AlbaniaTravel

Albanian Riviera

Vlorë Travel Guide

Where the Adriatic meets the Ionian. A big seaside city, ferries from Italy and the start of the spectacular Llogara Pass road.

  • Ferry arrivals from Brindisi
  • Start of the Riviera drive
  • Karaburun and Sazan boat trips

Updated 1 September 2026

Pine trees along the Lungomare promenade in Vlorë, with the bay and the Karaburun peninsula behind
Time needed
1 night
From Tirana
2 to 2.5 h by car
Ferries
Brindisi (Italy)
Best beaches nearby
Radhimë, Orikum, Zvërnec

Vlorë is a large city with a long seafront and a new airport under construction nearby. Historically important (independence was declared here in 1912), practically useful (ferries from Brindisi, buses everywhere), but not somewhere most visitors linger.

The reason to come is what starts here: the road south over the Llogara Pass, one of the great coastal drives in Europe, and boat trips to the Karaburun peninsula and Sazan island.

A narrow pedestrian street in Vlorë lined with pastel buildings, café tables and flags strung overhead
The pedestrian streets behind the seafront are the nicest part of Vlorë, and where the cafés are.

Costs, safety & planning

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Vlorë: common questions

Is Vlorë worth staying in?
One night, mostly for logistics. The city beaches are average; the good ones start south of town and the scenery starts at Llogara. Use it as a stop before the Riviera, not as the destination.

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The busy hub of the southern coast. Ferries from Corfu, a long seafront promenade and the best base for Ksamil, Butrint and the Blue Eye.

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Albania's most famous beaches. Caribbean-coloured water, tiny islands you can swim to, and crowds to match in high season.

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Himarë

The Riviera's most relaxed town. Clear water, pebble beaches, a hilltop old village and boat trips to coves you cannot reach by road.

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The Ionian coast from the Llogara Pass to Ksamil. Clear water, mountain villages above the sea and one of Europe's best coastal drives.