Albanian Riviera tour from Saranda: Porto Palermo, Himara & Vuno

Porto Palermo Castle and four stops along the Ionian coast in one day

A private full-day tour from Saranda covers four highlights of the Albanian Riviera: Porto Palermo Castle on its peninsula, a one-hour beach break in Himara, the hilltop stone village of Vuno, and the whitewashed houses of Dhermi. The tour includes entrance fees and air-conditioned transport with a live English-speaking guide. Pickup from your hotel is arranged. Lunch is not included, so you'll eat where you choose along the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Albanian Riviera highlights

• Visit Porto Palermo Castle
• Relax at Himara beach for 1 hour
• Walk through Vuno village
• Explore Dhermi village and views

The experience

Porto Palermo Castle sits on a small peninsula 45 kilometers south of Saranda, connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land you can walk across. The triangular Venetian fortress overlooks turquoise water on all sides. From there, the route follows the coast to Himara, a laid-back seaside town where you get a full hour on the beach: time to swim in the Ionian, sunbathe, or sit at a beachfront café without rushing.

The second half of the day turns inland. Vuno perches at 300 meters above sea level in the hills between Himara and Dhermi, a small stone village of around 486 people where narrow alleys wind between traditional Albanian homes and views open toward the sea and mountains at once. The tour ends in Dhermi, a village known for whitewashed houses stacked on the slopes of the Ceraunian Mountains, with the Ionian stretched out below. The full route takes 6 to 8 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to Porto Palermo Castle.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• live guide speaking English.
• hotel pickup and return to Saranda.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lici Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a driver handling all navigation between four Riviera stops while you control the pace and decide how long to linger at each: ideal for covering Porto Palermo, Himara's beach, Vuno, and Dhermi in one day without piecing together separate transport.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Porto Palermo Castle like when we get there?

Porto Palermo is a triangular Venetian-style fortress built on a small island in the Bay of Palermo. A strip of land connects it to the mainland, so you walk to the castle across dry ground. The water surrounding it is turquoise, and the setting is isolated enough to feel removed from the main coast.

How much time do we actually spend on the beach in Himara?

You get one full hour of free time in Himara to swim, sunbathe, or sit at a beachfront café. The town itself is laid-back, and the beach break is built into the itinerary as a real pause, not a quick photo stop.

Is Vuno just a drive-through village or do we walk around?

Vuno is a walking stop. You move through the narrow stone alleys of the village, see the traditional Albanian homes, and take in the views where the mountains meet the sea. The village sits at 300 meters elevation and has a population of around 486.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You'll have the flexibility to eat where you choose: either in Himara during your beach break, in Vuno, or in Dhermi at the end of the day.

What's the difference between Himara and Dhermi if we're stopping at both?

Himara is a working seaside town where you spend time on the beach and at cafés. Dhermi is a hillside village higher up the coast, known for its whitewashed houses and panoramic views of the Ionian from the slopes of the Ceraunian Mountains: more of a viewpoint stop than a beach break.