Himara to Gjipe: Kayak the Albanian Riviera
The Albanian Riviera is one of Albania’s most sought after destinations. The beaches, caves, and beautiful blue coastal water of the Ionian Sea draws millions of visitors to the country each year. Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the Riviera and in this guide I’ll outline one of my favourite kayaking routes in the country – Himara to Gjipe beach.
The stretch of sea from Himara to Gjipe makes for a lengthy, but beautiful day exploring the intricacies of Albania’s western coastline. Many of the secret beaches along the coastline are only accessible via boat so kayaking is a really great way to get off the beaten path.
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Albania Google Map – 200+ pins
Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?
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- 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
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
- My Ultimate Albania Backpacker Guide
- 15+ Helpful Tips You Should Know BEFORE Travelling Albania
- 30+ Best Things to do in Albania: Excursions, Tours, and Destinations
- 17 Best Places in Albania
- Hiker’s Guide to the Albanian Alps
- Valbona to Theth Hiking Guide
- 10+ Albania hikes Worth Doing
- Lodging: best hostels for backpackers | luxury hotels
Himara to Gjipe Kayak route.
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.
- 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.
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Taylor ♡
Where is the Albanian Riviera?
The Albanian Riviera is located in southwestern Albania, specifically between the coastal towns of Vlora (or Vlorë) and Saranda (or Sarandë). Here you’ll find Albania’s best and most beautiful beaches.
This 120km stretch of Albanian coastline follows the northeastern Ionian Sea (the same as Greece) which is within the well-known Mediterranean Sea.
The Albanian Riviera is home to both sandy and rocky beaches, meaning there’s a type of beach for everyone here.
How to Get to Gjipe Beach from Himara
You can rent a car/scooter and drive 40 minutes from Himara to Gjipe beach or travel by bus. If you go by bus you can ask the driver to stop at the entrance to Gjipe beach, walk 2kms to the parking lot, then descend another 45 minutes to the beach. Another option is to use Himara’s water taxi.
This post however is all about kayaking from Himara to Gjipe. So without getting into too many details right off the bat, you can rent a kayak from the town of Himara and follow the coast north until arriving at Gjipe 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
How Long Does it Take to Kayak from Himara to Gjipe?
The length of time it takes to kayak from Himara to Gjipe is a bit of a loaded question. One must factor in kayaking abilities, weather, itinerary, etc.
I personally recommend setting aside a whole day if you want to kayak the entire length of Himara to Gjipe. The kayak trip clocks in around the 20kms roundtrip depending on how many stops you make along the way. Each stop will add extra distance and time to your trip.
The day I kayaked from Himara to Gjipe I launched my kayak at 8am, hit all the beaches mentioned in this post, and returned around 6pm – a whole 10 hours in total. I have some experience kayaking and I have a good fitness level, for reference.
Below I’ll outline the different beaches along the Himara-Gjipe kayak route, but I’d like to point out you don’t have to go all the way to Gjipe. There are plenty of great beaches to explore that are much closer to Himara that are accessible via kayaking.
Is There Food or Services Between Himara and Gjipe?
Yes! Thankfully there are a few different places along the way where you can stop, grab a bite to eat, or rest along shore in one of the beach’s umbrella beds.
There are 3 beaches that provide food & services: Gjipe beach (the furthest point), Lavadhi beach (the closest point), or Jale beach which is right in the middle of the two.
Even though there are services, come prepared with water and snacks. Better to be over prepared than to be underprepared.
Where Can I Rent Kayaks in Himara?
There are two ways to go about renting kayaks for the Himara-Gjipe kayak route. You can find a rental place along the beach for approx. 10 euros/hour (very expensive). OR you can stay at the Himara Hostel and rent them for 8 euros/day (as of 2022).
I’d highly recommend staying at the Himara Hostel and renting kayaks through them instead. The price is dirt cheap and the hostel itself is lovely. The volunteers are chill, there’s tons of outdoor garden space to relax in, they’ve got the cutest cats and dogs (kittens when I visited), and breakfast is included.
I loved my stay at the Himara Hostel so much that I kept extending my stay for a total of 6 consecutive nights.
Do I Need Gear to Kayak Himara-Gjipe
You do not need extensive gear for the Himara-Gjipe kayak route, but there are a few items that will make your trip more enjoyable.
- A hat, sunscreen and/or a long pair of flowy pants + a long sleeve shirt/rash guard for sun protection.
- A dry bag to store your items in on the kayak
- A floaty, waterproof phone case. This one fits my iPhone 14 Pro Max with a large Otterbox case
- LOTS of water – I brought 3L in my Hydrapak
- Snacks
- Crocs or Sandals (I like Chacos) – the beaches along this section of coast are all rocky. You’ll want to protect your feet
- Stasher Bags – I use these bags for literally everything, but on this trip in particular they were ideal for keeping money and important belongings dry.
- A life jacket which should be supplied when you rent the kayak.
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
Is it Safe to Kayak Himara-Gjipe?
