Best Albanian Riviera Hotels: Saranda, Ksamil and Vlore

Last updated: November 2026

This European destination belongs on your summer bucket list. From crystal-clear waters to untouched natural beauty, Albania provides a plethora of adventures. This blog highlights the best Albanian Riviera hotels to stay in, helping you plan your trip seamlessly. A Google Maps route from the airport to all featured places is attached at the end of this blog.

While all reviews reflect our research and experiences, we encourage checking traveller reviews via this link and conducting additional research before booking.

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Top experiences in Albania

Best Albanian Riviera hotels in Saranda

Did you know Saranda is considered the most popular city in Albania? Located in the southern part of the country, it is celebrated for its untouched beauty and pristine beaches. Ksamil is just a short distance away. Whether you seek budget-friendly or luxurious Albanian Riviera hotels, both options offer stunning sea views and overlook Corfu Island.

For travellers using public transport, these Albanian Riviera hotels are easily accessible, making it simple to reach popular destinations. However, if you hold a valid driving license, we highly recommend renting a car with full insurance coverage. Public transport here can be unreliable, and buses don’t always run to a fixed timetable. Waiting for local buses could disrupt your plans, especially if you aim to explore multiple locations. Having a personal vehicle offers much more convenience, and with unpredictable road conditions, full insurance is advisable for peace of mind.

We recommend booking a car rental in advance to secure the best price with fully covered insurance. We paid 80 GBP for renting a car for 7 days. Compare car rental prices here.

Lost Beach Hotel: our luxury pick in Saranda

We consider Lost Beach Hotel a complete package. Whether you’re looking for a seaside retreat or hoping to enjoy a vibrant sea club experience, this place certainly won’t disappoint. From the moment we entered, the bohemian entrance instantly captivated us. The hotel provides private parking for guests at no extra cost; however, it’s advisable to request parking when reserving your room.

What truly stood out were the private entrances to both the hotel and the beach club. On the ground floor and first floor, you’ll find rooms of various sizes, including deluxe rooms, executive suites, and junior suites—each offering sea views and pool access. Each room is well-appointed with modern amenities and includes luxurious toiletries. Executive suites elevate the experience with a Jacuzzi on the balcony, adding a final touch of luxury to your stay.

The hotel features a small swimming pool with cabanas positioned around the centre. Please note that cabanas are not included in the hotel price; you must pay extra to rent one for a day. Adjacent to the cabanas are beach-facing sitting areas where you can enjoy sipping cocktails while overlooking Corfu Island. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can still book cabanas or gain access to the beach club separately.

The beach club offers a wide selection of drinks along with a diverse food menu. The sun loungers are arranged on decking areas, perfectly set on a stepped platform, providing each lounger with a stunning view of the sea. The front loungers come with a net, making them ideal for sun-seekers. Imagine yourself plunging into the private sea and basking in the sun with a cocktail—truly the epitome of summer goals.

For reference, we paid approximately 150 GBP for a 2-night stay at the end of March, which also included a delicious breakfast. However, prices may vary depending on when you visit. To find the best deals, compare hotel prices for your trip to Albania

Popular tours from Saranda

Apart-Hotel Lili2: our budget pick in Saranda

Apart Hotel Lili2 is another property located in a prime spot in Saranda. While the previous option offered luxury, this is a budget hotel. During our stay, we spent a total of 62 GBP for 2 nights. They offer rooms of various sizes, including options like a 1-bedroom with partial sea view, junior suite, deluxe suite, and higher floor flats with full sea views and terraces. To explore the different room tariffs, see Apart-Hotel Lili2’s rooms and prices.

However, the road conditions in Albania are unpredictable, often requiring drivers to navigate uphill or downhill to reach the property. Locating the property can sometimes be challenging, as maps may not always accurately show navigation routes. Fortunately, this property does offer parking. Upon entering the apartment, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will hand over your room keys. The rooms are quite spacious; we stayed in a one-bedroom apartment located on the lower floor with partial sea views.

