The best hotels in Himara

Himara's coastline runs 30+ km through some of Albania's most dramatic scenery, and with 8,000+ places to stay scattered from Palasa to Lukova, picking wrong is genuinely easy. We reviewed the standouts. These 10 made the cut.

Our Top Picks in Himara

Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.

Hotel Himara hotel in Himara
#1
Budget Pick
7.2

Hotel Himara

Town Center, Himara

$45–75/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Guesthouse Rapo hotel in Palasa
#2
Hidden Gem
7.8

Guesthouse Rapo

Village Center, Palasa

$55–85/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Hotel Porto Palermo hotel in Porto Palermo
#3
Best Location
8.1

Hotel Porto Palermo

Bayfront, Porto Palermo

$105–155/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Hotel Riviera Himara hotel in Himara
#4
Most Popular
8.3

Hotel Riviera Himara

Himara Beach, Himara

$120–180/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Vila Niko Dhermi hotel in Dhermi
#5
Romantic Stay
8.5

Vila Niko Dhermi

Upper Village, Dhermi

$130–190/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Hotel Jale Beach hotel in Jale
#6
Family Friendly
8

Hotel Jale Beach

Jale Bay, Jale

$140–200/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Riviera Resort Dhermi hotel in Dhermi
#7
Top Rated
8.7

Riviera Resort Dhermi

Dhermi Beach, Dhermi

$160–220/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Hotel Borsh hotel in Borsh
#8
Best Value
8.2

Hotel Borsh

Beachfront, Borsh

$175–230/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Lukova Resort and Spa hotel in Lukova
#9
Luxury Pick
9

Lukova Resort and Spa

Coastal Hillside, Lukova

$260–380/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later

Dhermi Luxury Villas hotel in Dhermi
#10
Romantic Stay
9.2

Dhermi Luxury Villas

Clifftop, Dhermi

$320–500/night Check Availability

Free cancellation & Pay later


All Hotels Compared

Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.

# Hotel City & Area Price/Night Score Best For
1 Hotel Himara Town Center, Himara $45–75/night 7.2/10 Budget Pick
2 Guesthouse Rapo Village Center, Palasa $55–85/night 7.8/10 Hidden Gem
3 Hotel Porto Palermo Bayfront, Porto Palermo $105–155/night 8.1/10 Best Location
4 Hotel Riviera Himara Himara Beach, Himara $120–180/night 8.3/10 Most Popular
5 Vila Niko Dhermi Upper Village, Dhermi $130–190/night 8.5/10 Romantic Stay
6 Hotel Jale Beach Jale Bay, Jale $140–200/night 8/10 Family Friendly
7 Riviera Resort Dhermi Dhermi Beach, Dhermi $160–220/night 8.7/10 Top Rated
8 Hotel Borsh Beachfront, Borsh $175–230/night 8.2/10 Best Value
9 Lukova Resort and Spa Coastal Hillside, Lukova $260–380/night 9/10 Luxury Pick
10 Dhermi Luxury Villas Clifftop, Dhermi $320–500/night 9.2/10 Romantic Stay

Why These Hotels Made Our List

Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.

Hotel Himara hotel interior
#1

Hotel Himara

Town Center, Himara $45–75/night 7.2/10

A simple, no-frills option right in the center of Himara town, walking distance from the main square and local restaurants. Rooms are basic but clean, with decent beds and functional bathrooms. The staff is friendly and can help arrange day trips along the Riviera. Breakfast is included and covers the essentials. Good choice if you just need a clean base without spending much.

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Guesthouse Rapo hotel interior
#2

Guesthouse Rapo

Village Center, Palasa $55–85/night 7.8/10

This small family-run guesthouse sits in the quiet village of Palasa, a short drive north of Himara town on the coastal road. Rooms are modest but spotless, and the hosts cook traditional Albanian meals on request using local ingredients. The sea views from the terrace are genuinely impressive and largely crowd-free. It lacks the amenities of bigger hotels but makes up for it with character and calm. Great for travelers who want to escape the busier stretches of the Riviera.

