Mountain
Llogara Pass
A mountain pass on the Riviera road with panoramic coastal views, and a well-known launch point for paragliding down toward the sea.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
The Llogara Pass climbs to 1,027 metres through Llogara National Park, linking Vlora with the Albanian Riviera. The road snakes up through pine forest and over the top in a series of dramatic hairpins, with the Ionian Sea spread out far below.
It's Albania's best-known paragliding spot. Tandem flights launch from the ridge and glide down toward the coast near Palasë and Dhërmi, with the sea, the Karaburun peninsula and, on clear days, Corfu in view. The pass is also a classic cycling climb and a good hiking base, with trails through black pine and fir forest where the wind has bent the trees into strange shapes.
Llogara sits about an hour south of Vlora and 20 minutes above Dhërmi. Paragliding runs from spring to autumn when the weather is stable, and flights depend on the wind, so keep your schedule flexible. Stop at the roadside restaurants in the forest for grilled lamb and mountain views. Head inland to Berat to add an old town to the trip.
When to go
May through September for the clearest skies and best paragliding conditions.
Getting there
On the main coastal road between Vlorë and the Riviera towns, roughly 2.5 hours from Tirana by car.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Free to visit; tandem flights from €129
1 to 3 hours
Dhërmi or Vlora
Tirana, 3 hrs
Where to stay for Llogara paragliding: Dhërmi below the pass
Stay in Dhërmi, about 20 minutes below the pass. Tandem flights glide down toward Palasë and Dhërmi, so you sleep close to where you land and keep the beach for the rest of the day. Amarea Boutique Hotel has its own beach area on Dhërmi Beach, while Sofo Hotel Dhermi is the cheaper pick below the old village. Flights depend on the wind, so book two nights for slack and add the rest of the Riviera.
Amarea Boutique Hotel
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Beachfront hotel on Dhërmi Beach with its own umbrella-lined beach area, a restaurant and balconies. Fly from Llogara, then swim.
On Dhërmi Beach
Blue Boutique Hotel
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Hillside hotel with panoramic sea views from the room balconies, plus its own restaurant and bar for evenings in.
On a hill, 600 m from Dhërmi Beach
Sofo Hotel Dhermi
Hotel
Price Range:
Budget
Simple three-star below Dhërmi's old village with a bar, family rooms and free parking. The budget pick for a flight day.
Under 1 km from Dhërmi Beach
Who it's for
Best for: Anyone driving the Riviera road, since you pass through anyway, and for a tandem paragliding flight down toward the coast. It is also a classic cycling climb.
Skip it if: You are prone to car sickness. The road over the pass is a series of tight hairpins. Paragliding also depends on the wind, so nothing is guaranteed on a given day.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Llogara Pass questions
What is the elevation of Llogara Pass?
The pass tops out at 1,027 metres, with the Ionian Sea directly below.
Why is Llogara known for paragliding?
Its high elevation and direct line to the sea below make it a well-known launch point for paragliders flying down toward the coast.
Do I need to book a paragliding flight in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended in peak summer, when tandem paragliding operators can fill up on clear days.
How much does paragliding at Llogara cost?
The pass is free to drive, cycle or hike. A tandem paragliding flight costs around €129, often less on sale, with GoPro photos and video and transport from Vlora included. That is well below equivalent Alpine prices. Flights depend on the wind, so expect some waiting on unsettled days.
What can I do here?
Tandem paragliding is the main draw, launching from the ridge toward Palasë and Dhërmi. It is also a well-known cycling climb, and forest trails run through the national park.
Is Llogara worth stopping for?
Yes. The road tops out at 1,027 metres with the Ionian Sea spread out below, and it is Albania's best-known paragliding launch. Even a coffee stop at the top is worth the pull-in.
Do I need experience to paraglide?
No. Flights are tandem with a licensed pilot, so no experience is needed. Weather has to be stable, so keep your schedule flexible and book with a day or two of slack.
What can I see from the pass?
The Ionian Sea far below, the Karaburun peninsula, and on clear days Corfu on the horizon. The roadside restaurants in the pine forest are a good place to take it in over grilled lamb.
Ready to fly Llogara?
Tandem flight with a licensed pilot: around 15 minutes in the air above the Ionian coast, with GoPro photos and video and transport from Vlora included.
