Introduction
Vlorë anchors the northern end of the Albanian Riviera — the city where Albania declared independence, a mountain pass dropping straight to the sea, and a peninsula only recently opened after decades as a closed military zone.
Discover Vlorë
Vlorë holds a specific place in Albanian national history as the site of the country's independence declaration from the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912, led by Ismail Qemali, whose provisional government formed here in the city's early 20th-century buildings. The Independence Monument, a large sculptural group overlooking Vlorë Bay, commemorates the event and remains one of the city's most visited civic landmarks, a straightforward stop for anyone interested in how modern Albania came to exist.
Ways to Experience This Destination
The site of Albania's 1912 independence declaration, overlooking Vlorë Bay.
A dramatic mountain road climbing to 1,000 metres before switchbacking down to the Riviera.
A former closed military zone, now a marine park of sea caves and undeveloped coastline.
Frequently asked questions
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