Vlora and Karaburun – Maritime Vibes and Mediterranean Adventure

Heading to southern Albania

From the series of optional excursions in Albania, in Polish, with a Polish guide, from Durres, Golem, Mali Robit. We start the day early. Around 7:30 AM, the coach picks up tourists from their hotels. We head south towards one of Albania’s most beautiful cities – Vlora.

This city is located on Vlora Bay, where two seas meet: the Adriatic and the Ionian. The bay is enclosed by the Karaburun peninsula on one side and Vlora itself on the other. This unique place attracts visitors not only with its picturesque landscapes but also with 300 sunny days per year.

History and Significance of Vlora

Vlora is one of Albania’s oldest cities. The Greeks established a colony here in the 6th century BC and named it Aulona. Later, the city gained importance for the ancient Romans as well.

In more recent times, on November 28, 1912, this is where Ismail Qemali declared Albania’s independence. Vlora became the temporary capital of the newly formed state.

Today it’s an important cultural and economic center of southwestern Albania. It’s also home to the country’s second-largest port – Port Vlora.

The city boasts a long, 19-kilometer coastline. The beaches in the northern and central parts are sandy. Further south, there’s more gravel and stones, which adds to their rugged charm.

Sailing Towards Adventure

After arriving in Vlora, we park at the port. Participants have an hour of free time to walk along the seaside promenades, drink coffee with a sea view, or take photos.

Then, the Polish-speaking guide takes the group to the boat, and we begin the maritime part of our journey. Our first destination is Sazan Island – the largest in Albania. Once a naval base operated here. Today, we can explore its abandoned buildings and feel the atmosphere of times past.

From the island, we sail further – to the very end of the Karaburun peninsula. There, another attraction awaits us: the cave of pirate Haxhi Ali. It’s a place full of legends, hidden in the rocky coastline and accessible only from the sea.

Time for Beach and Relaxation

The next stop on our cruise is one of Karaburun’s most beautiful beaches. The boat anchors close to shore, and we have two full hours for sunbathing and swimming. There’s a restaurant on site where you can enjoy lunch made from local products and enjoy the view of the blue Ionian coast waters.

After resting, we return to the boat and sail back to the port in Vlora. There, our coach awaits to take us back to the hotels.

We reach our accommodation around 7:00-8:00 PM. Behind us is a day filled with history, sea views, adventure, and relaxation.