thetrainfamilyWe came to Vlore (Vlorë) from Saranda and compared to the latter, Vlore is a big city! It is the second largest port city in Albania and the city is beautifully located at the shores of the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Vlore is, however, a distinct seaside town and a bit like Saranda, the town does not have much to offer apart from bathing. We still had a lovely week in Vlore and here are our get in tips and our top 5 things to see and do in Vlore:
Get in
As described in this post, we came to Vlore from Saranda by bus. We later traveled from Vlore by ferry to Brindisi in Italy, which was the primary reason we visited the city.
1. The Beach and Promenade
There are lovely beach areas close to the city and delicious bathing water. Although we were in Vlore in November, the sea was still warm enough for swimming. However, the many beach bars and restaurants were closed. However, stay away from the area by the ferries and fishing boats, as the beach here is full of rubbish and is not nice to stay on. It is lovely to walk along the sea on the promenade, where there are also cafes, ice cream shops and restaurants.
2. Independence Monument
Located in Flag’s Plaza, the monument depicts the Albanian victors who won independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. The monument was created in 1972 by Mumtaz Dhrami.
3. The Pedestrian Steet
A really long and versatile pedestrian street unlike others we have seen in Albania. Strangely enough, there were hardly any people inside the shops. It is not so nice to shopping when you are the only potential customer and five shop assistants are looking at you.
4. The War Memorial
Up on a hill above the town is a memorial dedicated to fallen partisans from Vlore and the surrounding area (see photo). It consists of a granite pillar on a plateau at the top of the hill with the partisan graves located down the hill. There is a nice view from up there and it is a solemn place.
Vlorë in conclusion
If you are looking for historical buildings and cultural heritage, there are many other interesting places in Albania that are perhaps more exciting than Vlore. If, on the other hand, you want to visit a city with a nice beach and a good pedestrian street, which also has a few monuments, then Vlore is the place for you.
