Vlora: the best attractions in the city and nearby.

Vlora, one of the most beautiful cities in Albania and known as "The city of the flag", "The city of the two seas" or "The southern port of the Adriatic", is home to many attractions that are worth visiting.

In this article, we will see what are the best attractions to see in Vlora and its surroundings. If you are interested in visiting the city, take a look at our Tours.

The Ethnographic Museum

This museum is one of the oldest buildings in Vlora, in fact it is located in a house that dates back to 800. The building houses about 300 pieces on display, which illustrate the traditional culture, crafts and customs of the Vlora region. Some of these objects testify to the excellence of the craftsmen in the processing of wood or metal.

The Mosque of Muradie

It is the main mosque of Vlora, which managed to remain standing even during the communist regime, which destroyed many religious buildings. The building dates back to the Ottoman period and was built in 1537 by Mimar Sinan, a skilled architect who built many works of the empire.

The Museum of Independence

This museum is located in the center of the city, in the Flag Square (Sheshi i Flamurit) and testifies to the struggle of the Albanian people in the conquest of independence, achieved on November 28, 1912, the day when the national flag was raised. 

Kuz Baba

On this hill, the highest in Vlora, there is a temple of 1600, named after Father Kuzum, the spiritual leader of the Muslim sect Bektashi. Bektashi was a very important sect in Albania, until they disappeared because of their persecution during the Ottoman Empire.

The Bay of Vlora

The bay of Vlora, with its 19 km long, is the deepest, but also the most beautiful in Albania and deserves to be visited at least once. In the bay there are sandy or rocky beaches and is frequented by many tourists during the summer season.

Island of Sazan

This wonderful island, former military installation and open to the public since 2015, can be reached by boat, which you can rent at the port of Vlora. On the island, you can visit the tunnels and bunkers built to take refuge from a nuclear attack.

The Caves

Near Vlora there are also caves that show the presence of human activity of 5000 years ago. One of these is the Lepenice Cave, discovered in the 70s, and in which there are drawings representing human figures on the walls. The other system of caves is Velca and also here we find drawings and paintings on the walls but also prehistoric ceramics.

Triportus

It is a settlement 3 km from Vlora, founded in the sixth century B.C. and that has expanded more and more until reaching the size of a city. It is thought to have been the ancient city of Aulona, mentioned by the geographer Ptolemy.

North of Vlora: what to see

Apollonia

Near Vlora, there is the ancient city of Fier, which houses the wonderful archaeological park of Apollonia, an ancient Greek colony. Apollonia had sworn allegiance to the Roman Empire, and Emperor Augustus in the 1st century B.C. was studying in this city. In the park you can visit the temple porch, the Odeon theater and a Byzantine monastery.

The Lagoon of Narta

This place is a place surrounded by nature and therefore ideal for those who love animals and nature itself. Here you will find many species of birds and fish, but you can also visit villages, Narta and Zverneci, and the Byzantine church of Santa Maria.

Bylis

This city, near Vlora, was the largest city in southern Illyria and has impressive walls, 2250 m long. The city in fact became the base of Caesar’s army in 49-48 BC.

South of Vlora: what to see

Kanina Castle

In the past this place was a Byzantine fortress of the third century BC, and is also one of the most beautiful scenic places in Albania; in fact the castle is located on a hill and protected the whole village of Kanina. In medieval times, the castle served as a stronghold for the Principality of Vlora.

Gramata

It is a bay that is located on the coast of the Karaburun peninsula and that probably offered shelter to ships during storms; to prove this, you can see on the rocks of the bay several engravings of sailors who passed there.

Orikum and Amantia

Orikum is an ancient city founded by the Greeks in the 7th-6th century BC, located about 30 km from Vlora. Nearby, we can also visit the Archaeological Park of Orikum and the Marmiroi Church, which dates back to the time of the Byzantine emperor Theodore.

Amantia is also an ancient city, located about 40 km from Vlora, where we can visit some monuments found following archaeological excavations, the acropolis and the stadium.

Fortress of Porto Palermo

This coastal fortress is located about 60 km south of Vlora, near Himara, and was built in the early nineteenth century by Ali Pasha Tepelena for his beautiful young wife. The width of the stones is 1.6 meters. This castle was designed by a French engineer and was built in the form of a pentagon. Discover more about the fortress of Porto Palermo 

The Llogara Pass

The Llogara Pass is a national park entirely covered by a pine forest, great for those who want to relax in the shade of trees, but also for those who love the thrill of adventure; in fact it is a great place for paragliding or for the hang gliding.