Drymades
Best for. Travellers who want the Dhermi water and clubs with a touch more room and a softer mood, and anyone chasing the sunset.
Best spot. A morning swim off the central pebbles, then a table at the south end bars as the light drops over the Ionian.
Know this. Several clubs keep capacity small on purpose, so book a daybed ahead in July or you may find no space at all.
Drymades is the beach that made the Albanian Riviera fashionable, and it has aged better than most of its imitators. A white pebble cove just north of Dhermi, backed by pines and the grey wall of the Ceraunian mountains, it is lined with beach clubs that run from barefoot and laid back to full service, and the water is the kind of blue that looks retouched in every photo. It is the cooler, slightly more relaxed twin of Dhermi, and for many regulars it is the better of the two.
The honest read is about access and timing. The clubs here are part of the appeal, and several keep their capacity deliberately limited, which keeps the mood civilised but means arriving in July without a reservation and finding no space is a real possibility. Book a daybed ahead for the busy weeks, or come early and claim your own patch. In the water it follows the coast rhythm: glass calm and clear in the morning, then a building onshore breeze through the afternoon that stands up a short chop, easing again as the day cools.
What sets Drymades apart is the end of the day. The cove faces west, and the bars at the south end gather a sunset crowd for one of the best light shows on the coast, the sun dropping straight into the Ionian. Swim early, lunch long, and hold a table for the sundown. If you want it wilder, the canyon cove at Gjipe is a short hop up the coast, and if you want the bigger scene, the Dhermi sand runs on just to the south. Drymades sits happily in the middle, the cool one.
Clubs on this beach
Drymades is club country, from the original party spot to relaxed cocktail bars and the sunset bars at the south end such as Amar. Several keep capacity small, so the mood stays easy and the daybeds book out. Minimum spends are set by each venue and to be confirmed.
Photo: Roos van Garderen via GoogleMumbas Beach Club
The original party club on the Drymades sand, a long running spot with loungers and a livelier soundtrack as the day goes on. Minimum spend to be confirmed.
Photo: Bacarò Beach Bar via GoogleBacaro Beach Bar
A relaxed bar on Drymades with loungers, cocktails and easy food, one of the most popular hangouts along this stretch of sand. Minimum spend to be confirmed.
Dhermi coast, central Riviera
Drymades sits just north of Dhermi on the central Riviera, reached by a side road that drops from the main coast road down to the shore. It is a short hop from Dhermi, and the cove effectively continues from the Dhermi sand, so you can walk between the two along the beach when the sea is calm.
Drive over the Llogara pass for the great coastal view, then drop to the cove for a morning swim before the clubs fill. Parking near the shore is tight in summer, so come early, carry cash for the smaller bars, and reserve a daybed ahead if you have a club in mind.
Photo: 360° Sunset Bar Drymades via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club on the Drymades sand. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Drymades
What is Drymades beach like?
Drymades is a white pebble cove just north of Dhermi, backed by pines and the Ceraunian mountains, and lined with beach clubs that run from barefoot and laid back to full service. It is the cooler, slightly more relaxed twin of Dhermi, with clear water and one of the best sunsets on the coast.
Do you need to book a beach club at Drymades?
In peak season, yes. Several of the clubs keep their capacity deliberately limited, which is part of the charm but means arriving without a reservation in July and finding no space is a real risk. Book a daybed ahead for the busy weeks, or come early in the day to claim a spot.
Is Drymades good for sunset?
Yes. The cove faces west and the south end gathers a sunset crowd at the bars there, making it one of the best places on the Riviera to watch the light go down over the Ionian. Stake out a table in the late afternoon, since the sundown seats fill quickly in summer.
Is the water at Drymades calm?
Mornings are usually calm and clear and lovely for a swim or a paddle. The cove faces the open sea, so an onshore breeze builds through the afternoon and ruffles the surface. The early hours give the glassiest water, with the wind easing again toward sunset.
How do you get to Drymades?
It sits just north of Dhermi on the central Riviera, reached by a side road that drops from the main coast road down to the shore. It is a short hop from Dhermi, and the beach effectively runs on from the Dhermi sand, so you can walk between the two along the shore.
