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Dhermi Albania – A Guide to Dhermi Beach – The Albanian Slice of Paradise

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Are you thinking of visiting Dhermi Albania?

Crystal clear Ionian Sea, long stretch of sandy Dhermi Beach and chic beach clubs – this is what you can expect from Dhermi village. Albanian seaside resorts are up-and-coming holiday destinations that attract with tantalising beauty, excellent food and affordable accommodation options for all budgets.

I have travelled through Albania extensively and fallen in love with its stunning beaches and quaint Byzantine towns hidden in the mountains. Albania Dhermi offers a bit of both!

Dhermi Albania

I have written this post to give you all the information about Albania Dhermi you need to have, for a fabulous stay – from the best things to do in Dhermi, the best Dhermi Beaches to the best restaurants in Dhermi and booking Dhermi hotel

Dhermi Albania Quick Guide 

✈️ Check Expedia for Cheap Flights to Albania

🏨 If you’re still looking for the best hotel Dhermi Albania check out:      

Best Dhermi Resort | Elysium Hotel Dhermi

Best Dhermi Apartment | Dorvin Apartments

🚗 If you’re planning to rent a car, check Discover Cars for the best deals.

⛵ Best Dhermi Day Trip – Grama Bay Boat Tour

Where is Dhermi Albania | Dhermi Map

Dhermi is situated on the Albanian Riviera, which occupies the southwestern coast of the country, 213 km from its capital Tirana (which is about 4 hours drive), 90 minutes drive from Vlore, also about 90 minutes drive north from Saranda Albania and 2 hours from Ksamil Albania. Himare Albania is also located nearby, about 30 minutes on the bus from Dhermi.  

Dhermi on a Map of Albania 

Dhermi Map

Dhermi Albania Introduction 

dhermi Albania

Dhermi village is divided into two parts – the upper part where you can find a quaint old town Dhermi and the lower part with Dhermi Plazhi (Beach Dhermi), beach clubs, a great range of restaurants and most Dhermi Albania hotels.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Dhermi, I’ll say, if you want to be able to walk to the beach daily stay in the lower part; for an authentic experience – stay in the Dhermi Old Town. 

Dhermi Beach
The azure water!
Dhermi Village
Dhermi Old Town

Dhermi Hotels

In this section, you’ll find the best accommodation in Albania Dhermi for any budget.

Best Luxury Dhermi Hotels Albania

Dhermi Hotels
Hildon Eco Hotel via Booking.com
Dhermi Hotels
Hildon Eco Hotel via Booking.com

Hildon Eco Hotel Dhermi – One of the best Dhermi Beach Hotels 

Location | Hildon Eco Hotel is located just a few steps from Palasa Beach, 4 km north of Dhermi Beach.  

Facilities | The hotel boasts a beachfront location with private beach access for all its guests. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary breakfast, a restaurant and a bar. The property also features a garden and sea view from all rooms. 

Best For | Couples or families, beach vacation. 


Dhermi Hotels
Hotel Elysium via Booking.com
Dhermi Hotels
Hotel Elysium via Booking.com

Elysium Hotel Dhermi – Best Hotel in Dhermi Albania with Pool

Location | Hotel Elysium has a fantastic location, a 10-minute walk to Dhermi Beach and is one of the best 5 star hotels in Albania Dhermi.

Facilities | The hotel boasts a large outdoor pool with a sea view set in a lush garden. Guests can enjoy free breakfast daily and the use of complementary sun loungers and parasols in the hotel beach bar. The property features a selection of twin rooms overlooking the mountains, a bar, a restaurant and free parking.  

Best For | Friends on a beach vacation. 


Best Mid Range Hotels in Dhermi Albania

If you’re looking for a mid-range Dhermi booking, this section should help.  

Dhermi Hotels
Hotel Relax Dhermi via Booking.com
Dhermi Hotels
Hotel Relax Dhermi via Booking.com

Hotel Relax Dhermi – Hotel with Pool near Dhermi Village

Location | Hotel Relax Dhermi is situated 9 minutes drive from Dhermi Beach and 4 minutes from Dhermi Albania. 

