The beaches in Saranda are known as some of the most spectacular and pristine beaches in all of Europe. Saranda is the largest town located on the Albanian Riviera and it’s quickly becoming a tourist hotspot due to the beauty of its surrounding landscapes and unspoiled beaches.
That’s right, Albania is no longer the hidden gem that it once was as tourist numbers climb higher every year. It’s no surprise though, Albania’s friendly locals, affordable prices and stunning beaches make it a very attractive destination for those seeking to explore a new country.
The beaches around Saranda are home to clear turquoise water and backed by towering cliffs which results in some of the most unique and beautiful beaches you have ever seen. Whether you’re planning an Albania road trip or simply looking for your next beach holiday, this post is for you!
Ksamil, Albania
Having recently spent 3 months living in Saranda as a solo female traveller in Albania, I have made it my mission to visit as many Saranda beaches as I possibly could. From the breathtaking white-sand beaches of Ksamil to the dramatic cliff-backed beaches along the Albanian Riviera, the choices are truly endless.
So come with me as we uncover some of Albania’s hidden gems and explore the incredible beaches in and around Saranda!
Table of Contents
The Best Beaches in Saranda and the Albanian Riviera
Best Beaches in Saranda
Saranda Public Beach
Nestled between the bustling promenade and the crystal-clear ocean, the public beach in Saranda is a hotspot for both locals and tourists.
This lively beach stretches from the ferry terminal to the end of Saranda’s Promenade and is busy with sunbeds and people at any given time of day throughout the summer months.
While it is certainly not the most beautiful beach in Saranda, it’s convenient location and free public access makes it a popular choice for those staying in hotels in the center of Saranda.
There are many great restaurants and cafes near this beach so you can easily grab some lunch or enjoy sunset cocktails at Jericho Cocktail Bar. Don’t miss Marini, Limani or Haxhi which are a few of my favourite restaurants in Saranda.
Public Beach in Saranda
Plazhi Era (Era Beach)
This small private beach is tucked away in the Kodrra district, about 20 minutes walk from Saranda’s town center. It will cost 10 euros (1000 lek) to rent an umbrella with 2 sunbeds for the day as it’s not open for free public beach access.
There are a few restaurants and cafes where you can order drinks and food right on the beach. The water is crystal clear and lovely for swimming however keep in mind that this beach has pebbles instead of soft sand.
During peak season, this beach gets extremely crowded with people so if you want to get a good spot, it’s best to arrive early in the day. It’s worth sticking around until the evening to enjoy some cocktails and a plate of fresh seafood with a view at Sunset Beach Bar.
Era Beach on a hot summer’s day
Flamingo Beach
As you follow the coast away from the center of town, you’ll find yourself in an area full of many popular hotels in Saranda. There are a few more Saranda beaches to check out along Rruga Butrinti, Flamingo Beach is a popular choice here.
With plenty of sun loungers and a beach bar serving food/drinks, it’s a convenient beach to spend the day at for those staying in the area. To get there from the center of town, you can take a short taxi ride or walk for around 20 minutes.
The beaches of Saranda have the clearest water
Mango Beach
Another popular beach in Saranda located very close to Flamingo Beach. Mango Beach is also packed with sun beds and home to several restaurants and beach bars.
This beach offers a vibrant atmosphere which is ideal for those seeking some music to accompany a day of sipping cocktails in the sun. The water is clear and beautiful and you’ll get a nice view looking back at Saranda from this beach.
The price for a set of beach chairs and umbrella here will set you back 20 euros, making it a little pricier than the other beaches in Saranda. The vibe at Mango Beach is quite fun, especially around sunset hour with music and DJs playing late into the evening.
Due to the often loud music, this beach is not really suitable for families. For those seeking a quieter and more laidback beach experience, keep reading!
