Albanian seaside has a considerable length of 450 km, including here even the lagoon area which you find within. The seaside has a particular character because it is rich in varieties of sand beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons small gravel beaches ,sea caves etc. Some parts of this seaside are very clean ecologically, which represent in this prospective unexplored areas , very rare in Mediteranean area.
In its north part, the seaside starts with Buna river delta, which is also the country border between Republic of Albanian and Republic of Montenegro. At this place, because of the river's delta it is created the small island of Franc Joseph, which changes to peninsula, depending what river can bring with it. This is a natural object of a great importance for the vegetation and sea birds that are found in this area. The vegetation is typically one of groves with dominations of poplars and other leaf trees. Seagulls dominate the sea birds in this area. Franc Joseph is recommended for people that love nature and prefer relaxing away from the civilization sounds.
The northern beach of the country is the one of Velipoja, situated 22 km away from Shkodra. Velipoja beach has a length of 4 km with high quality of sand. There are 250 sunny days and above 20 degree C days normally starting by mid of May. The beach is suitable for family vacations and in general is populated from the people of Albanian north areas. Near to Velipoja's beach is situated the lagoon of Viluni at a surface of 130 ha. This is a very important natural eco -system hosting a number of varieties of sea birds. Near by Velipoja beach is situated also a legally hunting area of 700 ha.
Shen Gjini beach is another sandy beach which belongs to Lezha district . It is situated 8 km away from Lezha city. Shen Gjini beach is well- known for its high quality sand. This beach has 200 - 300 sunny days per year. In the north of Shen Gjini before renci hils is situated the wonderful beach of "Powered sand" ( Rana e hedhun), which is very well protected by the winds of this area. Lezha seaside has a wonderful natural eco- system, ideally used for developing of eco -tourism, bird watching etc. The Drini river delta, because of the winds of this area , it is highly recommended for surfing. At this delta we may find lagoon system of Kune - Vain in which can easily by observed a big number of sea birds. There are two lagoons forming the system, the one of Ceka at an area of 235 ha, and the other of Merxhani of 77 ha. The biggest surprise for tourists in this area is the evaluation of the sandy island of Kune at a surface of 125 ha, situated at the right side of Drini delta. This island is covered with hygrophilous vegetation. There are wildly grown green Mediterranean bushes, willows etc. In this area are numbered more that 227 types of plants. Regarding to fauna we can list a number of birds , as wild ducks, pheasants, big redheaded duck etc. It is important to mention that in this area are numbered 70 kind of birds out of 33 that are found in whole Albania and 6 kind of amphibians out of 15 counted in whole Albania and many mammals.
In the south of Kune are found additional beaches less populated of Tale area.
One of the most attractive areas of Albanian Adriatic is Lalezi bay , which is situated from Rodon Cape to Bishti i palles. Rodon cape which coasts this area from north, it is a wonderful natural masterpiece of 7,5 km towards the open sea. This area is one of the most highlighted areas for diving. The beaches of Lalezi bay are sandy ones, some of them surrounded by pine trees stripes. Some of the most outstanding beaches are the ones of Shen Pjetri and Rrashkull, well known for their clean deep blue waters.
Durresi beach , situated only 39 km away from Tirana , the capital of Albania, is the biggest and the most populated beach of our country. It has a length of 6 km with a considerable wide strip of sand . The sea depth increases very gradually, which makes this beach very attractive to children and their families. The position of Durresi bay makes it very protected by the winds. There are situated also the biggest number of tourist facilities like hotels, motels, villa compounds , bars, restaurants, discos etc. During the last few years this beach is not only for the capital daily tourists but also for tourists coming from Kosovo and Macedonia.
In the north part of Durres city is situated the Currila beach , where the water is deeper and the beach is protected from the worm wind coming from the land.
The additional beaches of Golem and Mali i Robit makes up almost the same unit with Durresi beach . They have the same characteristics. Here you can find the presence of pine forest, which decorated the seaside. Likewise in Durresi beach the concentration of tourist facilities here is very high ( hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs etc).
Regarding the beaches which belongs to Kavaja districts it is worthy to mention the Karpen and Spilleja beaches, which have a good reputation for the high quality of sand ( rich in iodine) , sea waters and dense vegetation of pine trees ( Spilleja)
The Cape of Lagji closes the Durresi bay, in its south, it is a suitable natural object to apply diving. Nearby, there are the small beaches of rare beauty of Bardhori and Gjenerali. Bardhori is a rocky beach , while Gjeneral is surrounded by lush vegetation. It looks like a natural amphitheatre . Both are secluded beaches, excellent for those who want to escape from the noise.
