Borsh has been fortified since antiquity. On a limestone crag above the old village stand the walls of Borsh Castle, known in the Middle Ages as Sopot. Refortified under the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th century, it later changed hands between the Despotate of Epirus, the Ottomans and, briefly, Venice, and was rebuilt once more by Ali Pasha of Tepelenë. Below the castle rock lie the ruins of an old mosque and madrasa.
The beach itself is a long, open shoreline of pebbles and gravel, generally much quieter than the busier coves along the coast, with restaurants and guesthouses scattered along the coastal road. Olive oil is a mainstay of village life, and the groves make a lovely backdrop to a lazy beach day. A half-hour walk from the old village leads up to the castle for fine views over the coast.
Spacious, relaxed and steeped in history, Borsh is a perfect stop on any drive along the Riviera.
