How to get to Gjiri Filikuri Beach in Himara

The Albanian Riviera is FULL of beautiful beaches and Gjiri Filikuri in Himara is no exception. Gjiri Filikuri beach is a “secret” beach, however it’s gaining popularity quickly. In this post I’ll tell you exactly how to get to Filikuri beach so you can hopefully visit before the crowds take over.

Gjiri Filikuri beach is rocky and enclosed by steep cliff walls. The only way to access the beach is via boat or via walking with a bit of scrambling. At Filikuri beach you’ll find cooler water than you will at other beaches in the area due to nearby cold springs. These cold(er) temps make Filikuri beach the perfect place to relax during the scorching Albanian summer heat.

Here’s my 3 day Himara itinerary complete with more local activity recommendations.

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Quick Albania Travel Guide:

**Find my recommended Albania itineraries linked in the section below**

Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable travel insurance before your trip. This insurance is trusted by backpackers and adventure sport enthusiasts around the world. You can also use my link to receive 5% off SafetyWing policies. Here’s a blog post with more trustworthy travel insurance options you can compare.

Best Time to Visit: May to September.

Best Activities: Looking for the best tours and activities around Albania? See my Viator shop for my top recommendations.

Currency: Albanian LEK (aka ALL). This is a closed currency so you’ll need to wait until you’re in Albania to withdraw/exchange money. Make sure you exchange any leftover money before you leave the country too. Credins ATMs don’t have a service charge.

Transportation: to enter the country you’ll find 1 international airport in Tirana, 1 port in Saranda (daily ferry arrivals/departures to Corfu, Greece), and a bus line from Montenegro. Buses are very cheap here, but unreliable and taxis are pricey in comparison. Driving is chaotic and there are no trains within the country.

Phone: purchase a local SIM card from Vodafone – the plans are cheap and they include lots of data, however international minutes are typically not available. Vodafone storefronts can be found in bigger cities (Tirana, Saranda, Shkoder, etc).

Language: Albanian, however you can get by with English. Google translate is recommended for smaller cities/villages.

Safety: I found Albania to be very safe. I and my fellow travellers had no trouble with theft and I felt comfortable walking around as a solo female at night. People are generally very welcoming here, but always keep your wits about you – no matter where you travel.

Helpful Info: don’t drink the tap water or bring a purifying bottle like this one. Most hostels/guesthouses/hotels have laundry facilities.

Purchase my Albania map which is downloadable to google maps on your phone. It has 200+ pinned locations around the country – all available at your fingertips.

Packing Guide: here’s my ultimate packing guide/travel essentials.

Albania is one of the last “undiscovered” countries in Europe. Plan your trip while prices & tourism levels are low!

Helpful Albania Blog Posts

Albania Itineraries: 1 week south | 1 week north | 2 weeks whole country | 1 month for backpackers

This is how you get to Gjiri Filikuri beach.

How to get to Himara

Gjiri Filikuri beach is located in Himara, so the first step is getting to this peaceful coastal town.

How to get to Gjiri Filikuri beach in Himara (Albania) — Gjiri Filikuri Beach from above

Most travel in Albania is done via the bus and luckily there are bus routes connecting Himara with plenty of cities and small towns: Saranda and Tirana being the two most popular connection cities. If the bus isn’t your thing, you can rent a car to get to Himara too. I always recommend using this site to search for car rentals on-the-go.

If you’re coming from the direction of Tirana or Vlora you’ll drive over the Llogara Pass standing at 1,027m. The drive is very beautiful, but windy. If you experience motion sickness peppermint oil or motion sickness medication is recommended.

The bus system can be confusing in Albania. In this post I’ve listed public transport information + tips to help you navigate everything. If you’re visiting Albania for the first time, I’d recommend giving it a read.

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Where to Stay in Himara

Himara is loaded with cute hostels, mid-range hotels, and luxurious establishment so no matter what type of traveller you are, you can find your perfect match.

Camping – pitch a tent at Pine Side Camp and sleep directly next to the Albanian Riviera.
Budget/Hostels – I stayed at Himara Hostel and loved it. Sun Bakers is nearby too.
- More: Best hostels for backpackers in Albania.
Luxury – ARXONTIKO has a sea view, whereas Soñar en el mar, Sea View Hotel, and Palermiti Luxury Rooms are directly on the beach.
Cultural – stay at the historic Castle of Himara with fabulous views overlooking the city as well as the Ionian Sea.

