Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach: Gems of the Albanian Riviera
Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links found in our posts are affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Here’s everything to know about visiting Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach on the Albanian Riviera.
The extraordinary coast of the Albanian Riviera is full of breathtaking views, fabulous waterfront restaurants, and beautiful beaches. When you stumble upon an area that has all of these things in one spot, it feels like you’ve hit the jackpot.
The heavenly Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach could not be more different in terms of what they have to offer, as each is worth visiting for individual reasons. But together, they make up one of the best destinations in Albania for beach lovers.
In this guide, find out everything you need to know about visiting Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach in Albania.
The Essentials: Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach in Albania
⛱ Both beaches are located within close proximity of one another. This means you can easily visit both, even on the same day.
🛌 The best place to stay near both Aquarium and Jale Beach is Livadhi Beach, which has a larger selection of accommodation.
🧉 Jale Beach is better suited for people without children and those interested in a beach club experience.
🥾 Aquarium Beach is best for those who don’t mind a brief hike and prefer a wild beach over a developed area.
⛵️ Alternatively, catch a boat tour from Himarë which makes stops along the best beaches in the area.
⛺️ On a budget? Consider staying at a campsite near Aquarium Beach for less than €30/night.
Aquarium Beach and Jale Beach on a Map
🇦🇱 You May Like: Unique Things to Do in Albania
FAQs: Visiting Aquarium Beach (Plazhi Akuariumit)
Where in Albania Is Aquarium Beach?
The Albanian Riviera stretches from the big coastal city of Vlorë (Vlora) down to Ksamil. Himarë is a region situated in the middle of this gorgeous coastline and is rich in beautiful beaches. This is where you’ll find the secluded bay of Aquarium Beach, which is located between the beach pavilions of Jale and Livadi.
The well established beach town of Jale is only 1.5 km from Aquarium Beach. From the even more popular Himare Beach, you can find Aquarium Beach just 5 km away.
⛱ You May Like: Best Beaches in Himare, Albania
Is Aquarium Beach Worth Visiting?
It may depend on what type of beachgoer you are, but for anyone seeking a gorgeous and wild beach, Aquarium Beach hits the mark. Unlike its many neighbors, there are no paid beach clubs, sunbeds for rent, or bars and loud music in sight. Aquarium Beach is a sheltered cove nestled in the rugged coastline.
The water is crystal clear with turquoise hues as you swim out into the open sea. A rocky cliffside hugs the bay on both sides and creates one of the most picturesque settings on the Albanian coast.
Although the other nearby beaches are wonderful in a different way, Aquarium Beach’s natural landscape is simply unique. This is one of the main reasons it’s such a popular destination for those willing to make the journey to it.
During peak season, it’s recommended you visit during the early morning or near sunset, as you’ll be able to enjoy it with just a handful of other people. The quieter it is, the more magical the location feels.
Lastly, as the name implies, it’s a fantastic beach for snorkeling, so don’t forget your goggles behind. Older kids (and kids at heart) will enjoy jumping off the overhanging rocks surrounding the cove.
👍 You May Like: Is Ksamil, Albania Worth Visiting?
How to Get To Aquarium Beach
By Walking
The most common and no-frills way to reach Aquarium Beach is on foot. From the center of Jale Beach, it is a less than 2 km walk to Aquarium Beach and Gjiri Beach just before it. The trek to reach the beach is rather easy as there are no steep inclines or rock climbing required.
Getting down the small cliff to reach the actual beachhead is the only moderately difficult section. Getting to Aquarium Beach by walking will take around 20-30 minutes from Jale Beach.
Depending on whether you’re interested in making the walk as quick as possible, it is an option to park along the trail to shorten the journey on foot.
Most people driving regular cars will park here and walk the remainder of the way. This way, it cuts down your hike to Aquarium Beach to only 10-15 minutes.
It is also possible to reach Aquarium Beach in Albania by walking from the direction of Livadi Beach. This route is slightly more difficult and will take longer, but it is unquestionably more scenic.
The road from Livadi Beach will ascend up the hillside overlooking the coast below, so you’re rewarded with stunning views for your uphill climb. Based on your physical condition, this course will take 30 – 45 minutes.
