Drymades Beach (also spelled Drimades) is the relaxed white-pebble strip just north of the main Dhërmi Beach — the same turquoise Ionian water, but a looser, more barefoot scene of beach clubs set among olive and pine. It is the beach that first made this stretch of the Albanian Riviera fashionable, and for a lot of visitors it is the reason to base in Dhërmi at all. Here is how to reach it, what the sunbeds cost, and which end of the sand suits you.
TL;DR: Drymades Beach at a glance
| Detail | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Where | ~3 km north of Dhërmi Beach, below the SH8 coast road |
| The beach | White pebble, exceptionally clear turquoise water |
| Vibe | Relaxed beach clubs by day, DJ sets into the evening |
| Sunbeds | ~1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) a pair; free patches at each end |
| Getting there | Signed turn-off before Dhërmi village, then a steep road/track down |
| Payment | Cash in lek — carry notes |
| Best months | June–September; late June and September are quietest |
Drymades vs Dhërmi Beach — what's the difference?
They sit next to each other and share the same pebbles and clear water, so the difference is mood rather than scenery. Dhërmi Beach is the bigger, busier main strand with a longer line of bars and boats running out to the coves. Drymades, a little to the north, is the quieter, more laid-back of the two — a scatter of beach clubs under the trees, softer crowds, and a scene that drifts from afternoon swims into evening drinks. If you want the full "where is everyone" energy you go to Dhërmi; if you want a lounger, a cocktail and space to breathe, you come here. For the wider picture, see our guide to the best beaches near Dhërmi.
The water and the beach itself
The draw at Drymades is the water. The white limestone pebbles keep it glass-clear, shallow and calm close to shore before it deepens a few metres out — ideal for a long, lazy swim and good for snorkelling around the rocky points at either end. Bring water shoes: the stones are smooth but hard on bare feet getting in and out.
The strip is backed by olive and pine rather than concrete, which is a big part of its charm and keeps the shade coming as the sun moves. There is enough beach that even in August you can usually walk to a quieter patch away from the club speakers, especially at the northern end.
One local curiosity: a Communist-era MiG fighter jet reportedly lies on the seabed off Drymades, in shallow water a short swim from shore, and it turns up on some local snorkelling and freediving routes. Treat it as a fun rumour to ask the beach-club staff about rather than a guaranteed sight — conditions and exact location vary, and we can't independently confirm the wreck's state.
The beach clubs at Drymades
Drymades is beach-club territory. A handful of venues line the shore, each with its own rows of sunbeds, bar service and music that builds through the afternoon. Names on this stretch have included Sarajet, Komiteti and DOMI, among others — the line-up shifts a little year to year, so treat any single name as a starting point rather than gospel.
The clubs range from barefoot-casual to full-service: at the relaxed end you rent a lounger, order a coffee and swim; at the busier clubs you get cocktails, food and DJ sets that carry the day into the evening. For sundowners specifically, the 360° Sunset Bar is the boho pick — floor cushions under draped fabric and a pine-shaded terrace angled at the Ionian for the golden hour. For the after-dark side of all this — where the music moves once the beach empties — see nightlife in Dhërmi and our roundup of the best beach clubs in Dhërmi.
What it costs
Drymades is still affordable by Western-European standards, but a full beach-club day adds up. Prices are cash in lek — top up at an ATM in a larger town before you come, as machines on the coast are scarce and run dry in peak season. Rough figures, in lek with the euro equivalent (~95 lek ≈ €1):
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Two sunbeds + umbrella | ~1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) | Varies by club and how premium the row is |
| Free option | 0 lek | Patches at the north and south ends — bring a towel |
| Coffee / soft drink | ~150–300 lek (€1.50–3) | |
| Cocktail | ~600–1,000 lek (€6–10) | More at the upscale clubs |
| Lunch for two | ~2,000–4,000 lek (€20–40) | Beachfront prices |
A quiet day with your own towel and snacks can cost almost nothing; a full club day with loungers, cocktails and lunch runs €50–80 for two. Budget accordingly and, again, carry cash — many beach operators don't take cards.