How to Get to Gjiri Filikuri Beach: Kayaking

The kayak trip to Gjiri Filikuri beach from Himara is pretty straightforward. From Himara’s waterfront you’ll want to head south; left facing the sea. Stick close to the shore and after 30-45 minutes of paddling you’ll arrive.

You can find various kayak rental options along the beach, however I recommend staying at the Himara Hostel and renting out their kayaks instead. Himara Hostel only charges 8 euros/day (as of 2022) whereas the rentals options on the beach charge around 10 euros/hour will be quite expensive if you venture to Gjiri Filikuri beach..

Popular Albania Tours

From Berat: 4×4 tour: Mount Tomorr & Sotira Waterfall | Bogove Waterfall & Osumi Canyon | Osumi Canyon Rafting

From Permet: Benja Hot Springs & Lengarica Canyon | Horseback Riding | River Rafting

From Tirana: Gamti Mountain & Bovilla Lake Hiking Tour | Bike Tour | Traditional Cooking Class | Zipline

From Tirana or Shkoder: Day trip to the Blue Eye of Theth & Grunas Waterfall | Shala River Day Trip

From Vlora: Boat tour to Haxhi Ali Cave & Sazan Island – Karaburun | Snorkelling

From Saranda/Ksamil: Paddle boarding the Islands | Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle – 1 Day | Day Trip to Gjirokaster | Catamaran to Korez & Kokomo Beach

UNIQUE: Multi-day hiking tour: Peaks of the Balkans

You can find more Albania tours I recommend here

MORE UNIQUE ALBANIA TOURS

How to Get to Gjiri Filikuri Beach: Walking

Walking to Gjiri Filikuri beach is free, but it does require some self confidence as there’s a scrambling component on the final drop to the shore. Google Maps will get you part of the way, but after that it’s an adventure.

To counter any confusion I’ve included photos and a detailed description below which outlines exactly how to get to Filikuri beach, step-by-step.

Albania Google Map – 200+ pins

Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?

Then my Albania map is for you!

Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:

Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details

DOWNLOAD ALBANIA MAP

see what other travellers are saying about my map

How to get to Filikuri Beach From Himara

Here are the GPS coordinates for Filikuri beach – these coordinates only get you part of the way.

After about 30 minutes of walking from Himara center, Google Maps will say “you have arrived.” This is not true. Continue following the road upwards until you come to a fork. Then take a left up the gravel path.

You’ll see a creepy building like this which means you’re on the right path.

Continue walking past the creepy building until you find a trail that looks like the photo below. The trail will be slightly overgrown and have some relatively big steps at points.

Looking at the picture below, you’ll want to head down and left – aiming for the middle of the saddle shaped shoreline. The trail branches off and goes in all directions, however generally if you’re descending and heading left you’re on the right track.

The path will eventually end and you’ll come to a small viewpoint overlooking the beach. This is NOT where you descend. If you make it to the viewpoint, you walked past the turnoff to the real path that leads down to the beach.

I included a picture below to show you what the turn off looks like, but it’s hard to tell in the photo and it’s easy to miss in person. Basically, if you reach the viewpoint, turn around and the path for the descent will be mere steps away on your left.

The next part is a bit tricky. You’ll have to hold onto a rope as you scramble your way down a steep rock face. If you’re not the adventure type or have a fear of heights this part may be intimidating.

In total the walk to Gjiri Filikuri beach takes under an hour.

Tips for Visiting Filikuri beach

WEAR DECENT FOOTWEAR. Closed toe shoes are ideal to prevent stubbed toes.
Pack a lunch or at least bring some snacks – you can’t buy food at the beach (no services).
There are no umbrella chairs at Gjiri Filikuri beach, but there are caves that provide some shade. Arrive early to claim a spot.
Bring lots of water – I always pack 3L in a bladder like this.
Going early in the day or later in the evening will make for a less crowded and (hopefully) quieter beach experience.

Is Gjiri Filikuri Beach Worth it?

Yes! Although it’s harder to get to Gjiri Filikuri beach compared to other beaches in the area, it’s well worth your troubles.

Filikuri beach has a white, rocky shore and cooler, blue water. There are multiple caves on the shore which creates some shade during the day. Gjiri Filikuri beach is the perfect place to spend a summer day in Albania.

At the beach you won’t find commercialized beach chairs which give it a more natural feel. The only downfall is that many locals drive over here on their boats, often playing loud music.