The Albanian Riviera road trip is one of the best drives in southeastern Europe — and it's still relatively undiscovered. You're looking at roughly 120km from Vlorë to Sarandë via the SH8 coastal road, including the Llogara Pass at 1,027 metres above sea level. Allow at least two full days if you want to stop anywhere worth stopping.
Starting Point: Vlorë and the Road South
Most people start the Albanian Riviera road trip from Vlorë, which sits at the top of the Bay of Vlorë. From Tirana, it's about 145km on the A3 motorway and SH4 — around 2 hours on a good day, closer to 2.5 if you hit construction near Fier. Fill up in Vlorë before heading south; petrol stations thin out considerably once you're on the mountain road.
The drive through Vlorë itself can be slow in summer — expect 20–30 minutes to clear the city centre on a Saturday afternoon in July. Once you're through and heading south on SH8, the road quality improves and the views begin.
The Llogara Pass: What to Expect on the Albanian Riviera Road Trip
The Llogara Pass is 38km south of Vlorë. The climb starts gradually, then switches to tight hairpin bends as you enter the Llogara National Park. The road is paved and maintained, but it's narrow in sections — meeting a coach on a blind corner is a real possibility in summer. Drive at your own pace, use the horn on blind turns (it's normal here), and pull over at the viewpoint at the top. The panorama of the Ionian coast below is genuinely one of the best views you'll find from a car anywhere in the region.
If you only have one stop on the entire Llogara climb, make it the summit viewpoint. Park for 15 minutes. You'll regret it if you don't.
A standard compact handles the SH8 fine. That said, if you're planning to turn off onto dirt tracks toward beaches like Gjipe or Jale, a higher-clearance vehicle helps. See our guide to renting an SUV in Albania for more on when the extra ground clearance is worth it.
Key Stops Along the Route
Palasë and Dhermi
Dhermi is the first major beach town after the pass, about 15km from the Llogara summit. The access road is a sharp descent — first gear, no coasting. In July and August the town is packed, with parking a genuine problem. If you're staying overnight, confirm your accommodation has parking before you arrive. The beach is excellent: large stones, clear water, no waves. Beach bars run €5–10 for a sunbed and umbrella combo.
Himara
Himara is 30km south of Dhermi and the most functional town on the Riviera. There are supermarkets, ATMs, and a decent choice of accommodation. The old castle district above the town is worth an hour on foot. From Himara, a short detour to Livadhi beach — much quieter than the main beach — requires driving south 3km on the SH8 and turning right at the signed junction.
Borsh and Qeparo
Borsh has a 7km-long pebble beach — the longest on the Albanian coast — and stays noticeably quieter than Dhermi even in August. Qeparo, just 8km further south, is split between the old hilltop village and the newer seaside settlement. Stop at the old village; it takes 20 minutes and few tourists do it.
Finishing in Sarandë
Sarandë is the end point of the classic Albanian Riviera road trip, sitting directly across from Corfu. Total drive from Vlorë to Sarandë on the SH8 takes about 3 hours without stops — with stops, plan for a full day. Sarandë is a logical base for Butrint (22km south) and the Blue Eye spring (25km east). For a full guide to renting a car in Sarandë, visit our /rent-a-car-sarande page.
Best Time for the Albanian Riviera Road Trip
Late May, June, and September are the best months. The coastal road is open year-round, but July and August bring heavy traffic, parking chaos, and inflated accommodation prices. June gives you warm water, daylight until 9pm, and roads that are busy but manageable. September is arguably better still — locals consider it the real season.
Car rental prices reflect this too. A compact in June might cost €35–45/day; the same car in August can hit €60–70. For more on timing your rental, see our guide to the best time to rent a car in Albania at /cheap-car-rental-albania.
Practical Notes
The SH8 is a national road, not a motorway — no tolls. Fuel economy suffers on the mountain section due to the gradient and low speeds. A full tank from Vlorë will get you to Sarandë comfortably. Rental cars from Rental Auto are available for pickup in both Vlorë and Sarandë, so you can do a one-way trip if that suits your itinerary — confirm one-way availability when booking.