Albanian seaside has a considerable length of 450 km, including here even the lagoon areas that can be found within. The seaside has some distinctive features and is rich in varieties of sand beaches, capes, coves, covered bays, lagoons small gravel beaches, sea caves, etc.
In the north Albanian coast, Bunë River serves as the border with the Republic of Montenegro where small islands are formed. One of them is the "Franz Joseph", a very interesting place for those who like nature and prefer to stay away from the noise.
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 start by mid of May. The beach is suitable for family vacationers 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. Nearby Velipoja beach is situated also a legally hunting area of 700 ha.
St.Shen Gjin Beach is a sandy beach next to the district of Lezha, only 8 km away from the city. St. Shengjin is known for sand quality. This beach has 200 to 300 sunny days a year. This are is suitable for surfing due to the favorable wind direction.
One of the most attractive areas of the Albanian Adriatic is Lalëzi Bay, which extends from the Cape of Rodoni until Tail of Palla. Cape of Rodoni is one of the most interesting places of the Albanian coast for practicing underwater diving. From the beaches of Lalëzi Bay are referred to the beaches of St. Peter and Rrushkullit, who stand for high quality sea water purity.
Durresi beach, is situated only 39 km away from Tirana, the capital of Albania, is the biggest and the most populated beach of the country. It has a length of 6 km with a considerable wide strip of sand. The sea depth increases gradually, thus making this beach very attractive for children and their families. The position of Durresi bay makes it very protected by the winds. In Durres beach there are situated the biggest number of tourist facilities like hotels, motels, villa compounds, bars, restaurants, discos, etc. During the last few years this beach has not only been frequented from the capital daily tourists but also from tourists coming from Kosovo and Macedonia.
The additional beaches of Golem and Mali i Robit make up by now almost the same unit with Durres beach. They have the same characteristics. Here you can find the presence of pine forests, which decorate the seaside.
Regarding the beaches that belong to Kavaja district, 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. In recent years, these beaches have started investments in creating the conditions for accommodation of tourists.
The Cape of Lagji closes the Durres bay by the south. It is a suitable for divers. Nearby there are the small beaches of rare beauty such as 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) are found. For these values the Lagoon of Karavasta is under protection of International Convention of RAMSAR, since 1994. It is a very interesting experience the observation of these pelicans if you go 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. The flora of National Park of Divjaka excels for its beauty and special freshness. Beach sand with Divjaka has a substantial iodine content. Temperatures over 20 degrees starting from the second half of May to continue until the eve of October
In south of embouchure of Vjosa there is located the Lagoon of Narta, which has an area of 4180 ha, and is 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. The area of Narta is known for its handicraft production of high quality wine.
Vlora is the second biggest harbor of the country and one of the most important places for tourism, which offers at first the product "sea and sun". 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. Jonufri beach is located precisely in this area and is extended near the small town of Orikum. The beach is surrounded by a hilly area covered with citrus, which merges nicely with the blue waters of the sea
In south of Vlora's bay there is Orikumi, where lately is build a harbor for yachts. All this area presents an interest for underwater explorations.
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
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. In antiquity the island was named Saso. Sazani presents a special interest and sinking along with the Karaburun Peninsula constitutes a true underwater park.
After stretching the Llogara neck, the Ionian beaches are located, also called "Albanian Riviera", which is one of the most beautiful provinces of Albania. This is the warm region of the country, where average January temperature is 10 degrees C and July 25 degrees C. The area has 300 days of sunshine.
From the neck of Llogara 1057 meters above sea level, the beach is the first in Dhraleos Palace has a length of 1.5 km. The beach serves as the point reduction for air sports, especially parachute issued by the Llogara Neck.
Dhermiu that follow more in the south of Albania is one of the most frequented and important tourist places of Albanian littoral. The beaches that are part of Dhermi are Jaliksari, Shkambo and Gjipea. 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 Ionian sea". It is a tourist place that comes very animated in the summer season by the youth generation and their relatives. In this beach are part Spilea, Potami, Llamani dhe Livadhja
Before reaching Borsh, is located the beach of Qeparoit and the small tectonic gulf of Porto Palermos which 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 populated the familiarity tourism.
Until the city of Saranda can be adduced the beaches of Bunecit, Kakomese and Krorezit. (Their longitude reaches 3 kilometers) which have very beautiful and crystal waters.
The town of Saranda is the largest inhabited the "Albanian Riviera". It is one of the most important tourist points of the country. The city has a very favorable position, as is only 9 km away from the Greek tourist island of Corfu. Usually tourists who prefer sea travel in the south of the city, where the point is she frequented Ksamil, which is located between the peninsula with the same name and the Butrint lagoon. Faced with its island of Corfu lies, while all located near the beach Ksamil his 4 small islands, totally covered by green Mediterranean vegetation
An important natural ecosystem values is tourist Butrint lagoon. It is called the lake due to its tectonic origin. It has a surface of 16 km2. As a result of favorable direction of winds, this is a very suitable place to practice sports of sailing boats. The southern Albanian coast lies on the Cape who Stillos beaches consisting of low-type shift and are completely virgin
