What to See in Himarë, Albania: Free Audio Guide

If you are looking for things to do in Himarë and wondering what to see along this stretch of the coast, you will find a relaxed seaside town rich in layered history and fortifications. Located in the Vlorë region of Albania, Himarë sits between the Ionian Sea and steep coastal hills, offering a quieter alternative to busier hubs like Sarande or Vlora. Neywo features a free audio guide for Himarë with 5 narrated places that tell the story of the town as you walk.

What to See in Himarë: Key Landmarks and Historic Sites

A self-guided walking tour of Himarë reveals ancient walls, Ottoman strongholds, and centuries-old churches tucked into the rugged landscape.

Kështjella e Himarës

As you explore the old town, look for Kështjella e Himarës, also known locally as Kastro. This hilltop fortress is a protected cultural heritage monument with evidence of human presence stretching back around three thousand five hundred years. Its ancient walls date to the fifth or fourth centuries BCE, when the castle guarded an important coastal route between Orikum and Butrint. Built on rocky ground bordered by the Visha and Kole Midhar canyons, the fortress features sections made from large polygonal stone blocks. During the Byzantine period, it became a fortified town and later served as the center of the Bishopric of Himara from the eighth century.

St. Mary’s Church

At the top of Xhumba Hill, St. Mary’s Church—also known as Kisha e Shën Mërisë së Athalit—stands among ancient ruins as a recognized Cultural Monument of Albania. This three-nave basilica with a vaulted roof measures about 11.8 by 6.6 meters and serves as the principal church of the Monastery of Panagia Athaliottisa. It was rebuilt during the time of Joaniqit, bishop of Himarë and Delvinë, with completion on April 10, 1795. The site has held cultural monument status since 1963.

All Saints’ Church

Another notable site in Himarë is All Saints’ Church, known in Albanian as Kisha e Gjithshenjtorëve and in Greek as Ναός Αγιών Πάντων. Built around 1775 at the request of Kosmos of Aetolia, this Albanian Orthodox church contains an interior iconostasis. During the communist period in Albania, the building was used as a warehouse for oranges.

Porto Palermo Fortress

Rising on a peninsula in the bay of Porto Palermo, Porto Palermo Fortress—or Porto Palermo Castle—is an Ottoman monument and one of the most distinctive sights near Himarë. It is described as the best-preserved garrison erected by Ali Pasha in the region. The castle features an unusual pentagon plan built by a French engineer, its position in the bay giving it a strong sense of place amid the southern landscape.

Shën Mërisë in Dhërmi

Further along the coast, Shën Mërisë in Dhërmi is a recognized cultural heritage monument in Albania, also known as the Church of the Monastery of Panagia.

Explore Himarë with a Free Walking Tour

To experience these historic sites at your own pace, Neywo offers a free audio guide for Himarë covering 5 narrated places. Each story plays automatically as you reach the site, allowing you to walk without a group or a rigid schedule, with narration available in 11 languages. Whether you are planning a trip from Tirana, Gjirokastër, Durrës, or Shkodër, download the app to uncover the history behind Himarë’s fortresses and churches as you explore the coast.