Beach & canyon

Gjipe Beach & Canyon

Where a dramatic canyon meets a wild beach

Gjipe is one of the most spectacular spots on the Albanian Riviera — a wild pebble-and-sand beach where the deep Gjipe Canyon meets the Ionian Sea, which we cruise past on the Caves Tour.

Set between Dhërmi and Vuno, Gjipe Beach lies at the mouth of a limestone canyon that runs more than 800 metres inland, with sheer walls rising tens of metres above the floor. It's hard to reach by land — a rough track and a downhill walk — but easy and far more dramatic from the water, which is where the iconic photo of the place is taken, looking up at the canyon throat behind the beach.

The canyon and its cove are a favourite with hikers, free-campers and snorkellers, and from the sea you get the full composition: turquoise water around the boat, the pebble beach ahead, and vertical cliffs converging behind it. We take it in on the Caves Tour, between the Pirate's Cave and the swim stop at Pigeons Cave.

Highlights

An 800 m+ limestone canyon opening onto a wild beach
One of the most photographed scenes on the Albanian Riviera
Best seen from the water, looking up at the canyon
Cruised past on the Caves Tour

Visited on this tour

The Caves Tour

Dhermi Coast, Albania

Duration: 2–2.5 hours

View this tour

Gjipe Beach & Canyon Gallery

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Gjipe Beach and Gjipe Canyon?

Gjipe Beach is the pebble-and-sand shoreline where the canyon meets the sea. Gjipe Canyon is the 800 m+ limestone gorge rising inland behind it. From a boat, the canyon is the dramatic backdrop framing the beach.

Can the boat go into the canyon?

No — the canyon is dry above the shoreline; the sea only reaches its mouth at the beach. From the boat you see the beach and the canyon walls rising vertically behind it, which is the iconic Gjipe view.

How do you reach Gjipe?

By boat from the sea, or on foot via a rough track and a downhill walk from the inland canyon parking. The boat angle is the dramatic one; the hike is for those who want a full day on the beach.