Weekend Guide · Albania
Weekend in Vlora
Vlorë is one of the most historically significant cities in Albania — it was here, on 28 November 1912, that Ismail Qemali declared Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire, giving birth to the Albanian state. Set on a wide sheltered bay where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, Vlorë is the gateway to the spectacular Karaburun Peninsula and the beginning of the breathtaking Albanian Riviera — a growing coastal destination with long beaches, a vibrant harbour, and a proud national identity.
Arrive & Explore Vlora
Flag Square (Sheshi i Flamurit)
Vlorë’s historic central square is dominated by the imposing Monument of Independence, featuring the towering figure of Ismail Qemali, who declared Albanian independence here in 1912
National Museum of Independence
Housed in the historic building where Ismail Qemali and his supporters signed Albania’s Declaration of Independence on 28 November 1912, this museum tells the story of the Albanian national movement and the birth of the modern state
Muradie Mosque
Built in the second half of the 16th century and attributed to the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, the Muradije Mosque is the finest example of classical Ottoman architecture in Albania
Hidden Gems & Local Flavours
Zvernec Monastery
A medieval Orthodox monastery built on a small wooded island in the Narta Lagoon, connected to the mainland only by a long wooden footbridge
Karaburun Peninsula
A wild and rugged peninsula extending south from Vlorë into the Ionian Sea, protected as Albania’s only national marine park
Beaches of Vlora
Vlorë’s long sandy beaches stretch for kilometres along its sheltered bay, with calmer and cleaner water than the famous resorts of the Riviera further south
Local Tips
- 1Albania is one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
- 2Albania is generally very safe for tourists.