Mango Beach, Saranda
Best Beaches Near Saranda
Plazhi i Manastirit (Monastery Beach)
When you leave Saranda and start making your way toward Ksamil along Rruga Butrinti, this is when the beaches start to get increasingly more beautiful and dramatic. This is where you will find some of the very best beaches in Saranda.
The first beach you will come across is Monastery Beach which is only a 15 minute drive from the center of Saranda. The turquoise water is calm and sheltered making it very inviting for a day of sunbathing and swimming.
You can access this beach by car or bus. When you get on the bus in Saranda toward Butrint, ask the driver to let you off at Monastery Beach. It’s a short walk from the main road making it easier to access than the other beaches between Saranda and Ksamil.
The gorgeous Monastery Beach
Plazhi i Pasqyrave (Mirror Beach)
Continue along the same road and you will soon come across this tranquil little gem called Mirror Beach. With sparkling turquoise water, it’s easy to see how this gorgeous beach got its name.
Colourful umbrellas line the azure shores of the Ionian Sea creating a post-card worthy image that welcomes you to Mirror Beach. It’s a little more challenging to reach this one as it requires driving along a steep bumpy gravel road with potholes or walking for 20 minutes from the road if you take the bus.
For a set of beach chairs and an umbrella it will cost you 15 euros (1500 lek) for the day. Like most Albanian beaches, there is a restaurant serving fresh food, cold drinks and a toilet available for customer use. The water is incredibly clear and it’s worth bringing a snorkel here to spot fish near the rocky outcrop.
Mirror Beach
Shpella e Pëllumbave
This is quite possibly my favourite beach in Saranda if I had to choose one, the scenery is simply spectacular. Getting down to this beach requires descending a steep cliff via a set of stairs and a 10 minute walking trail from the parking lot. It’s worth the effort though, trust me.
From the bus stop on the road, it will be a solid 30 minute walk on a gravel road to get there. Once you reach the beach, you will be greeted with Gatorade-coloured water to spend the day floating in. There is a restaurant with toilets and beach chairs so if you wish to make a day of it, you can certainly do so.
Instead of paying the 25 euros (2500 lek) they were asking for two sunbeds, I decided to leave my stuff on the beach (as many others were doing) and hop in for a swim. This doesn’t seem to be an issue here and it’s great if you simply want to make this a short stop before heading elsewhere.
This may only be possible outside of peak season as I visited in October, keep that in mind if you visit any of these Saranda beaches during summer. Due to the difficult access, this beach is definitely not appropriate for elderly people or those with mobility issues.
My favourite beach in Saranda: Shpella e Pëllumbave
Pulëbardha Beach
The last of the dramatic, cliff-side beaches that I will recommend checking out is Pulëbardha Beach which is yet another hidden gem that you’ll find before entering the town of Ksamil.
As with the previously mentioned beaches, the water is clear and turquoise and there are beach chairs available to rent for the day for 20 euros (2000 lek).
It’s worth mentioning that space is limited at this beach which means it fills up very quickly and gets crowded during peak season. Some people might find the pebbles (instead of soft sand) uncomfortable to walk on.
If you’re driving, you’ll follow a gravel road to get there until you reach the lower parking lot which should be free. The restaurant at this beach serves fresh seafood with a fantastic view over the beach and surrounding coast.
Pulëbardha Beach and restaurant
Kakome Beach
This secluded turquoise bay is located along the coast just north of Saranda. Kakome Beach is a stunning remote bay with the most vibrant coloured water I’ve ever seen, it is easily the most beautiful beach near Saranda.
Due to the remote nature of this bay, the only way it can be accessed is by taking a boat tour. As you walk along the beachfront promenade in Saranda, you’ll see many boats offering tours which include a stop at Kakome Beach.
There are several large pirate-style ships but also many small private boats which take people to the best beaches on the Albanian Riviera. When I did the boat trip, I took a small boat and paid 20 euros (2000 lek) and we stopped at Kakome and Krorëza Beach.
