The Albanian Riviera Without a Car: Vlorë, Himarë, Sarandë and Ksamil
The Albanian Riviera, the coast from Vlorë down to Sarandë and Ksamil, has some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. You don't need a car to enjoy it. In summer, buses connect most of the coast, and shared rides cover the long trip from Kosovo.
Getting there
| Route | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Tirana → Vlorë (bus) | about 2 h 30 min |
| Tirana → Sarandë (bus, inland road) | about 4 h 30 min – 5 h |
| Tirana → Himarë (bus, coastal road) | about 5 – 6 h |
| Sarandë → Ksamil (local bus) | about 20–30 min |
| Prishtina → Vlorë (car) | about 6 h |
| Prishtina → Sarandë (car) | about 8 h |
Approximate times. In July and August traffic on the coast road can add a lot, and bus schedules change with the season, so confirm them locally.
From Tirana by bus
Coaches to Vlorë and Sarandë leave from Tirana's southern bus departure point several times a day in summer. There's no direct bus from Tirana Airport, so go into the city first. For Himarë and the beaches in between (Dhërmi, Jalë), take a bus along the coastal road or get off a Sarandë bus that goes that way. For Ksamil, go to Sarandë and take the local bus south, about 14 km.
From Kosovo
- By bus: go to Tirana first (see Prishtina to Tirana) and continue south. In summer, some operators also run direct buses from Kosovo to the coast.
- By shared ride: in summer many people drive from Kosovo to the sea. On RruGO, search Prishtinë → Vlorë, Prishtinë → Sarandë or from your town. It's a long day, so a ride that takes you straight there saves the change in Tirana.
- Driving yourself? Post your trip and share the cost of fuel and tolls with passengers.
Getting around the coast
- Sarandë ↔ Ksamil: frequent local buses in summer, and also the way to Butrint.
- Between the beach villages: buses on the coastal road pick up and drop off along the way. Wave them down.
- Off-season: from October to May, buses are much less frequent and many places close.
Tips
- Carry lek. Euros are widely accepted on the coast, but buses and small shops prefer lek.
- Travel early in the day. It's cooler, and buses are less full.
- Coming from Corfu? Ferries run between Corfu and Sarandë in season.
- Closer beaches from Kosovo: see Kosovo to the Albanian coast for Shëngjin and Durrës.
Buses and rides, in one app
Check bus times, compare shared rides and book a seat with verified drivers across Kosovo. Free, in English, no commission.