Vlorë
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At a glance
- Country
- Albania
- Region
- Vlorë County
- Population
- 130,000
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Tirana International Nënë Tereza (TIA)
- Coordinates
- 40.47°N, 19.49°E
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Overview
Vlorë is where Albania declared independence in 1912, and today it is the gateway to the Albanian Riviera. The city sits on a wide bay where the Adriatic meets the Ionian, with the Karaburun Peninsula across the water.
A long seafront promenade links the centre to the beaches, and in summer the city fills with Albanian families on holiday. It is a good base for boat trips and the drive south over the Llogara Pass.
Things to see
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Photo: Constantine H., CC BY 2.0 Independence Monument
A bold bronze monument on Flag Square marking the 1912 declaration, at the heart of the city.
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Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 Muradie Mosque
A small, elegant 16th-century mosque attributed to the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan.
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Photo: Nikol Likja, CC BY-SA 4.0 Kaninë Castle
The ruins of a hilltop fortress above the city, with sweeping views over the bay.
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Photo: Flladina Zilja, CC BY-SA 4.0 Zvërnec Monastery
A tiny Byzantine monastery on an island in the Narta Lagoon, reached by a wooden footbridge through pine trees.
Things to do
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Photo: Pasztilla aka Attila Terbócs, CC BY-SA 4.0 Boat trip to Karaburun and Sazan
Clear water, sea caves and empty beaches along a protected peninsula only reachable by sea.
Find tours -
Photo: Leeturtle, CC BY-SA 4.0 Stroll the Lungomare
The palm-lined promenade is where the city gathers in the evening for coffee and a walk.
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Photo: Dori, CC BY 2.5 Drive the Llogara Pass
A dramatic mountain road through pine forest, dropping down to the Riviera with views of the Ionian.
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Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 Birdwatching at Narta Lagoon
Flamingos and pelicans feed in the lagoon north of the city, especially in winter and spring.
Where to stay
Lungomare
Seafront hotels and apartments, ideal for walking to beaches and restaurants.
Hotels in LungomareCity centre
Practical and good value, close to the bus station and the main square.
Hotels in City centreRadhimë and Orikum
Quieter beach towns to the south, closer to the boat trips and Llogara.
Hotels in Radhimë and Orikum
Getting around
Local buses run along the seafront, taxis are easy to find, and a car is useful for exploring the coast.
Buses and minibuses from Tirana take around two and a half hours along the motorway.
When to go
Summer is hot and the sea is warm from June to September. May and October are calmer, still warm and much quieter.
Plan your trip to Vlorë
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.