The once sleepy village on the coast south of Durrës, Golem, has recently developed into a thriving resort town, drawing large numbers of visitors each season. Everything that most people associate with a seaside vacation can be found here, including a large, sandy beach, unending lines of umbrellas, shallow, warm water, and a vibrant nightlife. Donkeys delivering watermelons and other snacks along the beach are a local attraction.
Since the bottom lowers fairly slowly, swimmers must stroll a good few dozen metres before they reach the depth – which is what families with children will probably appreciate. The sea tends to be warm due to the shallow bottom profile and the fine sand muddies the water to a certain extent. But the farther you swim, the clearer the sea will be.
The trash on the beach used to be a drawback for Golem, though things have improved in this regard and the beach is routinely cleaned throughout the season.
To the north of Golem, the distinct sandstone Kavaja Rock (Shkëmbi i Kavajës) rises to a height of 105 metres above the sea. Not only does it offer fine views of the entire Bay of Durrës, but it is also historically significant since it was where the armies of Caesar and his rival Pompey clashed in 48 BC.
Local tour operator offer a large number of day trips from Golem to closer or more distant parts of Albania.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Golem.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
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Experiences
Book a day trip from or to Durrës on Viator.com.