Dhermi: A Fantastic Town to Add to Your Albanian Riviera Itinerary

If you’re heading to Albania and want a gorgeous place where mountains meet the sea and the crowds haven’t quite caught on, Dhermi is your answer. Located along the stunning Albanian Riviera, this coastal gem offers something for every type of traveler.

Yes, this tranquil destination has stunning beaches, but there’s more here than just beautiful coastline.  Wandering though the whitewashed buildings of Dhermi Old Town feels almost like Greece and has the most stellar sunset views.

From a quiet hilltop village to dreamy beaches, here’s why you should absolutely add Dhermi to your Albania itinerary.

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Why Visit Dhermi

Unlike its Mediterranean cousins (looking at you, Amalfi and Dubrovnik), Dhermi is still flying under the radar. You can find boutique hotels and beach bars, but also quiet corners where time slows down.

If you want a place that balances beauty, culture, and calm, Dhermi is the perfect escape.  If, however, you’re looking for something with more of a scene, try Ksamil which is 2 hours south.        

Dhermi Beaches

The Dhermi beaches are truly incredible. With crystal-clear turquoise water, smooth white pebbles, and panoramic views of the ocean, it’s easy to see why this village is gaining attention.

The main beach is Dhermi Beach where you’ll find plenty of open sand and places to eat and drink.  Part of it is public (for now, anyway) so you won’t be required to pay for loungers.  Stay after dark for bonfires on the beach. 

Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for the softest light and fewest crowds and it’s the least likely time to get sunburned. 😎

Nearby is Drymades Beach (10 minutes) which is ideal for sunbathing, cocktails, and beach bars.  And right above Drymades is Palasa Beach (basically an extension of Drymades) which is known for its wide shore and laid-back vibes.  The Albanian Riviera is all about hopping from beach to beach to try them all out. 

Dhermi Old Town

While many visitors flock to the beach, the heart of Dhermi lies above the coast in its old town. Dhermi Old Town is a peaceful, stone-built village nestled in the hills, with winding alleys, historic churches, and stunning views.

🏛️ Dhermi is one of the oldest villages in the region, with Greek cultural influences.

You can spend an hour or two just wandering around and seeing what’s there, but I suggest you also seek out a couple of these places.

Saint Spyridon’s Church
While I didn’t go inside this church, it’s blue dome is visible from all around town and serves as a sort of landmark for people driving down the Dhermi coastline.  

Saint Mary’s Monastery
I’m so glad I decided to climb to the top of town and check out this monastery from the 17^th century.  The inside is absolutely covered in gorgeous paintings- the photos don’t do them justice.  

I was the only one there so I sat and stayed a while and it was so peaceful.   There’s also a really fabulous view (and breeze) from up there at the top of the hill.    

The Mills Trail
This shady 2 km trail follows a stream from Dhermi Old Town down to Dhermi Beach.  Along the way you’ll find the old mill (hence the name) as well as a waterfall and maybe even some goats.

Dhermi Coastline

The Dhermi coastline is more than just a place to swim- it’s an adventure hub. Rent a kayak or hop on a boat to explore secluded bays, dramatic cliffs, and sea caves that are only accessible by water.

>>If you’re traveling solo, tours are a great way to meet other travelers!

If you’re more of a hiker, throw on those boots and explore Gjipe Canyon (12 minutes from Dhermi) which ends in the most beautiful beach in Albania (according to me).  You’ll see signs for Gjipe Canyon at the turnoff after you pass the town of Ilias.  The hike takes about an hour each way.  🥾

Gjipe Beach is, quite simply, breathtaking.  If feels like the beach in that Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach– like a secret you want to keep.  Go early or off-season to have it almost all to yourself.  

If you’re short on time, you can park closer to Gjipe Beach and access it from there.  To take the shortcut, park here (currently 400 lek)and do NOT continue driving down the road- it’s more of a path than road.  Then walk along this “road” about 20 minutes or so- no hiking boots needed- and you’re there.  

⛪︎ You can also visit the Monastery of St. Theodor from the same parking lot.  

If you want to do a long-haul hike, check out the 74km Southern Coastal Trail that follows the Albanian coastline from Himarë almost all the way to Sarandë and takes about 6 days (but of course you can just do part of it for a shorter trip).  

>> If you’re traveling solo, tours are a great way to meet other travelers. 👋

Day Trips near Dhermi

The easiest way to check out nearby places is by renting a car.  You can find a bus (furgon) to some of the larger places but if you want to see those secret, tucked-away locations that make Albania so awesome, it’s easiest to have your own transportation.

🚗 Looking to rent a car? Just click HERE for the best deals in your area.   

Vuno– 15 minutes east 
This is another small village that’s worth checking out with beautiful stone paths and white houses that overlook the ocean.

Jale Beach– 20 minutes south
Part of this wonderful, smaller beach is public and there is free parking available. 

Livadhi Beach– 30 minutes south 
If you’re dying to see Aquarium Beach (similar to Gjipe), you can hike in from here.  Or just stay at Livadhi and enjoy the wide stretch of sand.

Himarë Beach– 30 minutes south
A little bit bigger of a town, Himarë is gorgeous and worth spending a day at the beach and enjoying the array of places to eat. 

