Why You Should Add Dhërmi to Your Albanian Itinerary

As we wrap up our time in the Albanian Riviera, I wanted to write a general appreciation post for Dhërmi. When I was researching this trip, I heard a lot about Ksamil, but not as much about the many other villages along the coast. We chose to visit Dhërmi on a lark, and it has absolutely blown us away.

Part of what makes Dhërmi so special is its proximity to both mountain and ocean. You can be exploring rugged rocky terrain in the morning, and swimming in crystal blue water in the afternoon.

Dhërmi itself is just adorable. A cobblestone walkway follows the shoreline, perfect for wandering along as you choose your next restaurant or bar. Most establishments here have a laidback, beachy vibe. Lots of bamboo seating, warm, low lighting, and downtempo remix music. I’m all about it.

If you keep following the walkway past all the establishments, it turns into a boardwalk that eventually leads you to more secluded sections of the beach – definitely worth exploring.

At night, the beach bars light campfires that you can sit beside in beanbag chairs.

Dhërmi also has unbelievably beautiful sunsets.

One tip for visiting Dhërmi: it is a bit of an out of the way place without much public transit, so it’s worth having your own vehicle if you want to explore. This restaurant had great views for example, but I wouldn’t want to walk to it.

Also, as it is a beach town, it largely shuts down in the fall. We arrived in mid-September which is the tail end of the season, and several businesses have closed during our stay. For example, we spotted these kayaks on the first day of our visit. A few days later when we went to rent them, they had been put away until next summer. So, do consider the time of year if you plan a visit here.

Mirupafshim, Dhërmi. You were even more than I hoped for.