Vlore County

Province ·🇦🇱 Albania

Population 184,955

Area 2,737 km²

Time zone Europe/Tirane

Official website www.qarkuvlore.gov.al

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Explore Vlore County

Vlorë Must-Sees

Vlorë serves as a gateway to Albania's history, spanning from the ancient Illyrian ruins of Amantia and Oricum to the 1912 Independence Monument. The region is defined by its strategic coastal fortifications, including the triangular Porto Palermo Castle and the hilltop Kaninë Castle. Beyond its historical landmarks, the area features unique natural sites like the Blue Eye, a deep karst spring, and the Vivari Channel which connects Lake Butrint to the Ionian Sea.

12 places

Majestic Mountains and Peaks

This collection features the dramatic topography of the Ceraunian Mountains and the Karaburun Peninsula in southern Albania. It highlights the Llogara Pass, a high mountain saddle dividing the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and the massive limestone peaks of the Ceraunian range, including Maja e Çekut. Along the rugged coastline, the list identifies the steep cliffs and limestone capes of the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, offering specific geographical landmarks and historical sites like the Cesar-Pass.

49 places

Coastal Attractions

This collection highlights the diverse coastline of the Vlorë region, stretching from the Karaburun Peninsula to the southern shores near Ksamil. It includes the dramatic Gjipe Canyon, where limestone cliffs meet the Ionian Sea, and the Bay of Grama, famous for its ancient rock inscriptions left by sailors. Visitors can find wide pebblestone stretches at Dhërmi and Livadhi, or secluded coves like Aquarium Beach. The list also features urban beaches near Vlorë city and shallow sandy spots like Pema e Thatë, which offers views across the strait to Corfu.

15 places

Albanian Historical Gems

This collection spans millennia of history in Vlorë County, from the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Phoenice and Oricum to the medieval fortifications of Kaninë and Porto Palermo. It highlights the region's diverse architectural heritage, including Byzantine-style churches like St. Nicholas in Mesopotam and modern landmarks like the Independence Monument. These sites illustrate the strategic importance of the Albanian Riviera through various eras, featuring Ottoman-era castles, communist-era bunkers, and archaeological parks.

14 places

Albania's Religious Heritage

Albania’s Vlorë County preserves a diverse array of religious architecture spanning the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. This list features the 13th-century St. Nicholas Monastery in Mesopotam, notable for its rare double-apsed design, and the 16th-century Muradie Mosque, attributed to the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. Highlights include the remote, island-based St. Mary’s Monastery in Zvërnec and the ruined 6th-century Forty Saints Monastery overlooking Sarandë. These sites illustrate the region's complex spiritual history through well-preserved frescoes, ancient stonework, and unique cultural monuments like the Gjin Aleksi Mosque.

32 places

Albania's Natural Wonders

This collection highlights the diverse hydrological and geological features of southern Albania. It includes the Blue Eye, a deep karst spring, and the Vjosa, one of Europe's last wild rivers. The list covers the sea caves of the Karaburun Peninsula, such as Haxhi Ali, and the ancient Vivari Channel at Butrint. These sites represent the region's unique ecosystems, ranging from coastal lagoons and mountain springs to prehistoric grottoes and significant wetlands.

33 places