Trip Comparison at a Glance Coastal Road Trips 1. Llogara National Park 2. Dhermi & Drymades 3. Gjipe Beach 4. Jale Beach 5. Himara 6. Porto Palermo 7. Borsh Beach Southern Albania 8. Saranda 9. Ksamil 10. Butrint (UNESCO) 11. Blue Eye Spring Inland UNESCO Cities 12. Berat (UNESCO) 13. Gjirokastër (UNESCO) Short Trips from Vlora 14. Orikum & Zvërnec Monastery 15. Apollonia Suggested Itineraries 3-Day Coastal Highlights 5-Day Riviera & Ruins Explorer 7-Day Ultimate Albania Loop Trip Comparison at a Glance Drive Time Entry Fee Coastal Road Trips 1. Llogara National Park Llogara National Park sits south of Vlorë and marks the transition to the Albanian Riviera. The drive takes 45–55 minutes on paved switchbacks, and a standard rental car is enough. Parking is free at viewpoints and restaurant lots. Mid-morning usually gives the clearest views. Semi-wild deer are often seen near the mountain restaurants. 2. Dhermi & Drymades Dhermi and Drymades are beach villages known for white pebbles and clear water. The drive from Vlora takes 1 to 1.5 hours over Llogara Pass, or about 40 minutes via the tunnel. Standard cars handle the paved route. Summer parking usually costs €2–5 and is often collected by informal attendants. Early summer is easier than the July–August peak. 3. Gjipe Beach Gjipe Beach is a cove at the end of Gjipe Canyon. The drive from Vlora takes about 1.5 hours, and a standard car can reach the upper parking lot on a narrow paved road. Upper-lot parking costs 300–400 ALL. From the lot, the walk down takes about 30 minutes. Late spring is more comfortable than peak summer heat. 4. Jale Beach Jale Beach is a bay on the SH8 coastal road with beach clubs and clear water. The drive from Vlora takes about 1.5 hours, and a standard rental car is suitable. Parking near Jale Beach is limited, so early arrival matters in summer. 5. Himara Himara is a coastal town with a promenade and Greek-Albanian heritage. The drive from Vlora takes 1.5 to 2 hours on paved roads suitable for a standard car. Parking near Himara town center is usually free but tight in summer. Late afternoon works well for the promenade and the drive up to Himara Castle. If you would rather base in Himarë than drive down from Vlora for the day, the 6. Porto Palermo Porto Palermo is a bay south of Himara known for Ali Pasha Castle. The 70 km drive is paved and suitable for standard cars. Parking is free near the site. Entry is 300 ALL, payable in cash and in lek. The former submarine tunnel nearby is another stop on the same route. 7. Borsh Beach Borsh Beach is a 7 km stretch on the Albanian Riviera. The drive from Vlora takes about 2 hours on paved roads, including a steep coastal descent. Parking is free along the shoreline. The long beach usually spreads out visitors better than smaller Riviera bays. Southern Albania 8. Saranda Saranda is a busy coastal city and ferry port in southern Albania. The drive from Vlora takes about 3 hours on paved roads. Street parking is 100–300 ALL per hour and gets tight in summer. May and September are easier for traffic and parking. Lëkurësi Castle is a common stop above Saranda. 9. Ksamil Ksamil is known for sandy beaches and small offshore islands. The drive from Vlora takes about 3 hours on paved roads. Parking is about 100 ALL per hour, and many lots fill by 10 AM in peak season. Early arrival matters most in July and August. 10. Butrint (UNESCO) Butrint is a UNESCO archaeological park with Greek, Roman, and Venetian layers. The drive from Vlora takes about 3.5 hours on paved roads. Parking is free but often fills by midday. Entry is 1,000 ALL, about €10, cash only. An 8 AM arrival helps avoid bus groups. 11. Blue Eye Spring Blue Eye Spring is a karst spring reached via Saranda. The drive from Vlora takes about 3.5 hours on paved roads. Entry is 50 ALL per person, plus 200–300 ALL for parking, cash required. From the parking area, visitors either walk 2 km or take the tourist train for 300 ALL. The spring has been explored to at least 50 meters, but the full depth remains unknown. Inland UNESCO Cities 12. Berat (UNESCO) Berat is a UNESCO city known for Ottoman architecture. The drive from Vlora takes about 1.5 hours on major roads. Parking is free inside Berat Castle. Berat Castle is free to enter, and the Onufri Museum is 400 ALL. Spring offers easier walking weather. Berat Castle remains an inhabited neighborhood. 13. Gjirokastër (UNESCO) Gjirokastër is a UNESCO city known for stone houses and steep streets.