Drymades, village in Himarë, Albania
Drymades is a small village on the Albanian coast, in the Himarë municipality, set on a hillside between the mountains and the sea. Its streets are narrow and paved with stone, its houses simple and whitewashed, and a sandy beach lies directly below.
The settlement was part of the historic Epirus region and appears in Ottoman records from the late 16th century. Over the following centuries, different powers ruled the area, but the community held on to its Greek-speaking traditions.
Residents speak an old Greek dialect and maintain traditions like evening music gatherings and an annual honey fair. These customs shape daily life and offer visitors a window into how the community sustains its heritage.
The village is most easily reached by car, as public transport in this area is limited. Visiting in the morning or evening is more comfortable, since the midday heat in summer can be very intense.
The village still has olive trees so old that no one remembers exactly when they were planted. Locals still harvest their fruit and press it into oil, just as has been done for centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
