Travel Guide Vlora

Vlora/Vlorë has a population of around 79,000 (130,000 including the rest of the municipality). It is the capital of the Vlora district (187,000 inhabitants). The town lies 38 km south of Fier, 125 km northwest of Saranda and 150 km south of Tirana(via Durrës and Fier). Numerous minibus connections with Tirana, Durrës, Fier and the "Albanian Riviera".Albania's second-largest port and third-most populous city (after Tirana and Durrës), Vlora is booming with a new waterfront, marina and international airport projects. The authorities simply want to make it the capital of Albanian tourism, the gateway to the "Albanian Riviera". No doubt. In the meantime, its beaches are heavily polluted and it still has a reputation as a city sold out to Albanian and Italian mafia gangsters. Founded by the Corinthians in the 6th century BC, its name was originally Aulon. The Byzantines renamed it Avlonas, while the Italians continue to call it Valona. It's true that the Straits of Otranto separate it from Italy by just 72 km. But for the Albanians, Vlora remains their country's first capital, the place where independence was declared on November 28, 1912. It's also true that the city enjoys a magnificent setting, with the large bay of Vlora enclosed by the island of Sazan and the Karaburun peninsula. These two natural sites, protected within a national marine park, offer some of the cleanest bathing spots in Albania.