Where is Vlorё Located?

Vlorё is situated in south Albania, by the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It’s surrounded by the mighty Ceraunian Mountains and boasts a typical Mediterranean climate. The city is busy all year round, but the tourist peak season is obviously during the summer.

If you’re up for a stay filled with fun days at the beach, evening walks, and vibrant nightlife, the months of July and August are perfect for visiting Vlorё. On the other hand, if you feel like you’re more of a history buff, feel free to visit during the spring, when the weather is not too hot for wandering around and exploring the city’s museums and historical sites.



How to Get to Vlorё

If you’re wondering how to get to Vlorё, here are the transportation methods you could use, depending on your budget and preference:



Where to Stay When Visiting Vlorё

In case you’re wondering where to stay in Vlorё, here is our list of some places that can make your holiday as comfy as possible:



#1. Marina Premium Hotel

One of the most visited hotels in Vlorё, Marina Premium Hotel promises you a luxurious and comfortable stay. It’s located along the Lungomare, rather close to the beach. The hotel also has its very own private beach area with a beach bar and sun loungers.

All the rooms are pretty spacious and feature very comfy beds. Each room has a beautiful sea view, air conditioning, and a mini-kitchen. You can enjoy Continental or American breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, but you can also order it to be delivered to your room.

A standard double room at Marina Premium Hotel costs about €40 per night.

#2. Belvedere Hotel

Another option is staying at Belvedere Hotel, located just 400 meters from the beach and featuring top-notch accommodation. Here, you’ll also be able to enjoy the sea views and the beautiful surrounding nature, regardless of the room you choose.

The hotel is nicely designed and features a chic style, creating a very inviting environment. There’s also a bar and a restaurant, where you can enjoy all types of delicious meals, along with a private beach area if you’re looking for some more privacy.

The deluxe room with a sea view costs about €93 per night.

#3. Veranda Boutique Hotel

Also located by the beach, Veranda Hotel is one of the most vibrant and colorful hotels you’ll ever come across. It’s buzzing with greenery and flowers everywhere, creating a very pleasant atmosphere.

The hotel features rooms with air conditioning, coffee machines, safety deposit boxes, and flat-screen TVs, while a few rooms also have a private terrace with a coffee table. The staff is incredibly friendly and makes you feel instantly at home.

A double room at Veranda Hotel costs about €100 per night.

10+ Best Things To Do in Vlorё

Here is our list of some of the best things to do in Vlorё to enjoy your stay as a real tourist:

#1. Take a stroll along the promenade at sunset

During your stay in Vlorё, you’ll for sure come across the Lungomare, the most popular neighborhood around. It’s a very long promenade, with palm trees all along the way and the beautiful coast accompanying you in every step.

It’s the ideal summer evening destination, filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants and buzzing with people all night long. There are also bike lanes if you feel like going on a fun ride along the beach.

#2. Visit the Museum of National Independence

This historic landmark is a definite must when it comes to things to do in Vlorё. The building of the museum is the exact place where Ismail Qemali waved the Albanian flag to declare the country’s independence, setting the groundwork for a united and fortified nation.

The museum has two floors and four rooms, each of which showcases Albania’s journey to gain independence, as well as the delegates that made it happen. You’ll get to see articles from old newspapers, government documents, and other artifacts.

You can find the museum close to the port of Vlorё, and the entrance fee is only €3 per person.



#3. Visit Zvёrnec Monastery

A real gem of Albania, St. Mary Monastery in Zvёrnec island will leave you speechless. It’s connected to the city with an easily accessible wooden bridge, and the whole island is covered in lush greenery, standing tall over the monastery.

It’s an Orthodox building, so there’s always a priest and a guard watching over and taking care of the monastery. In the courtyard of the monastery, there is the grave of Marigo, the famous girl known all across Albania for embroidering the national red and black flag.

Inside the monastery, you’ll see many paintings and ancient furniture belonging to the Orthodox churches of the 13th century.

#4. Enjoy the sun at Narte Beach

One of the most beautiful and wild nature Vlorë beaches, Narta Beach is the perfect road trip idea if you’re visiting Vlorё. The water is crystal clear, and everything you need for a lovely day is already there—umbrellas, loungers, a beach bar, and toilets.

It’s very accessible, being located close to the road, and there’s also enough room to park your car. The beach is the ideal place for tourists who want to relax, swim, or do water sports.

#5. Take a Boat Trip to the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park

The Karaburun Peninsula is known for its marvelous views and breathtaking landscapes, providing the ideal habitat for various species. The Marine Park is home to more than 12% of the Mediterranean’s flora and fauna, including cute sea turtles, seahorses, and dolphins.

At Marine Park, you’ll find some stunning beaches but also private and secluded swimming spots. It’s also a great place for hikers to rest and admire views of the Adriatic all along the way. You can take a boat from the port in order to see ancient caves, castles, and even friendly dolphins along the way!

#6. Visit Kaninё Castle

Located in the small village of Kaninё, near Vlorё, Kaninё Castle stands proud and tall over the city. It’s a place that provides spectacular views and a very ancient history. The castle has seen its fair share of rulers, like the Byzantine, Serbian, and Ottoman Empires, but in the end, it fell into Albanian hands.

This monument has been reconstructed numerous times, most famously by Justinian I during the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it has become a pretty popular tourist destination. There isn’t too much of the actual castle to explore, aside from a few walls and towers, but the surroundings and the views are very much worth a visit!

The entrance fee to Kaninё Castle is about €3, or 300 Albanian Lek.

#7. Explore the Old Town

It may be called the Old Town, but it isn’t really that old! It’s a neighborhood with three-story colorful houses dating a few years back, with cobblestone streets and benches along the way. There are also cute souvenir shops where you can buy small trinkets to remember your trip by.

The Vlorё old town is located about 15 minutes from the coast, and it most likely won’t be that packed with tourists. Besides that, there are a couple of restaurants and museums you can visit while wandering around the old town.

#8. Visit Muradie Mosque

Built in 1537 by architect Mimar Sinan, Muradie Mosque is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Vlorё. The structure consists of a block building and a minaret, standing at a height of 18 meters.

It’s made out of stone, has brown-framed windows on each side, and serves as a prayer hall, so you can visit at any time. The mosque is located in downtown Vlorё, on the central square, and is, therefore, pretty easy to spot.

#9. Admire the views from Kuzum Baba

Located on a hill overlooking the city and considered a sacred and religious place, Kuzum Baba is a very famous landmark in Vlorё. It’s thought to have been built around the 2000s, as it was officially opened in 2003.

Aside from the small green-domed building, there’s also a restaurant with seating right on the terrace, where you can admire some spectacular views of the city.

#10. See the Independence Monument

Located on Ismail Qemali St., near all the historic government buildings, the Monument of Independence stands tall over the town. It’s a very sincere dedication to Albania’s freedom, depicting Ismail Qemali and his colleagues proudly waving the Albanian flag.

The monument is the masterful and hard work of the Albanian sculptors Muntaz Dhrami and Kristaq Rama, beautifully carved out of black stone. It stands in contrast to its surroundings of greenery and colorful gardens, with a lovely seating area where you can relax and admire the surroundings.

#11. Visit Llogara National Park

Situated in the Ceraunian Mountains, Llogara National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Albania if you’re a nature lover. The park isn’t too big—it covers an area of about 4 square miles—but it’s full of lush and vibrant greenery and is home to a wide range of tree types and species.

If you’re lucky, you’ll spot deer, foxes, wildcats, or even wolves around the park. It’s also a great spot for hiking since it features many interesting hiking trails, letting you enjoy Albanian nature to the maximum!

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