The most beautiful drive from Tirana Airport to Himare (and back)
Landing at Tirana (TIA) and heading for the Albanian Riviera? This coastal drive to Himare runs along the bay of Vlore, then climbs the spectacular Llogara pass at over a thousand metres and descends with hairpins to the Ionian coast, past the beach of Dhermi. One of the finest coast roads in the Mediterranean.
Not the fastest route, the most beautiful one. All the stops are already in it.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Aggbel (CC BY-SA 3.0), Karelj (CC BY-SA 4.0), Albinfo (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Over the Llogara pass to the Ionian coast
The Albanian Riviera is the Ionian coastal strip in the south of the country, with clear sea, pebble beaches and white villages against the mountains. Himare is one of its nicest bases. The road there is the experience: first the bay of Vlore, then the climb over the Llogara pass at over a thousand metres, where the forest suddenly gives way to a wide view over the coast, and the descent with hairpins past Dhermi to Himare.
It is a fly-drive route: you land at Tirana and drive to the beach in half a day. We write out both directions separately; you open the whole route with every stop in Google Maps or download the GPX. Read the practical tips on the Llogara pass and the summer crowds.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Key facts for this route
| Distance (scenic route) | approx. 200 km, from the airport via Vlore and the Llogara pass to Himare |
|---|---|
| Pure driving time | approx. 3.5 h without stops; with the stops and the views a full day |
| Day length with stops | 7 to 9 hours with the stops; Himare is worth a multi-day base |
| Motorway share | approx. 50%, fast road to Vlore; then the winding SH8 coast road |
| Tolls and vignettes | no tolls on this route; Albania has no vignette |
| Fuel (estimate) | approx. 15 litres; fill up in Vlore before the Llogara pass and the coast |
| Countries and border crossings | 1 country (Albania), no border crossing |
| Road type | motorway to Vlore, then the SH8: paved but mountainous and winding, with the Llogara pass (over 1000 m) and the coast road |
| Suitable for | any rental car; the Llogara pass is paved and drives well, but take the bends calmly |
The SH8 coast road over the Llogara pass is paved and drives well (checked July 2026), but winding and busy in summer. Distance and driving time are indicative estimates and are measured in the build; check the current situation shortly before you leave.
Always check road signs, current closures and local rules along the way.
Who is this route for
For anyone landing at Tirana who wants the beach but not at the cost of the beautiful road to it: lovers of coast roads, sun and sea. The Llogara pass makes it a real driving experience. It is not a route for those uneasy about mountain roads, and in high summer it is busy; outside July and August you drive most calmly. Take your time at the viewpoints on the pass.
From Tirana Airport to Himare
Pick up your car at Tirana Airport and drive south across the plain to Vlore, the port city where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. Fill up here. The road then climbs into the Ceraunian mountains to the Llogara pass at over a thousand metres: at the top the view over the whole Riviera opens up. The descent with hairpins takes you past Dhermi, with its long pebble beach, and on along the coast to Himare.
Drive the pass and the coast road in daylight and take the bends calmly. In July and August the narrow coast road is busy; start early and use the pull-outs.
From Himare to Tirana Airport
Back on the day of your flight, time matters. Leave in good time, because the coast road and the Llogara pass are slow. Drive the SH8 calmly back over the pass to Vlore, fill up there if needed, and take the fast road to Tirana Airport from Vlore. Allow at least 3.5 hours plus your stops, and more in the busy season.
Mind the rental car return time and fill up near Tirana, as most providers want the car returned full.
The fastest route or the most beautiful route
There is no fast road to Himare that avoids the Llogara pass: the SH8 coast road is the only link and it is mountainous by nature. At most you keep the Vlore stop short and drive on. The pass itself belongs to the route; take your time and drive in daylight.
The 3 stops along the route
1. Vlore
Vlore is the port city where the Adriatic sea gives way to the Ionian, with a long promenade and the bay around it. It is the last large town before the mountains and the coast, and a good place to fill up and eat before you tackle the Llogara pass.
Practical: park on the promenade for a short walk or lunch. Fill up here; this is the last large town before the coast road.
2. Llogara-pas
The Llogara pass sits at over a thousand metres, where the road climbs through pine forest and at the top suddenly looks out over the whole Albanian Riviera and the Ionian sea. It is the spectacular highlight of the route; there are viewpoints and cafes to stop and take in the coast.
Practical: stop at one of the viewpoints on the pass; it is cooler here than on the coast. Take the hairpins of the descent calmly.
3. Dhermi
Dhermi is one of the best-known villages on the Riviera, with a long pebble beach and clear water, and the old village higher up the mountain. It is a good place for a swim or a beach stop before you drive on to Himare.
Practical: the turn-off to the beach is steep; park at the beach or in the village. In summer it is busy, so come early.
Practical: the Llogara pass, season and crowds
The Llogara pass: the road is paved and drives well, but mountainous, with hairpins on the coast side. Take the bends calmly, drive in daylight and use the pull-outs. At the top of the pass it is noticeably cooler than on the coast.
Season: the Riviera is at its best from May to October. In July and August it is busy and hot, and the coast road fills up; outside those months you drive and park far more calmly.
Crowds and parking: in high season the narrow coast road and the beach turn-offs are busy. Start early, book your stay in Himare or Dhermi ahead, and park at the beach or in the village.
Vehicle: lovely in a convertible or on a motorbike; with a camper the Llogara pass is drivable but narrow and winding, so drive calmly and mind the crowds.
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Email this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful drive from Tirana Airport to Himare?
Via Vlore and the spectacular Llogara pass to the Albanian Riviera, past the beach of Dhermi to Himare. About 200 kilometres; allow around 3.5 hours for the bends and the views. You open it above with every stop in Google Maps.
How long is the drive from Tirana Airport to Himare?
Allow at least 3.5 hours of pure driving for about 200 kilometres: the Llogara pass and the SH8 coast road are slow. In July and August it is often longer due to the crowds.
Is the Llogara pass scary to drive?
The pass is paved and drives well, but it is a mountain road with hairpins on the coast side. Take the bends calmly, drive in daylight, and it is above all a beautiful driving experience with a wide view over the Riviera.
What is the best time to drive the Albanian Riviera?
From May to October, with the finest weather in June and September. In July and August it is busy and hot and the coast road fills up; outside those months you drive and park more calmly.
Can you reach Himare and drive the Llogara pass in an ordinary rental car?
Yes. The SH8 coast road and the Llogara pass are paved and drivable in any rental car; you just want to take the bends calmly. A convertible or motorbike makes the drive extra special.
Where can you fill up on the way to Himare?
Fill up in Vlore, the last large town before the Llogara pass and the coast. Stations are scarcer on the Riviera; start the coast road with a full tank.
Which beaches are on this route?
Dhermi is on the route with its long pebble beach; nearby lie Drymades, Gjipe and the coves around Himare. Some beach turn-offs are steep or unpaved, so park with care.
Can you drive on from Himare to Saranda or Ksamil?
Yes, Himare is a fine stop on the coast road south. From here you drive on along the Riviera to Saranda and Ksamil; that is a separate route we write out on its own.
Can you open the route in Google Maps?
Yes, free. Choose your direction above and the route opens in Google Maps with every stop already in it. There is also a GPX per direction for Garmin, Komoot or TomTom.
What we deliberately leave out
Saranda and the beach of Ksamil with its islets lie further south on the Riviera and deserve their own route; we stop at Himare. The Llogara national park with its walks is a fine extension for those who want to linger at the top of the pass, but needs extra time. And Tirana itself we leave out: that is a city visit in its own right.