Albania Yoga Holiday
6th - 13th June 2026
Your next adventure! A special yoga holiday exploring the unspoilt heart of the Albanian Riviera
Based in a quiet resort with beautiful sea, an abundance of beaches, mountains, old villages and castles nearby.
Enjoy warm Balkan hospitality and a sense of adventure while you relax and rest away from the stresses and strains of everyday modern life.
Qeparo (pronounced “Cheparo’ ) is celebrated among Albanians as the place the Tirane intelligentsia holiday to escape the heat and dust of the capital.
It has a lovely promenade lined with cafes, bars and restaurants overlooking the Ionian Sea and is quiet and low key compared to many parts of Albania’s rapidly developing coastline.
Round the corner to the north lie a scattering of small coves and beaches including Porto Palermo, perfect for a peaceful swim. A little further up the coast lies the historic port of Himare, with more facilities.
Just to the south you’ll find the magnificent long sandy of Borsh which has a wilder feel and is almost untouched by mass tourism, even today.
Above our venue you’ll find Old Qeparo, a traditional part ruined, part inhabited Albanian village ripe for exploring.
Wake up to panoramic views of the bay below, with wild countryside behind.
We’ll be staying at a charming new holiday venue high on the hillside above the small seaside resort of Qeparo, half way along the Albanian Riveria.
The Venue
All studios enjoy magnificent ocean views with big sky. Each is en suite and opens onto a terraced area or veranda. There is a pocket-sized swimming pool (6 by 4 metres plus a ‘paddling’ pool handy for cooling dips.
Yoga will take place on the terrace by the breakfast area, under a shady awning. We also have the option of a cool space indoors for late afternoon yoga should we need it.
You can reach the nearest beach at Qeparo via a rough track leading down to the bay (15 minutes walk) or a short taxi trip. Most of us will likely want to share taxis to get back up the hill - it’s a steepish climb from sea level.
The Yoga
We will practice Gentle Slow Flow Yoga to gradually wake us up, mobilise the joints and limber up the whole body and mind first thing in the morning. This is complimented by Restorative Yoga in the late afternoon to support resting, healing and good sleep.
Gentle Slow Flow Yoga involves a series of lying down, sitting and standing up yoga poses, building up slowly into a gradual flow. This allows time for embodied mindfulness to develop so we can come off auto pilot and feel more alive and present.
Restorative Yoga features mostly lying down yoga poses which you can stay in for a while, often with the support of ‘props’ such as cushions and blankets. This helps the body feel more comfortable and relaxes the mind and nervous system into a state of calm and deep, rejuvenating rest.
All prices in Albanian LEKS, 2025
Food
A plentiful brunch prepared by our Albanian hosts will include muesli, fruit, yoghurt, cheese, eggs, bread, jam, coffee, tea/s, milk, juice.
Our hosts will also cook dinner for us 2 evenings - with fish, vegetarian and vegan options. And we can organise group dinners in local restaurants for 4 more nights for those who wish.
Lunch is up to you. You might buy a traditional Albanian byrek, filo pastries or pies which come with a variety of fillings to munch on the beach. Or enjoy one of the local eateries by the sea.
Just down the road from our venue is the Veranda Restaurant serving tasty traditional Albanian dishes and wines - perfect for at least one of our nights out.
Below it you’ll find the local mini-market where you can purchase snacks and toiletries etc.
A Typical Day
Gentle Yoga 8.30 - 9.45 a.m.
Brunch 10 - 11 a.m.
Free time for rest, beach, exploring, trips etc.
Lying down Restorative Yoga 5 - 6.30 p.m.
Meet for dinner 7 p.m. onwards
NB. All timings are provisional and may vary.
Exploring the area
For those who love to venture forth here are some possibilities:
Map from the wikipedia page - Albanian Riviera
In addition to our local beach at Qeparo, 4 km to the north lies charming Porto Palermo cove among other small beaches. Well preserved Porto Palermo fort is well known for its links with southern Albania ruler Ali Pasha and a visit by the Romantic poet Lord Byron back in the 19th century.
Nearby Borsh, 15 minutes south by car, offers the longest strip of unbroken beach on the riviera, plus stunning views from the ruins of Borsh Castle above.
Himare, 20 minutes north, is a relaxed little port with shops, waterside bars and restaurants, plus a couple of good beaches on hand. People love to promenade along the seafront here at sunset.
A climb further up the hill above our venue brings you to Old Qeparo, a partially abandoned traditional Albanian village with cobbled streets and an ancient church. A great way to get a glimpse of how life in Albanian used to be.
