Radhimë Beach
A calm pebbly bay on the road south from Vlorë, popular with families and small resorts.
Overview
A calm pebbly bay on the road south from Vlorë, popular with families and small resorts.
Local tips for Radhimë Beach
Radhimë is the calm pebble bay roughly 30 minutes south of Vlorë on the road to the Albanian Riviera. The water is unusually clear for this stretch of coast, the shore shelves gently over smooth pebbles, and a handful of small beach clubs and family resorts sit right behind the sand — it is the easiest quiet swim stop between Vlorë and Dhërmi.
How to get there
By car it is about 30 minutes (25 km) south of Vlorë on the SH8 towards Llogara and Dhërmi — the beach is signposted on the right just past the village of Radhimë. From Tirana it is roughly 2.5 hours. Without a car, take a Vlorë–Himarë or Vlorë–Sarandë furgon and ask to be dropped at Radhimë (about 300–400 lek from Vlorë), then walk 5–10 minutes down to the shore. A taxi from Vlorë runs around 20–25 EUR one way.
Pebbles, water and swimming conditions
Radhimë is a pebble beach, not sand — bring water shoes, as the stones continue into the water. The payoff is clarity: with no fine sand to stir up, the sea stays visibly clearer than at the sandy beaches north of Vlorë. The shelf is gentle, so the water stays waist-deep for some distance, and there are no rocks or currents in the swimming zone. Sea temperatures run about 21°C in June and 26–28°C in August.
Sunbeds, parking and typical costs
Two sunbeds with an umbrella cost roughly 500–1,000 lek (5–10 EUR) per day at the beach clubs, often waived if you order lunch. Parking at the clubs is free for guests; roadside parking above the bay is free but limited in August. A grilled fish lunch with salad and drinks runs 1,200–2,000 lek per person. Bring cash — most clubs here still do not take cards.
Where to put your towel
The central cove holds the three or four beach clubs and most of the crowd. Walk a few minutes north or south along the pebble shore and you reach quieter public stretches with no facilities — bring your own umbrella and water, as there is no natural shade outside the club zones. The southern end, towards the small marina, is the calmest and least crowded.
Beach clubs and where to eat
The seasonal clubs behind the shore grill sea bass, sea bream and octopus over charcoal — expect 1,000–1,800 lek per person for fish, salad and a drink. A few have simple wooden jetties and rent paddle boards and kayaks (around 500–1,000 lek per hour). For cheaper eating, the village tavernas on the SH8 above the bay serve byrek, qofte and tavë kosi for 400–700 lek. Vlorë's seafront restaurants are 30 minutes back north.
Where to stay
Radhimë has a small cluster of family-run resorts and apartment blocks right behind the beach, typically 30–60 EUR a night in July and August and under 30 EUR in June and September. Most have their own beach section, sunbeds and a kitchen — book July and August a few weeks ahead, as there are only a handful of places. For more choice, base yourself in Vlorë and day-trip down, or continue south to Dhërmi and Himarë on the Riviera.
Best time of day and season
June and September are the sweet spot: warm water, open clubs and almost nobody on the pebbles midweek. In July and August arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00 — the small car park fills by midday and the SH8 backs up on weekends as Riviera traffic passes through. Mornings give the calmest, clearest water; an afternoon sea breeze can ripple the surface but rarely stirs the stones.
What it is best for (and what it is not)
Radhimë is best as a quiet, affordable swim stop between Vlorë and the Riviera, or a low-key family base away from the hotel towers of Vlorë. It is not a nightlife beach, and there are no ruins, viewpoints or major sights on the shore itself. Pair it with Llogara Pass (25 minutes south) for the panoramic drive, or with Vlorë's promenade and Independence Square for an evening out.
Honest caveats
The pebble shore is harder on bare feet than the sandy beaches north of Vlorë — water shoes make a big difference. There is little natural shade, so a rented umbrella or an early-morning slot is the practical move in midsummer. The bay is small, so on August weekends the central club zone can feel full even though the outer pebbles stay empty. Facilities are basic; do not expect the range of restaurants you get in Vlorë or Dhërmi.
Prices, transport and facilities checked for the 2026 season.
History & Heritage
The coast at Radhimë Beach has been used for fishing and small-scale trade for centuries, and the concrete bunkers scattered along this part of Vlorë are a reminder of the isolationist decades before 1991. Tourism development here is almost entirely post-2000.
Things To Do
Travel Information
By road
By bus / furgon
By air
Driving times from major cities
Drive times vary with traffic; allow 1 h per 70 km on highway, 1 h per 45 km on mountain roads.
Best Time To Visit
May – early October for beach season; June and September for warm seas without summer crowds.
Spring (Mar–May)
Wildflowers bloom, days warm up and crowds are thin — ideal for walking tours, archaeology and food markets.
Avg 20° / 11°C
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Long sunny days, festivals and full beach season. Start sightseeing early to beat the heat.
Avg 31° / 21°C
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm seas through September, harvest season inland and golden light for photography.
