Vlorë

Vlore lies in the southwestern coastal region of Albania, at the southern end of the Adriatic Sea and the northern part the Ionian Sea.
The Vlore coastline accounts for about 30% of the entire coast of Albania. The Albanian Riviera is nearby. It is 135 km from the capital city, Tirana, separated by only 72 km from Italy (Channel of Otranto) and 123 km from Greece (the island of Corfu).
The surface area of Vlore is 1609 km² and includes 4 cities; Vlore, Selenica, Himara and Orikum.
It has a climate typical of Mediterranean Sea, with mild winters that are generally wet, and summers that are dry.
The Vlore region has three basic climatic zones:
The coast has moderate temperatures, as the other countries of the Mediterranean, and does not suffer the cold winds like the western side of Albania.
The inland, hilly areas in the region have a cool climate with rains and similar to that of Central Europe with a relatively mild climate.
The mountainous region, such as Llogara, possesses a dry continental climate. In winter it can be quite cold (though snow is relatively uncommon) and has fresh, cool air all summer long.
Vlore receives more hours of sunshine per year than any other region of Albania - averaging over 2000 "sunny" hours annually.
Vlore has the only peninsula in Albania, which is named Karaburun. It is roughly 16 km by 4 km in size, and an area of 62 km². The peninsula of Karaburun is rich in natural resources (famous for marble), woodlands, and archeological remains. It is also home to a reserve for wild pigs.
The only island in Albania, named Sazan, is 17 km from the port of Vlore and 9 km from Triport (Three Gates) in the Vlore region. The highest point of the island is 342 m. Sazan has a surface area of 5.7 km² and 12 km of coast. A rocky cliff breaks the beach.
Vlore, long known for its olive production, at last count had approximately 280,000 olive trees. The olive trademark " Vlonjak" is one of the oldest in Europe and is known for its great oil production.
The territory around Vlore comes from thriving ancient cities such as Amantia-Ploce, Olympe-Mavrova, Orikos-Orikum, Himera-Himare, Kionina-Kanine, Nymfeum-Selenica and Aulona-Vlora.
A lot of famous people in Albania were born in Vlore, including 6 former ministers (Xhafaj, Malaj, Angjeli, Gjinushi, Leskaj, Pango), a lot of famous singers (including Aurela Gace and Poni), and several other VIPs.
Vlore is also known for being the head city for the 1997 revolution in Albania. Zani Caushi was one of the local leaders, although he later started to trade drugs. If possible, do not get in a discussion about 1997 while being in Vlore.

The dialect of Vlore is difficult to learn, as it includes a special kind of speaking (slower than the rest of Albania), difficult "r" and "l" ("r", especially when the first letter of a word, is severe, while "l" is something between "l" and "ll", similar to the Greek "l") and a lot of special phrases. Vlore people almost always use "motra" and "vlla" (sister and brother) when addressing at each other, even if its the first time you meet with them. A famous funny phrase in Vlore is "me ler rehat o vlla se i thash vllait" ("Get off brother, or I'll tell my brother", when a girl grows tired of a boy's flirting).

By bus

• Bus stop

As of September 2014, mini-buses left from Saranda to Vlore at the following time: 05:30, 11:30, 16:30, 18:00.
Bus from Tirana - the journey can be very slow! - furgons from Saranda or Fier), can be faster than bus.
Daily two buses from Athens (over night bus and day long bus, both €30).
Buses to Ohrid, North Macedonia depart at 14:00.

By boat

• Vlore PortFrom Brindisi with two overnight ferries, arriving in Vlore early in the morning

By train

• Vlora train stationA train arriving after 12:00 on the once a day service from Rrogozhinë which connects off again a daily train from Tiranë to Librazhd. The same loco formed the 05:00 Vlorë to Rrogozhinë the next day.(2013)

By car

If you are in Tirana, follow the way: Tirana-Durres-Kavaje-Rrogozhine-Lushnje-Fier-Vlore. The roadway is pretty good.
From North Macedonia, you can follow: Qafe Thane-Librazhd-Elbasan-Rrogozhine-Lushnje-Fier-Vlore
From Greece, you can take three ways: (i) Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Tepelene-Vlore; or (ii) Kakavi-Gjirokaster-Qafe e Muzines-Sarande-Vlore; or (iii) Qafe Bote-Sarande-Dhermi-Vlore. The last itinerary is the shortest

There are three areas you might visit in Vlore - the beaches, the port, and the town centre.

