How to Get to Vlorë
Reaching Vlorë is simple, although the comfort level depends on the route you choose. I flew into Tirana International Airport and took the bus from the capital to Vlorë. The ticket cost $7 USD, which is incredibly cheap for a three hour ride, but the experience was not glamorous. The bus was packed and hot, and it dropped us off at a different location than advertised. Most buses to Vlorë leave from the Southern Bus Terminal in Tirana, so it helps to double check the departure point before you go.
The only real alternative is a taxi, and the standard price is around $100 USD for the full drive. I chose this option on my return trip to Tirana for my flight. It was faster, cooler, and far more reliable, especially if you have luggage or arrive in the evening. Albania does not have an extensive train system; so taxis, buses or rental cars are the only ways to move between cities.
The road between Tirana and Vlorë is beautiful, with mountain views most of the way, and the coastline slowly appearing as you travel south.
Affordability in Vlorë
Living in Vlorë for three weeks showed me how affordable Albania can be. I absolutely ate my heart out. Fresh fish and tomatoes that taste like sunshine, simple salads, wood fired pizza, strong coffee, and every version of byrek I could find. Byrek is a flaky, savory pie and it became part of my daily routine. The food in Vlorë is delicious and very cheap, but the variety is limited. You will find plenty of Italian, Greek, and Albanian dishes, and not much else. Even the grocery stores reflect this. If you want international cuisine, Vlorë is not the place to look for it.
Vlorë Beaches
Vlorë Beach is good, although it is not the most beautiful part of the Albanian Riviera. The water is SHALLOW, warm and the seaside promenade is always active, but the beaches farther south near Himarë and Jalë are more dramatic. There are almost no American tourists. You mostly hear Italian, French, and a surprising amount of Polish. It feels like a European summer town with a familiar, yearly crowd.
Touristy Things in Vlorë
One of the best things I did in Vlorë was a full day boat tour to the Bay of Grama. Vlorë is the closest major city to this part of the coastline, which makes it the easiest place to book the trip. My tour lasted more than eight hours and included several swimming stops in bright blue coves. The Bay of Grama at the end of the day felt unreal. Clear water, dramatic cliffs, and a sense that you reached a hidden corner of Albania that most travelers never see. It was the highlight of my time in Vlorë.
Visit The Downtown
Vlorë quietly holds thousands of years of history. Independence Square marks where Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912!!! It’s a simple space, but also super significant. Vlorë isn’t just a beach destination — it’s a symbol of national identity.
Just outside the city lies Orikum, an ancient settlement first established by the Greeks and later shaped by Roman and Byzantine rule. What stands today..isn’t much, weathered stone walls, the outline of an old theater.
Albania’s story is honestly incredible. This land has seen ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans pass through its borders. Empires rose, fell, and left their mark — yet Albania held onto its language, traditions, and cultural backbone.
Final Thoughts on Vlorë
If you want a corner of the Albanian Riviera that blends real life with beach life, Vlorë is a perfect place to settle for a while. A weekend is nice, but a longer stay shows you why people come back summer after summer.
Come for the coastline!!!
Stay for the story!!!