🥾 Download AllTrails+ for Access to Hiking Trails in Albania
By Boat
Walk by any sandwich board sign advertising boat tours on the Albanian Riviera, and you’ll see a picture of Aquarium Beach. Due to its elusive location away from major roads, it’s not accessible to mass crowds.
It’s very common for boats to take tourists to Aquarium Beach by sea instead of land.
Most boat excursions will make multiple stops at different beaches along the coast, so a visit to Aquarium Beach won’t be an all-day event.
Booking a boat tour to see Aquarium Beach is an ideal option for those looking to maximize their time or for people without a car.
With a Car
After only a few hours of driving in Albania, you’ll quickly notice the mindset of being able to conquer any road in any car. In other words, many Albanian drivers don’t believe that off-roading is only reserved for AWD/4WD vehicles.
With that being said, it is possible to reach Aquarium Beach in Albania with a regular car up until the last 300 meters. Up to this point, it’s a dirt road with some rocks but no massive boulders. As long as you’re driving slowly and carefully, you really don’t need a truck or SUV to make it.
We saw a handful of compact vehicles make it to a parking area just before Gjiri Beach.
To make it all the way up to the very entrance of Aquarium Beach, it’s recommended to attempt this only with a larger car. For us, we purposefully seek out off-roading paths, so getting to Aquarium Beach by car was a fun drive.
However, anyone can experience an off-roading adventure in Albania without their own car. 4×4 expedition tours are increasingly becoming more popular and are just as entertaining as boat rides. Jeeps, Land Rovers, and similar vehicles will take groups of tourists to off-road destinations like Aquarium Beach as part of bigger journeys.
🗺 You May Like: Albanian Road Trip Guide
Is Aquarium Beach Suitable for Children?
For those who are walking the entire or majority of the way to Aquarium Beach, you may want to be mindful of how much stuff you’re bringing so you don’t make the hike harder than it is.
If you’re taking the path from Jale Beach, the route is flat but it’s not shaded. In the summer time, the 30-minute walk can feel like a lot longer with the constant sun beaming down on you. Aside from wearing a hat, an easy trick is to hold your open beach umbrella during the walk.
Although much of the path is uncomplicated to navigate, the last 20 meters will require attention, especially if traveling with kids. Young children will likely need to be carried down the short cliffside as it’s very steep and filled with loose rocks.
Once at the beachhead, Aquarium Beach is perfectly suitable for kids. The water is clear, the entrance is shallow, and it’s possible to pitch umbrellas or shade on the small pebble beach.
What Should You Bring to Aquarium Beach?
Although the beach is situated off the beaten path, it’s luckily within close proximity to a small beach shack at Gjiri Beach. If you don’t feel like bringing your own snacks or drinks, you can pop over to Jal Beach Bar.
Nonetheless, given the remote setting of Aquarium Beach, we still recommend coming prepared with a few items. Our personal travel style is geared towards traveling as lightly as possible. Of course, with a child, this is much easier said than done.
Still, we’ve found some great products that make our lives easier without having to haul the house with us.
- Lightweight and sandproof beach blanket
- Compact beach tent for shade
- Portable dog water bottle
- Beach chairs that fit in a backpack
- Underwater action camera
- Arm floaties for toddlers
- Durable sunscreen
Can You Camp at Aquarium Beach?
Tent camping, in addition to caravan camping, is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy Aquarium Beach in Albania. There is an established campsite located less than 1 km from the beach.
It is possible to walk to Aquarium Beach and Gjiri Beach on foot in just 15 minutes. The campsite, Aquariumi, is super affordable at around €5/person per night.
To set accurate expectations, one should prepare for a no-frills experience at this campsite with basic facilities and comfort.
Aquarium Beach is also a dreamy spot for wild camping, especially for those with off-road vehicles. There are just a few spots directly near the entrance to the beach that are suitable for camping vehicles (rooftop tents) or pitched ground tents.
At Gjiri Beach, we even saw people camping directly on the beach inside their vehicles. As with all wild camping, it’s important to do it respectfully and to never leave anything behind.
Where to Stay Near Aquarium Beach in Albania
Best Guesthouse Stay – Guesthouse Rondo (CHECK PRICES)
Best Beachfront Stay – IRINI Boutique Rooms (CHECK PRICES)
Best Apartment Stay – Annapolis (CHECK PRICES)
FAQs: Visiting Jale Beach
Is Jale Beach Worth Visiting?