• the beaches stretch several Km to the south/east of the port, and there are numerous hotels and apartments in this stretch. There are also good beaches north/west of the port, but these are less easily accessible.
• the port area - numerous hotels and restaurants in this area, though the town beach and the sea here are rather dirty
• the town centre lies inland, about 2 km north of the port. A long boulevard lined with palm trees joins the two. There are many bars, shops and restaurants along this boulevard. The town centre (around Flag Square) has a few 'tourist attractions', though unless you are in Vlore for the beaches there is not much to detain you more than half a day. The main reason for staying in this area is its convenience as a bus/furgon 'hub' serving nearby towns.

There is a small tourist information kiosk in Flag Square, next to the Independence Monument.

• Catholic church

• Mosque of Neshat Pasha

In the "town centre" area -

• Flag Square- Independence Monument - a massive socialist-realist monument celebrating the independence of Albania from the Ottoman empire in 1912

• Ethnographic Museum

• Historic Museum

  address: Rruga Perlat Rexhepi

• Mosque of Muradie

  address: Rruga Ate Kristo Negovani cnr

Port area -

• Museum of Independence

  address: Rruga Uji i Ftohte

Further afield

• Dhërmi beaches— one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping.

• Fier— Lively seaside city, and only about 8 km (5 mi) away from the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia.Much of this ancient city still remains buried under the hills.

• Castle of Kanina

  address: Kanina village
  Built in the old center of Vlore in the 3rd century BC. This castle has an area of 3625 ha. It was rebuilt by Emperor Justinian in the 5th century BC. In Anna Komnenes' notes, she talked long about her father, Emperor Aleks', war against the Norman army.

• Monastery of Saint Mary

  address: Zvernec (Zvërnec) Village

• OrikumAncient theatre of Orikum (1st century BC), Church of Marmiroi (Kisha e Marmiroit) - Here is also a small hotel

• Castle of Gjon Boçari

  address: Tragjas village

• Kropisht Castle

  address: Llutroi, ?
  built in the Roman period. It is composed of stones, 24x2x5 cm. The fortress was built in the shape of a square with an area of 250x180 m. For the most part, the widths of the stones were 1.2 m.

• Kukum Castle

  address: Qeparo village
  It was built in the 2nd century BC.

• Vlore Castle

  address: Zvërnec
  It was built in 1531 by Sultan Sulejman to protect Vlore from attack from the army of Venedik. This castle was documented by Dr. Auerbahu in 1847 and was saved in the library archive of Innsbruck.

• Movrove Castlewas built in the 4th century BC. The walls are built with a limestone blockade

• Lepenice Caves- Cave writings-Lepenice is situated on the mountain and village of the same name, which has a height of 800 m above sea level. Pictures found in this cave represent post-Paleolithic art, which is known as the oldest in all of Europe. In the cave you find 19 anthropomorphic figures and 8 geometrical pictures.

• Haxhi Ali Cave

  address: Karaburun
  Located in a cliff, it is the biggest cave in Albania at 30 m long, 10 m wide and 10-15 m high.

• Natural springsVlore is blessed with numerous natural springs because of precipitation and the mountainous landscape.

• Narta LagoonOne of the most important lagoon in Albania. Connected with the sea by the way of a channel and, as such, are affected by the tides. It is well-known internationally because of the number of sea birds, which exceeds 48,700. For three species of sea birds, 1% of the total number find refuge here. In winter, more than 23% of the sea birds of Albania live in this area.

• Pashaliman LagoonOne of the most important lagoon in Albania. Connected with the sea by the way of a channel and, as such, are affected by the tides. Although small in size, is known for different kinds of ducks and for winter seabirds that migrate through Albania.

• Shushica RiverThis has a length of about 80km and is also known by another name, Vlore River, because it traverses the valley of the same name.

• Vjosa Riverwith the length of 76 km, it has served as a natural border between Fier (in the north) and Vlore. It was very practical to navigate between the two cities because the river generally passes through fields and flat land.

• Velça CavesThese are part of the culture of the late Neolit culture of the 3rd millennium BC. Professor Marciani took notes about this cave, and speculated that it must have been lived in 1000 years before Christ.

• Vuno beaches— small village a few kilometres north to the town of Himarë, feeling on the Albanian riviera

• Porto Palermo CastleThe port of Porto Palermo is a monument of cultural heritage built on a peninsula between Himara and Qeparo in the district of Vlora, Albania
  
  The small castle is set in a beautiful setting on a peninsula in the small tectonic bay of Porto Palermo (in antiquity known as Panormes Bay). The castle is located not far from the village of Qeparo.
  
