Vlore Holidays

Vlore holidays are your ticket to Albania's most historically rich coastal city, where palm-fringed promenades, Ionian boat adventures and some of the freshest seafood on the Adriatic coast are all waiting for you.

Holidays to Vlore Highlights

• Gateway to the Albanian Riviera's best beaches

• Where Albania declared independence (proper history buff stuff)

• Karaburun Peninsula, secret caves, dolphins and crystal coves

• Seafood so fresh it was basically swimming this morning

The best beaches to visit in Vlore

Vlore's got beaches for every mood, from wide sandy city shores to wild, boat-only coves that feel like you've discovered them yourself. Here are our faves:

• Plazhi i Ri (New Beach) – Vlore's main event. A wide, clean sandy beach with a freshly landscaped promenade, bike path and plenty of sunbed rental spots. Busy in summer, brilliant year-round, and everything you need is right on your doorstep.

• Plazhi i Vjeter (Old Beach) – on the other side of the port, this sandy, shallow stretch is the local favourite. Quieter, more laid-back, and ideal for families with calm waters perfect for paddling.

• Radhimë Beach – just 15-20 minutes south of the city, this is where the real Ionian magic begins. Turquoise water, dramatic backdrop and a noticeably chilled vibe compared to the city beaches. Worth every minute of the drive.

• Orikum Beach – a family-friendly favourite at the southern end of Vlora Bay, with calm shallow water and good facilities. Easy to reach and never feels overcrowded.

• Karaburun Peninsula beaches – only reachable by boat, these wild pebble coves on the undeveloped peninsula are the stuff of bucket lists. Pack a mask and snorkel and prepare to be completely blown away.

• Narta Lagoon – just north of Vlore, this technicolour-blue lagoon is calm, warm and gorgeous. Brilliant for families or anyone after something completely different from a standard beach day.

• Zvernec Island Beach – follow Old Beach far enough and you'll reach a deserted shoreline opposite Sazan Island. Proper solitude, zero tourists, just you and the waves. Perfect for those who like their beach days on the wild side.

Where is the best area to stay on your Vlore holiday 2026?

Vlore's got a few distinct vibes depending on where you base yourself, here's how to pick your spot:

Family holidays

The New Beach (Plazhi i Ri) strip is your best bet. Wide sandy beach, calm water, a brilliant promenade for evening ice cream walks, and everything close together. Orikum just down the bay is even quieter if you want more space and less buzz.

Squad goals

Stay central, near the Lungomare promenade. Vlore's waterfront comes alive at night with beach bars and late-night spots, and the xhiro (traditional Albanian evening stroll) with half the city out socialising is genuinely brilliant to be part of.

Coupling up

The marina area and New Beach promenade are made for romantic sunset strolls. A boat trip from Vlore out to a secret cave on the Karaburun Peninsula is one of the most jaw-dropping date-day activities on the entire Albanian Riviera.

Good to know

🤩 Fun fact: Vlore is where Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. You can visit the actual building where it happened, the Museum of Independence, for less than £1. Genuine history, bargain price.

🏖️ Best beach: Radhimë, in our humble opinion. Just south of the city, it's where the turquoise Ionian water really kicks in and the crowds thin out. A proper wow moment.

💶 Money Talk(s): Vlore is noticeably cheaper than Sarande and Ksamil - a cold beer on the promenade is around £1.50, a fresh seafood plate at a local taverna is £5-8, and a full dinner for two with wine comes in well under £25. Brilliant value.

Local lingo

A few Albanian phrases to charm the locals with...

• Hello – Përshëndetje

• Hi – Ç'kemi

• Bye – Mirupafshim

• How are you? – Si jeni?

• Thank you – Faleminderit

• You're welcome – S'ka përse

• How much is it? – Sa kushton?

• Where is the beach? – Ku është plazhi?

Vlore Hotels 2026/2027

From rooftop bar boutiques to beachside hang-outs and Melia-affiliated comfort, Vlore has more hotel options than you might expect and at prices that'll make you feel genuinely smug. Here's our pick of the best:

Couples

Onorato Hotel – only ten boutique rooms, so it's intimate, peaceful and properly special. Free bikes to explore the local area together, and a beautiful garden that's basically made for slow, lazy afternoons. A hidden gem.

Hotel Gold – a stylish bar with panoramic sea views, a sunset terrace for evening drinks and direct access to the sandy beach. Tick, tick, tick. The kind of place you check in and immediately feel like you've upgraded your life.

Families

Valza Boutique Hotel – rooftop bar with Vlora Bay sunset views for the grown-ups, an onsite playground for the little ones, and aqua fit and diving activities to keep everyone busy. One of those rare hotels that genuinely works for the whole crew.