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Hotel Porto Palermo hotel interior
#3

Hotel Porto Palermo

Bayfront, Porto Palermo $105–155/night 8.1/10

Positioned right on the bay near the historic Porto Palermo castle, this hotel offers some of the most striking water views along the Albanian Riviera. The rooms are mid-sized with comfortable furnishings and most have private balconies facing the bay. The restaurant serves fresh seafood and local wines at reasonable prices. Getting here requires navigating a narrow coastal road, so a rental car is almost essential. The castle and the swimming coves are both reachable on foot.

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Hotel Riviera Himara hotel interior
#4

Hotel Riviera Himara

Himara Beach, Himara $120–180/night 8.3/10

This hotel sits directly on Himara beach, making it one of the most convenient options for beach-focused travelers in the area. The rooms are modern and well-maintained, with sea-facing balconies on the upper floors offering great sunset views. There is a small pool, a beach bar, and sunbed service included in the rate. The breakfast spread is solid and the staff speaks good English. Book early for summer months as it fills up fast.

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Vila Niko Dhermi hotel interior
#5

Vila Niko Dhermi

Upper Village, Dhermi $130–190/night 8.5/10

Vila Niko is located in the hillside village of Dhermi, above the beach with sweeping views of the Ionian Sea and the coastal cliffs. The property has a handful of individually decorated rooms with stone walls and handmade furniture. The garden terrace is the best spot on the property, especially at dusk. The beach is a 15-minute walk downhill, which can feel steep on the return. Excellent for couples looking for something quieter and more atmospheric.

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Hotel Jale Beach hotel interior
#6

Hotel Jale Beach

Jale Bay, Jale $140–200/night 8/10

Set back slightly from the sandy beach at Jale Bay, this hotel is a solid choice for families traveling with kids. The beach here is calmer and less crowded than Dhermi or Himara town, and the shallow water near the shore is safe for young children. Rooms are spacious with enough storage for a family's gear. The on-site restaurant serves dependable Albanian and Mediterranean dishes. It can feel a bit isolated if you want nightlife or shopping nearby.

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Riviera Resort Dhermi hotel interior
#7

Riviera Resort Dhermi

Dhermi Beach, Dhermi $160–220/night 8.7/10

One of the better-run properties on the Albanian Riviera, this resort sits just above Dhermi beach and offers well-appointed rooms with modern bathrooms and consistent air conditioning. The infinity pool overlooks the sea and is the highlight of the property. Service is notably more professional here than at comparable options in the area. The beach clubs below can get loud in the evening during peak season, which may bother light sleepers. Overall one of the top choices in the Himara region for comfort and reliability.

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Hotel Borsh hotel interior
#8

Hotel Borsh

Beachfront, Borsh $175–230/night 8.2/10

Borsh has one of the longest beaches in Albania and this hotel sits right on it, with direct access to the pebble and sand shoreline. The rooms are large by local standards, with updated fixtures and good air conditioning. The beach here stays less crowded than Dhermi even in July and August, which is a real advantage. The hotel restaurant is one of the better ones in this stretch of coast, with fresh fish delivered daily. The village of Borsh itself has a castle worth visiting a short walk uphill.

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Lukova Resort and Spa hotel interior
#9

Lukova Resort and Spa

Coastal Hillside, Lukova $260–380/night 9/10

Lukova Resort sits on the southern end of the Himara coast, perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the sea toward Greece. The property has a full spa, a large outdoor pool, and multiple dining options including a terrace restaurant with fresh Ionian seafood. Rooms are the most well-appointed in the region with high-quality linens, marble bathrooms, and large private terraces. It is the most polished hospitality experience you will find in this part of Albania. The drive from Himara town takes about 20 minutes along the coastal road.

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Dhermi Luxury Villas hotel interior
#10

Dhermi Luxury Villas

Clifftop, Dhermi $320–500/night 9.2/10

Perched on the cliffs above Dhermi beach, these private villas offer the most exclusive accommodation on the Albanian Riviera. Each villa has a private plunge pool, a fully equipped kitchen, and unobstructed sea views from floor-to-ceiling windows. The concierge service arranges boat trips, private dinners, and transfers from Tirana or Corfu. The design blends contemporary architecture with local stone and wood, giving it a feel that is upscale without being sterile. Minimum stays apply in July and August, and availability goes quickly.