  The port of Porto Palermo is located in the bay of the same name on the Ionian Sea coast in southern Albania. The castle is located on an island about 30 m from the shore where the narrow waterline between the coast and the island is filled with stones and to realize a land connection with it.
  
  The castle has a triangular planar shape with three powerful ramparts in the corners. Entrance is located in the middle of the southern wall. On the sea side, between two bastions a trapeze-shaped surface is surrounded by turret-walled walls. The rest of the castle is made up of a large number of covered environments that end up in the upper part with a shared terrace. The premises were used to shelter the garrison while one of them served as a prison.

• Ferun Water Supply (Dukat)Ferun Water Supply (Dukat) is a monument of cultural heritage in Dukat, Vlora District, Vlora Region, Albania.
  
  Ferun Water Supply, built in 1888 (SHE XIX), is located at the foot of Mount Karaburun near the Marmiroti church , just over the river of Gjinará. It has symmetrical composition, the central arch with two smaller sides. It circulates water from the Llogara mountain.

• The House of Eqerem bej VloraThe House of Eqerem bej Vlora is a monument of cultural heritage in the district of Vlora, Albania.

• The House of Writer Petro MarkoThe residence of the writer Petro Marko is a monument of cultural heritage in the district of Vlora, Vlora, Albania

• Enjoy the vivid night life of the city and suburbs.
• Aulona International Folk Festival
• Albanian Open Paragliding Event

• Beach

  address: Radhimë village

Vlore's sea products are some of the best in Albania. The Paradisa Beach Restaurant offers great seafood and is 5-10 minutes (depending on traffic) with a car from the center of Vlore. Ask for the right direction. Another great restaurant is "Makareshi", which is less than 5 minutes from the center of the city (with a car).
But the most important thing to eat there is the Vlore traditiional food. Vlore (together with Kurvelesh) is the center of Laberia - the most famous and patriotic region of Albania. "Lab" people tend to be very proud of themselves, but also of their food. Try kukurec, qumeshtor and harapash. "Mish ne hell", which is rotisserie lamb, is well-known. Try this around Karaburuni.
Vlore area cuisine is typical of coastal and mountainous areas. The products are taken from dairy animals which are raised in the mountains by the sea.
Here are some examples of traditional Albanian dishes:

• Byrek is a flaky pastry that is preferred by the people of Vlore to be filled with either field greens or just as a milky pie. The most important ingredients are fresh milk, flour, and field greens.
• Grilled meat is characteristic of Vlore, and is found in every restaurant. The nearness of the sea and the quality of pastures give the meat in this area an incomparable taste. Lamb from Karaburun cooked over an open fire is particularly delicious.
• Yogurt in Vlore is produced traditionally and is different than the yogurt produced in most of Europe.
• Harapash is similar to porridge and is cooked with corn flour, the intestines of lamb, cheese and butter.
• Raki is the traditional alcoholic drink of Albania. The drink is typically grape-based, but you can also find raki made from blackberries and plums.
• Another typical dish for Vlore cuisine are plates with seafood, fish, mussels, shrimp, and lobster.

By the main beach where the Adriatic meets the Ionian sea, there is a natural mineral water spring that leads into the ocean. Locals fill up empty bottles to take with them to the beach, and larger containers to take home. You can have an aperitif always near the seaside or in the mountain of Llogora, a natural park (protected).

• Bar Ini

  phone: +355696422655
  address: Square Avni Rustemi,Vlorë 9401

Accommodation on offer ranges from luxurious to basic with a good choice of hotels in between. Friendly service and good hospitality is usually encountered. Also available are private apartments and homes for longer stays of 10-15 days, B&Bs and hostels. You can camp in some areas.
Town centre area -

• Vlore Hotel

  address: Rruga Justin Godar

• Vlora Backpackers Hostel

  phone: +355 696135752
  address: 24 haki isufi kushtrimi vlore
  Vlora backpackers in a old villa located in a city center close to flew market grocery market and many historical museums best for stop by travelers. bus station is close for travelling outside of Vlora the port to Italy is 2 km easy with city bus.

• Tirana (N )— the capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mt. Dajt is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city.
• Durres(N )— one of the oldest cities in Albania. Flooded three times during its history. The current city is built on the ruins of two previous ones. It has the largest amphitheater in the Balkans. It is the largest port of Albania and has the longest shoreline.
• Sarandë (S ) a city known for its unforgettable beaches and colorful spring blooms.
• Lukove (S ) - part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches
• Himarë (S ) - Greek/Albanian town on the seaside of the Albanian Riveria with beautiful beaches and an ancient old town