I’m definitely no professional kayaker and I found this trip to be breezy. However if you find it tiring there’s no one forcing you all the way to Gjipe. If it feels like too much at any point, stop and turn around.
Although this is a relatively safe trip (everyone’s different) paying attention to weather and paddling with another person is crucial. If strong winds are predicted, weather is incoming, or you have no one to go with, it may be best to stay back. There’s no point in putting yourself in harms way needlessly.
There are boats that’ll zip by here and there, so if you need help you’ll should hopefully be able to get some by flagging down the other boaters.
Of course bring a life jacket and if you’re not a strong kayaker don’t attempt to get on and off your kayak at the boat-access beaches. The waves can be strong on shore making it difficult to get in/out of your kayak.
Important Stops & Viewpoints: Himara to Gjipe
Now that we’ve gone over the nitty gritty details, let’s talk about the pretty beaches, caves, and viewpoints you can expect on the Himara to Gjipe kayak route.
Spile Beach
Spile beach is located in the heart of Himara and only minutes from the Himara Hostel. This is the perfect beach to launch your kayak because it isn’t too crowded and there’s a ramp which makes it much easier to bring your kayak to the water.
From Spile beach you’ll want to head north – or right if you’re facing the sea – and cruise along the shoreline. The views will start right away as you’ll find big rocks and tents overlooking the sea at the gorgeous Pine Side Campground.
Make sure you turn around though. The best views are actually behind you in the beginning as you’ll be able to see Himara backed by large, picturesque mountains.
Livadhi Beach
Shortly after seeing the campsite, you’ll find Livadhi beach. I didn’t personally stop at Livadhi beach because you have to pay to be on the beach – my backpacker budget was screaming “NO” as I paddled by this one.
I’d personally recommend skipping Livadhi beach all together unless you’re in desperate need of some food. There isn’t anything special about Livadhi and the beaches ahead are more scenic and free to access.
Livadhi beach is also only a 25 minute walk from Himara, so if you really want to see it you could always just walk there another day.
Aquarium Beach
Aquarium is a topless beach accessed via boat or by foot (just over an hour from Himara). You’ll need to pay close attention as you paddle by as it’s easy to miss.
This beach has opportunities for cliff jumping and photography as you can hike up and around the beach itself.
Jale Beach
Jale beach was one of my favourite beaches in Albania. It gives off a more tropical vibe than the other Albanian Riviera beaches. You can purchase food here or rent umbrella chairs/beds if you’re in need of a break from the sun.
I recommend taking a break here before continuing on.
Hidden Beaches & Caves
The section of Albanian Riviera between Jale beach and Gjipe beach was hands down my favourite part of the entire Himara to Gjipe kayak excursion.
The rocky shoreline and cliff walls seem to get much taller and more dramatic closer to Gjipe. Plus you’ll find lots of tiny hidden beaches and caves that are only accessible by boat. If you get to this area early, you could totally claim one of these little beaches all to yourself.
One hidden beach I’d like to make note of is Plazi Me Shpella. This beach has a massive cave on shore which is great for escaping the sun and a dock which is perfect for cannon balls, of course.
Gjipe Beach
Gjipe beach is the final stop on this Albanian Riviera kayak excursion. Here you’ll find a truly wild-looking beach complete with caves, mountain views, and free camping – if you’d like to try beach camping at Gjiipe you can do so here.
Once you arrive at Gjipe you can grab a bite to eat, relax on the beach or wander through the Gjipe Canyon. The canyon requires scrambling and appropriate footwear, fyi.
A word of advice – avoid the restaurant furthest to the left if you were to face to beach. The meal I had there is probably the worst meal I’ve ever paid for and it was one of the most expensive meals I had in Albania. Yikes.
Himara to Gjipe: Roundtrip Kayak Itinerary
Now that I’ve given you all the beach specifics, here’s a brief overview of the Himara-Gjipe kayak itinerary:
- Launch your kayak at Spile beach.
- Get the majority of paddling out of the way and go all the way to Jale beach first. Hang out here for a bit, grab a snack, take a dip, then continue on.
- Kayak to Gjipe beach for lunch, but make a quick pitstop at Plazhi Me Shpella first (the beach with the dock).
- Head back to Himara, but stop at Aquarium beach for a quick cliff jump and break on the return journey.
- Return to Spile beach.
Of course feel it out as you’re paddling, but this is the itinerary I followed and it was perfect.
General Himara-Gjipe Kayak Tips
- Start the Himara to Gjipe kayak excursion early to ensure you have plenty of daylight.
- Wear a lifejacket for safety and tell someone where you’re going/your expected return time.
- Bring layers and lots of sunscreen for sun protection.
- Pack water (at least 3L) and snacks.
- Only paddle in good weather and avoid windy days.
- Paddle with a friend – don’t go alone.
- Stay at the Himara Hostel and rent their kayaks for 8 euros/day.
- Pack your belongings in dry bags and bring a floaty case for your phone.
- Bring footwear for the beach – I always have a pair of Crocs which are perfect for beach environments.
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
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
