Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
VLORA
The Modern Paradise!
Muradie Mosque
The Muradie Mosque or Lead Mosque is a Cultural Monument of Albania, located in Vlorë. The mosque was built in 1537 by the famous Ottoman Turkish architect Mimar Sinan during the rulership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The mosque located in downtown Vlora on a central square, surrounded on all four sides with roads. It is located on west of Sadik Zotaj, south of Lef Sallata and east of Papa Kristo Negovani streets.
The structure consists of the main building and the minaret. The former is about 10 to 11 square meters while the minaret has a length of 18 metres. In the past, it also had a portico which has been destroyed later. The mosque has a dome with a supporting polygon raised base, arched windows and classical triangular forms topping the side walls.
The brick work of the Muradie mosque has layers with two different brick colours. There is also a contrast between the texture, quality, colour, as well as size and sequence of the bricks used to build the Islamic prayer hall compared with the larger white chiselled stones used to build the minaret.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
Open 24 Hours
ADDRESS
FF9R+J9J, Rruga Justin Godar, Vlorë, Albania
Independence Monument
The Monument of Independence is a monument in Vlorë, Albania, dedicated to the Albanian Declaration of Independence and worked by Albanian sculptors, Muntaz Dhrami and Kristaq Rama.
It is found in the Flag's Plaza, near the building where the first Albanian government worked in 1913. In the centre of the monument is the sculpture of Ismail Qemali, the leader of the Albanian national movement and founder of Independent Albania.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
Sheshi i Flamurit, Vlorë 9401, Albania
Muzeu Historik
As the building which hosted the operations of the very first Albanian government, the Museum of Independence in Vlorë is strategically positioned in a location that testifies to its significance, near the port, with a beautiful view of the sea. Founded in 1936, this museum is the first one in Albania before the ’90s. This national museum offers the most comprehensive information regarding the most culminating events in the life of a country.
It was in the famous balcony of this bright yellow, traditional house that Ismail Qemali raised the Albanian flag in 1912. In 1912, at the peak of the crisis in the Balkans, this authentic house gathered delegates from the entire country to signal the new era.
The small, impeccably organized space, decorated in 19th century style, is arranged into two main divisions linked by two corridors which join the two separate floors of the house with one another. Bronze busts of the ministers who formed the first government stand visibly in the front yard, along with the copy of the original carriage used by the Father of the Albanian independence, Ismail Qemali.
OPENING HOURS
Tuesday–Friday
08:00–16:00
Saturday–Sunday
09:00–14:00
ADDRESS
Rruga Perlat Rexhepi, Vlorë, Albania
National Museum of Independence
As the building which hosted the operations of the very first Albanian government, the Museum of Independence in Vlorë is strategically positioned in a location that testifies to its significance, near the port, with a beautiful view of the sea. This modest, two-story house is filled with the weight of history! Founded in 1936, this museum is considered to be the first one in Albania before the ’90s. This national museum offers the most comprehensive information regarding the most culminating events in the life of a country. It was in the famous balcony of this bright yellow, traditional house that Ismail Qemali raised the Albanian flag in 1912.
In 1912, at the peak of the crisis in the Balkans, this authentic house gathered delegates from the entire country to signal the new era. The small, impeccably organized space, decorated in 19th century style, is arranged into two main divisions linked by two corridors which join the two separate floors of the house with one another. Open every day of the week with the exception of Monday, the Museum welcomes all visitors in its space, sharing with the public original objects of the time, such as documents of the Renaissance and Independence periods in Albania. Starting from its front yard, the house is
OPENING HOURS
April–September, Everyday
09:00–17:00
October–March, Tuesday–Saturday
09:00–17:00, 10:00–14:00 (Sunday)
ADDRESS
Bulevardi Vlorë - Skelë, Vlore, Albania
enriched with documents from the state archive, sparking curiosity about everyone involved in the great events that took place here.
Bronze busts of the ministers who formed the first government stand visibly in the front yard, along with the copy of the original carriage used by the Father of the Albanian independence, Ismail Qemali. Through its exhibition, the small house reveals the difficult conditions under which Albanian independence was established. Some of the most historically significant objects on display are personal objects belonging to the ministers, several furniture pieces from the office of the Prime Minister, Ismail Qemali, such as his chair and book shelves, the original flags used in battles leading to the declaration of independence, the actual declaration including all the participants’ signatures, iconic photographs which have captured and immortalized the crucial moment as well as paintings of the crucial people and events that left an indelible mark during such a tumultuous time.
Kaninë Castle
Kaninë Castle is a castle in the village Kaninë near Vlorë, in southwestern Albania. This castle was built in the village with the same name which is about 6 kilometres (4 mi) from Vlorë. The castle rises on the side of the Shushica Mountain, about 380 metres (1,250 ft) above sea level.