Facilities | The hotel features an outdoor pool with sun loungers and a sun terrace. Guest can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and free parking. There is also an in-house restaurant serving Albania and Italian cuisine and a bar. Rooms feature a balcony, sea views and can sleep up to 4 adults.

Best For | Travellers with a car, families and friends. 


Dhermi Hotels
Olives Residence via Booking.com
Dhermi Hotels
Olives Residence via Booking.com

Olives Residence – Rooms with kitchen close to the beach

Location | Olives Residence Dhermi is situated a 10-minute walk from Palas Beach, which is the northwestern end of the Dhermi Beach stretch. 

Facilities | The property features suites with a kitchen and a balcony. Guests have access to a shared pool and sun terrace as well as a restaurant and a bar. Free parking is also provided at the hotel. 

Best For | Families, friends, self-catering, beach holiday.


Best Dhermi Apartments 

In this section, you’ll find the best apartment-style accommodation Albania is famous for. 

Dhermi apartments
Dorvin Apartments via Booking.com
Dhermi apartments
Dorvin Apartments via Booking.com

Dorvin Apartments Apartments with kitchen

Location | Dorvin Apartments are 5 min drive from Dhermi Albania Beach and a 20-minute walk from Palas Beach. 

Facilities | Each apartment is equipped with a double and one single bed, a bathroom, a dining area and a kitchenette. Some units come with a balcony and a sea view. Free parking is available to guests. 

Best For | Friends or a family, self-catering, beach stay.  


Dhermi apartments
DreamAdes House via Booking.com
Dhermi apartments
DreamAdes House via Booking.com

DreamAdes House – Village – A holiday 3-bedroom house

Location | This property is situated in Dhermi village, a 5-minute drive from Dhermi Beach Albania.

Facilities | The house features three bedrooms with double beds and a futon, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a terrace with a seating area. There is also free parking for guests. 

Best For | Large groups of 5-6 people.

Albania Dhermi Beach

Dhermi Beach

Dhermi is the perfect destination for a beach vacation. Dhermi Beach is super gorgeous – crystal clear water with a beautiful shade of turquoise framed by a pebbly beach surrounded by rolling hills. The view is truly idyllic. 

There are two main noticeable parts of the coast in Albania Dhermi. When you’re coming from Dhermi Village, there is a large car park, and to the left of the car park, you can find the main stretch of Derhmi Beach.

Dhermi Beach Promenade
Dhermi Beach Promenade
Dhermi Restaurants

Along the beach, there is a promenade with restaurants and small shops selling drinks, snacks and beach accessories to the left you can find some really cool beach clubs and beach bars. All of the beach clubs on Dhermi Beach offer sun loungers and parasol rental. The prices vary depending on the place and time of the year. Expect to pay between €10 and even €20 during July and August. If you’re more of a DIY person, don’t worry, there is plenty of beach between beach clubs to stretch your own towel. 

Dhermi Beach
Public part of Dhermi Beach
Dhermi Beach
Dhermi Beach Club

I visited Dhermi Beach at the end of August, and the whole place was quiet and very chilled. But, based on what I’ve seen in Ksamil in early August, the beach in Dhermi can get busy and loud during the peak season. 

Going right from the car park, you’ll find Palas Beach Albania and other smaller Albanian beaches Dhermi such as Pepperon. This part has many hotels that offer private parts of the beach with sun loungers and parasols such as Hildon Eco Hotel. You can also find here beach bars, sun loungers rentals as well as Dhermi camping sites. But, generally, this part of Dhermin is much quitter. 

Dhermi Beach Club
A beach club in Dhermi
Dhermi Beach

Dhermi or Himare?

Dhermi Beach

The main difference between Dhermi and Himare is that Himare has a more local vibe and a super chilled beach with plenty of families and older couples. Dhermi has a much younger crowd that hang out in chic beach clubs and go out at night. So, Dhermi nightlife is excellent while in Himare not so much. Himare on the other hand has sandy beaches and a more authentic feel. Also, from my experience, Himare has more affordable accommodation options. 