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Where to Stay in Himara

The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.

Dhermi Beach vs. Himara Beach: Which should you base yourself?

Dhermi Beach is the better beach. Longer, cleaner, backed by a proper village with restaurants and bars on Rruga Dhermi, and the water stays clear even in peak season. Himara Beach is more convenient if you want town amenities, the promenade, and easier transport links without relying on a car.

Here's the honest tradeoff: Dhermi has no real town center at beach level, just clubs and a handful of restaurants. If you need a supermarket, a pharmacy, or a cash machine, you're driving or walking 15 minutes up to Dhermi Upper Village. Himara Town has all of that within 5 minutes walk from the beach. Pick Dhermi for the beach experience. Pick Himara Town for the practical base.

The Himara Riviera in peak season: What to actually expect

July and August turn the Albanian Riviera into a completely different place. Dhermi Beach clubs blast music from noon until well past midnight. The SH8 road through Himara becomes a slow crawl on weekends. Hotel prices jump by 30-50% compared to June, and anything decent sells out weeks ahead.

We've seen too many people book late and end up in overpriced rooms on the wrong side of the highway with no sea view and no air conditioning that actually works. Book Riviera Resort Dhermi or Hotel Borsh by early June if you want peak-season beachfront. Or come in September. The sea is still 25°C, the crowds are gone, and prices drop back to shoulder-season rates within days of the Albanian school year starting.

How to get around Himara without a car

It's doable but not seamless. Furgons run the Vlora-Saranda coastal route and stop at Himara Town Center, the Dhermi junction on the SH8, and Borsh village. Cost is $2-4 per segment depending on distance. They don't run to a fixed timetable but frequency is good in summer, roughly every 30-45 minutes in daylight hours.

Between Himara Town and Dhermi Beach, a taxi costs $8-12 one way. It's 15 km along the SH8 and takes about 20 minutes. There's no Uber here. Ask your hotel to call a trusted local driver. If you're based in Dhermi Upper Village, the walk down to the beach is 15 minutes but the return uphill in 35°C heat is unpleasant. Factor that in before you decide you don't need wheels.

Budget travel on the Himara Riviera: Where the money goes

You can do Himara on a tight budget if you stay at Hotel Himara in Town Center ($45-75/night) or Guesthouse Rapo in Palasa ($55-85/night) and eat at local konaks rather than beachfront restaurants. A meal of grilled fish and salad at a local konak in Himara Town runs $8-12 per person. The same meal at a Dhermi Beach club terrace is $25-35.

The real budget trap on this coast is renting sunbeds. Dhermi Beach clubs charge $8-15 per sunbed per day in peak season, every day. That adds up to $100+ per week before you've bought a single drink. Walk 10 minutes east along the beach past the main club stretch toward Drymades and you'll find free sand. We've seen this mistake hundreds of times.

Porto Palermo and Borsh: The underrated southern stretch

Most visitors tunnel straight to Dhermi and never get further south. That's their loss. Porto Palermo has Ali Pasha's Ottoman castle sitting on a peninsula in the middle of an almost perfectly enclosed bay, and the water is so clear you can see the bottom at 5 meters depth. Hotel Porto Palermo puts you 8 minutes walk from the castle along the bay path.

Borsh Beach runs 7 km with a fraction of Dhermi's crowds. The pomegranate orchards that line the road behind Hotel Borsh are genuinely unique to this stretch of coast. If you want Albanian Riviera beach quality without the beach-club scene, Borsh and Porto Palermo are the answer. Prices reflect the lower profile: Hotel Borsh at $175-230/night delivers beachfront value that would cost significantly more at Dhermi.

Lukova and the quiet southern end: Worth the extra distance?

