VISITING HIMARË’S OLD TOWN AND CHURCH
Before I start writing about the beautiful beaches, best things to do, or really anything, I am going to write about Himarë’s castle and Old Town first. The site was one of my favorite places that I visited in Albania-The town has insane history, one of my favorite parts about my visit was learning about, and experiencing a lot of it first hand and up close. If you are visiting Himarë, this is an absolute must see without any doubt.
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THE OLD TOWN AND CASTLE’S HISTORY/OVERVIEW
When the insane mid July heat began to cool down for the evening I walked about 2 km up into the hills from the center to the unreal fortress that looks over the coast of the Ionian Sea that dates back over 3,500 years(!!).
The castle (Kalaja e Himarës) has survived all of these years, through the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire, both world wars and much more. I really love to try to imagine all that these ruins have seen, it is so unexplainably fascinating to me. I walked along feeling all the walls and I could feel all of the people that walked the same stone roads all of those hundreds of years before me.
Another really cool thing about Himarë’s Old Town is that a small population still lives within the ruins, mostly older Greek residents, who’s families have lived in the old town for many generations.
Himarë as a whole is very influenced by Greek culture and home to a large population of Greeks, after all you are in direct eyesight of Eríkusza and Othonoi, but as you walk up the hills further from the coast the Greek Orthodox culture and feel becomes way more present all around you.
They use a local Greek dialect as well, you will start to notice the signs, family names, and grave stones all written in Greek.
Eríkusza And Othonoi (And Corfu) In The Distance
I would definitely recommend going up at sunset, the light is so beautiful, it is so peaceful, and the energy is unreal. The walk back down as the town lights up below is so unbelievably beautiful as well.
Also, during the day, entering the site to tour the churches and ruins will cost you 2 LEK, but at sunset-entering is free. Of course 2 LEK is a very little amount and it is important to put funds towards the local people and preserving it-so why not hit it more than once.
THE CHURCH OF ST. SERGIUS AND BACCHUS
My favorite church in the village, The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Εκκλησία των Αγίων Σεργίου και Βάκχου) has stone walls that date back to 786 (!!!!) and unreal Post-Byzantine art inside. Seeing the paintings right up close and being able to touch them is something that is incomprehensible to me.
The energy inside was intense but so fascinating, I was the only one there and it was so silent with the gold and pink sky outside, I could feel it so crazily that for one point I did have to step outside while going through some camera settings instead of staying inside.
The Unreal Post-Byzantine Art In Question
HOW TO GET TO HIMARË’S OLD TOWN AND CASTLE
The Old Town is straight up the hill from the Northern end of the town, around a 8 minute drive and 45 minute walk from the center of the main town on the water.
Personally I didn’t think it was that bad of a walk at all, and it is a beautiful walk up. Again, you can rent bikes and mopeds around the town to go up too.
A Small Church On The Side Of The Road On The Walk Up To The Old Town
It is a little easy to miss on the left hand side of the road, across from the entrance is a little family run café. From the entrance it is around a 10 minute walk to the main lookouts and the churches but the walk up through the castle walls under the olive trees is so unreal as well.
WHERE TO STAY IN HIMARË’S OLD TOWN (HIMARA FSHAT)
I did not stay in the Old Town during my time in Himarë, but I 1000% would for a night or two to relax and take it all in.
It is a perfect place to stay to get away from the touristy, more popular areas during your time on the Albanian Riviera, and all of the stays are small family run businesses.
Of course you have to factor in the walking or hitching a ride if you do not have a car to get to and from the Old Town, but there are cafés around to get you through the days if you were to stay put. Next time I visit I will definitely rent a car and stay up in Fshat-I am seriously already looking forward to it.
The two best listings (in my opinion) seem to be:
From every listing that I have gone through, Annapolis looks the most right in the center of Fshat. Of course it is simple, but you don’t need much when you’re surrounded by such unreal history and beautiful views.
A little family run guesthouse, the views from this stay look gorgeous and again, it is in a great location. All of the reviews are fabulous as well! Again, you don’t need much when you’re surrounded by such unreal history and beautiful views, but this has it all for you.
YOU CAN BOOK CASTLE OF HIMARA HERE.
Overall, this was one of my favorite experiences in a long time. I don’t know why it resonated with me so hard or why I loved it so much, I am just still trying to get used to seeing and being surrounded by so much unreal, deep history, while traveling, especially while traveling on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
I will dream of Himarë’s Old Town until I am back next.
THINKING OF TRAVELING TO HIMARË? DO IT.
HERE ARE ALL OF THE RESOURCES I USE TO PLAN MY TRIPS:
FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION: BOOKING.COM IS WHAT I WILL ALWAYS USE TO BOOK FLIGHTS AND STAYS. NEVER DONE ME WRONG.
TOURS, DRIVERS, AND ALL THAT FUN STUFF: VIATOR IS MY GO-TO.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: SAFETYWING HAS ALWAYS BEEN FABULOUS. THE BEST EVER.
RENTAL CARS: WHEN BOOKING ANY TRIP THAT YOU DECIDE TO RENT A CAR FOR, BOOKING.COM IS FABULOUS LIKE ALWAYS.