Dhermi Old Town

dhermi Albania

Dhermi Old Town is situated just above Dhermi village and 4 km from Dhermi Beach. The alleviation between the three parts of Dhermi is quite substantial which is worth taking into consideration when booking accommodation. The hike to the beach from Dhermi is not too bad but if you wanted to go back on foot, you’ll need to climb a very steep hill! (I’ve done it myself and I wouldn’t do it every day of my vacation.)

dhermi Albania
Taking photos in Dhermi Old Town was super cool!
Albania Dhermi

Old town Dhermi is a super interesting place and I can’t recommend enough paying it a visit! Stroll its narrow alleys and explore its quaint houses and picturesque churches. The old town of Dhermi is not really touristy, you won’t find here boutique shops and cafes, but it has so much potential.

Free roaming animals in Dhermi Old Town 😁
Old & new buildings blending together

During my visit, there was lots of renovation work happening which was nice to see, because Dhermi old town really deserves some love and care! What you can expect though, is a charming and quiet historic town with plenty of photo opportunities. 

Dhermi Albania
Quaint architecture
Dhermi Albania
Charming alleys of Dhermi

Monastery of St Mary Dhermi ( Manastiri i Shën Marisë) 

monastery of St Mary Dhermi
The view from the monastery

If you’re looking for the best Dhermi things to do, I recommend visiting the Monastery of St Mary perched on the hill above the Dhermi village. If you’re travelling by car, you can park at the bottom of the hill and walk up the hill which shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes. If you’re on foot, from the main road in Dhermi village, it will take you around 20 minutes. 

monastery of St Mary Dhermi
The climb to the monastery
monastery of St Mary Dhermi

The monastery dates back to the 14th century and has whitewashed walls and a quaint bell tower typical of Cycladic architecture. Inside the church, well-preserved colourful frescoes decorate the walls. Even if you’re not a fan of religious architecture, visit this place just for the view, which is jaw-dropping from up there! 

monastery of St Mary Dhermi

Location | Monastery of St Mary 

Church of Saint Michael

Dhermi Old Town

The Church of Saint Michael is situated at the foot of the monastery. It’s a quaint Byzantine church made of brown brick. It is definitely worth a stop and a little look around on your way to the monastery! 

Dhermi Old Town
Byzantine architecture detail
Dhermi Old Town
Can you spot the blue church?

Location | Church of Saint Michael 

Church of Saint Spyridon

Dhermi Old Town

Church of Saint Spyridon is the most iconic landmark of Dhermi Albania. You can easily recognise it by its picturesque white bell tower with a blue dome and a clock. The church is set on a hill and it makes a great background for photos because you can see it from many parts of the old town.

Location |  Church of Saint Spyridon 

Albania Dhermi Restaurants 

Albanian Food

Taverna Fevan | Best Dhermi restaurant for Albanian cuisine with a sea view 

360 Sunset Bar Drymades | Best for Dhermi Albania nightlife, best cocktails & ambience 

Royal Blue Restaurant | Great pizza and Italian 

Harry’s Creperie | Tasty sweet and savoury crepes

Lips | Excellent Dhermi Beach Bar & Restaurant serving cocktails, pizza and seafood dishes

Dhermi Albania Day Trips

Gjipe Beach 

Gjipe Beach Albania

Tucked between soaring cliffs covered with greenery, Gjipe Beach is considered to be one of the most epic Albanian beaches! The beach is part of the impressive Gjipe Canyon, and if you’re up for an adventure, you can hike its length! For the rest of us, even getting to Gjipe Beach is an adventure. 

Unless you own a 4×4, you’ll have to walk about 2 km from the main road where you need to leave your car to reach the beach. Along the way, stop at the various viewpoints to enjoy the birdseye view of the beach. 

The beach is sandy, and in season you can rent a parasol and sun loungers. Also, a few simple beach restaurants are serving fresh seafood and ice-cold drinks in the season. Alternatively, you can bring your own umbrella, water and snacks to last you the day. 

By bus | You can catch a bus/fourgon towards Himare or Sarande and ask the driver to drop you off at Gjipe. Expect to pay around 200 Lek (€1.7). From the main road, you’ll have to walk 4 km (1 hour) to get to the beach.