Karavasta Lagoon is the biggest lagoon along Albanian coast, with an area of 4330 ha. It is one of 12 National Parks of Albania, and it has many important values for bio-diversity. Karavasta Lagoon is the western point of Europe where nests curly pelican (pelicanus crispus). There is 5 % of its worldwide population. For these values Lagoon of Karavasta is under protection of International Convention of RAMSAR, since 1994. It is a very interesting experience the observation of the pelicans, if you go there by boat near the island where they usually perch. In this ecosystem there are 210 kinds of birds, 12 kinds of mammals and 16 kinds of reptiles. Lagoon waters which reach approximately 1.5 meters deepness are rich of fishes, especially mullet and eel, which are offered in many restaurants of Divjaka beach. The flora of National Park of Divjaka excels for its beauty and special freshness. There dominate confer areas of soft and wild pines, where stands out large crown pines. The multistory forest is very rich of herbals and high woods. There exels accompaniment with ash, fir etc.
Divjaka's sea sand is rich of a considerably amount of iodine and the temperatures over 20 grade Celsius that starts since the second half of May and continue until the beginning of October. This is an area when are combined beach activities with eco-tourism.
The embouchure of Vjosa, which lies in south, constitutes in a natural protected area in both sides of river that are called Pish Poro Fier and Vlora. This is a natural area with seaside pines, isolated sandy beaches and a convenient nesting place for seabirds.
In south of embouchure of Vjosa there is Lagoon of Narta, which has an area of 4180 ha, the second biggest lagoon in Albania. Narta Lagoon is another natural ecosystem with possibilities for development of eco-tourism, poultries observation, fishing etc. It represents the second campus in Albania for seabirds. In Narta there are 195 kinds of poultries. During the winter there nest about 48.700 seabirds, 23% of wintrily poultries that come in Albania. There you can see thousands of different types of ducks. In the same time there arrive white tailed eagles, flamingos, peregrines, black kites etc. The area of Narta is known for its handicraft produce of high quality wine. In the future, natural tourism in the lagoon could be wreathed with "wine tour", which is produced there. In lagoon's waters live different types of fish, but the typical ones are such as eel and Narta's bass.
Vlora is the second biggest harbor of the country and one of the most important points for Albanian tourism, which offers at first the product "sea and sun". The area near the city along the Vlora gulf beaches is known for its new and modern hotels and for the other facilities like bars, restaurants, discos, clubs etc. This is one of the most intensive tourist areas of the country.
Tourist area starts directly in south of the city along the small and rocky beaches of Vlora's bay. There are beaches with very interesting configurations. In front of them there is peninsula of Karaburun, the largest peninsula of the coast and island of Sazani, that is also the largest island of Albania. This configuration helps Vlora's beaches to be protected from the winds. Jonufri's beaches that lie in this area of Vlora's bay reach out the stream of Dukat near the small town of Orikum. The beach is surrounded by a hilly area of citrus which make a very nicely contrast with the blue waters of the sea.
In south of Vlora's bay there is Orikumi, where lately is build a harbor for yachts. Orikumi's beach is about 2 km long. In this area there are Pana and Rrapi sea caves.
All this area shows interest for diving, because there are archeological remains and sunken ships. One of these is the Italian ship "Po", sunken in 1941 during Italian-Greek war. It is also said that Jul Cesar sank the ships of Pompeii's troops. The area of "Uji i Ftohte" is convenient for diving to observe different alga and the area of Zhiron for black and green alga etc.
In the west, Vlora's bay is closed with peninsula of Karaburun, the largest peninsula in Albania, about 16 km long and 4.5 km wide. The west coast of Karaburun is amazing; it has high and scrappy coasts, small bays and beaches. In the north of peninsula there is the cave of Haxhi Ali, the largest cave of the country. It is 30 meters deep, 18 meters high and 12 meters wide. These sizes allows the entrance of boats. The cave's name is in memory of the sailor from Ulqin, who has sailed in these waters during the XVII century. We can mention many small beaches such as Arusha bay, Grama and Dafina beaches that are showed up for the deepness, high quality waters and the isolated position from the noises. Near Grama's beach there is the cave of Slaves. Bywords in antiquity there had been working slaves for quarry. On walls of Grama's beach there are ancient graffiti and it is thought that there was the temple of Dioskure. The western face of Karaburun is one of the most attractive points of Albanian coast for the impassionate divers.
