Qeparo beach and Himara from Saranda: half-day guided tour

Guided tour - discover Qeparo

Come and discover the beautiful Albanian Riviera. You will move along the Ionian coast, between Saranda and Vlora, stopping to visit Qeparo, the old village, before resting on its beaches. Our second stop is Himara, known for its large castle, a treasure trove of history and it provides a panoramic point of the surroundings.

Starting at 9 from Saranda to Himare, you will first stop at Qeparo in about one hour, ready for the guided tour. You will find yourselves located in the Vlore County, in what is called the Albanian Riviera, one of the most fascinating and enjoyable coastal areas. Here we see villages made of stone houses one after the other and all the roads will lead you to the sea. A coast made up of kilometers of white sandy beaches, where you can sunbathe comfortably or play sports. This village is Qeparo and it is located 40 kilometers north of Saranda.

Qeparo is a fraction of the municipality of Himara which has become famous over time thanks to the particular formation of the area. Here you will find many beaches and everyone can enjoy the sea! Your guided tour starts from the old town of Qeparo. Climbing along paths surrounded by ancient olive and lemon trees, you will reach the ancient center of the village. Qeparo developed around the Shen Dhimitri Monastery and the St. Spiridion Church. You will find yourselves on a small hill near the sea, which at its highest point reaches 400 meters above sea level. From here the view is truly exciting and, on days with particularly clear skies, it allows you to catch a glimpse of Italy too. In the old town, built over a thousand years ago, a few dozen people live here today and you can find many uninhabited houses. All around the hill there are the remains of five different megalithic walls. At the top of the hill, above the beach, the valley dominates the Qeparo Karos Castl, whose first construction dates back to prehistoric settlements in the area.

For the rest of the morning you will have some time to relax on the sea. A single strip of fine white sand and soft pebbles unite the entire coast of Qeparo, finally bringing some relief to all those who do not like rocks. Here you can lie in the sun and relax, because most of the beach is free. In a moment of hunger, you are spoiled for so many choices, given the numerous clubs (small restaurants, bars or taverns) that have remained family-run.

Himare Albania things to do - The charm of the Himara castle

You will set off on your journey north, passing the beaches of Porto Palermo, to reach the administrative center of the municipality of Himara. Passing through a region with mountainous environment and hills that plunge into the crystal clear sea, you will reach the ancient village, located in the northern part of the new city. Here stands the Himara Castle - Kalaja e Himares in Albanian language, a really well-preserved fortress made entirely of stone. You will be 270 m above sea level and from here you can have a unique view, an overview of the Albanian Ionian coast. The castle, whose construction dates back to the 5th century BC. by the Greek tribe called Caoni, it is a real stronghold that contains several treasures inside. There are monuments and churches, the ancient temple of Apollo and a Greek school. In addition, near the perimeter of the fortress, several paths take you between olive groves and citrus groves until you reach the sea.

•Due the moderate amount of walking to reach the main attraction sites could be better to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

•We suggest this tour to customers who are able to climb and descend streets and stairs.

•This tour is not suitable for customers in wheelchair. 

•In case of hot weather we suggest you to bring a cap with you.

•Reach the meeting point 15 minutes before the departure time.