Livadh is the beach Himare residents go to when they want to avoid the Riviera crowd that has discovered their town. It sits 4 kilometres north of Himare centre, a deep half-moon bay of coarse white pebbles backed by olive terraces and a single row of tamarisk trees that provide the only natural shade for miles. The water grades from turquoise to navy within 20 metres of the shore, and the drop-off is steep – great for confident swimmers, less forgiving for toddlers.
Despite being minutes from one of the Riviera busiest towns, Livadh has stubbornly resisted overdevelopment. There are two beach bars, a handful of sunbed operators, and a campsite tucked into the olive grove. The vibe is resolutely low-key. You will see Albanian families grilling lamb on portable barbecues next to French backpackers reading paperbacks under the tamarisks.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best For | Deep-water swimming, camping under olive trees, local family beach days |
| Accessibility | Paved road from Himare (4km), free parking, flat access to beach |
| Ideal Months | June and September for quiet; July to August for peak swimming |
| Cost Tier | Budget |
| The Secret Factor | The tamarisk grove at the southern end has natural shade until 11:00 AM and is almost always empty because it is a 200-metre walk from the parking area |
How to Get There
From Himare, head north on the SH8 toward Vlore. After roughly 3 kilometres, take the signed right turn toward Livadh Beach. The access road is fully paved and ends at a dirt parking area directly behind the pebbles. Parking is free. Walking distance from car to water is under one minute. No public transport reaches the beach directly. Furgons between Himare and Vlore can drop you at the SH8 junction; it is a flat 1-kilometre walk from there. A taxi from Himare costs 500 to 700 LEK.
What to See and Do
- Deep-water swimming: The steep drop-off means you are in chest-deep water within a few metres. Ideal for proper swimming rather than paddling.
- Camp at Livadh Camping: A shaded campsite in the olive grove with basic facilities. Tent pitches from 400 LEK. The owner sometimes sells home-pressed olive oil.
- Hike the headland: A rough footpath climbs the southern headland to a small World War II bunker with panoramic views back across the bay toward Himare. 30 minutes each way.
- Eat at the family grills: On summer weekends, local families set up charcoal grills near the parking area and sell grilled corn, qofte, and cold drinks. 100 to 300 LEK per item.
The Insider Checklist
- Bring cash. No ATM at the beach. Himare town has ATMs 4 kilometres away.
- The steep drop-off means this is not an ideal beach for non-swimmers or very small children.
- Sunbeds cost 300 to 400 LEK. No reservation system. Arrive before 10:00 in August.
- The tamarisk shade disappears by midday. Bring an umbrella if staying past noon.
- Afternoon wind can create small waves. Morning swimming is glass-flat.