Llogara National Park– 30 minutes north 
This sprawling park is loaded with Hoxha’s bunkers and lots of beautiful views.  Go on a hike or try paragliding over this gorgeous place. 🪂

Where to Stay Guide for Dhermi

OK, so in Dhermi you have two choices.  You can stay at the beach with easy access to, well, the beach if you’re more after a sit-in-the-sun vacation.  Or you can do what I did and stay in Dhermi Old Town which is up on the hill nearby with a completely different vibe.  There’s no wrong answer here, so you do you.

There are a variety of hotels and rentals so you can choose to cook for yourself in a rental or be catered to in a hotel.  

🏨 Check out Booking.com for more hotel options at all different price points

Here are some places to stay in Dhermi that I recommend: 

Dhermi Old Town:

Roots Dhermi
This apartment in Dhermi Old Town is where I stayed and the view from the bedroom was to die for.  It had parking nearby and a kitchen in case I wanted to cook something.

Zoe Hora
This is the fancy hotel where you’ll see all the Instgrammers taking photos.  I get it- it’s very pretty.  In addition, there is pretty much everything you could want- pool, restaurant, spa…  

Dhermi Beach:

Palladium Beach Hotel
Gorgeous hotel, fabulous location, and a private beach- what more could you want? 

La Brisa Boutique Hotel
With a rooftop swimming pool, room service, and private beach, this is a great option at Dhermi Beach.

Drymades Beach:

Black Diamond Hotel
A short walk to Drymades Beach, this hotel has a wellness center, spa, and pool as well as a restaurant and bar with modern decor.

Villa Jon Palasa
Want a place all to yourself at Palasa Beach?  This rental has two bedrooms and is literally steps away from the beach.  

Dhermi Restaurants

Albanian food is similar to Greek- fresh and absolutely delicious.  Since you’re near the beaches, be sure to take advantage of all the fresh seafood available.  On the menus around here you’ll see grilled fish, calamari, mussels, and prawns.  And you should definitely order it all.

💧 But do NOT drink the tap water because it can make you sick.  Just get an Aperol Spritz- it’s the wise move. 

Here are some Dhermi Restaurants that I recommend:

Dhermi Old Town:

Aman
If you want a drink and the best sunset view in Dhermi old town, this is it.  Chill in beanbag chairs and get that camera ready for golden hour for the best pics.

Sofia Bar
The old lady who runs this place speaks no English and is hilarious.  You’ll order what she wants you to order and if you’re lucky you’ll sit at a table out by the gorge and enjoy the breeze.  

Dhermi Beach:

Salinas Restaurant
This place on the beach is beautiful and has fresh seafood and great service in a cozy atmosphere.

Olio
If you’re after something different (yes, even I got tired of Albanian after a couple weeks), then give this place a try.  There is pizza, pasta, and even sushi on menu.

Drymades Beach & Palasa Beach:

Summer Dream
You’ll find this family-run place near Palasa Beach that serves octopus carpaccio, steamed mussels, and grilled fish to perfection.

Sarajet
If you’re looking for a bar ON the beach, this is your best bet at Drymades Beach.  They also have casual bites to eat and bonfires at night. 

Morsi
With Italy so close, Albanians do Italian food pretty well.  If you’re in the mood, it’s worth seeking out this place at the edge of Drymades.

Transportation around Dhermi 

Getting to Dhermi 

Currently, the closest airport to Dhermi is Tirana (one is currently being built in Vlorë).  You can also get here on a ferry from Italy or Corfu, or drive overland from any of the surrounding countries.  

✈️ Looking for flights? Check HERE for all your options!

Driving from Tirana to Dhermi takes about 2 ½ hours but the drive is one of the highlights.  You’ll pass mountain passes, olive groves, and some of the most jaw-dropping ocean views in the Balkans.

🚗 Looking to rent a car? Just click HERE for the best deals in your area.   

Getting around Dhermi 

If you’re just coming for the beach and spending your time at just one, then you don’t need a car.  If you want to go see all the cool places around Dhermi, a car is a very good idea.   

What to pack for Dhermi 

Dhermi is a beach town so you’ll need all the beachy things- sunscreen, packable sunhat, beach towel, and don’t forget a beach bag to haul your stuff around.  If you’re there in the depths of summer, I love a cooling towel more than a fan since there’s nothing to break and no batteries needed.

If you want to do something besides just chill on the beach, you might want to bring some comfy shoes for short (or long) hikes to those secluded coves like Gjipe.   

>> Not sure what to bring? Check out my packing tips to make it super easy! 🧳

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Questions about Dhermi

When’s the best time to go to Dhermi? 
The beaches in Albania open up around May and close down in October.  July and August are the most crowded and hot so try to avoid those months if you can.      

Is Dhermi expensive? 
Albania is fairly inexpensive compared to other European countries.  But I’d get there sooner rather than later.  I anticipate the prices will go up as more people discover this gorgeous place.

Is Dhermi safe? 
Dhermi is absolutely safe and a great place for solo travel– with the usual precautions of course.  The scariest thing I encountered in all of Albania was driving the mountain roads.  Other than that, the people were kind and welcoming and generous.

With its magical blend of beach life, history, and scenic drives, Dhermi is a great place to add to yourAlbania itinerary. Whether you’re road-tripping the Albanian Riviera or looking for a peaceful seaside base, this dreamy village delivers on all fronts. 
Happy travels… 👙🚗 🇦🇱