Town of Himara

Himara lies along the Ionian coast of Albania. It is situated in the southwestern part of the country, from the extreme south of Llogara Pass to Qeparo Mountain in southeast, with a straight length of 22 km. The town of Himara is the capital of the region that consists of Himara town along with 7 villages: Palasa, Drymades, Ilias, Vuno, Piluri, Kudhesi and Qeparo. Continuing south from the village of Vuno, visitors will come across the small town of Himara. The town consist of two main parts, the Old Himara situated on top of the Barbaka hill and the new part built of the gulf of Spile.

an ancient past

The inhabitants of Himara are predominantly Orthodox Christians and 85% of the municipality's population speak the Himariot dialect of Greek. This dialect has small variations in the way it is spoken in every town, especially in the accent. In the spring of 2006, a private Greek-language school opened in the town of Himara, at the precise location where the Orthodox missionary Cosmas the Aetolian founded the Acroceraunian School in 1770.

Himara’s geographical landscape consists of a snaking shape coastline, which with its capes and bays, has a total of about 37 km. It is high, rocky, with steep vertical cliffs above the sea, together with many bays in the form of wonderful gravel beaches. The total length of coastline, rocky coast and clefts is about 26 km, while the gravel beaches nearby have a total of some 11 km. Having a long coastline full of contrasts and natural beauties, Himara has the best qualities for a sustainable tourism.

Himara regional area has a Mediterranean climate. It is characterized by a very wet and mild winter, with almost no negative freezing temperatures; by a dry and hot summer, with insignificant rainfall; by an unstable spring which combines shortly with the hot summer, and especially by a fairly long dry autumn (September-October), which is warmer than spring. The average temperature in summer reaches 25.5 °C. The maximum temperatures go up to 36-42 °C. The most common minimum temperatures range from +1.5 -2 °C but in certain cases they can further decrease.

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Package Tours

Explore Himara

Explore the Castle town of Himara

Being the capital of the ancient times old town Himara has the most important monuments and cultural history.

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Explore Himara

Explore the Military Castle of Ali Pasha

The bay of Panormi is a natural wonder and apparently, Ali Pasha must have liked this place too much to set up the castle there.

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Explore Himara

The Ghost village of Qeparo

Explore the ghost village of Qeparo known for centuries old buildings and historical and natural values. Join our tour for a unique experience!

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View of Himara's old town, photo taken in 1917.

The pelasgich walls of the castle, photo taken in 1917.

The beach of Livadhi, photo taken in 1940.

The monastery of Athali near Piluri village.

Celebration the St. Marys monastery day at Athali.

The inside of Episcope church at the castle of Himara.

AN IMPORTANT & RELIGIOUS PAST

In antiquity the region was inhabited by the Greek tribe of the Chaonians. The Chaonians were one of the three principal Greek-speaking tribes of Epirus, along with the Thesprotians and the Molossians. The town of Himara is believed to have been founded as Chimaira (Χίμαιρα) by the Chaonians as a trading outpost on the Chaonian shore. However, another theory suggest that it comes from Greek χείμαρρος (cheimarros), meaning "torrent".

In classical antiquity, Himara was part of the Kingdom Epirus under the rule of the Molossian Aeacid dynasty, which included King Pyrrhus of Epirus. When the region was conquered by the Roman Republic in the 2nd century BC, its settlements were badly damaged and some were destroyed by the Roman General Aemilius Paulus.

The Ottoman Empire overran northern Epirus from the late 14th century, but being a natural fortress, Himara was the only region that did not submit to Ottoman rule. It became a symbol of resistance to the Ottoman but suffered from an almost continuous state of warfare.

The first school in the region opened in 1627, where lessons were held in the Greek language. The following years (until 1633) Greek-language schools opened also in the villages of Drymades and Palasa. During the Ottoman period, judicial authority in Himara and the surrounding villages was exercised by community courts also known as "councils of elders", that consisted exclusively of laymen. Their decisions were subject to the sanction of the local Orthodox bishop who belonged to the metropolis of Ioannina.

During the First Balkan War, on November 18, 1912, the town revolted under Spyros Spyromilios and expelled the Ottoman forces in order to join Greece. In March 1914, the "Protocol of Corfu" was signed, which established the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus, of which Himara formed a part, though the Autonomous Republic itself formally remained part of the newly formed Albanian state.

View of the gulf of Spile (Himara's center).

The castle town of old Himara and the downtown center further .

The bay and port of Panormi during the sunset.

A traditional tent at the beach of Livadhi.

Children having fun at the beach of Marachi.

Spending the evening at the beach of Spile.

Old lady's having a chat at a cafe table.

PRESENT DAY

Himara is one of the most beautiful places of the Albanian Riviera, emptied throughout the year due to the high emigration in Greece. But in summer it gains a special livelihood with returning locals and numerous tourists from all over the world.

