Updated 2026·Checked on foot·Ceraunian Mountains, north of Dhërmi
A high mountain pass on the road north of Dhërmi, where the SH8 climbs to around 1,027 m through the Ceraunian Mountains before dropping to the coast. The switchbacks and viewpoints give some of the widest panoramas on the Albanian Riviera, out over the Ionian Sea.
Llogara Pass · Mountain pass
Period
Mountain pass
Location
~40 min drive north
Entry
Free
Hours
Open 24 hours (mountain road)
Time Needed
1–2 hours with stops
Hours and prices last checked 2026 — they change, so confirm on the day.
History
How it came to be
The Llogara Pass carries the coastal road over the Ceraunian range between the Riviera and the plains around Vlorë to the north. Long a natural gateway to this stretch of coast, the climb is now one of the most scenic drives in Albania and part of the main route in from Tirana and Vlorë.
What You’ll See
On a visit
The views — layered ridgelines dropping to the sea, the coastline curving south toward Dhërmi and Himarë, and pine forest near the top around the Llogara area. There are pull-offs and cafés along the pass to stop and take it in, and paragliders sometimes launch from the heights.
How to Visit
On the SH8, about a 40-minute drive north of Dhërmi. A car is the practical way to see it; summer buses and shared minibuses (furgons) on the coast road also cross the pass.
Best Time
Late spring to autumn; clear days give the best views, and the road can be cold or foggy in winter.
Gallery
Getting There
Location
~40 min drive north · Ceraunian Mountains, north of Dhërmi
It's roughly a 40-minute drive north along the coast road (SH8), climbing to about 1,027 m through the mountains. It's an easy half-day trip or a scenic stop on the way in or out of Dhërmi.
For the views, take the old pass road over the top — the switchbacks and panoramas down to the Ionian are the whole point. The 6 km Llogara Tunnel, opened in 2024, runs straight underneath for through-traffic, so use it only if you're short on time or the pass is closed by weather.