Lukova is the final proper settlement before Saranda, sitting on a coastal hillside with views that make everything north look a bit ordinary. Lukova Resort and Spa is the only game in town here, and it operates with that knowledge. But at $260-380/night with a genuine spa and the best infinity pool view on the Riviera, it earns its position.

The isolation is real. You're 20 minutes by car from Saranda and 45 minutes from Dhermi Beach. There are no restaurants outside the resort worth mentioning, and the beach below requires a 15-minute drive down a rough access road. Come here if the entire point is to decompress and stay on-property. It's not the place to base yourself for exploring the coast.


Himara's best neighborhoods

Dhermi is where you should start looking. The beach is the best on this coast, the village has actual character, and the hotels range from smart boutiques to proper luxury villas. If Dhermi's full or over budget, Himara Town and Borsh are solid fallbacks.

Dhermi 3 vetted hotels

The best beach on the Riviera, with actual village character above it.

Dhermi splits into two distinct zones. Dhermi Beach at sea level is where the beach clubs, boat rentals, and most tourists spend their days. Dhermi Upper Village is 15 minutes uphill by foot or 5 minutes by car, with stone lanes, old olive trees, and a slower pace that the beach has completely lost.

Riviera Resort Dhermi sits right on Dhermi Beach and is the top-rated hotel on our entire Himara list. Vila Niko Dhermi in the Upper Village is the romantic counterpoint: views down to the sea, 8 rooms, and none of the club noise. Dhermi Luxury Villas on the Clifftop is the premium option, with private pools and 180-degree Ionian views.

Avoid the cluster of unlisted guesthouses directly behind the main beach club strip. They're noisy until 4 a.m. and not worth saving $20/night. The Gjipe Canyon trailhead is 6 km east of Dhermi, and most hotels here can arrange transport.

Best areas Dhermi Beach, Dhermi Upper Village, Dhermi Clifftop
Price range $130-500/night
Best for Beach lovers, couples, luxury travelers
Avoid Rooms behind the beach club strip (noise until 4 a.m.)
Best months June, September
Himara Town & Himara Beach 2 vetted hotels

The practical hub of the Riviera with a proper beach and real town life.

Himara Town is the only place on this stretch of coast where you can walk to a supermarket, a pharmacy, and a decent restaurant without getting in a car. The promenade runs along Himara Beach and the Old Town quarter above it has a few tavernas and a castle ruin worth the 10-minute walk up.

Hotel Riviera Himara on Himara Beach is the most popular hotel on our list for good reason: you're 2 minutes from the water and 5 minutes walk from everything in town on Rruga Himara. Hotel Himara in Town Center is the budget anchor at $45-75/night. It's basic but genuinely clean and well-located.

The busiest stretch of the promenade near the main beach bar cluster gets loud on summer nights. Rooms facing inland at Hotel Himara are quieter but give up the sea view. Livadhi Beach, 3 km south of the town center, is quieter than the main Himara Beach and worth the 15-minute walk.

Best areas Himara Beach, Himara Old Town, Livadhi Beach
Price range $45-180/night
Best for First-timers, families, budget travelers
Avoid Inland-facing budget rooms near the SH8 highway
Best months June, July, September
Porto Palermo & Borsh 2 vetted hotels

Ottoman history and Albania's longest beach, without the crowds.

Porto Palermo is defined by the castle. Ali Pasha of Ioannina built it on a peninsula in the early 19th century and it sits in a nearly enclosed bay that turns the water an impossible shade of turquoise. Hotel Porto Palermo is 8 minutes walk from the castle along the bay path and the setting justifies the $105-155/night price tag on its own.

Borsh Beach stretches 7 km, backed by pomegranate orchards and the Ceraunian Mountains. Hotel Borsh is on the beachfront and earns its Best Value badge: $175-230/night for a beachfront position that would cost $280+ at Dhermi. The village of Borsh itself is 5 minutes walk inland and has a handful of local restaurants that serve better food than the hotel.

Both Porto Palermo and Borsh require a car or taxi for getting around. Furgons stop on the SH8 but the bay and beach areas are 2-3 km off the main road. Factor in a taxi budget of $15-25/day if you're not renting a vehicle.

