The Vlora resort in Albania attracts tourists with an abundance of historical attractions, chic beaches and comfortable hotels. Vlora may be of interest to tourists who want to get a lot of pleasure and not overpay, as well as those who are tired of promoted resorts and want to enjoy the peace and quiet of a pleasant holiday on the shores of the gentle Adriatic Sea.
The small European state is still shrouded in the aura of the unknown, and the service is quite consistent with the level of Turkey or Egypt. Photos and reviews of tourists confirm that you will never forget your holiday in Vlora!
Vlora is a city in southern Albania, the capital of the Vlora Region and the Vlora District. Railway station. Seaport on the shore of the Bay of Vlora of the Adriatic Sea. Population — about 130 thousand residents. Wikipedia
The most interesting sights of Vlora are the Flag Square (Sheshi i flamurit), the Museum of Independence, the historical and ethnographic museums. Among the religious sites, it is worth noting the Muradi Mosque, which was built in 1542 during the Ottoman occupation of Albania. Also on the hill above the city you can see the house of Bektashi Kuzum Baba, now a restaurant has been made on the terrace, and this place is also an observation deck.
Features of a holiday in Vlora.
Today’s Albania can be compared with the most popular tourist destinations. It is not yet the usual Montenegro or Bulgaria, but it is no longer Crimea. Good infrastructure aimed at satisfying the needs of tourists, a mild climate, and a small number of vacationers make this country an excellent place for a leisurely holiday and enjoying every day of your vacation.
And one of the most attractive places to enjoy will be Vlora — a beautiful place on the coast. Here, travelers are offered a full range of services for an active or relaxing holiday. Numerous hotels or mini-hotels will gladly provide a roof and a soft bed. A variety of cafes and restaurants will introduce tourists to local cuisine or treat them to traditional European dishes. The warm waters of the sea will gently wash away all problems and troubles, and the gentle sun will nourish the skin with a beautiful tan. Friendly (and even very) local residents will try to make every day unforgettable and magical.
The resort of Vlora has a developed tourist infrastructure. There are good roads here, allowing you to make independent trips or group excursions. Here are some of the cleanest and most well-kept beaches in the country.
Vlora in Albania will give you a wonderful seaside holiday. It is in this place where two seas (the Adriatic and the Ionian) meet and the Albanian Riviera begins. Those who like to swim will appreciate the warm and azure waters of the sea and the pleasant gentle rays of the sun. For lovers of active seaside recreation, a variety of water activities are suitable.
The wide cobblestone streets of Vlora invite you to stroll on quiet evenings and drop into one of the establishments where tourists will be warmly fed and treated to local wine. And even the language barrier will not be an obstacle. The desire to please tourists is second to none for the people of Albania.
The town itself is not very large, with only 140,000 local residents, and is focused exclusively on providing tourist services. Therefore, the traveler will feel as comfortable as possible here, especially if he learns a few words in Albanian. They will not help him, but the resort residents will appreciate such attention.
For those who want to reconnect with nature, there are walking paths through beautiful gardens, olive groves and warm coniferous forests, saturated with beneficial phytoncides. Such a walk, in addition to aesthetic pleasure, will bring invaluable benefits for improving the health of the body and fighting colds.
Holidays in Vlora in Albania will be a suitable pastime for lovers of extreme recreation. For them, the resort will provide mountains where you can practice rock climbing. Rocky gorges and canyons, full of adventures, will lead tourists to a charming mountain lake with the purest water.
The ancient history of Albania will reveal its secrets and ancient stories. In the city and its surroundings, architectural monuments and excavations are perfectly preserved, there are interesting museums and exhibitions. The nearby villages have carefully preserved the inexplicable charm of antiquity.
So Vlora will find something to do for a tourist on the beach or in the city.
And the children will also find it interesting here. The warm and calm sea is perfect for kids of different ages, and the shady parks will give interesting games.
The city of Vlora is only 140 kilometers from Tirana, so if a resort guest gets bored, he can easily get to the capital of Albania and immerse himself in the atmosphere of city noise.
The resort is located not far from Greece and Italy. So, you can get there without any problems.
Weather in Vlora.
Vlora is most popular in the summer months, when the air warms up to 25-30 degrees, and the water temperature in Vlora can reach 26 degrees. This is the best time for a seaside holiday. The resort season in Vlora lasts from May (but you are unlikely to be able to swim with pleasure at this time) until October. In September, the off-season begins, when the sea is still warm, the sun is mostly gentle, but unpleasant weather surprises are possible. But the rent for housing at this time is much lower, and sun loungers on deserted beaches are provided completely free of charge.
Cool and rainy winter is a good time to explore the charming buildings of the resort and the surrounding area of Vlora and nearby towns.
Sights of Vlora.
And there is much to see here! Both Albania itself and Vlora have overcome many trials in their history, which are reflected in the architectural monuments and traditions of the country.