Kraal Hotel – laid-back beachside vibes, a snazzy bar and round-the-clock service. The kind of place where the kids can run free while you finally get to sit down with something cold. Everyone wins.

Luxury

Hotel Vlora Priam Affiliated by Melia – the Melia stamp means business. Polished service, sleek rooms, wheelchair-friendly throughout, and boujee upgrade options if you want to push the boat out. Speedy Wi-Fi everywhere too, for anyone who can't fully switch off.

Groups

Bologna – a solid, well-located base for groups who want to be close to the promenade action without breaking the bank. Easy to coordinate, central and a great launching pad for days out on the Karaburun Peninsula.

Kraal Hotel – already in families above, but worth a shout here too. The lively social atmosphere and beachside location make it a cracking group pick, especially if your idea of a holiday involves cold drinks and good company.

Value

Onorato Hotel – ten boutique rooms, free bikes and a beautiful garden for a price that won't hurt. One of the best-value sleeps on the Riviera.

Bologna – straightforward, well-located and easy on the wallet. Exactly what you want when you'd rather spend your budget on seafood and boat trips than the room.

Vlore Holidays 2026/2027 – Travel Guide

Things to do for Families

• New Beach promenade days – Vlore's freshly landscaped Plazhi i Ri has a dedicated bike path, wide sandy beach and loads of cafes and ice cream spots along the promenade. The kind of easy, low-stress beach day that families actually remember fondly.

• Narta Lagoon – a beautiful calm lagoon just north of Vlore with warm, shallow water that's perfect for young paddlers. Completely different to the main beaches and genuinely stunning to look at.

• Zvernec Island monastery – a short boat trip from Old Beach takes you to a tiny island with a centuries-old Orthodox monastery. Kids love the boat ride, adults love the history. Everyone loves the views.

• Orikum Beach day trip – just down the bay from Vlore, with calm family-friendly water and good facilities. A great option for a quieter beach day away from the city buzz.

• Vlore promenade evenings – grab an ice cream, join the xhiro (the Albanian tradition of an evening walk with family and friends) and let the kids run around on the seafront while the sun goes down. Free, brilliant and very Albanian.

Things to do for Couples

• Karaburun Peninsula speedboat tour – the undisputed star of Vlore's activity scene. Cruise to secret caves, swim in hidden coves and spot dolphins along the way. The Haxhi Ali Cave is an absolute jaw-dropper. Boats depart from Vlore port.

• Sunset walk along the Lungomare – Vlore's palm-fringed promenade at golden hour is genuinely gorgeous. Grab a cold drink, find a spot by the water and let the "we actually made it here" feeling sink in properly.

• Kanine Castle hike – climb up to the hilltop ruins above the city for panoramic views over Vlora Bay and the Ionian Sea. Dramatic, romantic and completely free. Best at sunset.

• Fresh seafood dinner at the marina – Vlore's new marina is lined with restaurants serving the morning's catch. Grilled fish, local wine, sea views. The Albanian Riviera equivalent of a Michelin star evening, at a fraction of the price.

• Drive the Llogara Pass – one of the most spectacular roads in Europe, connecting Vlore to the Riviera over the Ceraunian mountains. Pull over at the summit and look back over the entire bay. Unforgettable.

Things to do for Groups

Karaburun group boat trip – hire a speedboat or join a shared tour for a full day of secret coves, sea caves, snorkelling stops and cold beers on deck. The ultimate Albanian Riviera group day out, and one everyone will be talking about for years.

Vlore nightlife – beach bars along the promenade, late-night spots near Independence Square and a genuinely sociable local scene make Vlore a great city for a group evening. Relaxed enough that you're not queuing for anything, lively enough that it never feels dull.

Llogara Pass road trip – pile into some cars, drive up through the mountains and emerge on the other side of the pass into the Riviera. The views from the summit across Vlora Bay are an absolute group moment.

Sazan Island excursion – former Cold War military base, now open for day trips. Explore the abandoned bunkers, swim in clear water and hear the genuinely wild stories of Albania's past. A proper talking point.

More destinations in Albania

Sarande – the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, with a buzzy waterfront promenade, great restaurants and ferry links to Corfu. Best base for Butrint, Ksamil and the southern coast.

Albanian Riviera – the full 150km stretch of Ionian coastline from Vlore to Sarande. Hidden coves, mountain passes, ancient ruins and some of the clearest water in Europe.

Tirana – Albania’s colourful and energetic capital, packed with vibrant squares, fascinating museums and a thriving café culture.