You can also book this tour online which is a great idea during busy season, check out prices and availability for the Kakome Beach boat trip here.
I was blown away by the water at Kakome Beach
Krorëza Beach
Located right next door to Kakome Beach, Krorëza Beach is often the next stop on the itinerary of the boat tours that depart from Saranda. This untouched stretch of paradise is framed by imposing cliffs that lead to the crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea.
Krorëza Beach can only be reached by boat which adds to its charm and makes for a lot less crowds than the other beaches in Saranda. You’ll find a few restaurants, bars and umbrellas available to rent at 10 euros (1000 lek) each.
To be honest, I found the food to be overpriced for what you get at Krorëza but it’s to be expected when there are no other options. Something that you might want to confirm before booking your boat tour, is how many stops will be included in the day trip.
The tour company that I went with, Kristi 21 Boat Tours, advertised 7 stops on the day trip however we only stopped at 2 different beaches. We spent 4 hours at Krorëza Beach, which is great but not at all what we were expecting.
Book your boat tour to Krorëza Beach online here!
The incredible Krorëza Beach near Saranda
Lukova Beach
If you begin driving north from Saranda and keep going for around 20km, you will see a turn-off in the road that leads to the spectacular Lukova Beach. This is yet another one of my absolute favourite beaches near Saranda and a hidden gem of the Albanian Riviera.
Once you turn off the highway, a twisting mountain road (keep an eye out for goats here!) will lead you down toward the beach. While there are still bars, restaurants and beach chairs here, Lukova Beach really has a remote feel to it.
For those who prefer to escape the crowds of the busier beaches in Saranda or Ksamil, I can highly recommend adding this to your Albania bucket list. It also makes a great stop if you’re planning to take a day trip from Saranda to Himare by car.
Getting here is easiest done by car however you can catch the bus that runs to Himare and ask to be let off in Lukova, from the village it will be a 35 minute walk to the beach.
Soaking up the sun at Lukova Beach
Best Beaches in Ksamil
Plazhi Ksamilit (Ksamil Beach)
When you see images of Ksamil Beach with its white sand and bright blue water, it’s easy to compare this beach to the likes of the Maldives. The beaches of Ksamil really are that beautiful however there are some things to know in order to make the most of your time there.
The good thing about Ksamil’s beaches is that they are easily accessible by car with many hotels and restaurants nearby. This also means that the crowds can get very heavy here during the months of June – August (and even the beginning of September).
This is, after all, one of the most popular places to visit in Albania and the main draw for tourists visiting the Albanian Riviera. If you want a chance to experience this stunning place with less crowds, I would highly recommend planning your trip for May/early June or September/early October.
Plazhi Ksamilit (Ksamil Beach)
Plazhi Ksamilit is the main beach of the town and home to some of the most popular beach bars and restaurants. There are beach chairs and umbrellas stretched out along the entire length of Ksamil Beach ranging in price from 1000 lek to 2500 lek for the day.
If I had to choose a favourite spot to rent a sun lounger for the day, I’d recommend heading to Tre Ishujt where you’ll get a prime view of the Ksamil Islands and idyllic water for swimming. There’s free parking for guests and beach chairs are discounted for those who eat lunch at their restaurant.
My absolute favourite restaurant in this area is called Guvat, I ate here so many times during my stay in Albania. With an outstanding view from its patio, you can dine looking out at the turquoise waves of Ksamil Beach. The food is also delicious here and the service is super friendly, try the Guvat Salad (easily the best salad I had in Albania).
Another gem nearby is Restorant Korali which is right next door to Guvat. This lovely restaurant also has a great traditional menu with tables that overlook the beach.
Ksamil Beach on a beautiful October day
Bora Bora Beach
The entire village of Ksamil is actually full of gorgeous beaches which is great when the main Ksamil Beach is totally packed. Just continue to follow the shore, exploring each bay until you find a less busy spot to spend the day.
The neighbo