The city of Vlora, Albania is one of the best resorts on the shores of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The city is included in the famous Albanian Riviera. Here you can enjoy a wonderful beach holiday, take a dip in the clear azure sea water, sunbathe on a clean, equipped beach.
General information
The city of Vlore is located in the south of Albania, at a distance of 140 kilometers from the country's capital, Tirana. The distance from Vlora to Italy is 72 kilometers, and to Greece - 120 kilometers.
The first mention of the city appears in the VI century BC. Even then, Vlora was an important trading hub and port due to access to the sea. Many foreign troops tried to capture an important strategic target. The city was ruled by the Ottoman, Roman, Neapolitan yoke.
It was here that in 1912 the independence of Albania was proclaimed, the first Albanian government was formed. Vlora was the first capital of Albania. You can listen to all of these events at the local History Museum and the Museum of Independence.
sights
Many local attractions are directly or indirectly related to the struggle of the Albanian people for independence. It was led by the national hero Ismail Kemali.
In the very center of the city on Flag Square is the Independence Monument. It is made in the style of socialist realism. Ismail Kemali is buried in a park located next to the square. In honor of the hero, the city, the central city street, are named in the city, and a monument is erected near the port.
About 70 percent of the city’s population is Muslim, the remaining 30% are Christians. Accordingly, in Vlora there are monuments created both in Muslim traditions and Christian ones.
The most famous Muslim landmark in the city is the Muradi Mosque. It was built by the famous architect of the Ottoman Empire - Mimar Sinani.
The Christian churches of Mamiroi, St. Fedor, St. Stephen are not as impressive as a Muslim mosque and take, rather, in quantity rather than quality.
Interesting in terms of architecture, Christian churches are Holy. Mitri and Holy. Mary is not located in the central part of the city, but on the outskirts, in the towns of Dermi and Zvernetz.
Terrace Kuzum Baba
Be sure to visit Kuzum Babu. This is a huge terrace 300 meters long, located at an altitude of 30 meters. She is the highest point in the city.
On Kuzum Babe there is a city religious center of Bektashi. The Turkish sultan Kuzum Baba is buried here, in whose honor the terrace is named. Another name of the Sultan, Sayyid Ali, is not so well known among the locals.
Not far from here is the temple of the XVII century. Walking on the terrace of Kuzum Baba will appeal not only to those who want to learn something new, but also to those who just want to enjoy the beautiful views of the city of Vlore.
Antique culture
The most striking representative of ancient culture in the city is the Orikum amphitheater, or rather what is left of it. The remains of the building date back to the 1st century BC.
Many tourists specifically because of Orikum specially come to Vlore, Albania. The photos taken here amaze the imagination of the average man in the street. First of all, the contrast between the hoary antiquity of antiquity and the modern city located very close is striking.
Other ancient structures of the resort are the Canina Castle, which played an important role in the Middle Ages, the archaeological park of Apollonia.
Tourists who come here visit the Llogora National Park, famous for its wild, untouched nature. The Narta Lagoon, located here, attracts fans of wild beach holidays.
Beaches
Those tourists who appreciate the Mediterranean landscapes and temperate climate go to the sea in Vlora. The water in this sea is very clean. The water temperature during the holiday season is optimal for swimming. The beaches here are for every taste. There are sandy, and stony, and pebble.
Beach holidays are well organized. There are water scooters, catamarans, "bananas" and other popular attractions.
Housing
As in any resort city, in Vlora there are many different hotels of any degree of comfort and income. Especially a lot of them in the coastal zone of the Riviera.
The best local hotel is called New York. It is marked in the directories as a 4-star. There are interesting design decisions and elegance in the interior, as well as a pool and a private section of the beach. The hotel is equipped with the latest technology.
The 4-star Coral Hotel & Resort is similar to it in terms of service. It is located, not in the city itself, but in the village of Radima near Vlora, Albania. Reviews about it from the guests are the most wonderful. The beach at the hotel is pebble, the windows overlook the sea. It has everything you need for water sports.
Among the three-star hotels, it is worth paying attention to the Paradise Beach and Olympia Tourist Village hotels. Here you will be offered the best combination of price and quality of services.
Weather
Vlora, Albania is a Mediterranean resort. The weather here is typical for this region. Summer is hot and dry, and winter is mild and wet. It is best to go to Vlore in May, June or September. In July and August it is too hot here, and in the winter months it often rains and it becomes very damp.
In June, in Vlore, the most comfortable temperature is +27 during the day and +15 at night. The water temperature at this time warms up to +22.
Food
As in any resort town, there are a huge number of restaurants, cafes, snack bars and just stalls with street food. The most popular local dish is shish kebab. Tourists often order cucumber soup, sweet cakes with rice. At the Te Lilo Tavern, you can enjoy a traditional cornmeal pie with lamb and cheese called harashchi.
The restaurants of traditional European cuisine are also represented in the city. Albanians are especially fond of Italian pizza.
Tourists reviews
Tourists who visited Vlora admire the beautiful sea coast, excellent weather, reasonable prices at the resort.
Guest reviews suggest that there is wonderful wildlife. On the seashore there are very beautiful cliffs for walking, coniferous forests and olive groves. The air in the resort town is also wonderful.
There is something to see for connoisseurs of history and architectural monuments. In addition, Vlora annually attracts many lovers of cognitive and outdoor activities. There are many attractions: medieval and ancient buildings, mosques, museums.
All who have visited a cozy town agree on one thing: if you don’t know where to spend your vacation inexpensively and interestingly, pay attention to the city of Vlore in Albania.