We can organise local taxis for you as you explore.
NB. There will be an optional day trip midweek for those who want to explore further afield, itinerary TBC.
Getting there
There are two main routes to the Albanian Riviera:
Via Corfu
Corfu International Airport (Ionnis Kapodistrias Airport - CFU) lies only 35 miles from the Albanian coast. You can get a taxi (12 minutes) or a bus (20 mins) straight to the ferry port and the boat to Sarande, southern Albania (approximately 30 mins to 1 hr plus depending on fast or slow ferry). There are multiple daily sailings ( £16 - £25 depending). I bought my ticket at Corfu ferry port just before departure or you can book in advance online.
Or you may want to explore Corfu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of Venetian architecture, shops, cafes and restaurants, even stay a night or two, en route. Then cross to Sarande ready for your yoga holiday.
We will organise a taxi to meet you off the boat in Albania and whisk you to our Qeparo venue (1 hour). Cost 50 - 60 euros one way, much less if you are sharing the ride. NB. If you are flying to/from Corfu you need to factor in the 1 hour time difference between Greece (Corfu) and Albania.
Images below show the old town in Corfu, the short ferry trip to Albania and the view of Albania from Corfu.
Via Tirane, Albania’s capital
Alternatively, you can fly to/from the capital Tirane and we will organise a taxi to meet you and either bring you straight to Qeparo (3.5 hrs ) or drop you in the centre to check the capital out. Approximate cost one way Tirane-Qeparo 100 euros , much less of course if you share the ride with others.
I found Tirane a very interesting, friendly place to visit and loved exploring the big square and cosmopolitan city centre around it. Italian architecture, Ottoman minarets and crumbling communist murals, mixed in with contemporary capitalism. Wander through wide avenues, past rainbow painted buildings with fashionable bars and shops for pitstops.
A new airport is being built just past Vlore - opening date unknown. Word on the street is that it’s all about convenient travel for the Trump family who have just bought a small island off the Albanian coast.
Images below show vibrant Tirane, the central square and a scene from the drive to our venue.
The Team
Vimalamani (my Buddhist name) aka Sally Ramsden
I’ll be teaching the yoga and bringing my love of people and adventure to the party. I’ll also be encouraging you to slow down a bit and enjoy some real R and R (rest and relaxation).
This is the 7th European yoga retreat I’m leading. I also offer yoga weekends in the UK - this Autumn in a special spot in East Sussex, with dramatic coastal walks.
To learn more about me, see my bio on my website.
Aryavasin
I am delighted my good friend Aryavasin has agreed to be our organiser and translator. He has recently returned home to be with his family in Albania after working as a charity fundraiser in London. He now runs the new Tirane Buddhist Centre.
Aryavasin will be liaising with our Albanian hosts for us, organising transfers, local trips and dinners, and translating for us as needed. He is super kind and helpful and also happens to be a Qi Gong teacher.
What’s included
10 yoga classes
7 brunches
2 home cooked dinners at our venue
1 yoga mat per person
Free wi-fi
What's not included
Your travel to and from the venue including airport/ ferry transfers in the region and in your home country
Taxis, trips and outings during this week
Lunches, drinks, snacks etc. other than daily brunch and 2 dinners at our venue
NB. You must have travel insurance to join this yoga holiday.
Prices
All accommodation enjoys panoramic views of the bay below and is en suite:
Standard studio with double bed, sofa and fridge: £875
Larger studio - with one bedroom and separate living room with sofa and kitchenette: £995 (2 available)
One large apartment - 2 bedrooms (1 double bed; 1 twin beds), large living room, kitchen, bathroom: contact me for more info
A deposit of £200 secures your place.
For more details and to book your place please get in touch here.
I’m very happy to have a chat.
Recommended holiday reading:
“Free” by Lea Ypi - one woman’s true life story of growing up in Albania
What people said about my Kefalonia yoga retreat 2025:
Absolutely loved this holiday - you were both amazing - thank you so much. Will definitely do another one with you.
Excellent teacher and friendly group. Highly recommended!
I had a truly relaxing time and a great holiday.
Really enjoy your teaching style, with the slow build up to more dynamic postures in the morning and total relaxation in the afternoon.
Have not done much Restorative Yoga - loved it.
I can see why the venue is booked up years in advance.
Excellent transport and day trip in the middle of our week.
I’d definitely tell friends about this holiday but not too many in case there’s no room for me next time!
Wonderful hosts, delicious food - very kind and helpful.
Comfortable clean rooms, great views, peaceful and spacious yoga studio.