Borshit Beach
Long pebble shore, turquoise water, castle ruins overhead
About
Plazhi i Borshit stretches along the Albanian Riviera, a long arc of white sand and pebbles lapped by genuinely turquoise water. The air carries the faint scent of olive groves that climb the hillsides above, and the silhouette of castle ruins crowns the ridge behind the beach. It's relaxed here — unhurried, uncrowded, and refreshingly unpolished. The Ionian light hits the water hard in the afternoon, turning it almost electric. This is the Albanian Riviera at its most honest.
How to get there
From Saranda, you can drive in about 40 minutes or take one of three daily buses (roughly 45 minutes). Buses also run regularly from Himara, and a daily service connects from Tirana in around 5 hours. If you're staying in Borsh village, it's a 25-minute walk down to the beach or a 5-minute taxi ride on demand. Parking is available on-site — a mix of free and paid spots depending on the area and season; hotels in the area typically offer parking for guests.
Who it's for
For couples
The relaxed pace and uncrowded shore make this an easy place to slow down together — pack a picnic, find a quiet stretch of pebbles, and let the afternoon go. The olive groves and castle ruins above give the whole setting an unhurried, almost timeless quality.
For families
Swimming is rated safe, but the water deepens quickly — families should stay close to the shallows and equip kids with water shoes for the pebble entry. The short taxi ride from Borsh village (5 minutes) makes logistics easy if you're travelling with young children.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Plazhi i Borshit is safe to swim — but note that the water deepens fast, particularly for children, and water shoes are a practical necessity on the pebble bottom. Beyond that caveat, this is a genuinely rewarding beach: long, relaxed, and still free of the infrastructure overload that has hit other Riviera spots. The turquoise water is real, not a filter. The castle ruins above and the olive groves behind give it a sense of place that a plain sandy beach simply can't match. Come in June or September if you want the best of it — warm water, manageable visitor numbers, and light that makes the whole coastline look like it was designed for a photograph. Worth the detour from Saranda.
What to do
A short distance from the beach, Gjiri Amla — Amla Bay — is worth the 2.3 km trip for a quieter cove experience. Drive or hike 3.8 km up to the panoramic viewpoint at Qeparo i Siperm for sweeping views over the coastline. Heart Beach, about 5 km away, is another distinctive spot along this stretch of the Riviera worth adding to your day.
The ridge above the beach with the castle ruins framed against the turquoise water is the standout shot — best captured from the shoreline in the golden hour before sunset.
The long sweep of white pebbles curving into the sea photographs well from any elevated point along the hillside, especially when the shore is quiet in early morning.
Where to eat
Luna Mare is the closest option at just 0.5 km, followed by Solymar at 0.6 km — both within easy walking distance of the shore. A little further along, Pizzeria Bar SunSet, Bar Restorant Solarus, and Bar Cafe Restaurant New Paradise on the Beach all sit within 0.8 km and cover everything from pizza to full meals with a sea view.
Where to stay
Hotel Riviera is the closest place to stay at 0.5 km from the beach, with Hotel Blue Days a short distance further at 1 km. Hotel Angjelo, Hotel Take, and Hotel Kavalieri offer additional options ranging from 1.2 km to 2.5 km away.
Photography
The castle ruins on the ridge above make a compelling backdrop — shoot from the beach in the early morning when the light is soft and the shore is at its quietest. The turquoise water against the white pebble shoreline photographs best between 9 and 11 am before the midday glare flattens the colour.
Good to know
Water depth increases quickly here, so keep a close eye on children near the waterline at all times. The pebble bottom is uneven underfoot — water shoes are strongly recommended for a comfortable entry. The beach is at its quietest early morning and in June or September, before and after the peak summer wave. Nearest airport is Corfu (CFU), about 49 km away, which is a practical entry point if you're flying in.
Map
Nearby places
Luna Mare
Solymar
Pizzeria Bar SunSet
Bar Restorant Solarus
Bar Cafe Restaurant New Paradise on the beach
Hotel Riviera
Hotel Blue Days
Hotel Angjelo
Hotel Take
Hotel Kavalieri
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Sharon Hahn Darlin · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 2 — Arianit · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 3 — INAsTEA · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 4 — 6,350,000 (SIX MILLION plus SAFE VIEWS THANKS) · source · CC BY 2.0