Near the peninsula of Karaburun there is the island of Sazan that is the largest island in Albania. It has an area of 5.7 km, 4.5 km length and 2 km maximal width. It is about 12 miles from Vlora's harbor. In antiquity the island was called Sason. The island represent a rocky block with sharply coasts especially the western part of the island. In the south-east part of the island there is the Admiral beach with grits, which is known for its very clean water. Sazani is special for diving, and together with Karaburun they make "a really subsurface park".
After the saddle of Llogara, lie Ion's beaches or the beaches of "Albanian Riviera", which is one of the most beautiful regions in Albania.
Albania, the place where sun come across the deeply sea, rocky and isolated small beaches with splendid configurations, mountainside and hillside covered of typically Mediterranean vegetation (olives and citrus) and typically villages constructed between mountain and sea percolated under of them.
This is the wormiest region of Albania where the medium temperature of January is 10 grades and the temperature of July is 25 grades. This area has 300 days of sunny.
From the saddle of Llogara which is 1.057 meters over the sea level be percolated a marvelous face of littoral which seems as contemplate by airplane.
The first beach is Dhraleos in Palase which has a longitude of 1.5 kilometers. This is one of the most exotic beaches of Albanian littoral, which has the tranquility, deeply and blue waters with a high quality of them. This beach fits for water sports, especially the parachutes that lunched from the saddle of Llogara.
Dhermiu that follow more in the south of Albania is one of the most frequented and important tourist places of Albanian littoral. The crystal waters of the sea, isolated beaches, water sports and subsurface diving make this beach very prefered by the youth generation. The beaches that are part of Dhermi are Jaliksari, Shkambo and Gjipea.
The beach of Gjipea has a beautiful form. After the beach a stream have made a canyon walled with 70 meters. In the beach of Dhermi is located and the cave of pirates. The barges offeres the sending of the tourist people. Also are located some hotels, restaurants, and summer disco. In this entire belt, including villages is very developed "familiarity tourism", where the tourists can be accommodated in rented home.
8 kilometers from the south of Dhermi is located Vunoi, which every one can be oriented to the Jale.
Himara is the central area of the "over littoral Jonian sea". It is a touristic place that comes very animated in the summer season by the youth generation and relatives.There are part of this beach Spilea, Potami, Llamani dhe Livadhja. All of them shine for the deeply water, navigability and rocky characteristic. After the Borsh is located the beach of Qeparosit and the small tectonic gulf of Porto Palermo where is located the castle of "Ali Pashait". Borshi is one of the longer littoral of Albanian Riviera with 6 kilometers. This beach is girded by massive Mediterranean vegetation. (Citrus and Olive's plantation). Here is very developed the familiar tourism.
Until in the city of Saranda can be adduced the beaches of Bunecit, Kakomese and Krorezit. (Their longitude arrives till 3 kilometers) which have a beauty and crystal water.
The city of Saranda is the most inhabited center of the Albanian Riviera. It is one of the most important touristy places, especially preferred by the couples just married "honeymooners". The city and the places around it offeres a system with hotels with 5 stars and hotels with "budget travelers" and rented home. The city has a favorably position, because is located only 9 kilometers from the touristy insular of Korfuz. The rafts offered daily connection with Korfuz, and this is very helpful for Saranda to be visited and by European tourists.
The lagoon of Butrint: This is for on account of the natural beauty and archeological one, where the important archeological place is Butrinti (is located 18 kilometers in the south of the city) which has been part to the list of UNESCO. In the city of Saranda are located and the small beaches of Centralit, Pllakave and Liman. Usually the tourists prefer to visit one of the most frequented places Ksamil, which is between the peninsula of Ksamil and lagoon of Butrint. In front of it expandes the insular of Korfuz and near to the beach of Ksamil are located 4 small insulars of it, covered by greenness Mediterranean navigation. Their super face matures in 8.9 hectare. In Ksamil are building hotels and restaurants.
An important naturally ecosystem with touristic values is the lagoon of Butrint, which passes for lake for the tectonic origin. It super face is 16 km2 and is connected with the hereby canal of Vivar which is 3.6 kilometers long. The lake has a deepness of 20 meters. As a result of favorably wind direction, this is a very adaptable place for practicing sailing sport.
Regarding to the fauna there lives drakes, black neck ducks, bajza, eagles, falcon, bats, etc.There it's developed and the world of reptilian and amphibian that proliferated in the canebrake area which are in the north-east littoral of lake. It is to mention in this field the epirote frog, the only kind in Albania. The eco-system is very adaptable and for the observatory of poultries. Only in the forest of this archeological area near to the side of lake stands 90 kinds of poultries.
The south extreme of Albania coast till in the cape of Stillos consists from the scrubby beaches kind of marshe that are totally virgin.
