Livadhi
Best for. Active travellers who want a long, easy beach with bars and rentals close by, and a base to launch boat days and snorkel runs along the Himare bay.
Best spot. The calm morning water off the wide middle of the sand, then the rocky southern end for a snorkel once the day warms up and the breeze fills in.
Know this. There is no real surf on this coast, so read the wind not the swell. Swim early before the afternoon onshore breeze ruffles the bay.
Livadhi is the easy yes of the Himare bay. A long, wide run of pebble and grit just south of the town, it has the bars, the rentals and the hotels right on the sand, which makes it the most comfortable beach day on this stretch. It is not wild and it is not a hidden cove. It is the dependable one, the beach you point a group at when half of them want a lounger and a cold drink and the other half want to actually get in the sea.
The adventure read here is about wind and rock, not waves. The Ionian does not give this coast a proper swell, so forget surf and read the breeze instead. Mornings are glassy and clear, perfect for a long swim or a paddle along the shore, and that is when Livadhi is at its best. By early afternoon the onshore wind that locals know well stands up a light chop and pushes people onto the daybeds. Work with it. Snorkel the rocky shoulders at either end where the fish hold, and use Livadhi as a launch base, because the wilder coves of Filikuri and the bigger bays to the south are an easy boat or kayak hop from here.
If you came chasing something raw, be honest with yourself about the wide comfortable middle, which is tame by design. Walk to the southern rocks for the snorkeling, or get on the water and point south to Krorez and the boat only coves. Livadhi earns its place as the base with the best sleep and the easiest food, the beach you come back to at dusk after a day spent finding the wild stuff.
Clubs on this beach
Livadhi spreads its bars and beach hotels along a long beach, so the scene never feels stacked the way it does on the smaller coves. Minimum spends are set by each venue and to be confirmed, and loungers go early in peak.
Photo: Miamar Hotel via GoogleMiamar
A hotel and beach setup right on the Livadhi sand, with loungers, food and drinks a few steps from the water. The handiest comfortable base on this beach. Minimum spend to be confirmed.
Himare bay, central Riviera
Livadhi sits at the southern end of the Himare bay, just off the SH8 coast road and an easy walk or short drive from Himare town. Coast buses between Vlore and Saranda stop in Himare, from where it is a quick hop down to the sand by car or taxi.
Park near the front, which fills early in summer, and carry cash for the smaller bars. The smart play is a morning swim while the water is glass, then a boat or kayak south to the wilder coves before the wind turns the bay choppy in the afternoon.
Photo: To Cr via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a bar or beach hotel on the Livadhi 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 Livadhi
Is Livadhi beach worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a long, easy beach with bars, rentals and beach hotels close to hand. Livadhi is the comfortable base of the Himare bay. For something wilder, snorkel the rocky ends or take a boat south to the quieter coves.
Is there surf at Livadhi?
No. The Ionian does not give this coast a proper swell, so there is no real surfing here. The thing to plan around is the afternoon onshore wind. Swim and paddle early while the bay is glassy, and expect a light chop later in the day.
Are there beach clubs at Livadhi?
Yes, the long beach has bars and beach hotels spread along it, including Miamar right on the sand. Because the beach is wide they never feel stacked. Minimum spends are set by each venue and to be confirmed, and loungers fill fast in peak.
Is the water at Livadhi calm?
Mornings are usually calm and clear, ideal for a long swim. The bay catches an onshore breeze that tends to build through the afternoon and ruffle the surface. Swim early for the glassy water and use the afternoon for the bars or a snorkel on the sheltered side.
When is the best time to visit Livadhi?
June and September give warm water and room to spread out on a long beach. July and August bring the warmest sea and the biggest crowds. For an easy day with space, aim for the shoulder weeks and arrive in the morning.
