Vlorë

Vlorë

Vlorë (Vlora) is located on the south-west coast of Albania, where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest city in Albania and the capital of the province of Vlorë. According to the 2011 census, there are almost 80 000 inhabitants. Vlorë is also called Valona or Aulona.

It is an important port city in Albania, in addition to Durres. There are passenger ferry connections from there to Brindisi, Italy, several times a week. You can book a ferry trip on the Direct Ferries website.

Vlorë was founded as early as 500 BC as a Greek colony of Aulon, and has since been occupied many times, including by. Serbia, the Ottoman Empire, the Turks, Italy and Nazi Germany. In 1851, Vlorë suffered considerable damage in an earthquake, which was also accompanied by a local tsunami. At least 200 people are reported to have died in the devastation.

Vlorël has played a central role in Albania’s history, especially during the country’s independence in 1912. Ismail Qemali there declared Albania independent. Vlorë was also the temporary seat of government and for a time the capital of Albania.

Albania experienced a brief civil war in 1997 because of economic problems and pyramid schemes. Many Albanians lost their savings by participating in the scams, causing economic instability and an uprising. The protests escalated into violent clashes, particularly in Vlorë. To calm the conflict, it was necessary to. UN support.

Vlorë has developed in leaps and bounds in recent years, as can be seen from the buoyant construction activity and rising house prices. Vlorë has several kilometres of coastline, which attracts tourists to the city in large numbers. There are beaches nearby for those who enjoy tranquillity and the crowds of the holiday season.

A four-kilometre morning jog or walk on Vlorë’s Lungomare is a great experience, which can be combined with a morning swim. The turquoise sea, fishermen untangling their nets, the first worshippers of the sun, the smell of freshly baked bread combined with the delicate smell of fish, tennis courts waiting for players and stunning parks are something worth experiencing.

A rich and quality offer of hotels and restaurants also ensures that tourists can enjoy themselves in Vlorë. For those used to Finnish hotel rates, Vlorë is a paradise where you can imagine yourself moving up a notch. Prices do tend to rise in Vlorës in high season, as elsewhere in Albania, but perhaps not as much as in Saranda or Durrës, for example.

In Vlorë you should visit at least the old town, the Muradie Mosque, the Kanine Fortress and the Kanine Village. If you’re driving, the new Vlorë bypass is also worth experiencing. If you need an adrenaline rush, along the way, giddy tourists can jump off the top of the mountain into the void with a paraglider, enjoy a stunning panoramic view and descend to the centre of Vlorë by the sea. The Tandem Alliance is organised by several entrepreneurs.

Ten kilometres from the centre of Vlorë is Zvernëc, with its spectacular steep sand cliffs plunging into the sea from several metres above. You can also visit St. Mary’s Monastery, which can be reached via a beautiful winding old footbridge. In spring, you may also see pelicans feeding in the lagoon, as well as flamingos. A day-long boat trip to Sazan and Karaburun is also worth considering. Along the way, you will see for example. Into the cave of Haxhi Ali, one of the most famous pirates in the Mediterranean. For those interested in archaeology, there are interesting things to see in Apollonia, located about 35 kilometres in the direction of Fier from Vlorë.

Those interested in hiking and trekking should drive south along the breathtaking mountain road towards Llogara National Park. There is the possibility of hikes of different lengths in stunning landscapes. Along the way, you can stop for a swim or an ice cream in a small town called Orikum. We ourselves have often stopped off in that quiet town to cool off in a café called Pastiçeri Luani.