Holidays in Albania: Vlora
Vlora is one of the Albanian cities protagonists of a tourism oriented development.
The stories (and images) of the city during the 90s describe a scenario very far from today's reality.
In a few decades the city of Vlora has completely transformed itself, improving its appearance and livability.
The result is a beautiful and welcoming tourist town.
In ours Itinerant Travel there is always a stop in Vlore!
Why go on holiday in Vlora?
Vlora is easily accessible from Durres (Tourist Port) and from Tirana (international airport). During the summer the city can also be reached by ship from Puglia.
The famous mountain coast road between Vlora and Saranda starts here, which is the most beautiful part of the Albanian coast. Along the way there are the most famous tourist destinations in Albania and the beaches of Dhermi, Himara, Llamane, Porto Palermo, Saranda and Ksamil.
The city of Vlora is strategically positioned to be the starting point for short trips and excursions.
The Vlora seafront
During the day the promenade comes to life and along the very long beach there are perfectly equipped bathing establishments right in the center of the city.
The most beautiful sea, however, is that of Karaburun: the Karaburun peninsula extends for kilometers right in front of the city and delimits the bay.
Every morning dozens of motorboats take off to accompany tourists on the pristine beaches of the peninsula.
Here are the most beautiful and wild beaches. The beauty of the sea and the presence of caves and cliffs make this stretch of coast very attractive for tourists looking for the most beautiful sea and a dip in wild and unspoiled nature.
Along the beaches of Karaburun there are small, very minimal bathing establishments with a few umbrellas and limited services.
The beauty of the places and the charm of the adventure, however, justify some small inconvenience.
Vlora at night
Immediately after sunset the Vlora promenade comes alive and tourists move (a few meters) passing from the shoreline to the sidewalks. Dozens of bars and restaurants are ready to welcome customers as beach clubs and disco bars get ready for the night.
The promenade lends itself to the evening walk as to the nights spent between dancing and entertainment.
Hotel
In the city there is a large number of hotels.
There are all categories and the tourist vocation of the inhabitants makes the service offered every year better, in some cases superior to the quality offered in Italy or in Europe.
The most coveted hotels are those on the seafront and directly overlooking the bay but, just behind these it is possible to find excellent accommodations which, despite not having a "sea view", are located a few meters from the beach.
In addition to hotels it is possible to stay in apartments. There are many furnished and ready to welcome tourists. They are rented directly by the owners for medium-long periods. This could be an excellent compromise if you are traveling in a group and looking for budget accommodation.
However, the true strength of Albania is still to offer the services that cost much more at hotels at competitive prices.
Our advice is to spend less than in other destinations but to take advantage of the convenience to enjoy a "dream" holiday.
Old Town
Like almost all Albanian cities, Vlora also does not have a real historical center.
During the communist period and in the years of anarchy that followed, almost all the older buildings were destroyed.
The city today is modern and functional. Most of the buildings date back to the early 2000s.
However, there are some testimonies of the past including the Lead Mosque and the Independence Monument and Museum.
A recent urban renewal intervention has restructured a good part of the oldest houses giving life to a colorful "pedestrian" designed specifically for tourists.
Also in this case the administrators and citizens of Vlora have tried their efforts to make the city even more welcoming and attractive for tourists.
