Gjipe Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera: a hidden bay of white pebbles and turquoise water at the end of a dramatic canyon, just south of Dhermi. There is no road all the way to the sand, so you have two ways to get there: walking down from the hills, or arriving by boat from Dhermi beach. Here’s what to expect from each, so you can pick the one that suits you.
Where is Gjipe Beach?
Gjipe lies between Dhermi and Himara, below the Monastery of Saint Theodore. The beach sits at the mouth of the Gjipe Canyon, with tall cliffs on both sides. Because it’s hard to reach, it stays quieter and wilder than the busy beaches nearby.
Option 1: Walking to Gjipe Beach
From the main coastal road, a side road leads toward the Monastery of Saint Theodore. The first part is paved and ends at a paid parking lot near the monastery. From there, a steep, unpaved track goes down to the beach. Gjipe Beach is not reachable by car. The track is in bad and dangerous condition, and Gjipe is a protected nature area where car access is restricted. Visitors leave their car at the paid parking lot and walk the rest of the way.
- Parking: 5–10€, depending on the time of the season.
- Walk down: about 20–30 minutes from the parking lot, on a steep, rocky path.
- Walk back up: it’s uphill all the way and takes longer, often in the midday heat.
- Shade: very little along the way.
- What to bring: good shoes (not flip-flops), plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen.
Good for: active travelers who enjoy hiking and have a car. Not ideal for: families with small children, older travelers, or anyone who doesn’t want to climb back up in the sun.
Option 2: Taking a boat to Gjipe Beach
The easiest and most scenic way to reach Gjipe is by sea. Boats leave from Dhermi beach and follow the coast south, so you see the cliffs, caves and the canyon from the water before you arrive.
On our Group Tour of All Caves & Gjipe Beach, you’ll visit:
- Pirates Cave
- The Monastery’s caves
- Pigeons Cave
- A swimming stop at the Secret Cave
- A long stop at Gjipe Beach, around 90 minutes, to swim, relax and explore the canyon
The stop at Gjipe Beach lasts around 90 minutes, which is plenty of time to explore the beach and the canyon. The tour leaves Dhermi beach at 12:00 and returns at 15:00. Bottled water, snorkeling gear (on request) and an English-speaking guide are included. No hiking, no parking, no steep climb back.
Good for: families (children from 7 years old), couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to see more than one place in a single trip.
Walking vs. boat: a quick comparison
| Walking | By boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Steep walk down and back up | None, you step off the boat |
| You need | A car and good shoes | Just your swimsuit and towel |
| Parking | 5–10€, depending on the season | None needed |
| Time at Gjipe | As long as you like | Around 90 minutes, enough for the beach and the canyon |
| What you see | Gjipe Beach | Gjipe Beach plus caves along the coast |
| Swimming | At the beach | At the beach and at the Secret Cave |
| Best for | Hikers | Families, couples and groups |
Tips for visiting Gjipe Beach
- Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Sunbeds are not always available.
- July and August are the busiest months. Book your boat tour a few days ahead.
- Water shoes help on the pebbles.
- Take your trash with you and help keep Gjipe beautiful.
Book your boat trip to Gjipe
We’ve been running boat tours from Dhermi beach since 2017. See prices, dates and book online on the Group Tour of All Caves & Gjipe Beach page. If you’d rather have the boat just for your group, take a look at our private boat tours.