Avg 23° / 14°C
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Quiet streets, cosy cafés, snow in the mountains and the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Avg 13° / 6°C
Weather & Climate
Radhimë Beach weather right now
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 5°C | 135 mm | 14°C |
| Feb | 13°C | 6°C | 120 mm | 14°C |
| Mar | 16°C | 8°C | 110 mm | 14°C |
| Apr | 19°C | 11°C | 90 mm | 16°C |
| May | 24°C | 15°C | 65 mm | 19°C |
| Jun | 29°C | 19°C | 35 mm | 23°C |
| Jul | 32°C | 22°C | 15 mm | 25°C |
| Aug | 32°C | 22°C | 25 mm | 26°C |
| Sep | 28°C | 18°C | 65 mm | 24°C |
| Oct | 23°C | 14°C | 130 mm | 21°C |
| Nov | 18°C | 11°C | 175 mm | 18°C |
| Dec | 14°C | 7°C | 165 mm | 16°C |
Local Culture
Hospitality (besa), strong coffee culture and live music shape daily life in Radhimë Beach. Look for seasonal festivals celebrating wine, olive oil, polyphonic singing and local saints' days — they are the best way to meet residents and taste home cooking.
Seasonal Highlights
Spring (Mar–May)
Wildflowers bloom, days warm up and crowds are thin — ideal for walking tours, archaeology and food markets.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Long sunny days, festivals and full beach season. Start sightseeing early to beat the heat.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm seas through September, harvest season inland and golden light for photography.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Quiet streets, cosy cafés, snow in the mountains and the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Radhimë Beach worth visiting?
Verdict: yes, if you want a quiet, clear-water swim stop between Vlorë and the Riviera. Radhimë Beach is a small pebble bay about 30 minutes south of Vlorë with unusually clear water for this coast, a few family-run beach clubs and gentle shelving that is safe for children. Choose Vlorë's sandy city beach for convenience and nightlife, or continue to Dhërmi for dramatic coves — Radhimë Beach is best for a calm day or a low-key base.
Is Radhimë Beach a sandy or pebble beach?
Radhimë Beach is a pebble beach, not sand. The smooth stones continue into the water, which is why the sea stays so clear — there is no fine sand to stir up. Bring water shoes, as the pebbles are hard on bare feet, especially getting in and out of the water.
How do I get to Radhimë Beach from Vlorë?
It is about 25 km and 30 minutes south of Vlorë on the SH8 towards Llogara and Dhërmi — the beach is signposted just past Radhimë village. Without a car, take a Vlorë–Himarë or Vlorë–Sarandë furgon and ask to be dropped at Radhimë (about 300–400 lek). A taxi from Vlorë runs around 20–25 EUR one way.
How much do sunbeds and parking cost at Radhimë Beach?
Two sunbeds with an umbrella cost roughly 500–1,000 lek (5–10 EUR) per day at the beach clubs, often waived if you order lunch. Parking at the clubs is free for guests; roadside parking above the bay is free but limited in August. Lunch with fish, salad and drinks runs about 1,200–2,000 lek per person. Bring cash — most clubs here still do not take cards.
Is Radhimë Beach good for families with children?
Yes for swimming: the seabed shelves gently and stays waist-deep for some distance, with no rocks or sudden drop-offs in the swimming zone. The trade-off is the pebbles — water shoes help small children get in and out. Set up at one of the central beach clubs for toilets, showers and shade rather than the empty outer stretches.
When is the best time to visit Radhimë Beach?
June and September: warm water, open clubs and almost no crowds midweek. In July and August arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00, as the small car park fills by midday and the SH8 backs up on weekends with Riviera traffic. Mornings give the calmest, clearest water.
Are there restaurants and facilities at Radhimë Beach?
A handful of seasonal beach clubs behind the shore grill sea bass, sea bream and octopus (around 1,000–1,800 lek per person) and provide toilets, showers and sunbeds. There are no supermarkets on the sand — buy water, snacks and sunscreen in Vlorë or Radhimë village on the way, and bring cash.
Where should I stay at Radhimë Beach?
Radhimë Beach has a small cluster of family-run resorts and apartment blocks right behind the beach, typically 30–60 EUR a night in peak season and under 30 EUR in June and September. Most have their own beach section and sunbeds. There are only a few places, so book July and August a few weeks ahead. For more choice, base yourself in Vlorë and day-trip down.
How does Radhimë Beach compare to Vlorë city beach?
Vlorë's city beach is sandy, long, busy and right on the promenade with hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Radhimë Beach is a smaller pebble bay 30 minutes south: quieter, with clearer water and far fewer people, but fewer restaurants and no promenade. Pick Vlorë for convenience and evenings out, Radhimë Beach for a peaceful swim and clearer sea.
What else is there to do near Radhimë Beach?
The Llogara Pass — one of Albania's most scenic drives — is about 25 minutes further south, with viewpoints over the Riviera. Vlorë's Independence Square, promenade and Kaninë Castle are 30 minutes back north, and the drive continues to Dhërmi, Himarë and the rest of the Riviera. Radhimë Beach itself is a swim-and-relax stop rather than a sightseeing destination.
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