Best areas Porto Palermo Bayfront, Borsh Beachfront
Price range $105-230/night
Best for History, beach, value seekers
Avoid Coming without a car: both areas are off the main SH8
Best months May, June, September
Palasa & Jale 2 vetted hotels

Two bays for people who want the Riviera without the noise.

Palasa is the quietest bay north of Himara Town. The village sits above a pebble beach that rarely fills up even in August. Guesthouse Rapo in Palasa Village Center is $55-85/night and one of the best-value sleeps on the entire coast. The owner knows every trail in the Ceraunian Mountains behind the village.

Jale Bay is sheltered and shallow, which makes Hotel Jale Beach the best family option on our list. The bay curves around in a way that keeps the water calm, and at 3 minutes walk from the main Jale Beach strip you're never fighting for space. The beach bar scene here is low-key compared to Dhermi.

Both Palasa and Jale are village-scale, so don't expect a restaurant scene. Palasa has 2-3 basic konaks near the beach. Jale has a handful of tavernas along the bay road. Bring what you need from Himara Town before you arrive, especially for self-catering.

Best areas Palasa Bay, Jale Bay
Price range $55-200/night
Best for Families, budget travelers, hikers
Avoid Expecting town amenities: both are small villages
Best months June, July, August, September
Lukova 1 vetted hotel

The Riviera's quietest end, built for switching off completely.

Lukova Coastal Hillside is 20 km south of Himara Town and 20 minutes north of Saranda. It's the least visited stretch of the Albanian Riviera and Lukova Resort and Spa is the main reason anyone makes the trip. At $260-380/night it's the luxury anchor for anyone who wants to be properly remote.

The resort sits on a hillside with views across the Ionian toward Corfu, which is visible on clear days from the infinity pool terrace. The spa is the real draw after Dhermi's beach clubs start to feel like too much. Everything is on-property because there's nowhere else to go.

Day trips to Saranda take 20 minutes by car and give you access to Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO site worth half a day. But be honest with yourself: if you're paying $260-380/night at Lukova, you're here to stay put.

Best areas Lukova Coastal Hillside
Price range $260-380/night
Best for Luxury travelers, couples, spa seekers
Avoid Staying if you need nightlife or restaurant variety
Best months May, June, September, October

Best Areas by Vibe

Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Himara.

Romantic

Dhermi Clifftop is the call. Private villa pools, stone-lane walks down to the beach, and sunsets over the Ionian that make everywhere else feel ordinary. Dhermi Luxury Villas and Vila Niko Dhermi both deliver this without the Santorini price tag.

Culture

Porto Palermo Bayfront puts you 8 minutes walk from Ali Pasha's Ottoman castle, one of the best-preserved fortifications in southern Albania. Himara Old Town is 10 minutes on foot from Himara Beach and has a castle ruin with sweeping coastal views.

Family

Jale Bay is the answer. The water is calm and shallow, the beach club scene is low-key, and Hotel Jale Beach has proper family rooms that sleep four. It's 3 minutes walk from the main Jale Beach strip, where the vibe is relaxed enough that you're not navigating a crowd.

Budget

Himara Town Center and Palasa Village are where the honest value lives. Hotel Himara starts at $45/night and Guesthouse Rapo at $55/night, both within 10 minutes walk of good beaches and without the inflated prices you hit the moment you mention Dhermi.

Beach

Dhermi Beach is the best on this coast, full stop. Riviera Resort Dhermi puts you 2 minutes from the water with direct beach access. Borsh Beach runs 7 km with far fewer people if you want space rather than scene.

Foodie

Himara Town Center and Dhermi Upper Village are where you eat well. The restaurants on Rruga Dhermi in the upper village serve grilled octopus, fresh sea bream, and byrek that beats any hotel breakfast on this list. Budget $10-18 per person for a proper meal.


40%

Location Quality

Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.

30%

Value for Money

We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.

30%

Guest Experience

We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.


When to Visit Himara

When to visit Himara and what to pay.

