Guide to a Solo Trip in Vlorë
- Ose O
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
The beautiful seaside town of Vlorë is as picturesque as the best beach holiday you can find on Pinterest. Located in Southwestern Albania, the stunning coastal city — where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet — is surrounded by the Ceraunian Mountains. It is renowned for its beautiful beaches, gorgeous views and bustling promenade.
Getting to Vlorë
There are no direct international flights to Vlorë, so you'll need to fly to Tiranë first. I'd recommend renting a car for the duration of your trip if you can. It's convenient and cost-effective, especially when travelling as a group. You can rent one when you arrive at the Tiranë International Airport. You will need either a valid driving licence from your home country, the UK, US or EU, or a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). If you are not able to rent a car, there are commercial buses available that can take you wherever you are going in Albania, from Durrës to Sarande. I took a bus to Vlorë from Tiranë International Airport, which cost 1200 Lekë (about €12).
What to Know about Navigating Albania
Most sellers or service providers only accept cash, so withdraw Albanian Lek as soon as you arrive at Tiranë International Airport. Lek and Euro are used interchangeably in Albania, especially when interacting with tourists. Essentially, €1 is 100 Lekë. Hence, a 2,000 Lekë taxi ride would be equivalent to €20. You can get a SIM with data and call minutes from telecom kiosks outside Tiranë International Airport. I used an O2 bolt add-on, which was roughly the same price as buying an e-SIM from the kiosks. This is the perfect time to let you know that ride-share apps, like Uber and Bolt, do not work in Albania. If you are not driving, then I recommend getting the contact number of a local taxi company.
Where to Stay
Most hotels and private accommodations in Vlorë are located along the coastal strip, so you're pretty much guaranteed quick access to the beautiful beach. However, private accommodations are best for group trips. I'd recommend staying close to the Lungomare promenade. Lungomare is Vlorë's seafront boardwalk lined with restaurants, beach bars, cafes, and more.
Since this was a solo trip solely for the purpose of relaxing, I booked a beach spa hotel through Secret Escapes luxury travel platform. Through a weird series of events, I ended up getting to experience two different spa hotels in Vlorë. I stayed one night at the Safin Hotel and Spa, a stunning new hotel in Orikrum close to the beach with a restaurant, spa facilities, an outdoor pool and fitness center. It is farther away from the liveliness of Lungomare. While I liked the peacefulness and beauty of this hotel, its spa facilities were under renovation during my trip. Hotel Magnus was my next destination. This hotel is closer to Lungomare and is a short walk from the beach. It includes a restaurant, pool, bar, wellness and spa facilities such as a sauna, salt therapy room, indoor pool and jacuzzi.
Food and Fun
I ate mostly at restaurants at the hotel or whatever beach bar or club I was at. I am very happy to report that the food was good everywhere I ate. There's so much to do for fun. You can lounge by the hotel pool, sunbathe, swim and eat anytime you want. You can also do all these at the beach. However, you might have to rent a lounge chair and a towel. Take a short taxi ride to Lungomare, where you can go for a breezy stroll, bike ride, boat trips or any other fun activities you can think of. At night, you can find a swanky cocktail bar in Lungomare with live music and dancing.
Now your Trip is Over
If you did not drive a rental car, you will need to take a bus going to Tiranë. Do not try to book a bus or airport shuttle online. The best way to get to Tiranë International Airport is by taking an airport shuttle bus. I used the Hermes Aeroport shuttle service. Take a taxi to their office (during the day/normal working hours) to buy a ticket. Be aware that the office could close at any point, so do not go too late. You can only buy your ticket in person. The bus to the airport takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Enjoy and have the best time in beautiful Albania!
Comments