Porto Palermo Castle & Submarine Tunnel: Visiting Guide

Who built Porto Palermo Castle and what is its history?

Ali Pasha of Tepelenë built or significantly reconstructed the fortress in the early 19th century, although it likely stands on older Venetian fortifications.

Historical records attribute the existing triangular stone fortress to Ali Pasha of Tepelenë, who controlled southern Albania and northwestern Greece in the early 1800s. British military traveler William Martin Leake visited the bay during this period and documented the construction of the stronghold. Some historians argue that Ali Pasha expanded upon an older Venetian fort that had long guarded the sheltered bay from pirate raids and Ottoman naval fleets.

During the communist era under Enver Hoxha, the castle was used as a military outpost and prison. Today, it is recognized as a protected cultural monument. Visitors can explore the interior stone vaults, guard rooms, and flat rooftop platform that provides expansive views across Porto Palermo Bay and the Ionian Sea.

What is the Cold War submarine tunnel at Porto Palermo?

The submarine tunnel is a reinforced subterranean naval base built inside the mountain cliffs during the Cold War to conceal military vessels.

Constructed between the late 1960s and 1980s by the Albanian military, the underground pen was designed to shelter Soviet-designed Whiskey-class submarines from satellite surveillance and aerial bombardment. The tunnel measures roughly 650 meters in length and connects the enclosed bay to the outer open sea, allowing naval vessels to pass beneath the mountain under heavy blast protection.

The base saw limited deployment before Albania severed political relations with China and previously the Soviet Union, which halted its full development. The facility remains under the jurisdiction of the Albanian navy and is not open for public interior tours. However, travelers can easily view the large concrete northern entrance from turnouts along the SH8 highway or by boat from the water.

How do you get to Porto Palermo Castle and the submarine tunnel?

The bay is located along the SH8 coastal highway, roughly 7 kilometers south of Himarë and 45 kilometers north of Sarandë.

Reaching Porto Palermo is most straightforward by rental car or private taxi along the SH8 road, which connects Vlorë to Sarandë. Public minibuses (furgons) run this route regularly during the summer months and can drop passengers at the Porto Palermo turnoff upon request, though return pickups require waiting along the roadside.

Taxis based in Himarë provide direct transport, with drivers often waiting near the causeway while visitors complete their tour. To view the submarine tunnel entrance, continue roughly 2 kilometers north of the castle isthmus along the highway toward Himarë, where wide road shoulders provide vantage points down into the military perimeter.

Kayak and paddleboard rentals are sometimes available on nearby beaches during the summer, offering sea-level views of both the fortress walls and the outer water gate of the naval tunnel.

How much does it cost to visit Porto Palermo Castle?

Admission tickets to the castle cost between 300 and 500 lek (roughly 3 to 5 EUR) per person, though prices change over time.

Tickets are purchased at the small kiosk near the entrance of the fortress. Payment is collected in cash using Albanian lek, as card payment systems are rarely available on-site. Discounted rates may apply for students and seniors upon presenting identification.

Viewing the Cold War submarine tunnel from public roads or nearby beaches is free of charge. Parking along the main gravel causeway leading to the castle peninsula is typically free, though unofficial parking attendants occasionally operate during July and August.

What should you bring and expect during a visit?

Expect dark interior corridors, uneven stone surfaces, and limited on-site amenities, making a flashlight and sturdy shoes essential.

The interior of Porto Palermo Castle receives very little natural light away from the central courtyard and perimeter embrasures. A handheld torch or smartphone light is necessary to safely examine the interior chambers and stairwells. The ancient stone steps and unpaved pathways around the peninsula are rugged and require closed-toe footwear.

There are no shops, restrooms, or running water inside the fortress itself. Small seasonal restaurants and cafes operate along the mainland beach opposite the peninsula, but visitors should bring sufficient drinking water and sun protection, especially when walking the fully exposed stone roof during midday heat.