Vlora region

Top Sights & Experiences

Kaninë Castle – Historic fortress with great views over the region.
Vlora Old Town & Independence Square – Wander the charming streets and visit the Independence Monument, marking Albania’s declaration of independence.
Muradie Mosque – A beautiful 16th-century mosque and key Ottoman architectural site.
History & Independence Museums – Learn about Vlora’s pivotal role in Albanian history.
Monastery of Zvernec

Beaches & Nature

Vlora’s Coastline – Beautiful beaches like Plazhi i Ri (Lungomare) perfect for swimming and seaside walks.
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park – Boat tours to Sazan Island and Haxhi Ali Cave showcase stunning natural landscapes and clear waters.
Orikum & Radhimë Beaches – Relax by crystal-clear water and enjoy scenic coastal views.
Gjirokastër The “Stone City”
Gjirokastër is a historic city in southern Albania and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its unique, well-preserved Ottoman architecture and stone houses.
Gjirokastër Castle — A dominant fortress with panoramic views and museums showcasing local history and military artifacts.
Old Town & Bazaar — Wander narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional buildings and local craft shops.
Skenduli House & Museums — See how families lived in the past and explore cultural exhibits.
You can also easily visit natural spots like the Blue Eye spring when exploring around Gjirokastër.
It’s about 54 km (≈34 mi) from Sarandë by road, roughly an hour’s drive, making it ideal for a day trip.

Sarandë – Seaside Resort Town

Sarandë is a vibrant coastal town on the Ionian Sea with a relaxed promenade, beaches, cafes, and restaurants.
Lëkurësi Castle — Above the town, offering spectacular views and great sunset spots.
Beaches & Waterfront — Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and seaside walks right by the harbor.
Day Trips from Sarandë — Visit nearby highlights such as Butrint National Park (a UNESCO archaeological site), the island-like beaches of Ksamil, and scenic natural attractions like the Blue Eye.

KSAMIL - Beaches & Islands

Ksamil is a small village on the Albanian Riviera known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and scenic small islands just off the coast. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax on beaches like Ksamil Beach, Bora Bora Beach, or Lori Beach. The shallow, clear water makes it ideal for families and beach lovers.

Boat Trips & Water Activities

From the shore you can take short boat trips to the nearby Ksamil Islands, explore hidden coves, paddle, or kayak around these peaceful islets surrounded by crystal-clear sea.

Butrint National Park

Just a short drive from Ksamil is Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins, including a Roman theatre and temples — perfect for a day trip combining history and nature.

Blue Eye Natural Spring

Nearby is the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a spectacular natural spring with vivid blue water that’s great for photos and nature walks.

Local Cuisine & Atmosphere

Ksamil also offers fresh seafood and local Albanian dishes at seaside cafes and restaurants, giving a relaxed Mediterranean vibe perfect for summer travel.

In short: Ksamil combines stunning beaches, island exploration, ancient history, and natural wonders — making it one of the top destinations on the Albanian Riviera.

The Full Story

Vlora Region

The Vlora region, located in southwestern Albania along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is one of the country’s most historically and geographically significant areas. Its coastal city of Vlora dates back to ancient times, originally founded as the Greek colony of Aulon in the 6th century B.C. and later becoming an important hub in Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods due to its strategic position where two seas meet.
Vlora holds a special place in Albanian national identity as the site where Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912. The Independence Monument and the Museum of Independence in the Old Town celebrate this pivotal moment in history.
The region blends rich cultural heritage with stunning natural landscapes. Traditional Ottoman architecture, ancient fortresses like Kaninë Castle, and historic religious sites such as the Muradie Mosque and the St. Mary’s Monastery on Zvërnec Island are among its key cultural attractions.
Nature lovers will find the Narta Lagoon with its birdlife and peaceful waters, as well as the breathtaking Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park with sea caves and hidden coves. The region’s scenic beaches along the Albanian Riviera, such as those near Orikum and Radhimë, offer crystal-clear water and mountainous backdrops.
Culturally, Vlora is part of the broader Labëria region, known for its distinct dialect and traditional polyphonic music, recognized by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity.
Today, Vlora combines its ancient roots, vibrant coastal life, and evolving tourism, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Albania’s history, culture, and natural beauty.

Agriculture

The Vlora region in southwestern Albania has a long agricultural tradition, shaped by its Mediterranean climate and fertile lands. Agriculture remains an important part of the local rural economy even as the national economy grows more service-oriented. Overall, agriculture contributes around 20–22 % to Albania’s GDP and is a major source of employment, especially in rural districts like those surrounding Vlora city.

In the Vlora countryside, farmers produce a mix of cereals, vegetables, and olive products, benefiting from the region’s mild winters and long growing seasons. The area is known for olive groves and olive oil production, as well as fruit trees, vineyards, and citrus orchards, which thrive on the coastal hills.

Livestock farming — including cattle and sheep — also plays a role in rural livelihoods, contributing dairy products and wool. Some local farms produce traditional items such as butter, sheepskin hides, and other animal-based goods for local markets.

Recent efforts in the region focus on modernizing agricultural practices and supporting small producers through technical training and technology transfer, for example via the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center (QTTB) in Vlora, which helps farmers adopt improved cultivation techniques.

Agritourism is also growing, with farm stays and direct farm-to-table experiences helping farmers diversify income while preserving traditional agricultural life.

Vlora region is the main producer of the Sea Salt.