By car | If you’re travelling by car from Dhermi, it will take around 15 minutes to reach the Gjipe Car Park, which is located 7 km from Albania Dhermi. From the car park is another 2 km walk to get to the beach.

By taxi | You will get dropped off at the car park and will have to walk the remaining 2 km. Expect to pay €50 for a return trip. 

Walk | Although I haven’t tried it myself, it is possible to walk to Gjipe Beach from Dhermi village. Use Google maps to follow a walking trail which is 3.7 km in length + 2 km from the car park of Gjipe Beach

Kayak | For the experienced kayakers and strong swimmers, it is also possible to rent a kayak on Dhermi Beach and a kayak to Gjipe Beach which is around the cliff. 

Jale Beach 

jala beach albania jale

Jale or Jala Beach is another gorgeous beach near Dhermi that you may want to visit. It used to be unspoiled like Gjipe, but the beach has been largely commercialised in recent years, with beach bars and parasol rentals covering almost the entire beach. Jale Albania is known for its party vibe, with loud music playing in the bars all day long. If this is not your vibe, then choose Gjipe Beach for your day trip instead. 

How to get to Jale Dhermi Albania? 

By car | 21 min drive. 

By bus | The bus will drop you off on the main road from which point there is still a 5 km walk down to the beach. Expect to pay around 200 Lek (€1.7). You can catch a bus from the main road in Dhermi village towards Himare or Saranda. 

Grama Bay

grama bay albania

How to get there | by boat

Best Time | Early morning when the sea conditions are fine

Situated southwest of Dhermi in the Bay of Grama lays a perfectly untouched little cove amongst dramatic cliff tops and washed by azure, crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. Grama Bay is part of the national park, and its flora and fauna are protected. 

What’s unique about this place is that its remote location makes it impossible to get there by car. The only way to visit Grama Bay is to go on a boat tour from Himare. The boat typically leaves in the morning and comes back to Dhermi in the afternoon. This timing allows for a day spent in this peaceful cove!

Apart from the stunning landscape and a paradisical beach, Grama Bay has a rich history dating back to over 1,500 years ago. The bay was a refuge for ships seeking shelter from the storm. Today, you can find many inscriptions left engraved in the rock walls from different periods in history. ‘Grama’ means word in Greek, and the bay takes its name from its rock inscriptions that were left in honour of various patrons. 

Day trip to Saint Andreas Bay + Grama Bay with Viator

Livadhi Beach 

Livadhi Beach Albania

Livadhi Beach is another excellent place for a day trip from Dhermi or Himare. Livadhi Beach is super beautiful, it’s wide and long, and it is covered mostly in pebbles of different sizes similarly to Dhermi Beach but it is much less busy. If you’re visiting Dhermi during peak season, this is a great place to escape the crowds. You can either rent a pair of sun loungers and an umbrella for the day here or bring a blanket and stay in the public part of the beach. 

If you’re looking for a good lunch spot, try Blue Bay Himare, situated just next door from Livadhi Beach. It’s a beach bar & restaurant with comfy seats in the shade overlooking the beach serving decent food. 

Himare 

himare albania

Himare is a quaint coastal village located 16 km southwest of Dhermi. I love Himare for its chilled vibe and authentic feel. Himare boasts a long stretch of beach with golden soft sand. It is an excellent destination for a day trip from Dhermi or a longer stay if you have the time. Driving the stretch between Dhermi and Himare is truly delightful and it is an experience in its own right! The road goes through some spectacular landscapes such as Gjipe Canyon.  

Apart from beautiful beaches, Himare has a stunning historic castle perched on a massive hill that is a total must-see! The best time to visit Himare castle is early morning or late afternoon when the light for photography is nice and it’s not too hot. 

Porto Palermo Castle – Ali Pasha Fortress 

Porto Palermo Albania

How to get there | take a tour or hire a car

Entrance | free

Porto Palermo Castle is situated 22 kilometres south from Dhërmi Albania along the Albanian Riviera on a strip of land that is connected to the mainland only with a narrow passage. It is believed that the castle was built by the powerful leader – Ali Pasha in the 19th century. During the communist regime, the fort served as a Soviet submarine base, and today it is a curious tourist destination! 