Upon entering the flat, we found ourselves in the living area, which features an open-plan kitchen equipped with amenities such as a refrigerator and washing machine. There is a dining area and lounge with a large sofa and an LED screen. Next, we moved to the bedroom, which includes an ensuite bathroom. The bedroom features a super king-size bed, another LED screen mounted on the wall, and a wardrobe. Surrounding the room is a balcony, which is on the lower floor and offers a partial sea view.

Honestly, this is an ideal place to stay, with a location perfectly situated close to the Saranda embankment and the port. Within minutes, you’ll find plenty of beach clubs, nightclubs, shopping, and dining options. However, one thing we would like to mention, which we didn’t particularly like, is the toiletries provided by the apartment. Yet, considering the relatively low price per night, this minor issue can be overlooked, as the overall experience was quite comfortable.

More hotels to consider in Saranda

• Vila Era Beach
• Yacht Premium Hotel
• Hotel Portanova
• Oceanic Overview Suites
• Hotel Royal Saranda

Where to stay in Ksamil

• Colosseum Hotel
• Prestige Hotel
• Arameras Beach Resort
• Sunlight Hotel
• Ori Mare Hotel
• Duka’s Hotel
• Hotel Alexander

Where to stay in Vlore

Conveniently, Vlore is located halfway between the international airport and the popular Ksamil beach. For this reason, we highly recommend booking a stay in Vlore for a couple of days to explore the nearby popular beaches.

Hotel Regina Blu: beachfront stay with private pools

This cruise-like beachfront hotel is situated just 40 yards from Radhimë Hotel in Vlore. During our stay, we booked a room with a private pool for 2 nights. The hotel is positioned atop a hill, requiring an uphill ride to reach it. However, they have separate entrances for entry and exit, making access more convenient. The hotel offers secure parking and features a footbridge that connects directly from the hotel entrance to the beach.

Almost all beachfront hotels in Albania feature a private beach, ensuring well-maintained access and sunbeds exclusively for guests. Imagine waking up to an incredible sea view, then lounging on a sunbed to soak in the sun. One of the most stunning features of this hotel is its location; it is surrounded by lush greenery atop a hill, facing the crystal-clear beach and the mountains. The hotel offers day trips by boat to nearby tourist attractions.

The hotel features two outdoor swimming pools: one accessible to all guests and another exclusive to those booking the deluxe double room. The room was spacious, with a terrace door that opened directly to the swimming pool. This semi-private pool serves only 5-6 rooms, adding a touch of exclusivity. The terrace includes a poolside sitting area overlooking the sea.

The main swimming pool is also located within the hotel premises, facing an expansive sun terrace. Aesthetically pleasing, the terrace offers guests the chance to relax on sun loungers beneath parasols. The pool exudes an infinity pool vibe, with the sea serving as a stunning backdrop.

More Albania experiences

Each room includes panoramic balconies facing the sea, creating an incredible experience for guests. The hotel also features a restaurant serving local wines, seafood, Italian-inspired dishes, cocktails, and other beverages. There is a separate, spacious breakfast hall offering a variety of breakfast options.

Where to stay in Tirana and Durres

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is highly recommended for exploration. Whether on the day of arrival or departure, consider planning a night or two here, depending on your trip length. If you’re driving, keep in mind that parking can be challenging, and traffic control is often chaotic. On the plus side, accommodation, food, and drinks are relatively inexpensive. While we didn’t stay in Tirana itself, we booked accommodation in Durres for one night and travelled to Tirana the next day to explore the city.

The distance between Durres and Tirana is barely a 20-minute drive. We opted to stay in Durres for its seaside location, as we couldn’t get enough of the beach vibes. Our stay at Hotel Lubjana costs around 46 GBP per night—truly a great value for money. The rooms were spacious and clean, offering stunning sea and city views from the balconies. Although the breakfast wasn’t exceptional, our overall stay was quite comfortable. Check out the link below to learn more about this hotel.

Our Albanian Riviera route map

Tours and activities you might like

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More from Albania and nearby

Browse all our Albania travel guides, or hop over to Greece with our ultimate travel guide to Athens and where to eat in Athens. You’ll find every destination we’ve covered on our travel blog.

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