Evenings in Himara are passionate, especially in July and August. You can rest in the seafront cafes, take a walk to the beach promenade, at the center and in the eastern part of town, stay late at Manolo’s cafe, or dine at the restaurant of Esperia situated at the port of Himara with an astonishing view of the town. The greatest pleasure of vacationers is the roundabout in Himara’s boulevard, less than 400 meters, which is also crossed by the waiters, who serve coffee and drinks in the seaside.

ATTRACTIONS

Upon arrival in Himara, one may visit the 5th century B.C. Castle of Himara, positioned prominently on the hill above the city which it once protected. A long-time stronghold of the local population, the castle was occupied until the 16th century A.D. and contains a number of houses and churches of the post-Byzantine period. Perhaps the most beautiful church within the walls is the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, overlooking Himara and the Ionian Sea. Also, known as the Church of All Saints, this former seat of the archbishopric of Himara showcases church walls preserving its multiple phases of construction, part of them being built on top of earlier walls. Himara castle and its churches charge 100 LEK entry fee.

The Castle of Ali Pasha at the bay of Panormi is a small castle located on a lovely peninsula in the middle of the bay, known since ancient times. The castle has a triangular shape of 150 x 400 meters with the walls reaching as high as 20 meters. Ali Pasha of Tepelena, the 18th century ruler over the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, built the castle in honour of his wife Vasiliki. There is an admittance fee of 100 LEK at the castle, and it is open from 09:00 – 16:00 daily.

The beach of Livadhi, famous for its deep blue waters and the endless fields of olive trees, it is one of the largest beaches of the region, it has a stretch of 1.2 km and more than 60 meters of sand, and it’s mostly visited by campers and families for its peace and quiet. It is located north of Himara, 5 minutes of driving or by taking a short walking path on the seaside.

After the town of Himara and Potami neighbourhood, a small and beautiful beach lies ahead. Stuck between rocky hills, the beach is well frequented during the high season, expect to find both swimmers & jet-skis around. Sharp look-out required! It has very deep waters and colder temperatures than any other beach in the region because of the underwater springs that work all year long.

The monastery of Athali with St. Mary’s church inside is located about 10 km from the center of Himara. Believers gather at Athali every Friday after Easter and every 15 of August, more than 500 people celebrate those days. The monastery was built around 1975. It has a typical byzantine basilica and beside the church there are two storey dwelling ruins that where habitable then and for storage usage. Athali church size 10 x 10.5 meters, covered with flat ceiling, while the side naves are rectangular, separated from each other by columns with arches that connect adjacent walls, which are covered with barrel vaulted. The church is located about 450 meters above sea level and has a wonderful panorama of the Ionian Sea and the city of Himara. Can be accessed by car or visitor can hike their way till there.

The famous beach of Llaman, just a few minutes south of Himara.

The hidden beach of Filikuri on the south side of Himara's center.

The beach of Livadhi, view from the way to the beach.

The magnificent Fousa beach, between Livadhi and Jali beach.

Local providers

Demo Business

Drymades, Perivolo Beach
9422, Phone: (+355) 393 12345More information

Miltos Apartment

City Center, Himara
Phone: (+355) 69 616 5726More information

Marino's Rooms

City Center, Himara
Phone: (+355) 69 959 1070More information

Prinos Hotel

Prinos Beach, Himara
Phone: (+355) 69 989 2109More information

Lucas Oil

Prinos Beach, Himara
Phone: (+355) 67 519 8943More information

Belvedere Hotel

Potami Beach, Himara
Phone: (+355) 69 959 1070More information

Esperia Restaurant

Himara's Port, Himara
Phone: (+355) 393 22422More information

Piazza Restaurant

Center Himara, Himara
Phone: (+355) 69 254 7365More information

Plan Your Trip

How to arrive

It is easy to reach Himara and travel around the region once you arrive. By air from Tirana or Corfu airports, by ferry from Corfu, by bus or by your own car.

How to get around

Read about buses, taxis and ferry’s that tie the region together in a web of sea and land connections operated by both large and small scale operators.

Useful Informations

We have compiled useful information and good advise for your visit in the Region of Himara in our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

When to come

Summer is a season of swimming and partying , while spring is for exploration and sightseeing, read about when is the perfect time to Visit Himara.

Town of Himara

an ancient past

Package Tours

Explore the Castle town of Himara

Explore the Military Castle of Ali Pasha

The Ghost village of Qeparo

AN IMPORTANT & RELIGIOUS PAST

PRESENT DAY

ATTRACTIONS

Local providers

Demo Business

Miltos Apartment

Marino's Rooms

Prinos Hotel

Lucas Oil

Belvedere Hotel

Esperia Restaurant

Piazza Restaurant

Plan Your Trip

How to arrive

How to get around

Useful Informations

When to come

About Visit Himara

Frequently Visited Pages

Other Websites By Visit Himara:

Newsletter

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