This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Himarë.
Himara, also known as Himare, is a beautiful coastal city located along the Albanian Riviera. The Albanian Riviera is incredibly pristine and a fraction of the price of it's more popular neighbors Greece and Croatia. Hostel prices are lower at these beautiful beaches too. Most of the hostels in Himare have an awesome beach vibe and include breakfast of fresh local pastries.
There are several hostels located in Himara. All of them are located within walking distance of the beach and near the city center of town where there are many restaurants and bars. The highway crosses through the small town and at the intersection, this is also the spot where all of the buses drop off and pick up passengers for long distance and local travel. Hitchhikers also typically stand here to find rides to nearby towns and local hard to reach beaches.
There are many beautiful beaches in Himare. Try to see as many as possible, but wear good sneakers -- you almost always have to hike a bit to get to the beach. Also all of the beaches have pebbles and rocks, not sand, so a sturdy pair of sandals or water shoes would be advisable to bring. Gjipe Beach is a natural beach with many caves for swimming and one small restaurant that serves fresh fish. To reach Gjipe, you have to hike down a mountain. Jale Beach is easily accessible by car and is a bit more mainstream with beach chair rentals, cabanas, and many beach clubs. The Gjiri I Akuariumit beach is incredibly hard to find and very small, but you’re likely to have this oasis to yourself so it is worth the search. A favorite beach is Liivadh Beach. It's the second beach north of Himare and has the most crystal clear blue water. It is a very easy hike to reach the beach by following the coastline or it can be reached by car.
Written by local enthusiast for Himarë hostels
Lola