Berat

my personal vote is for Berat, if only because it's historically and culturally relevant and part of a UNESCO area.

Berat over Himara. Fits what you described way better and saves you hours of mountain driving.

Berat & Gjirokaster are best for history

Berat has a fantastic old city spilling up the hill with a stunning castle quarter in the top full of old buildings, great views, little shops and restaurants.

If you can't find specific details on bus times online, generally in cities in the Balkans you do ok by showing up at the bus station in the morning and asking around. In smaller towns it's basically a complete mystery where and when the buses go. It's possible you could find a connecting bus in Elbasan on the way back from Ohrid and do a side trip to Berat or a coastal town like Himare.

I’d probably do a night or two in Berat.

I’d skip Berat this time and soak up more of the coast and local food in Dhermi instead.

that'll give you an extra day for berat which is absolutely worth it for the ottoman architecture and killer local food 🔥 just make sure you try the tavë kosi in berat, it's unreal 😂