Dhërmi sits at the heart of the Albanian Riviera, with turquoise coves on its doorstep and the coast's headline sights a scenic drive away in either direction. Here's a balanced three-day plan — beach days, the great coast road, and a run to the UNESCO-and-spring-filled deep south — plus how to stretch it to four or five. Every stop links to its full guide, and it's built around cash in lek and a car or scooter, the two things that make the Riviera easy.
The plan at a glance
| Day | Focus | Key stops |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Beaches & a boat trip | Dhërmi & Drymades · boat to Gjipe cove · Pirates' Cave swim |
| Day 2 | The coast road & Himarë | Llogara Pass views · Himarë town, beaches & castle |
| Day 3 | The deep south | Butrint (UNESCO) · Ksamil beaches · the Blue Eye spring |
Day 1 — Dhërmi's beaches & a boat trip
Start where you are. Spend the morning on Dhërmi and neighbouring Drymades — white-pebble beaches under the grey wall of the Ceraunian Mountains — then, in the afternoon, take a boat trip down the coast to the hidden cove at Gjipe, where a canyon meets the sea, pausing at the blue-water Pirates' Cave for a swim. Sunset drinks at a west-facing beach bar close the day.
Day 2 — The coast road & Himarë
Give the day to the coast in both directions. Drive north up the Llogara Pass first thing for one of the widest views on the Riviera (paragliders launch from the heights), then head south to Himarë, ~20 minutes down the SH8 — the coast's main town, with a string of beaches, the best-value tavernas around, and a hilltop old town and castle worth the late-afternoon climb. It's an easy day of dramatic driving, swimming and a proper dinner.
Day 3 — The deep south: Butrint, Ksamil & the Blue Eye
The big day out. It's ~2 hours south, so start early and make it count: the UNESCO ancient city of Butrint in its forest and lagoon, a turquoise swim at Ksamil (Albania's most Caribbean-looking beaches), and the vivid karst spring of the Blue Eye on the way back. Pick two or three of these rather than rushing all of them, or base a night in Sarandë to do the south at a gentler pace.
Stretching it to 4 or 5 days
- Day 4 — Sarandë & the south coast. The lively resort town of Sarandë, the Corfu ferry, Lëkurësi Castle at sunset, and the beaches on the way down (Borsh, Qeparo).
- Day 5 — Vlorë or Porto Palermo. North to the city of Vlorë where the Riviera begins (promenade, lagoon monastery, marine-park boat trips), or the near-island fortress of Porto Palermo just south of Himarë.
Practical notes
- Base yourself in Dhërmi — central to the whole Riviera; see is Dhërmi worth visiting.
- Cash in lek is essential and ATMs thin out south, so draw enough in a town first.
- A car or scooter transforms the trip; without one, lean on furgons, taxis and tours — see best day trips from Dhërmi.
- Start the deep-south day early — it's a lot of driving, and the sights are best before the midday heat and tour buses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Dhërmi?
Three days is the sweet spot: one for Dhërmi's own beaches and a boat trip to the hidden coves, one for the coast (the Llogara Pass and Himarë), and one for the deep south (Butrint, Ksamil and the Blue Eye). Two days covers the beaches and one outing; with four or five you can add Sarandë, Vlorë or Porto Palermo at a relaxed pace. See our how-many-days guide for the full picture.
What's the best 3-day plan from Dhërmi?
Day 1: Dhërmi and Drymades beaches, then an afternoon boat trip to Gjipe and the Pirates' Cave. Day 2: the coast — drive the Llogara Pass for the views and spend the afternoon in Himarë's old town and beaches. Day 3: the deep south as a full day — Butrint's UNESCO ruins, a swim at Ksamil, and the Blue Eye spring. It mixes beach days with the Riviera's headline sights without overreaching.
Do you need a car for the Albanian Riviera?
A car or scooter makes this itinerary far easier — the coast road (SH8) links everything and the drive is half the appeal. Without one, summer furgons and taxis cover Himarë and the towns, and organised tours reach the deep south, but you'll trade some flexibility. Many arrive car-free via the Corfu–Sarandë ferry and rent in Albania. Carry cash in lek — ATMs thin out south.
