Pasqyra Beach | World's Bluest Water Near Saranda

Pasqyra Beach (Plazhi Pasqyra), known as Mirror Beach, is a pebble cove roughly 150 m long on the Ionian Sea coast. It sits 9 km south of Saranda and 6 km north of Ksamil. A study by British agency CV Villas found that the water here is the bluest in the world – just 12.4 points off the reference YInMn Blue shade.

You can get here by the Saranda–Ksamil bus (150 ALL / ~$1.50, every 30 minutes in summer), then walk 1.2 km down a dirt track – about 20 minutes. By car or taxi (~€20 round trip from Saranda) you can drive directly to the beach parking.

The beach operates as a private beach club from June through September, with mandatory sunbed rental. Allow 3–5 hours for swimming and relaxation. Suitable for couples, families with children over 6, and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Location

On the Map

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About

What's Here

The cove is carved into the coastline and framed by white limestone cliffs rising 20–30 m above the water. The colour shifts from turquoise near the shore to deep blue further out. The seabed is pebbly and depth increases quickly – chest-deep within 3–4 m of the waterline. A rocky islet at the northern end of the bay is a popular spot for cliff jumping and snorkeling.

Wooden sunbeds with straw parasols are arranged in 2–3 rows across the pebble beach. Behind the beach, slightly uphill, Restaurant Pasqyra has a terrace overlooking the cove – open roughly 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, serving fish, seafood, salads, and drinks. Basic toilets, showers, and changing facilities are available. Around the southern headland lies the neighbouring cove of Shpella E Pellumbave, reachable by footpath or by swimming at low tide.

On the hillsides around the beach you'll find concrete bunkers from the Hoxha era – a path leads up from behind the toilets. From the top, there's a clear view down over the entire cove. Mobile signal works but can be patchy due to the terrain.

Why Visit

The Highlights

Water colour – ranked the bluest in the world by a CV Villas study (2024), just 12.4 points off YInMn Blue

Size – cove roughly 150 m long, enclosed by white limestone cliffs

Name – Plazhi Pasqyra means 'beach of mirrors': at midday the sun reflects off the water surface creating a mirror-like effect

Snorkeling – rocky islet at the northern end and underwater reefs

Location – 9 km from Saranda, 6 km from Ksamil, 11-minute drive to Butrint

History

Past & Present

Pasqyra Beach has no significant architectural or military history. The name 'Plazhi Pasqyra' (beach of mirrors) is Albanian, referring to the optical effect of sunlight reflecting off the water surface at midday. On the hills around the cove, concrete bunkers survive from the 1960s–1980s, built under Enver Hoxha's nationwide fortification programme that dotted Albania's entire coastline.

Until the 2010s the beach remained wild and little-known. As tourism grew along the Albanian Riviera, the cove was privatised and equipped with sunbeds and a restaurant. In 2024, the beach gained international attention after the CV Villas study named its water the bluest in the world. Today it operates as a private beach club in summer (June–September); outside peak season, access is free.

For Visitors

Visitor Information

Tickets & Prices

Sunbeds and umbrella:

– 2 sunbeds + umbrella: 1,500–2,000 ALL (~$15–20 / €15–20)

– Front row may cost more: up to 2,000 ALL

– Rental is mandatory in summer (June–September); very little space for towels

Parking:

– 500 ALL (~$5 / €5) per car

– Main lot behind the beach + 2 overflow lots on the descent

Restaurant:

– Salads, fish, drinks – prices typical for waterfront restaurants in the area

– Cash preferred

Rules & Restrictions

Pebble beach – water shoes recommended. Depth increases quickly; children who can't swim need supervision. The dirt road to the beach is rough – the last 500 m are rocky, drive slowly. No formal lifeguard station, though some sources mention a lifeguard. On windy days waves can be strong – check the forecast.

On-Site Facilities

Restaurant Pasqyra with terrace (fish, salads, drinks). Basic toilets, showers, and changing rooms. Parking (main lot + 2 overflow). No snorkeling gear rental – bring your own. Mobile signal patchy. Not accessible for visitors with limited mobility: steep descent on a dirt road, rocky entry to water.

Getting There

Transport & Directions

From Saranda (9 km, 15–20 min by car):

– Saranda–Ksamil bus: 150 ALL (~$1.50), every 30 min in summer, hourly in shoulder season. Ask the driver to stop at Pasqyra Beach. From the road it's a 1.2 km walk (20 min, uphill then downhill, no shade)

– Taxi: ~€20 round trip, agree on a pickup time

– By car: turn-off is signposted from the main road, then 1.2 km on dirt track. A regular 2WD car can manage, but drive slowly

From Ksamil (6 km, 10 min by car):

– Same Ksamil–Saranda bus, 150 ALL

– Taxi cheaper than from Saranda

At the beach:

Main parking directly behind the beach (500 ALL). Fills up by 11:00 AM in summer – arrive before 10:00. Two overflow car parks on the descent.

When to go

Best time to visit

Season: June–September for swimming (water temperature 23–27°C / 73–81°F). July–August hottest (air up to 32°C / 90°F). May and October warm (20–25°C / 68–77°F) but facilities may be closed.

Time of day: Morning (before 10:00 AM) – fewer people, calmer water, easier parking. Midday – mirror effect on the water, but hot and crowded.

Duration: 3–5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

Avoid: Windy days (rough waves in the cove). July–August weekends – beach fills up by noon.