Peak

Summer (July-August)

Avg hotel: $140-380/nightCrowds: HighTemp: 28-35°C

This is when the Albanian Riviera goes full throttle. Dhermi Beach clubs are packed by 11 a.m. and the SH8 road crawls on Friday evenings. Prices jump 30-50% above shoulder season across all hotels. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for anything decent on Dhermi Beach or Himara Beachfront, or you'll be choosing between whatever's left.

Warming Up

Spring (April-May)

Avg hotel: $55-160/nightCrowds: LowTemp: 15-22°C

Spring is for hikers and people who genuinely enjoy having a coast to themselves. The Ceraunian Mountain trails above Palasa and Dhermi are at their best in May when the wildflowers are out. Water temperature is 18-20°C, which is cold for swimming but fine for a dip. Most beach clubs are closed until June, so the beach itself is cleaner and quieter than any other time of year.

Budget Friendly

Autumn-Winter (October-March)

Avg hotel: $45-120/nightCrowds: LowTemp: 8-18°C

Most hotels close between November and March, including Riviera Resort Dhermi and Hotel Jale Beach. The ones that stay open, mainly Hotel Himara in Town Center and Guesthouse Rapo in Palasa, drop to their lowest rates: $45-85/night. October is actually pleasant with temperatures around 18-22°C, but don't count on beach weather. Come for the mountains and the empty coastal roads instead.


Booking Tips for Himara

Insider tips for booking hotels in Himara.

Book Dhermi Beach hotels by early June for July

Riviera Resort Dhermi and Hotel Riviera Himara both sell their peak July rooms 6-8 weeks out. By mid-June, the good sea-facing rooms at $160-180/night are gone and you're left with road-side rooms or paying $220+ for upgraded availability. Set a calendar reminder for June 1 if July is your target window.

Always ask for the sea-facing room specifically

This matters more in Himara than almost anywhere. Several hotels on the SH8 coastal road have rooms facing a car park or the highway on one side and the sea on the other. Hotel Riviera Himara and Hotel Borsh both have this layout. When you book, state explicitly that you want a sea-facing room on floors 3 or above. Don't assume the booking platform has flagged it.

The furgon system is cheaper than it looks

The shared minivans running the Vlora-Saranda route on the SH8 charge $2-4 per segment and pick up anywhere along the road. Flag one down outside your hotel, tell the driver your destination, and pay in cash when you arrive. There's no app, no schedule, and no ticket. Between Himara Town and the Dhermi junction it's about $3 and 20 minutes.

Eat up in Dhermi Upper Village, not on the beach

The restaurants on Rruga Dhermi in the upper village are better and cheaper than the beachfront options below. A grilled fish meal with salad and a beer runs $10-14 per person up top. The same meal at a Dhermi Beach club terrace is $28-35. It's a 15-minute walk uphill or a $5 taxi. The food is genuinely better up there too.

Porto Palermo requires a car or pre-arranged taxi

Hotel Porto Palermo is 3 km off the SH8 down a narrow access road. The furgon drops you on the main road and you're stranded without wheels. If you're staying here without a rental car, ask the hotel to arrange a driver in advance. The bay is isolated enough that turning up and hoping to find a taxi is a bad plan, especially after dark.

Lukova is 20 minutes from Butrint, not 2 hours from everything

People write off Lukova Resort as too remote, but Butrint Archaeological Park (UNESCO site) is 20 minutes south by car and Saranda's restaurants and bars are the same distance. If you're based at Lukova for 5 nights, a day trip to Butrint and an evening in Saranda is easy. The resort's isolation is a feature for the property itself, not a sentence on your whole holiday.


5 regions covered
8,000+ options reviewed
10 vetted picks
0 paid placements

Hotels in Himara — FAQ

Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Himara.

Which area of Himara is best for first-time visitors?

Start with Dhermi Beach or Himara Beach. Dhermi has the best sand and a proper village behind it with restaurants on Rruga Dhermi, while Himara Town gives you more amenities and easier access to the promenade. Both areas have hotels from $120/night upward. If it's your first time and you want to understand the Riviera quickly, Himara Beach is the more central base.

