Vlore Beach: First Time Visitors Guide
Vlore is where the famous Albanian Riviera starts, and of course the beach is very much part of the city experience. It’s the largest city on the Riviera, and the place where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Vlore and have the most up to date information for you to help you plan your stay. So if it’s your first time visiting Vlore, I’ve got you covered, including which beaches to visit.
Vlore Beach: First Time Visitors Guide
The first time I visited Vlore, I stayed one month in the centre – 1.3 km from the beach and seafront. And I didn’t like it very much. But I kept hearing Albanians gush over Vlore, so I gave it a second chance and stayed near the beach. Now I get it!
Why Visit Vlore Beach
If you’re coming from Tirana, it makes sense to stop in Vlore since it’s where the Albanian Riviera starts.
It also happens to be a very nice coastal city that isn’t as seasonal as other destinations on the Riviera. You’ll find a lot more restaurants and hotels open off season in Vlore than any other spot along this part of Albania’s coast.
Vlore is also a good choice if you’re limited on time but want to visit the Riviera, as it’s only a couple of hours from Tirana.
Where is Vlore
Vlore is in south west Albania, about 145 km from Tirana on the Bay of Vlore. It’s surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains, but the city itself is very flat and walkable.
Because of Vlore’s coastal location, there is a long and prominent seafront with a promenade and beaches.
How to Get There
Vlore is one of Albania’s largest cities and its second largest port, so it’s reasonably well connected. Here’s how to get to Vlore and the beach:
- Air: At the moment you have to fly into Tirana, but Vlore has a brand new international airport that will hopefully open sometime in 2026. It’s been delayed several times.
- Bus: Vlore is well connected by bus. There are multiple buses each day from the North South Bus Terminal in Tirana, as well as the Hermes airport shuttle bus. Below is the year round airport shuttle schedule from the Hermes office in Vlore. Airport buses leave from the parking lot beside the terminal.
- Private transfer/taxi: Airport taxis drive to Vlore and charge approx. 11,000 lek ($133 USD). For private transfers from Tirana, I use Taxi Landi. They are professional and reliable.
- Ferry: There is year round ferry service from Brindisi, Italy to Vlore. The crossing is about 7 hours.
For the bus schedule from Tirana’s North South Bus Terminal, check the Gjirafa Travel website. It’s not always 100% accurate, but close enough.
When to Visit Vlore Beach
Vlore is a year round city. Some restaurants, hotels and car rental places by the beach will be closed off season, but most things in Vlore are open all year.
For enjoying the beach, the best months to visit Vlore are May, June and September. The sea and weather are perfect at that time, and it’s outside of the busiest and most expensive peak months.
July and August are peak season and not the best time to visit. It’s hot, busy and expensive. If this is the only time you can go, book your hotel well in advance. The best ones are fully booked all season.
Winters are cool and rainy in Vlore. There’s not many sites besides the seaside, so it’s not really worth visiting in winter.
How Long Do You Need in Vlore
Three or four days is enough to see Vlore. This will give you time to explore the sites, enjoy a couple of beaches and take a day trip to the ancient city of Apollonia or go winetasting. Both Dukat Farm & Winery and Kantina Balaj are close to Vlore and excellent.
Where to Stay
The best area to stay in Vlore is Lungomare, the seafront promenade. This is the nicest part of Vlore and closest to the beach.
I stayed in the centre the first time I visited Vlore and it was too far from the promenade. The next time I based myself in Lungomare and it was a completely different and far more enjoyable experience. Being 2 minutes from the water and having sea views from my Airbnb was so nice.
These are my favourite and the best hotels in Vlore to be near the beach:
- Luxury hotel: Abi’s Hotel & Spa
- Mid-priced hotel: Hotel Brooklyn Vlore
- Budget hotel: Ulcas Guest Huse
This is the Airbnb I stayed at in Vlore. It’s a comfortable 1 bedroom with an excellent location.
Vlore Beaches
There are 2 beaches right in Vlore, Plazhi i Ri (New Beach) and Plazhi i Vjeter (Old Beach). Plazhi i Ri is the one that is along the main promenade. There’s also a few popular beaches near Vlore. Here’s a summary of Vlore’s beaches:
- Plazhi i Ri: This beach runs along the Lungomare promenade. The further down the promenade you go (away from the centre), the nicer the beach gets. Much of it is public, but some hotels have taken over small bits for their guests. There’s a couple of beach clubs at the far end of the beach. Beach water quality is sometimes a problem in summer.