Park your car on the road, and walk the narrow stretch of the land to the ruins of the castle for some incredible views of the Ionian Coast. After visiting the fort, head to Porto Palermo Beach for some relaxation and a light lunch! 

Best Albania Tours & Activities 

Dhermi Weather – What is the best time to visit Dhermi? 

Albania Dhermi Beach

What’s the weather in Dhermi Albania like? Dhermi enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with hot and sunny summers and mild winters where temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius. The best time to visit Dhermi is April to June and September to October when there is plenty of sunshine and temperatures averaging in the mid-20s.

If you can, avoid July and August due to the high temperatures reaching the mid-30s and high season crowds. For the best beach weather choose the shoulder months of June and September which don’t experience tourist crowds of July and August but have suitable weather for enjoying the beach and swimming in the sea.  

Having said that, the Albanian Riviera is way cooler than the mainland during the European summer. When I travelled through Albania in the summer, Southern Albania was a good few degrees cooler than the mainland towns such as Berat or Gjirokaster. So, if you don’t mind other people, it is also fine to travel during the European summer.

How long to spend in Dhermi Albania?

Albania Dhermi Beach

This will depend on the type of traveller you are. There are a lot of amazing places and activities in Albania to try in this area, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, visiting Gama Bay and Gjipe Beach.

You will need your vacations to last at least seven days to do some of them. But, I get, not everyone has seven days to spend in one location. In this case, I recommend spending at least 3 days to be able to enjoy the best Albania Beaches Dhermi and the nearby coast is renowned. 

Albanian Riviera – Suggested Itinerary for Albania

Here is a suggested itinerary for the best places in the Albanian Riviera. 

Day 1 | Tirana

Day 2-4 | Dhermi 

Day 4-6 | Himare

Day 7-9 | Saranda 

Day 10-14 | Ksamil

How to get to Himare?

By plane – Airports in Albania

Unless you’re road tripping Europe by car, the most likely point of entry to Albania for you will be Tirana International Airport in Albania. Depending on the time of your arrival, you can stay a few nights in the Albanian capital (I recommend staying 1-2 nights) or head directly to Dhermi.

There is a shuttle bus that connects the Tirana Airport with the city centre. It costs 300 LEK (€3) and gets you to Skanderbeg Square. The main bus terminal that connects Tirana with other major cities is a little away from the city centre. The best way to get there is to grab a taxi. Make sure you confirm the taxi rate before you get inside. Below is the bus station where you can catch the Dhermi Tirana bus. 

Terminali – Main Bus Station in Tirana – check the location here.

Albania Dhermi Airport transfer 

If you want peace of mind, you can book a private transfer from Tirana airport to your Dhermi hotel:

By Bus – Albania Bus System 

Dhermi is one of Albania’s more popular seaside towns, and getting here from main cities such as Tirana or Sarande by bus is relatively easy. Here are the most common routes with prices and journey times:

Dhermi to Tirana Bus- 1,300 LEK, 5-7 hours (5:30, 13:00, 21:00)

Tirana to Dhermi Bus- 1,300 LEK ( 5:30, 6:15, 13:00)

Saranda Dhermi Bus – 500 LEK 2-3 hours ( 8:30, 9:30, 10:45, 14:00)

Dhermi Sarande Bus – 500 LEK 

Vlore Dhermi Bus – 500 LEK  2 hours

Dhermi Vlore Bus – 500 LEK

Himare to Dermi Bus – 100 LEK, 30 min, 11:00 am 

Ksamil to Dhermi – There is no direct bus from Ksamil to Dhermi. You will first need to catch a bus from Ksamil to Sarande and then change to a fourgon that goes towards Vlore or Tirana and get off in Dhermi Village. 

TIP | 

Bus stops in Albania are not very well-marked, and sometimes it is just an agreed place on the road. If you’re ever unsure, just ask one of the local people or your accommodation host for directions. You can catch the bus in Dhermi on the main road (SH8) running through the village. 