How far is Himara from Saranda and Vlora?

Himara Town is roughly 90 minutes south of Vlora on the SH8 coastal road and about 50 minutes north of Saranda. The road twists through the mountains, so don't expect to average more than 40 km/h. Buses run the Vlora-Saranda route and stop in Himara Town Center for around $3-5 per leg.

When is the best time to book hotels in Himara?

June and September are the sweet spot. July and August are brutal for prices and availability, especially along Dhermi Beach where hotels sell out 8-10 weeks in advance. In June, you'll pay $100-160/night for the same rooms that hit $200+ in peak July. September keeps the warm water but drops the crowds by around 40%.

Is it worth paying more for a beachfront hotel in Himara?

At Dhermi Beach and Borsh Beachfront, yes. The difference between waking up 2 minutes from the water versus a 15-minute walk downhill from Dhermi Upper Village genuinely changes the holiday. At Jale Bay, even the non-beachfront options are close enough that the premium matters less. Budget an extra $40-60/night for true beachfront and it's almost always worth it.

What's the cheapest decent hotel in Himara?

Hotel Himara in Town Center comes in at $45-75/night and it's clean and honest. Guesthouse Rapo in Palasa Village is $55-85/night and actually has more character. Both are legitimate choices if you're keeping costs low and plan to spend your days outside anyway. Don't go cheaper than these two or you're gambling on places we wouldn't vouch for.

Are there luxury hotels in Himara worth the price?

Lukova Resort and Spa at $260-380/night and Dhermi Luxury Villas at $320-500/night are both genuinely worth it. Lukova has the best spa and sea views on the coast, and the Dhermi Clifftop villas offer full privacy with private pools. These aren't inflated prices for Albanian luxury marketing. They'd hold their own against comparable hotels in Montenegro or the Greek islands.

Which hotels in Himara are best for families?

Hotel Jale Beach at Jale Bay is the strongest family option, with proper family rooms and calm, shallow swimming right outside. Jale Bay is sheltered enough that kids can be in the water most of the day without worry. Hotel Riviera Himara on Himara Beach is also solid for families, with easier access to the town center just 5 minutes walk up Rruga Himara.

Do hotels in Himara include breakfast?

Most mid-range and above properties include breakfast or offer it for $8-12 extra. The budget options, like Hotel Himara in Town Center, are better skipped for breakfast. Walk to the bakeries on Rruga Skënderbej in Himara Town instead, where you'll eat better for under $3. Riviera Resort Dhermi includes a proper buffet in peak season rates.

Is Himara safe for tourists?

Yes, and overwhelmingly so. Himara is one of the more relaxed parts of Albania for visitors, with a Greek-Albanian community that's used to tourism on the coast. The main thing to watch is the road from Vlora south through the Llogara Pass: it's narrow and requires real concentration, especially after dark. Stick to daylight driving and you'll have no issues.

What transport is available around Himara?

Shared furgons (minivans) run the coastal route from Vlora to Saranda and stop at Himara Town Center, Dhermi junction, and Borsh for $2-4 per segment. Taxis between Himara Town and Dhermi Beach run about $8-12. There's no formal bus station in Himara; furgons pick up on the main SH8 road, so just flag them down by the roadside or ask your hotel to call one.

Which hotel has the best sea views in Himara?

Dhermi Luxury Villas on the Dhermi Clifftop wins this outright. You're elevated above everything with a 180-degree Ionian panorama and private pools with no obstructions. Lukova Resort on the Coastal Hillside is a close second, especially from the infinity pool terrace. Both properties consistently come up when guests talk about the view as the reason they booked.

Are there any areas or hotels in Himara to avoid?

Avoid budget options on the inland side of the SH8 in Himara Town that advertise sea views but are actually separated from the coast by the highway and 10 minutes of scrubland. Porto Palermo itself is beautiful but isolated: there's no food scene beyond the hotel itself, so it works only if you have a car. And skip any unlisted guesthouses near the Dhermi Beach club strip unless you enjoy noise until 4 a.m.