Although it is said that the most beautiful beaches in theAlbania are south of Saranda, along the so-called Albanian Riviera, there is one that, on the contrary, is located about seventy kilometers north of the city, and it is Gijpe beach.
Albanians know it well and try to keep it a secret, but unfortunately tourists have also discovered it and therefore we can tell how wonderful it is.
It is always found along the southern coast of Albania, where the sea is crystal clear and it is easy to see small beaches and coves, in an area hidden by rocks, surrounded by fragile rock walls and thick green vegetation, famous for its canyons.
Right at the bottom of the Gijpe canyon An inlet of light sand appears with views of crystal clear waters. A unique natural corner in the country.
To get there you have to walk about four kilometers from the main road along a small path. It is a very pleasant and undemanding walk, with a fantastic view of the sea and the southern coast of Albania.
For those who are more experienced and want to challenge themselves, Gjipe Beach can also be reached by walking through the canyon. This route, which is not marked with any sign, is much more demanding, you have to descend from some heights and it is not at all easy to retrace it on the way back. The fun finally comes to Gjipeña board a kayak rented nearby mesh playa, the most famous of the Himare resort which is equally beautiful, but much more crowded.
If there may be more people than usual in the summer months, you can find some umbrellas available to rent and there are also a small kiosk where to buy something to eat. The ideal is to spend the night in the small camping – open only in high season – or pitch a tent on the beach to enjoy the view, with a visit to the ruins of the monastery of San Teodoro, and moments of silence in the afternoon and early morning before everyone arrives.
Not far from Gjipe beach, in Radhime and Llogara, two tourist information points have recently opened in the area, built as part of the NaturAl project, financed by the European Union and implemented by the Italian Cooperation.