- Plazhi i Vjeter: This is the old beach that is just north of the centre. It’s not as developed and much quieter. There’s a few restaurants by the water, but nothing like Plazhi i Ri. It’s wide and sandy, and most of it is public.
- Narta Beach: You’ll need a car to get here, it’s 7 km north of the centre. The beach is sandy and wide in spots. It’s a public beach, but you can rent loungers and umbrellas if you want. Local families like this Vlore beach. It’s relatively quiet compared to Radhime Beach.
- Radhime Beach: The beach starts about 11 km south of Vlore, and has beautiful blue water. It’s very developed with restaurants, hotels and beach clubs taking over most of the seafront. This part of the coast is hilly and steep, but scenic. Vlore locals prefer it for swimming to the beaches in the city.
- Orikum Beach: If you continue down the coast you’ll reach Orikum Beach, about 18 km south of Vlore. There is a cute strip with restaurants and cafes, but compared to Radhime it’s much quieter. This area is very flat, and the beach is pebbly. There’s great views of the Karaburun peninsula. While you’re in Orikum check out the Orikum Archeological Park (bring ID).
What to Do in Vlore
Besides the beaches, Vlore has a few things that are worth seeing and doing. Here’s what I covered on my last two visits to Vlore:
1. Vlore Old Town
Vlore Old Town is a charming area with restored (and unrestored) homes, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Very pleasant to walk around and have a meal. It’s not a big area, just a few streets.
2. Lungomare Promenade
Lively and long seafront promenade beside Plazhi i Ri (New Beach). It’s full of hotels, restaurants, cafes and rental shops. There’s a few amusement park rides closer to the centre. It’s a favourite spot for ‘xhiro’ the traditional evening stroll. You can rent bicycles on the promenade.
There’s actually two promenades, but they’re collectivley referred to as the Lungomare: the one beside all the hotels and restaurants, and another one directly across the street next to the sea. My dog loved walking the seaside.
3. National Museum of Independence
A very small museum in the old customs office built in 1844. The building was later used as the seat of the first Albanian government in 1914. There’s photographs, furniture and documents on display, but most of it is in Albanian. Closed Monday.
There’s a large grass pyramid next to the museum with stairs on one side. I got some great views and photos from up there.
4. Flag Square & the Independence Monument
This is the main square in the centre where Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire was declared in 1912. Check out the historic old walls of Vlore behind the monument.
5. Muradie Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Albania, build in 1537. I’ve never been inside because I always forget to bring a scarf for my hair, but I’m sure you could go in if you were dressed appropriately (and remove shoes). It’s very pretty from the outside.
6. Museum of History
A historic home which may or may not be the Museum of History. I’ve heard it’s now a private home and the gate has been locked each time I visit Vlore, but there’s signage out front, so I’m not sure. It’s very close to Muradie Mosque and you’ll probably end up walking past it anyhow, so check while you’re there.
7. Kuzum Baba
Kuzum Baba is a Bektashi Sufi order holy site with amazing views overlooking Vlore. Take the stairs from Boulevard Ismail Qemali. There’s a couple of restaurants at the top with dining areas overlooking the city.
8. Boulevard Ismail Qemali
This is the main shopping street and a favourite spot for ‘xhiro’ (evening stroll). I like to walk up to my favourite bakery, Furre Buke Karabash on Rruga Gjergj Araniti for a pastry or gelato.
9. Karaburun Sazan Marine Park
Take a boat trip to Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island, part of the Karaburun Sazan National Marine Park, and not accessible by car. The tour operators are all along the Lungomare Promenade. There’s speed boats, sunset cruises and day trips.
Best Day Trips from Vlore
These are the day trips I did from Vlore. For all of them except Berat (I did that during my first stay in Vlore and hired a private transfer), I rented a car.
In Albania, I usually use Discover Cars to find car rentals. But in Vlore I rented from Luka’s Rental Car, and I can recommend them. Their phone number and WhatsApp is 355 69 202 1035.
Berat (UNESCO)
This is Albania’s most beautiful historic city. It’s called the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’ for the traditional Ottoman era homes with many windows. If you can, stay 2 or 3 days in Berat – it’s that lovely.
Berat has a beautifully preserved old town with one of the oldest living castles in Europe, historic Christian and Muslim quarters, medieval churches, ancient mosques, and several museums. But it’s also nice to relax with a coffee and enjoy the views. Berat is a postcard everywhere you look.
There are direct buses between Berat and Vlore every day (takes 2 hours each way). When I did my day trip I arranged a private transfer through Taxi Landi.
