Albanian Travels

1. Stroll along the Lungomare and take a dip in the sea

A few years ago, Vlorë created the lungomare — the seaside promenade along the beaches. It’s a lovely walk, especially in the evening when the atmosphere is lively!

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2. Explore the Zvernec Peninsula and its Monastery

Accessible by bike, the route takes you along a pine-lined road by the sea. A wooden footbridge leads to the Byzantine monastery, isolated on its small island: peaceful, almost timeless. You can find more information about it here.

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3. Discover Vlorë’s variety of beaches

Vlorë offers a wide range of beaches to suit every taste:

• The central seafront beaches, lively and easy to access.
• The beach just past Saint Tropez Beach Bar (Pazhi Boves), surrounded by pine trees, perfect for a nature escape (sandy beach).
• The crystal-clear pebble coves on the other side of the tunnel — ideal for snorkeling (Nimfa Beach, Radhimë Beach, and all the way down to Orikum).

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4. Wander the Old Town with its Venetian houses

Behind the modern seafront, the old center reveals narrow streets and Venetian-style houses. Nearby, you’ll find the old clock tower, small traditional shops on Rruga Ceno Sharra, and a beautiful mosque.

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5. Enjoy an Albanian coffee at the top of Kuzum Baba

Across from the mosque, a staircase leads you up to Kuzum Baba: a viewpoint overlooking the entire city. This spiritual site, perched above Vlorë, offers panoramic views of the bay and the lagoon. Perfect for enjoying an Albanian coffee (a daily ritual here) at sunset.

We enjoyed the little climb and the view once at the top. It’s interesting to see how large the city is and how far the buildings stretch. It’s not the most spectacular view — for that, head to the Llogara Pass or Kaninë Castle.

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6. Take a boat trip to the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island

Both the peninsula and Sazan Island are only accessible by boat. Think crystal-clear waters, sea caves, and a former secret military base… an unforgettable day awaits!

👉 Want to easily book a boat? Click here! (affiliate link: by clicking and booking through this link, you support our blog — thank you 💙)

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7. Hike to a lighthouse, a bunker and Dalan Beach

What a beautiful thing to do in Vlora, it’s raw, it’s wild and still quite unknown. 100% would recommend this hike ! Here you’ll find a GPX :it doesn’t seem to go to the light house nor the Bunker, if I were you, i’d add them to your hike. What you can put in Maps to find them : Bunker-Anlage & Zvernec Lighthouse

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8. Visit Kaninë Castle

Just a few kilometers from the city center, Kaninë Castle towers over Vlorë from the hills. Built in the Byzantine era and reinforced over the centuries, today it offers an engaging historical visit and stunning panoramic views of the bay and surrounding mountains. A perfect mix of history, nature, and photography.

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9. Take a trip to Apollonia

About an hour’s drive from Vlorë, Apollonia is a vast archaeological site founded by the Greeks and later developed by the Romans. Highlights include:

• Remains of temples, agoras, and baths.
• The Byzantine Monastery of Saint Mary with its archaeological museum.
• A timeless atmosphere, set among rolling hills and olive groves.

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10. Taste the local specialties

In Vlorë, the cuisine is a blend of sea and mountain flavors. Don’t miss:

• Fresh fish and seafood (sardines, mussels, octopus…).
• Traditional byrek.
• Albanian coffee — a daily ritual best enjoyed slowly.

Recommended restaurants (by our Albanian friend):

• Taverna Te Pjata
• Traditional Eagle
• Restaurant Joni
• Restaurant Hotel Paradise
• Gjurma : We’ve tried it. Here you’ll find our honest review.

Find more about Vlora here