The village's name derives from the Greek word Drys (Greek: δρυς , meaning "Oak"), and thats because of the many oak trees around the village.
After riding down on the snake road of Llogara National Park, Drymades is the second village that you encounter in the region of Himara and the Albanian Riviera.
The village is built on a slope of the Acroceraunian Mountains at approximately 200 meters in altitude. It comprises three neighbourhoods: Gjilekates, Kondraqia (also known as Kallami), and Drymades itself. The inhabitants of Drymades speak a variant of the Himariote dialect, characterized by archaic features not retained in standard Greek anymore. It has a population of 500 inhabitants and like the rest of the villages doe to immigration, most of them live mainly in Greece and other countries.
The first Greek school in the village started to function at 1682 with the support of the local bishopric of Himara. During the 17th century another Greek school started its operation under the sponsorship of a local benefactor. In the 1898-1899 school season three Greek schools were operating: elementary, secondary and a girls' school.
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It is one of the most famous destinations in south Albania, the first place you keep in mind when you think of the summer vacation and the most popular, especially among Albanian tourists. Drymades still remains beautiful and coveted even for foreigners, and not only by tourists but also by journalists. Once more this summer, on media articles, Drymades was ranked second on the list of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe by The Guardian.
The long emerald coloured line on the shore that runs away, turning into deep blue to the horizon, starts from Palasa and seems to have no end and a lot of mysteries. The whole beach is in the palm of your hand. Yet Drymades has its hidden bays, one of which is intimate, across a rocky window.
The village of Drymades it is believed to be the most religious in the region and that can be proved by the numerous churches around (45 to correct), some interesting religious buildings are the churches of Agios Charalambos, Agios Spyridonas, which dates back to 1800 and has been renovated in 1967 and Agios Dimitrios. One of the most important monasteries in the area is that of Panagia (St. Mary), located at the top of the village hill.
The Pirate’s cave, which has become famous not only for its history, but also from the book of the same title by Petro Marko, constitutes one of the most valuable facilities on the coast of Himara. It is located south of Drymades beach, on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea and is very close to the Monastery of St. Theodore, which enriches the geography and history of this attractive part of the Albanian coast.
Perivolo beach, hidden in olive groves and evergreens, and surrounded by large rocks that create small and wondrous bays. Unique water colours, clarity of turquoise deep blue and burning orange sunset over the sea, create an amazing show before which everyone should surrender.
Dhermi beach (or Drymades as it is called by locals) is located on the southern part of the village of Drymades. The beach took a lot of fame after the opening of Havana Beach Bar more than 10 years ago, hosting some of the most popular dance party’s all over Albania.
Drymades is a great example of a rich religious past of the region, grab the chance and join our religious tour among the famous churches of the village