The same applies to timetables. It is extremely rare that there is any official bus timetable that you can find online. This requires you to be a little flexible when travelling in Albania.

Buses from Tirana leave regularly, so just show up in the morning and you are guaranteed to catch a bus to your destination. From any other location, ask your hotel owner or any local people that are always happy to help.  

My experience of travelling on Albania buses (called fourgons) was mostly positive. They were super cheap and efficient in most cases. But, it would definitely be handy if the timetables were available online. 

By Car – Dhermi Albania Car Rental

Another option to get to Dhermi is to rent a car. Car rentals are widely available in Albania, and if you’re flying to Tirana, you can prearrange car rental with a pick up at the airport. 

Albanian drivers are notorious for speeding, tailgating and, in general, being reckless, so make sure you are super careful. Always go for the full insurance and take a short video of the car recording all its existing scratches and dents before you drive away from the car rental place. If you don’t want to drive, opt for the buses Albania is known for. 

Other Albania Travel Tips 

Kruja Old Baazar
Kruja Old Bazar

Money 

Albania uses their own currency called Albanian LEK. 1 Euro is equivalent to 122 Lek 1 Pound Sterling is 144 Lek, and 1 USD Dollar equals 107 Lek. (2022 Rates)

Most places in Albania still use cash for purchasing goods and services, including shops, restaurants and even hotels. I was only able to pay by card in a few fancy cafes in Tirana. If you’re coming from Euro countries, you will also be able to pay in Euros. However, I advise you to withdraw the local Albanian currency as the locals seem to always round up the prices if you decide to pay in Euros. 

ATMs in Albania

Cash points in Albania are plenty, and you can find them in all touristy places, including Sarande, Ksamil and Gjirokaster. Most ATMs charge for international cash withdrawals around €3. However, there is one that doesn’t! It’s called Credins Bank (with yellow and navy blue colours).  

Language 

The official language in Albania is Albanian or Shqipëri – how Albanian people call it. It is a fairly difficult language, but it is always nice to know at least a few phrases to get by. I’m sharing some below, and if you’re interested to learn more about Albania, read the post below, I promise the information I share is super interesting!

100 Fun Facts about Albania

Thank you – Faleminderit

Hi – Përshëndetje

How are you? – Si jeni

Good – Mirë

Lunchtime 

Albanians eat their main meal at lunchtime, which means that restaurants are open all day, and you can have your dinner as you please – early or late.  

Albanian Food 

Albania has a rich culinary tradition. A lot of the traditional dishes are vegetarian friendly and resemble Greek food. If you’re a fast-food type of person, you will be very disappointed. In fact, Albania has hardly any international fast food restaurants! If you enjoy trying traditional dishes, you’ll love Albania.

Don’t forget to try Albanian byrek – a fluffy puff pastry with a savoury cottage cheese filling! Albanian dishes in restaurants are great for sharing. If you’re travelling in a group, order a few dishes and share them between you. This way you get to try more tasty kinds of food!

Shops 

You’ll be surprised that Albania is still very traditional when it comes to shopping. This means that if you want to buy bread, you need to find a bakery. Meat is sold at the butchers, fruit and veggies at the grocery, and there is even a separate shop for dairy and eggs. This is such a delight to see that Albania hasn’t been overrun by the large supermarket chains yet! 

If you’re a sucker for fresh produce, like me, you’ll love Albania as you can find fresh fruits and veggies sold almost on every street by small local shops and for an absolute bargain! 

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A full guide to visitng Dhermi Albania + Dhermi Beach | Dhermi Albania beaches Dhermi Old Town| Albania Dhermi Villaga | Albanian Riviera | Albania Travel Guide | Things to do in Albania Dhermi | The Balkans

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2 Comments

  1. Hi there,

    Such a nice post. I want to book a vacation to Albania and stay in Dhermi, but before i book i have a question for you.

    Is there something to do at night? What i mean by that is like: are there boutiques/markets/bazar/boulevard that you can visit after diner?

    I hope you answer!

    1. Hi Zahra, yes, the nightlife in Dhermi is centred along its beach promenade. Here you will find restaurants, bars, beach clubs and souvenir shops.I hope that helps, happy travels!

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