Quick Summary: Tirana to Himare is about 210 km and takes 3.5 to 4 hours by car, heading south through Vlore and over the Ceraunian Mountains by the Llogara Tunnel or the Llogara Pass. The bus is cheaper but takes 4 to 5 hours. A rental car is the easiest way to reach the beaches around Himare, most of which buses don't serve.
Himare (Himarë in Albanian, sometimes spelled Himara) sits halfway between Vlore and Saranda on the Albanian Riviera. It is quieter than Dhërmi, has a real town with year-round life, and makes a good base for the southern coast.
How Far Is Himare from Tirana?
Himare is about 210 km from Tirana by road. The drive takes around 3.5 hours through the Llogara Tunnel, or closer to 4 hours if you cross the mountains on the Llogara Pass. The first 150 km to Vlore is fast motorway. The last 60 km is a winding coastal road where you will average much lower speeds.
| Section | Distance | Drive time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirana to Vlore | ~150 km | 2–2.5 hrs | SH2, SH4, A2 |
| Vlore to Palasë (via tunnel) | ~35 km | ~40 min | SH8 |
| Vlore to Palasë (via pass) | ~40 km | ~1 hr 10 min | SH8 over Llogara |
| Palasë to Himare | ~25 km | ~35 min | SH8 coastal road |
| Tirana to Himare (total) | ~210 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
Bus, Taxi or Car: Best Way to Get from Tirana to Himare
The bus is the cheapest option but the slowest. A taxi is door to door but costs well over €100. A rental car takes the least time, costs less than a taxi for two or more people, and gives you transport once you arrive, which matters in Himare because the best beaches are spread along the coast.
| Option | Travel time | Cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 4–5 hours | €12–16 | Solo travellers on a budget |
| Taxi or private transfer | 3.5–4 hours | €130–185 | No driving, lots of luggage |
| Rental car | 3.5–4 hours | From €20–25/day plus €25–35 fuel | Couples, families, beach hopping |
Prices rise in July and August. Check them again close to your travel date.
By Bus
Buses from Tirana to Himare leave from the North–South Bus Terminal (Terminali Veri-Jug), with extra seasonal services in summer. Some operators now sell tickets online. Otherwise you pay cash on board. The trip runs via Vlore and usually stops several times, so budget 4 to 5 hours.
Once in Himare, you depend on local minibuses or taxis to reach beaches like Gjipe, Jalë or Porto Palermo, and services thin out outside peak season.
By Taxi or Private Transfer
A taxi or private transfer from Tirana to Himare costs roughly €130–185, depending on the company and whether you start in the city or at the airport. Agree the price in advance and confirm whether the ride is private or shared.
By Rental Car
With a car, the drive becomes part of the trip. You can stop at the Llogara viewpoints, swim in Dhërmi on the way, and reach the smaller beaches around Himare on your own schedule. For a single traveller the bus is cheaper. For two or more, one day of rental plus fuel costs less than a taxi, and the car stays with you.
If you are not coming back north, a one-way car rental lets you leave the car further south instead of driving back to Tirana.
The Route: Tirana to Vlore
Leave Tirana west toward Durrës, then continue south past Fier to Vlore. This stretch is fast, well signed and mostly dual carriageway. Traffic leaving Tirana is the main delay, so aim to be on the road before 8:00 AM in summer. For stops along this section, such as the ruins at Apollonia, see our Tirana to Vlore guide.
After Vlore, the road follows the bay south through Orikum. This is the last easy stretch before the mountains, and a good place to refuel.
Llogara Tunnel or Llogara Pass?
Between Orikum and Palasë, the Ceraunian Mountains separate Vlore Bay from the Riviera. You have two ways across.
Llogara Tunnel (faster). The tunnel opened in 2024 and cuts the crossing to a few minutes. It is the better choice if you are driving at night, in rain or fog, or simply want to reach Himare quickly. A toll applies, so carry some cash in LEK.
Llogara Pass (scenic). The old road climbs to just over 1,000 metres through pine forest and hairpin bends, then drops toward the sea with one of the best views in Albania. It is fully paved but demanding. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the crossing, and avoid it after dark.
A good plan is to take the pass on the way down, when the views face the coast, and the tunnel on the way back.
From Palasë to Himare
Past the mountains, the SH8 runs along the coast through Palasë, Dhërmi, Vuno and Jalë before reaching Himare. The road is paved and in good condition but narrow and full of bends, with few safe overtaking spots. Expect slow traffic in July and August.
If you want to break the trip, Dhërmi is 30 minutes before Himare. Our Tirana to Dhermi guide covers the beach and the Llogara crossing in more detail.
Getting from Tirana Airport to Himare
From Tirana International Airport the drive is slightly shorter, because you can join the southbound road without entering the city. Allow about 3.5 hours via the tunnel. There is no direct bus from the airport to Himare, so public transport means changing in Vlore or at the Tirana bus terminal.
The simplest option is to pick up a rental car at the airport and drive straight south.
Parking in Himare
Himare has two parts: the lower town and seafront (Spilea), and the old hilltop village around the castle. Parking near the seafront is manageable outside peak season but fills up quickly on summer evenings. Most guesthouses and hotels include parking, so check before booking.
For the beaches, arrive early. Livadhi and Potami have parking close to the sand, but spaces run out by late morning in August.
What to See Around Himare by Car
- Himare Castle and old town: a short drive uphill from the seafront, with stone houses, churches and views over the bay. Go in the late afternoon.
- Livadhi and Potami beaches: the two main beaches next to town, both easy to reach and good for a full beach day.
- Gjipe Beach: between Dhërmi and Vuno, reached by a rough track and a walk of about 20 to 30 minutes. A standard car handles the track slowly in dry weather.
- Jalë Beach: a small bay just north of Himare, quieter than Dhërmi.
- Porto Palermo Castle: about 15 minutes south of Himare, on a small peninsula in a sheltered bay.
Himare also works as a stop on a longer trip. It is Day 3 on our 4-day Albanian Riviera road trip, and about 1.5 hours north of Saranda if you continue south. For that leg, see our Tirana to Saranda guide.
Driving Tips for This Route
- Refuel in Vlore or Orikum. Fuel stations are less frequent along the coast.
- Don't drive the Llogara Pass at night. Lighting is limited and some bends have no barriers.
- Carry cash in LEK. You'll need it for the tunnel toll, beach parking and smaller restaurants.
- Watch for oncoming traffic on bends. Local drivers often cut corners on the coastal road.
- Expect slow summer traffic between Dhërmi and Himare, especially on weekends.
For road rules, speed limits and the alcohol limit, read our driving in Albania guide.
FAQ
How long is the drive from Tirana to Himare?
The drive from Tirana to Himare takes about 3.5 hours via the Llogara Tunnel, or around 4 hours over the Llogara Pass. Add time for summer traffic leaving Tirana and along the coast.
Is there a bus from Tirana to Himare?
Yes. Buses run daily from the North–South Bus Terminal in Tirana, with more departures in summer. The trip takes 4 to 5 hours and costs around €12–16.
Key Takeaways
- Himare is about 210 km from Tirana, 3.5 to 4 hours by car.
- The route runs through Vlore, then across the mountains by the Llogara Tunnel (fast) or the Llogara Pass (scenic).
- The bus is cheapest for one person. A rental car is better value for two or more, and it is the easiest way to reach the beaches around Himare.
- Refuel before the coast, avoid the pass after dark, and carry cash in LEK.