Apollonia Archeological Park
This is an ancient Greek city dating back to the 6th century BC. It’s a beautiful site set in nature with gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. I went in March and everything was blooming. It’s on the UNESCO tentative list.
It’s an easy drive from Vlore Beach. I stopped at Zvernec and St. Mary’s Monastery on the way. Apollonia is a dog friendly.
Zvernec & St. Mary’s Monastery
Zvernec is a picturesque village 11 km from Vlore. The village is famous for the small island which is home to a 13th century Orthodox monastery called St. Mary’s. The island is connected to the mainland by a long wooden pedestrian bridge that crosses over Narta Lagoon.
I drove, but you could rent bicycles and bike there – the road is mostly flat.
If you don’t want to worry about logistics, take this day tour that includes all 3 sites:
Apollonia Archaeological Park, Zvernec & Berat Day Tour
Kantina Balaj
This small winery is halfway between Zvernec and Apollonia. I drove here for lunch and a tasting on my way back to Vlore from Apollonia.
I highly recommend this place. Not only was the food excellent (no menu – you choose ‘terre or mer’ land or sea), the wine tasting was amazing and generous, and it’s a cozy, atmospheric restaurant. The cellar is in an old communist era bunker tunnel built into the mountainside. The owner’s daughter game me a tour.
Kantina Balaj is also reasonably priced. My multi course seafood meal and wine tasting with blueberry raki cost 3000 lek ($36 USD).
Orikum Archeological Park & Beach
Orikum Beach is the one that’s 18 km south of Vlore. Even if you don’t want to swim, there’s restaurants and cafes by the water for a meal or coffee. I visited Orikum mostly to see the archeological park, the site of an ancient 6th century city.
The archeological site is on the beautiful Karaburun Peninsula, which is now a military zone. To visit I had to register at the military check point and leave my ID, then follow a military escort (by car) to the entrance of the archeological park. I was told not to take any photos outside of the park, and to return exactly the way I had come, without stopping.
It’s not a big park, you can easily explore it in less than an hour. I recommend visiting Kantina & Ferma Dukat, a winery with restaurant only 6.5 km from Orikum Beach. I wanted to go when I was at Orikum in March, but Dukat doesn’t open until May 1st.
Where to Eat
I always look for restaurants that are off the main tourist trail (in this case the Lungomare promenade) and popular with locals. These are my favourite Vlore restaurants:
- Sofra e Lakrorit: Very traditional Albanian food. It’s a small restaurant with all cooking done by the husband and wife. You have to make a reservation on WhatsApp (355 068 510 7653).
- Restaurant Esmiani: Great restaurant for seafood that locals like. The grilled kalamari is terrific.
- Gusta la Puglia: Amazing Italian sandwich shop behind the Lungomare promenade.
- Furre Buke Karabash: Excellent bakery with lots of sandwiches, and lunch items as well as pastry, coffee and gelato.
Where to Go Next
There’s lots of great places you can easily travel to from Vlore. These are my top picks:
- Tirana: Albania’s quirky capital city. Interesting communist sites, lots of restaurants, a huge cafe culture and very walkable. One of Europe’s most under-rated cities in my opinion.
- Berat (UNESCO): The most beautiful historic city in Albania. A very well preserved centre, living castle, medieval churches and historic Ottoman and Christian quarters.
- Saranda: The unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera. Lovely small city built around a bay on the Ionian Sea. Very busy in summer, but perfect in mid to late spring or early autumn.
- Dhermi: Coastal town on the Ionian Sea. Very picturesque with white washed homes and blue domed roofs. Popular in summer. Beautiful and quieter beaches along this stretch of the Riviera.
- Himare: Lovely town on the Ionian Sea with a strong Greek culture. Quieter than other destinations on the Riviera.
- Ksamil: Albania’s premier beach resort town. Very commercialized and not much to see besides nearby Butrint National Park, but the beaches are the best in Albania.
- Brindisi, Italy: Italian port city. I haven’t been yet, so can’t say much about it other than it looks nice and is on my list – but you can take a ferry there from Vlore.
Last Words on Vlore Beach: First Time Visitors Guide
Vlore grew on me. The first time I stayed there, I couldn’t understand why Albanians loved it so much. But when I returned and based myself near Lungomare it completely changed the way I felt about the city.
So stay near the seafront and enjoy the beautiful coastal location. Rent a car and explore beyond the city. Vlore is one of the easiest places to experience the Albanian Riviera and beaches, especially if it’s your first trip to Albania.