Each nationality that reigned here left its buildings, many of which have survived to this day. And all of them will be demonstrated by the beautiful and cheerful Vlora. Each tourist decides for himself what to see at the resort, especially since there are plenty of opportunities to bring from Albania not only an even tan, but also new knowledge.
Historical Museum of Vlora.
Historical Museum of Vlore.
The oldest monuments of today’s resort date back to the 6th century BC. Later, the settlement became an important port connecting cities and countries. In ancient times, Albania was a «sanatorium» for Roman legionnaires, who healed their wounds in the country’s healing springs in luxury. A little later, the Greeks, Ottomans, and Neapolitans reigned here. By the way, the country freed itself from the influence of Italy only in 1912, and today’s resort was the capital of an independent state, albeit for a short time. You can learn about all this in detail in the Vlora Historical Museum.
Cathedral of San Luigi Gonzaga
Cathedral of San Luigi Gonzaga
In general, Vlora is a very democratic city in terms of religion. Orthodox, Muslims and Catholics coexist here very well. The latter’s place of worship is the Cathedral of St. Luigi Gonzaga. The small church was built in 1993 and is a four-story building. The first floor is occupied by parish premises and a sacristy, the second floor is intended for church meetings. The last two floors are occupied by living rooms and a kitchen.
Canina Castle
Canina Castle
This historical building will delight not only history buffs, but also connoisseurs of a beautiful view. Situated at an altitude of over 300 meters above sea level, the ancient castle boasts a magnificent view of Vlora and the sea. The building itself was erected in the 3rd century BC on the site of an even more ancient settlement. Seven centuries later, the castle was turned into a fortress. It often changed hands until it was destroyed by the Turks. The strong stones of the building were taken away by local residents for their own needs, so now only a small part of the fortress remains. The castle is under state protection and is a historical value of Albania.
Vlora Independence Museum
Vlora Independence Museum.
This museum was founded in 1936 in the building where the first government of the newly proclaimed country met in 1913. The museum itself is small and consists of only four halls.
Kuzum Baba
Kuzum Baba
A small but unusual terrace located on a hill just above Vlora is named after the spiritual leader of the Bektashi religious order. The leader himself is buried here. Currently, the Kuzum Baba temple is one of the most important centers of the movement and receives many pilgrims every day. However, ordinary tourists are also welcome here. And those who are not very interested in religion will enjoy a walk with a stunning view and fresh wind.
Aulona Luna Park.
A cozy amusement park will gladly provide its playgrounds for children of all ages. And adults will also have something to do here. A variety of world-class attractions will make you remember your carefree childhood or fully experience a “dangerous” adventure.
Clock Tower.
Clock Tower.
The original tower was built in 1918 and is still a decoration of the city. For a long time, the tower served as a kind of shopping center, and now it perfectly complements the appearance of the city.
Vlora Albania, photos of which will remind you of a wonderful time, also invites you to visit the ruins of ancient Apollonia, the ancient amphitheater Orikum, the Muradiye Mosque, the fortress of Porto Palermo, the Borsch castle, the Narta lagoon, the island of Zvernec and much more.
This is how multifaceted and unusual Vlora, Albania is, the sights of which show the history of the city and the country.
Beaches of Vlora
Beaches of Vlora.
Despite the abundance of interesting places and beautiful nature, the resort of Vlora lives mainly at the expense of tourists who want to have a good time on a sunny beach. Therefore, the beaches here are very well-maintained. Sand lovers should go to the Adriatic Sea, and those who like small pebbles, the Ionian coast awaits.
All beaches are well equipped for a wonderful relaxing holiday or active sea activities. There are boats, scooters, catamarans, «buns», «bananas».
For those who want to take a break from people and enjoy the company of the sea in pleasant solitude, there are wild beaches. They are not rich in infrastructure, but there are almost no people here.
It is impossible to describe all the beaches, each of them has its own distinctive features, but a small list of the most popular will help you choose the best place for a seaside holiday.
Dhermi is a pebble beach located among citrus and olive groves.
Himara is a beautiful beach with well-developed infrastructure and the opportunity to go diving.
Orikum will be a great place to relax for lovers of golden sand and beach activities.
Palasa is an amazingly beautiful beach, but it is not very suitable for children. Fishermen and divers will have much more fun here. But there are not many entertainment options here.
Where to eat in Vlore inexpensively
You can eat inexpensively almost everywhere. Albania is considered a very poor country, and the average bill in restaurants is unlikely to surprise a tourist. If only by its cheapness. You can eat inexpensively for 5 euros, which includes a good set lunch and a drink. You can eat even cheaper if you find an inexpensive cafe for locals.
Among food products, seafood, vegetables, meat, and sweets occupy a special place.
Each tourist chooses the best cafes and restaurants for himself, based on his own preferences. But the most often recommended tavern is TE LILO. They cook traditional Balkan food here.
The restaurant Рiceri Аmantia invites you to try real Italian food.
And you can indulge in delicious cakes at the Arjoli pastry shop.
It is difficult to answer the question «where is it better to relax, Orikum or Vlora» unequivocally. To understand this, you need to visit both of these cities.