There’s no better place along the Albanian Riviera than Jale Beach for the ultimate seaside holiday experience. For the particular type of traveler who is truly seeking a vacation, staying in Jale and making it your base is the ideal choice.
From full-service resorts to beautiful apartments, there’s accommodation for all types of travelers. Furthermore, finding a place to eat in Jale can be done with your eyes closed. The entire coastline is packed with cafes, restaurants, and bars, which makes it possible to eat and drink at a new place every night.
Overall, Jale Beach is most suited for couples, party groups or tourists looking for a low-effort holiday. For those looking to enjoy many lazy days by the water with a drink in hand, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Jale.
All of the beaches are private, which means they’re sectioned off, and each area is individually operated by numerous beach clubs. Into the evenings, most of these places also transform into night clubs.
The water at Jale Beach is, unsurprisingly, its most notable feature. This is up for debate, but even locals will mention that the best beach and quality of the sea are found in Jale.
Since the beaches are privately owned, this means they’re well-maintained, which has a huge positive impact on the cleanliness of the beach in comparison to free ones.
💎 You May Like: 10 Hidden Gem Beaches in Albania
Does Jale Beach Have Beach Clubs?
During the peak season, there isn’t anywhere on Jale Beach that you can go to for free. This raises the question: “Is Jale Beach expensive?” After considering the fact that you have to pay to visit the beach, it is possible to avoid overpaying.
There are many different beach bars and clubs along the main road, some of which may cost more than others. It is possible to scout out the ones that offer slightly different prices if you don’t want to spend too much. After all, remember that they are all “selling” the same sea.
The level of quality then comes down to the condition of sun beds, friendly service and cleanliness. Below are some of the best rated beach bars in Jale and the latest prices.
- Bazz Beach Bar – Around €10 for an umbrella and two loungers
- Marinero Beach Bar – Around €15 for an umbrella and two loungers (includes phone chargers!)
- Lemon at the Beach – Around €10 for an umbrella and two loungers
- Valentino Beach Club – Around €15 for an umbrella and two loungers in the front row
What is the Best Way to Get to Jale Beach?
Public transportation throughout the Albanian Riviera is not straightforward and can be challenging for tourists to rely on. Therefore, we highly recommend renting a car to reach beautiful places like Jale Beach by driving.
The SH8 is the main motorway that runs up and down the Albanian coast. Getting to Jale Beach from this motorway is very simple and on paved roads the entire time.
Unfortunately, there are many destinations in Albania that are currently out of easy reach for visitors due to the lack of bus or train travel. If you are planning on using the bus to get around, it is possible but requires some research, planning and flexibility.
While it may be difficult to find a direct bus to Jale, there’s a better chance of finding a bus that goes to nearby Dhermi or Himare. From there, you can catch a taxi to Jale Beach or consider walking.
The best way to search for bus times and routes to Dhermi or Himare is on this website.
Can You Visit Jale Beach With Children?
Given the number of beach bars present, Jale Beach aims to cater to couples, groups of friends, and vacationers without children. This is not to say it’s not kid-friendly by any means.
There are just many other better options to enjoy a holiday with children in other parts of the Albanian Riviera. Some resorts and beach clubs in Jale Beach are even adults-only and do not allow children on their section of the beach.
For any parent that understands how uncontrollable kids can be, it’s not the most inviting beach in Albania when you’re surrounded by other adult guests looking to relax.
👍 You May Like: How to Visit Albania’s Famous Gjipe Beach
Is There Parking at Jale Beach?
Parking areas or lots that are located anywhere within a 5-minute walk to the beach will be paid. Leaving your car at staffed lots will usually cost around €5 for the entire day.
During the off-season, this is a different story but in the summer, you will not find free parking within close proximity.
To find free parking near Jale Beach, find Hotel Nuanti on Google Maps. Along this dirt road, there are many undesignated (but allowed) parking areas that are free. On the other end of Jale Beach, you may find free street parking near Milman Hotel as well.
Where to Stay Near Jale Beach
Best Beach Club Hotel – Folie Marine (CHECK PRICES)
Best Vacation Village – Soleil Village (CHECK PRICES)
Best Camping – Social Camping JAL (CHECK PRICES)
Albania Travel Resources
☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries
🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
