Livadhi Beach is the long, easygoing bay on the edge of Himarë — a wide strand of pebble and shallow water that's one of the biggest and most family-friendly beaches on this stretch of the Albanian Riviera. Where Dhërmi and Jale trade on turquoise drama and party energy, Livadhi trades on space, gentle water and watersports, which makes it a natural day trip from Dhërmi. Here's what to expect and how to reach it.
TL;DR: Livadhi Beach
| Detail | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Where | On the edge of Himarë, ~15–20 km south of Dhërmi |
| The beach | ~1.2–1.5 km of pebble, shallow water, rocky headlands |
| Vibe | Relaxed, family-friendly, developed but rarely packed |
| Watersports | SUP, kayak, pedalo; jet ski at the busier clubs (Jun–Sep) |
| Sunbeds | ~1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) a pair |
| Getting there | Car or scooter down the SH8; furgon to Himarë then a hop |
| Payment | Cash in lek |
What Livadhi is like
Livadhi is long and wide — roughly 1.2 to 1.5 km of pebble backed by rocky headlands and pine — so even in high season it rarely feels overcrowded the way the smaller coves do. The water is shallow and deepens slowly, which is exactly why families with young children favour it: kids can wade a long way out. It's a developed beach, with sun-lounger rows, beach bars and a handful of good seafood restaurants and cafés, but the scale keeps it feeling relaxed rather than frantic.
If your priority is the clearest, most postcard-perfect water, Dhërmi, Drymades and Gjipe still edge it. If your priority is room to spread out, easy swimming and things for kids and non-swimmers to do, Livadhi is one of the best calls on the coast. Pair it with a walk into Himarë old town for a full day out.
Watersports at Livadhi
Livadhi is one of the better bets for watersports on the Riviera. Because the bay is broad and the water calm, the developed beach clubs run a decent spread through the season:
- SUP boards, kayaks and pedalos — widely available for hire wherever there are umbrellas, Livadhi included.
- Jet skis — appear seasonally at the busier, more developed clubs; expect them here, around Dhërmi/Drymades and near Himarë town.
- Powered watersports generally run roughly June to September, tapering off outside those months.
Prices are set on the day and in cash — expect a jet-ski session or a kayak hour to be quoted in lek at the club, so ask before you commit. For the wider activity picture, see things to do around Dhërmi.
What it costs
Livadhi runs on cash in lek; the nearest ATMs are in Himarë, so draw money there rather than expecting to pay by card on the sand. Rough figures (~95 lek ≈ €1):
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two sunbeds + umbrella | ~1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) | Varies by club |
| SUP / kayak / pedalo | quoted in lek per hour | Ask at the beach club |
| Jet ski | quoted in lek per session | Busier clubs, summer only |
| Lunch for two | ~2,000–4,000 lek (€20–40) | Seafood a little more |
Because Livadhi is long, there are usually free stretches away from the clubs where you can simply lay a towel — handy if you're only here for a swim.
How to get to Livadhi from Dhërmi
Livadhi sits on the edge of Himarë, a short drive from the town centre, about 15–20 km south of Dhërmi down the SH8.
- By car or scooter (best). Around 25–35 minutes from Dhërmi on the coast road, then a couple of minutes off the SH8 to the beach and its parking. See renting a car for the Riviera.
- Via Himarë. Summer buses and furgons on the Vlorë–Himarë–Sarandë route serve Himarë town; from there Livadhi is a short taxi or a scenic walk of roughly 10–15 minutes. Car-free travellers should read Dhërmi without a car.
- As a day trip. Livadhi slots neatly into a day trip to Himarë or a stop on the Albanian Riviera road trip, often paired with nearby Porto Palermo Castle.
Eating and staying near Livadhi
Livadhi's edge over the smaller coves is that Himarë is right there. The beach itself has a good run of seafood restaurants and beach bars — grilled fish, seafood pasta and cold drinks with your feet near the water — where a relaxed lunch for two lands around 2,000–4,000 lek (€20–40), a little more if you order the day's whole fish. Walk or drive the few minutes into Himarë town and you've got the best concentration of tavernas on this stretch of coast, plus shops, ATMs and the old town on the hill (see Dhërmi to Himarë and where to eat in Dhërmi).
For staying, Livadhi and the Himarë side suit travellers who want a longer, calmer, more amenity-rich base than Dhërmi's beach clubs — handy with children, and well placed for the southern day trips like Porto Palermo and beyond. If you're weighing the two towns as a base, Dhërmi vs Himarë lays out the trade-offs, and the hotels section lists options. Facilities on the beach are good by Riviera standards — parking, loungers, cafés and toilets at the clubs — but it's still a cash-in-lek coast, so draw money in Himarë first.
Livadhi vs the other Himarë beaches
Livadhi is the biggest of Himarë's beaches, but it's worth knowing its neighbours so you can pick the right one for the day. Spile is the town beach, walkable from the centre and handy for a quick swim between sightseeing and lunch. Potami, just south, is a popular pebble beach with clear water and a livelier beach-club scene. Filikuri and the smaller coves beyond are harder to reach — best via a boat trip along the coast — but reward the effort with seclusion and glass-clear water. Against these, Livadhi's pitch is size, shallow water and watersports: it's the family-and-activity beach, where the others lean either town-convenient (Spile), livelier (Potami) or hidden (Filikuri). If you're spending a full day around Himarë, you can easily sample two — Livadhi for the morning swim and watersports, Spile or Potami for a change of scene. See Dhërmi to Himarë for the wider day.
When to go
Livadhi's season is June to September, with the watersports at full tilt in July and August. The shoulder months — late June and September — keep the water warm and the beach even calmer, and the shallow bay makes early-season swimming comfortable sooner than the deeper coves. Mornings are stillest; afternoons pick up a breeze that windsurfers like. For the seasonal detail across the coast, see the best time to visit Dhërmi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Livadhi Beach good for families?
Yes — it's one of the most family-friendly beaches on the Albanian Riviera. The bay is long and the water shallow, deepening slowly, so children can wade safely, and the developed beach clubs mean loungers, cafés, toilets and easy parking are close at hand. It rarely feels as crowded as the smaller coves.
What watersports can you do at Livadhi?
Livadhi is one of the better watersports beaches on the coast. You'll find SUP boards, kayaks and pedalos to hire, and jet skis at the busier beach clubs in peak season. Powered watersports generally run June to September; prices are quoted in lek on the day, so ask before booking.
How do you get to Livadhi Beach from Dhërmi?
Drive or scooter about 25–35 minutes south down the SH8 to Himarë, then a couple of minutes to the beach and its parking. Without a car, take a bus or furgon to Himarë town and continue by taxi or a 10–15 minute walk — there's no direct service to the sand.
How much do sunbeds cost at Livadhi?
Around 1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) for two loungers and an umbrella, paid in cash — most operators here don't take cards. Because the beach is long, there are usually free stretches away from the clubs where you can lay a towel and swim for nothing.
Is Livadhi better than Dhërmi Beach?
They serve different moods. Livadhi is longer, shallower and better for families and watersports; Dhërmi and Drymades have clearer showpiece water and the beach-club nightlife. If you're based in Dhërmi, Livadhi makes an easy, more relaxed day trip, especially combined with Himarë old town.