How to get to Drymades Beach
Drymades sits below the SH8 coast road, reached by a signed turn-off on the right as you come south, just before Dhërmi village proper, after the hairpins down from the Llogara Pass. From the turn-off a steep road and tracks drop to the beach and the clubs behind it, where there is informal parking.
- By car or scooter (best). The simplest way in. Park behind the beach and walk down; a scooter makes the steep last stretch and the coast road easy. See our guide to renting a car for the Riviera.
- On foot from Dhërmi. You can walk between Dhërmi and Drymades along the shore in good conditions, or down from the village — allow 15–20 minutes and expect a steep return climb.
- By bus/furgon. Summer buses and shared furgons on the Himarë–Vlorë route stop up in Dhërmi village, not at the beach; from there it's a downhill walk. There is no direct public transport to the sand. If you're car-free, our guide to Dhërmi without a car covers the realities.
Eating and staying at Drymades
Part of Drymades' appeal is that you can make a whole day — or a whole holiday — without leaving the strip. The beach clubs double as kitchens, turning out grilled fish, salads and Mediterranean plates through the day, and there are relaxed seafront restaurants where a long lunch of grilled seafood and a carafe of local wine comes in around 2,000–4,000 lek (€20–40) for two. It's a short hop to the main Dhërmi Beach restaurants too, and up in the old village the tavernas trade the sand for a hillside view — the wider dining picture is in where to eat in Dhërmi.
For staying right on the beach, Drymades has a run of small boutique hotels, guesthouses and beach-club rooms set back among the olives — waking up a two-minute walk from that clear water is the whole point for many visitors. It books out fast for July and August, so reserve early; our guide to where to stay in Dhërmi weighs the Drymades-versus-village trade-off, and the hotels section lists specific options. If you're still deciding between the two neighbouring bases, Dhërmi or Drymades breaks down which suits which kind of trip.
What to bring
A short packing note for a Drymades day, since facilities thin out fast once you leave the clubs:
- Cash in lek — sunbeds, drinks and parking are cash; the nearest ATMs are in the larger towns.
- Water shoes — the pebbles are smooth but firm underfoot.
- Sun protection and your own shade — if you're not renting an umbrella, the tree line only covers part of the beach.
- A dry bag and snorkel — the clear water and rocky points reward a look under the surface.
When to go
The swimming season runs June to September, but the shoulders are the sweet spot at Drymades. Late June and September keep the water warm (low-to-mid 20s °C) while thinning the August crowds that fill the clubs — and Drymades is small enough that peak weekends, when day-trippers from Tirana arrive, genuinely change the mood. Mornings are calmest and coolest in high summer; the beach clubs hit their stride from early afternoon. For the month-by-month view, see the best time to visit Dhërmi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Dhërmi and Drymades beaches?
They sit side by side and share the same white pebbles and clear turquoise water. Dhërmi Beach is the larger, busier main strand; Drymades, just to the north, is quieter and more relaxed, with a scattering of beach clubs set among olive and pine trees rather than a solid seafront line.
How much do sunbeds cost at Drymades?
Expect around 1,000–2,000 lek (€10–20) for two loungers and an umbrella, depending on the club and how premium the row is. Pay in cash — most beach operators here don't take cards. There are also free patches at the northern and southern ends where you can lay down a towel.
How do you get to Drymades Beach?
Take the signed turn-off from the SH8 coast road just before Dhërmi village, then the steep road down to the beach and its parking. A car or scooter is easiest. You can also walk down from Dhërmi in 15–20 minutes; buses and furgons stop in the village, not at the sand.
Is Drymades Beach sandy or pebbly?
It's a white-pebble beach — smooth stones rather than sand — which is exactly why the water stays so clear. Water shoes make getting in and out of the sea much more comfortable, and a mat under your towel helps on the pebbles if you're not renting a sunbed.
Is Drymades good for families or for partying?
Both, at different ends. The clubs bring cocktails, music and a young evening crowd, but Drymades is calmer than the main Dhërmi scene, and the shallow, clear water suits children. Pick a relaxed club or a free patch at the quieter northern end for a family day.
