Qeparo: old village and beach near Borsh

Qeparo is the next village north of Borsh along the coast road, on the way to Porto Palermo. It is really two places. Upper Qeparo, the old village, sits high on the slope. Lower Qeparo, the newer village, lies down by the sea. Seeing both gives you a good sense of how life on this coast moved from the hills to the shore.

Upper Qeparo: the old village

The old village is built of stone on the hillside, with views straight out over the sea. There is a panoramic viewpoint up here, and walking the lanes between the houses is the main reason to come.

The area has deep roots. Archaeologists have found Bronze Age fortifications on the hills around the Qeparo basin, among the earliest known buildings on the Albanian Ionian coast, and the old fortification of Karos at Qeparo dates back to the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. The village name first appears in writing as "Clapero" in 1566.

• The road up climbs the hillside in bends. Drive slowly and park only where it is clearly allowed.
• Wear shoes you can walk in: the lanes are old stone and not flat.
• Go in the morning or late afternoon in summer, when it is cooler and the light is softer.

Lower Qeparo: the beach village

Down on the coast, Lower Qeparo has its own beach and a small seafront. The bay is much shorter than the long shore at Borsh, so it feels different: more like a small village beach, with houses close to the water.

• It is a good place for a swim and lunch after a walk in the old village.
• In July and August it gets busy, so come early if you want a spot by the water.

How to plan the visit

• Getting there: Qeparo is a short drive north of Borsh on the coast road. A car is the easiest way, especially for the climb to the upper village.
• Time to allow: half a day is enough for both parts at a relaxed pace.
• A good order: old village first while it is cool, then down to the sea for a swim and lunch.
• Combine it: carry on to Porto Palermo, a little further north, for the castle in the afternoon.

Good to know

Qeparo is a lived-in village, not an open-air museum. Some old houses are empty or in poor repair, others are homes, so be respectful with photos and do not walk into courtyards. For more ideas along this stretch of coast, see our page on things to do near Borsh.

After a day up the coast, it is a short drive back to the beach at Borsh and your apartment.