Vlora is a seaside town in southwestern Albania. It is the second largest port city after Durres, with a population of 188,922. It is located southwest of Albania, in the Adriatic Sea and is the center of the municipality of Vlora and the Vlora region. It is the city where the Declaration of Independence of the Albanians was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. Founded in the VI century BC. Named Aulona and continuously inhabited for about 26 centuries, Vlora is home to the port of Vlora and the University of Vlora as the most important economic and cultural city in southwestern Albania.
History
Vlora has been one of the main ports of Albania since ancient times. It is located in the southwest of the country, on the Adriatic coast. In ancient times it was known as Aulona. The earliest traces belong to the VI century BC. In the 4th century it was surrounded by cracked stone walls. As a combination of land and sea routes, known for its wine, olives and salt, it became the main port of Illyria after the fall of Apollonia and Oricum. In the Middle Ages the history of the city is connected with the castle of Kanina. In 1081 it was conquered by the Normans, in 1205 by Venice, then passed under the rule of the German Hohenstaufen and in 1272 was included in the Kingdom of Arberia. The Arab geographer Ibn Battuta mentions it in the 10th century as an important settlement. During the two wars of Emperor Alexius I Comnenus against Robert Giscard and Boehmond, Vlora is often mentioned, while after nearly seven hundred years of Byzantine rule, it was conquered by the Normans who ruled it for only four years.
The rule of Vlora and the city, province and castle of Kanina were part of the Byzantine Empire, under the rule of Sevastocrat Eqrem Bey, who was based in Plock-Sevaster Castle (near Quds) in Vlora, but in 1205 fell to the newly formed despot of Ioannina. In 1258 Vlora was among the estates handed over to the King of Naples, Manfred of Hohenstaufen, after he married Elena of the despot Michael II. After Manfred died in 1266, the castle of Vlora, Jacques de Balinese, did not hand over the castle to the Anjouans in March 1272 and received it from Charles I of Anjou while he was alive. De Balinese remained just one year after taking several seats in the province of Berat and the Basilica in Italy in exchange for Canina and Vlora.
Beaches
BayGram
Grama Bay is located on the shores of the Ionian Sea, but a beautiful bay almost surrounded by high. This semi-secret small beach is one of the real gems on the Albanian coast.
The bay is located within not one, but two national parks, the Llogara Mountain National Park and the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park. This not only provides future protection for the surrounding landscapes, but also means that the area is a haven for wildlife, including one of the rarest species of seals on the planet – the Mediterranean monk seal.
The bay here has a long history and if you visit it, it is worth looking at the inscriptions in the cliffs of the transparent rocks. There are over 1,500 carvings ranging from the time of the Ancient Greeks to World War II when the bay was a base for special operations.
Jipe Beach
As with the other beaches on the Albanian Riviera, Zipe has warm crystal clear azure water, and the beach itself consists of small white pebbles. Hidden from the mountainous terrain, the beach is located at the end of the Jipe Canyon, an impressive natural feature with rock formations that reach a height of up to 70 meters in some places. If you want, you can walk a few kilometers along the canyon, but it is relatively difficult. The beach can be reached with a short walk and this helps the beach to be relatively quiet even in the depths of summer.
Dermi Beach
Dermi beach is often listed as the best beach in Albania, it is not difficult to see why. Located in a small bay, the village clings to the high overhanging cliffs that rise from the beach. The beach here is everything you would expect from the Ionian coast. The water here is warm, crystal clear and pure turquoise – perfect for cooling or diving. While the beach itself is made up of small pebbles instead of sand, this only enhances the beauty with their almost white contrast with the blue of the sea.
Vega Beach
Vega Beach is located on a short section of rocky coast about 150 meters long and 15 meters wide, Vega Beach is an artificial creation close to the city of Vlora. The access from its tiny, white tiny rocky surface to the sea is through stairs that encircle the rocks, which can make it a bit inconvenient for some younger children. However, the short harbor creates a bay feel with some protection from incoming waves. Arranged from end to end with umbrellas and sunbeds, the beach has a bar and restaurant, along with a small selection of accommodation options.
Drimades Beach
Drimades Beach is a secluded piece of paradise with a natural rock formation that divides it in half. One side is full of white pebbles and the other is silky golden sand. Drimades Beach is located near the village of Dermi on a small bay with amazing turquoise waters that are calm and peaceful. It is a perfect place to relax for a peaceful vacation to relax and enjoy the natural scenery. Even during the summer months. This beach is known for its fiery sunsets and overlooks the calm blue waters that seem to last forever. Behind is a rough background of mountains rising far from the shore.
Livadi Beach
Albania is something like an underestimated gem with many beautiful locations along its coastline, and the crown of its gem is Livadi Beach. This lavish escape is known across the Mediterranean for its idyllic coastline, deep blue water depths and olive trees as far as can be seen. Size matters, and Livadi Beach is one of the largest beaches on the Albanian coast of the Southeast Mediterranean, stretching more than 1.2 meters. The north side of the beach, called Gonia, is known for its stunning marble boulders and rock formations. The beach is also home to a beautiful little aquarium, home to exotic fish and elegant but relaxing restaurants nearby.
Himara Beach
One of the most picturesque and glamorous beaches in Albania. Throughout the year, the temperature is warm, the sun is shining, and long sections of soft white sand seem to stretch into eternity. There is a real sense of timeless beauty with the sapphire sky, the deep turquoise sea and the irreplaceable fun atmosphere on the beach. Pine plantations and rows of olive trees are something of a staple of Mediterranean life and are abundant along the beach area.