Porto Palermo Castle

The castle sits on a rocky promontory connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Its triangular plan with three pentagonal towers at the corners is a distinctive feature that has led historians to debate the true builders – a similar style is found in Venetian fortresses, notably the fort at Butrint. The walls are made of neatly fitted limestone blocks, 3.2–3.5 m thick. Inside, a central hexagonal chamber with a domed ceiling supported by six pillars provides access to all rooms and passages.

The ground floor houses a series of rooms: the former prison (a central cell facing the sea), guard quarters, and storage areas. The spaces are mostly empty with minimal information panels – inscriptions from various eras appear on the walls, including Italian text from World War II and Albanian slogans from the communist period. A stone stairway leads to the upper terrace: five watchtowers with gun loopholes, each capped with a dome. From the terrace – panoramic views of Porto Palermo Bay, turquoise water, the rocky coastline, and the Ceraunian Mountains.

In the northern part of the bay, remnants of a communist-era military base survive – concrete barracks with socialist slogans on the walls and a submarine tunnel carved into the rock. Next to the castle is a small pebble beach with clear water, ideal for a swim after your visit.

Architecture – triangular plan with three pentagonal towers, walls 3.2–3.5 m thick made of limestone blocks

Commissioner – built in 1804 by order of Ali Pasha of Tepelena with the help of French military engineers

Central hall – hexagonal room with a domed ceiling on six pillars, connecting all chambers of the fortress

Terrace – upper platform with five watchtowers and a panorama of the bay, Ionian Sea, and Ceraunian Mountains

Submarine base – a Cold War–era submarine tunnel and barracks survive in the bay

Beach – a small pebble beach with crystal-clear water right beside the castle walls

The bay of Porto Palermo (known in antiquity as Panormos) served as a harbor since ancient times, protecting the coast of Himara. The current fortress was built in the early 19th century by order of Ali Pasha of Tepelena – a powerful Ottoman ruler who controlled southern Albania. According to a now-missing memorial plaque, construction was completed in 1804 with the assistance of French military engineers. Legend says the engineers were killed after the work was finished. In 1803, Ali Pasha offered the castle and port to the British Royal Navy – the garrison at that time consisted of just 10 men with two four-pound cannons.

After Ali Pasha's death in 1822, the fortress fell into disrepair. During World War II, Italian forces used it as a prison and military post. Under the communist regime, the bay was converted into a secret submarine base – a tunnel for submarines was carved into the rock. In 1948 the castle was designated a Cultural Monument. Today it operates as a museum open to visitors.

From Himara (8 km, 15 min):

– By car along SH8 south, right turn toward the bay (easy to miss the turn)

– Taxi – 800–1,000 ALL (~€8–10 / ~$9–11)

– Shared minivan (furgon) Himara–Qeparo (100 ALL / ~€1), ask to stop at Porto Palermo, then walk 5 min

From Saranda (45 km, 50–60 min):

– By car along SH8 north

– Bus toward Himara, get off at Porto Palermo

On-site:

From the parking lot to the castle – 2–3 minutes' walk along the causeway

Season: May–October is best. The castle is open daily 9:00–18:00.

Time of day: Morning (before 11:00) for fewer visitors and comfortable temperatures. Evening for the best photography light.

Duration: 30–45 minutes for the castle. With beach time – 2–3 hours.

Avoid: Midday in July–August – stuffy inside and hot on the terrace.