Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa, a small seafront stay in Sarandë
Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa is a small, family-run guesthouse on the waterfront in Sarandë, Albania, with its own beach area, a garden terrace and a restaurant. It suits couples and relaxed seaside stays. Expect stairs with your luggage, small rooms and some music at the beach.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa.
Where Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa is and how to get there
Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa stands right on the waterfront in Sarandë, on Rruga Idriz Alidhima, on the southern coast of Albania. It is a little outside the town centre, so you can walk into town, but you are not in the middle of the bustle. For me that is part of the appeal.
Parking is free and private, and one guest mentions leaving the car right in front. A car is the easiest way to arrive, especially if you are touring Albania. The one catch is the access, because you have to go down some stairs with your luggage. One reviewer also says the staff did not offer to help with heavy bags, so pack light if you can.
What the rooms, the garden and the beach are like
Siro Kerma works more like a family-run guesthouse than a hotel. The rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms, with either a walk-in shower or a bathtub, and many have a balcony with sea or garden views.
Guests like the stylish, clean design and the romantic, intimate feel. They also agree the rooms are comfortable but small, and one recent guest found theirs smaller than in the photos. The shower is nicely designed, though a couple of people say everything ends up wet afterwards. Another reviewer did not like that the bathtub can be seen from the terrace where guests have breakfast, so privacy is not the strong point.
Outside you get a garden, a terrace and the main reason to come, the private beach area with sun loungers and clear water. There is also free Wi-Fi, a bar and a restaurant, so you can easily spend a whole day without moving anywhere.
What guests highlight about Siro Kerma
On Google the villa has a rating of 4.5 from 99 opinions, and the praise follows clear patterns. Here is what comes up most often.
- The hosts. Many guests describe the owners as kind, attentive and always ready to help. One couple mentions the extra effort made for a birthday.
- The views and the calm. Several people talk about the balcony views, the quiet location and a very romantic atmosphere.
- The breakfast. It is included for some guests and described as homemade and lovely, with vegetarian options, warm dishes and fresh pastries. One unhappy guest found it tasteless, so tastes clearly differ.
- The food and drinks. The restaurant serves Italian and local dishes. People single out the mezze, the seafood pasta and the cocktails, although one guest finds the prices a bit high compared with other Albanian restaurants.
Even people who did not sleep here come back for lunch, drinks and sun beds, which says a lot about the beach bar.
What to know before you book
This is a lovely place, but it is not for everyone, and the negative reviews are worth reading. They point to a handful of repeated issues, set out below next to what works well.
| What works well | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Private beach area with sun loungers right on the waterfront | Music at the beach can be very loud, and one guest says it plays all day |
| Warm, helpful family hosts | Less formal and less serviced than a hotel |
| Balconies with sea or garden views | Small rooms and a shower that soaks the bathroom |
| Free private parking in front | Stairs to carry your luggage down |
There is one more warning. A recent guest says that after a long drive they were told on arrival that there was no room for them. It is only one account, but confirm your reservation with the villa before you set off, especially in high season.
Who Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa is for
I would choose Siro Kerma for a couple, or for friends who want a relaxed seaside break with good food, a drink at the beach and a pretty room, and who do not mind a simple, family-style service. It is a good base if you like to swim in the morning and eat dinner at the same place.
I would not pick it if you need hotel-level services, if you have trouble with stairs, or if silence at the water is a must. Light sleepers and anyone expecting spacious rooms should think twice.
What to do around Sarandë
Sarandë is a coastal town, and from the villa the promenade and Saranda Bay Beach are within reach, as are excursions to places nearby. Many guests, though, are happy to stay put and enjoy the private beach.
My advice is simple. Spend the first day at the water, walk into town in the evening along the seafront, and leave the excursions for another morning. That way you make the most of what makes Siro Kerma different from a regular hotel in Sarandë.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
