The beaches, hidden coves, viewpoints and old village that make up Dhërmi — from the turquoise water of the main beach to the monastery and stone houses on the slopes above.
Dhërmi is a beach village on the Albanian Riviera, tucked below the Ceraunian Mountains on the Ionian coast. Its sights are its beaches and hidden coves, the monastery and old stone village on the slopes above, and the mountain views over the Llogara Pass. First time here? Start with these three.
The heart of any visit — clear turquoise water, sunbeds and beach bars, with quieter Drymades just to the north.
Don't missA hidden cove at the mouth of a canyon between Dhërmi and Himarë, reached by boat or on foot down the gorge.
Don't missThe monastery on the slopes above the village, near the old stone upper village, with wide views over the coast.
Good to know: the beaches, the old upper village and the monastery are free to visit; on the busy beaches you'll usually pay only for a sunbed or a drink. The main cost is a summer boat trip to reach the hidden coves like Gjipe and the Pirates' Cave.
The high points around Dhërmi — the slopes of the Ceraunian Mountains and the drive over the Llogara Pass, with wide views over the Ionian coast.
St. Mary's Monastery on the slopes above Dhërmi and the small churches of the old upper village.
The village's beaches and strips — Dhërmi Beach, quieter Drymades, and the areas back from the sand where most places to stay and eat sit.
The main beach at Dhërmi — a long strand of white pebble and exceptionally clear turquoise water on the Ionian coast, backed by the steep Ceraunian Mountains. In summer it fills with sunbeds, beach bars and small boats running out to the coves nearby.
The quieter, more relaxed strip just north of Dhërmi Beach — the same clear turquoise water and white pebbles, with a laid-back run of beach bars and clubs set among olive and pine. Also spelled Drimades.
The hidden coves reached by boat or on foot — Gjipe at the mouth of its canyon and the Pirates' Cave around Grama Bay — and the best spots to catch the sunset.
A hidden cove at the mouth of a dramatic canyon between Dhërmi and Himarë, backed by tall pale cliffs and reached only by boat or on foot down the gorge. One of the Albanian Riviera's most striking beaches, with clear turquoise water and a wild, undeveloped feel.
A sea cave in the cliffs along the coast near Dhërmi, reached by boat from the beach. Small craft can slip inside the tall, narrow opening, where the water glows deep blue against the pale rock — a regular stop on summer boat trips along the Riviera.
Combine the beaches with the coast's food scene and a day trip or two — the Llogara Pass, Gjipe Beach, or Himarë and Porto Palermo.
The beaches come first — Dhërmi Beach and the quieter Drymades strip next door, both known for clear turquoise water. Take a boat or hike to Gjipe Beach at the mouth of its canyon, and climb to St. Mary's Monastery and the old stone upper village on the slopes above. Just north, the Llogara Pass gives wide views over the Ionian coast.
The beaches, the old upper village and the monastery are free to visit; on the busy beaches you'll usually pay only for a sunbed or a drink. The main cost is a boat trip to reach the hidden coves like Gjipe or the Pirates' Cave around Grama Bay.
Yes. There's a walk down the canyon to Gjipe Beach, trails up to the monastery and the old upper village, and the mountains behind the coast around the Llogara Pass. Go early in summer to beat the midday heat, and take water.
Two or three days is plenty to enjoy the beaches, take a boat trip to a cove and walk up to the monastery. Add more time if you want to base yourself here and make day trips along the coast to Himarë, Porto Palermo and further south.
Gjipe Beach can be reached on foot down its canyon or by boat, and coves like the Pirates' Cave around Grama Bay are boat-only. In summer, boat trips and water taxis run from the main beaches.
The best beaches and hidden coves, boat trips, mountain walks, and the old village above the shore.
A guide to the best beaches around Dhërmi on the Albanian Riviera — Dhërmi Beach's white pebbles, the Drymades strip, and the wild Gjipe cove.
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The best day trips from Dhërmi on the Albanian Riviera — the Llogara Pass, hidden Gjipe Beach, Himarë, Porto Palermo Castle, and ancient Butrint.
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When to visit Dhërmi on the Albanian Riviera — why late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot, what peak summer is like, and how quiet winter gets.
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