Himare will be the place to surprise you. It is a small town, but it is large enough to offer you the sea and the mountain, the water sports and the hiking, the cheap hostels and the luxury hotels, the street fast food and the pricy restaurants, the calmness of the seaside and the noisy night life. You will have a lot to see and do there, so book your stay for a whole week, because Himare will not let you go easily.
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What is your holiday style: lux, comfort or free style? Either way, Himare offers all three.
Top 10 things to do in Himare in 2022 :
1. Learn more about the Castle of Himare
It is a monument of 3,500 years of human presence in the Himara region. In the Middle Ages, during the Byzantine times, there was a small but powerful fortress-town in this place of Barbaka. During the 6th century, the castle was repaired by Justinian, who ordered the reconstruction of the castle to be prepared from barbaric Slavic attacks.
In the Middle Ages this fortress played an important role in the successful resistance for five centuries against the Ottoman occupation, supported by Gjergj Arianiti and Gjergj Kastriot’s son, Gjoni.
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2. Visit the Monastery of Saint Mary
3. Himara Beaches
Livadhi Beach
Livadh beach is located less than 2 miles (3 km) north of Himara offering fantastic nature, crystal clear waters, tranquility and relaxation for families and camping space. On the beach you’ll find houses with plenty of rooms for rent, as well as small tavens to enjoy some delicious southern Albanian food. Bars and clubs for young people are located in the distance from the spaces of vacationers who just want peace.
Llaman Beach
Llaman beach is located about 5 minutes away from Himara and is the liveliest destination for young people even though it is a small bay. During the summer months Llamani is synonymous with the 24/7 party days (or nights).
Potami Beach
Potam beach is located in the south of Himara and is a very good alternative as it is close to the city center, and offers better and faster services for families both for accommodation and food. Potam beach is said to have once been a flowing river (potam in Greek), hence the area bears this name.
Filikur Beach
Filikur beach is a small bay surrounded by high cliffs. It is located between the beach of Potam and Llaman. It can be reached very easily by boat. Finally, on the southern beaches there are some small boats that serve for transportation for a fee. If you decide to go make sure you take enough food and water with you as you will not find shops on this beach.
4. Visit the Old town
Just above the main beach, you’ll find the Old Town. If you like walking, you’ll enjoy the workout, but if you’re not so bothered about exercise, it might be an idea to take a taxi as the walk is a little steep and will certainly make you sweat in the peak season sun! Here you’ll find old buildings, winding lanes, small shops, and coffee houses, as well as the beautiful Castle of Himare with its stunning view over the sea. History buffs will enjoy checking out the old churches and learning about this history of Albania.
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5. Take A Boat Trip
Being close to the sea means there are always going to be companies offering boat trips, and in this case, you should certainly take them up on their offer! Checking out Himare from the sea is a beautiful sight, and you’ll be able to visit some of the smaller coves that you can’t get to other than by boat. You’ll also be able to stop for snorkeling and swimming, visiting the underwater residents of this part of the Adriatic.
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6. Go For A Coastal Hike
Grab your comfortable shoes, hat, and some sunscreen, and head off to enjoy the coastal views on foot. You can walk over the cliffs and even head down to some slightly further afield beaches, including Livadhi Beach, which really does have a tropical vibe about it. Here we’re talking bright blue sea and white sand to die for. It takes just under an hour to hike at a regular pace from the town center to this beach, but it’s a fantastic walk, and you’ll be able to check out some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful views along the way.
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7. Try water sports and activities
What’s a vacation without the right dose of adrenaline? For the lovers of water sports and unforgetable experiences, Himare is the right place to be. You can try the banana boat, the jetski, kitesurfing, kayaking and other fun experiences. You will find infopints by the beach and get informed on the best time and days to try these sports.
8. Take a day trip to Porto Palermo
Just outside of Himara is an old triangular fortress that dates back to the days of Ali Pasha. It was built in the early 19th Century, however, in recent times this has been disputed due to its location and design. But, most can agree that the final form was built at this time.
Now, it’s considered a cultural monument and is the main attraction in the bay of Porto Palermo. The unique castle, which once doubled as a prison, has an eerie feel to it. The rooms are dark and cold, and share the same interior decoration style used throughout the Ottoman Empire during Ali Pasha’s rule.
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9. Have a romantic dinner by the beach
Once you have reached the city promenade, you can choose your favourite bar or restaurant to spend your evening. We would recommend you choose for at least one night the restaurants by the sea, set up right where the calm waves of the Ionian sea touch your feet. A dinner under starts is always something you don’t want to miss on your vacation.
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10. Try the Himare salad
While the seafood in Himara is a must, the dish I found stuck with me for weeks afterwards was the Himara Salad. It’s a simple mix of orange, olive, olive oil, onion, pepper, and salt. On a hot summer day, there is nothing quite as refreshing as the effortless native salad.
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