about the communist era or 'mafia' clichés
Scams and watch-outs
- No official bus stop; arrange drop‑off with driver at the market.
- Summer buses fill quickly; confirm times with your host.
- Roads on SH8 are narrow and winding; drive cautiously.
Generally safe; petty theft possible in crowded summer spots—keep valuables hidden.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Himara yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Spile and Marachi beaches
- Himara old town (Kastro)
- Porto Palermo Castle
- Gjipe coastal hike
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Himara: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Himarë, revision 5279770 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5279770
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/himare). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.