The castle was built on the site of an ancient settlement, one of the oldest in the Vlora region. The castle is believed to have been erected in the 3rd century B.C. In the 4th century B.C., the castle was transformed into a fortress town. In the 6th century A.D., the castle was reconstructed by Justinian I. The castle was the centre of the Principality of Valona in the 14th century.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
08:00-18:00
ADDRESS
CGVC+RHH, Kaninë, Albania
Zvërnec Island
Zvërnec Island is an island within the Nartë Lagoon in southern Albania. It is very picturesque, and its landscape is dotted with beautiful cypress trees. It is 430m in length and has a maximum width of 300m. Zvërnec Island is connected to the mainland by a 270m long wooden bridge. The island is a tourist attraction because it contains the well preserved 13th-14th century Byzantine Zvërnec Monastery. Near the island lies the village that bears the same name.
The island has an area about 9 hectares. The St. Mary's Monastery is an impressive object of significant cultural and religious value. Its construction is thought to have occurred between the 12th and 13th centuries and, thus, boasts an architecture that is typical of the Byzantine era. To reach the monastery, you follow the charming bridge that, stretching over the water, connect the island with land. The monastery was abandoned during the Communist period in Albania but soon after the system’s collapse, its important role in the community was restored.
Named after St. Mary, every August 15th locals and others begin their pilgrimage to the monastery to celebrate the
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
Zvernec Island, Vlore, Albania
birthday of the woman who gave birth to Christ. Another female figure that has left her mark in Zvërnec is the one who embroidered the original flag of Albania’s Independence in 1912. Her tomb located in the island’s cemetery.
Radhimë
Radhime, an ancient settlement of the third and second century BC, is located south of the city of Vlora. The rich history and wonderful nature make Radhime one of the most liked attractions in Albania. The antiquity of this settlement was authenticated in 1965 when various furnishings such as earrings, necklaces, and gold ornamented bracelets were discovered in the 3rd century BC.
Some antiquity traces are found on the top of Nik Gjimitri, where can be seen pieces of a wall and some ceramic. In the southern part of the hill, walls of mortar and medieval pottery were found. The Roman period is evidenced by the Romanian style wall near the shore.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
CGVC+RHH, Kaninë, Albania
Sazan Island
Sazan is an island inside the Mediterranean Sea in southern Albania. It is the largest island in Albania and strategically located between the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, forming the border between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. In addition to be the largest island in Albania, it is a military zone and sometimes in clear weather it is visible from the coast of Salento, Italy in the west. The island was open to the public in July 2015. 2,700 hectares of the territory of the island's surrounding marine area became part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park in 2010.
The 20th century has left the most visible traces on the history of this once isolated area. During the Communist era, the entire island served as one of the largest fortified military bases in the country and traveling to the island was forbidden to the general public. Until 1992, the only civilian population on the island consisted of military members and their families. Afterwards, when Albania’s government changed, the island became uninhabited, but eventually became accessible to the curious local and international public.
Before the 1990s, life on the island resembled that of a
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
Dependant on tour times
ADDRESS
Sazan Island, Vlore, Albania
small town surrounded by water. Traces of this life are still there to see, making it a truly fascinating site for tourists. Sazan’s small port was constructed post-WWI, during the Italian invasion, and was further expanded by the Russians in the 1960s, lending it the full appearance and function of a military port. The residential buildings, kindergarten, hospital, and school were built during the Communist period. These buildings are today surrounded and covered by greenery that is indiscernible from afar. Only as you approach the island, do you get a real glimpse of these interesting hidden details.
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
The Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park is a marine park in the Vlorë County of southwestern Albania. The marine park encompasses over 125.70 kilometres squared and comprises the boundaries of both the Peninsula of Karaburun and the Island of Sazan. It is home to a vast array of landforms, including mountains, caves, islands, depressions, bays, cliffs, canyons and rocky coasts, all contributing to an exceptionally considerable biological diversity.
The marine park has been identified as an Important Bird and Plant Area, because it supports immense bird and plant species. Containing ecosystems and habitats that are specific to the Mediterranean Basin, the convention of Barcelona has classified the marine park as a Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance. The Karaburun Peninsula is mostly hilly and a geological continuation of the Ceraunian Mountains, a mountain range rising immediately along the Ionian Sea.
Its crests combine a northwest–southeast line with a series of distinct peaks along its irregular structure that are broken apart by steep and irregular slopes. The coastal landscape is marked by a rough relief and calcareous
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
Dependant on tour times
ADDRESS
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park, Vlore, Albania
limestone cliffs, that dips vertically into the sea.
Virgin rugged beaches punctuate the entire Karaburun landscape. What makes it even more impressive is the area known as the Balcony of Karaburun, which stretches over its ridges. Jagged cliffs descend on the caves and slopes of rock formations over Dafina Beach or the shore of Bitri. Caves are a typical feature of this peninsula, one of the most famous being that of Haxhi Alia. Known as the largest sea cave in Albania, a calm lake rests within it, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites.
No less well-known is Grama Cave, which hides in the bay of the same name. Various inscriptions found inside the cave date it to various historical periods, times when sailors and pirates would find shelter from the storm inside these cliffs. For a long time, Karaburun was a forbidden area as it extended along a high-security perimeter. It is perhaps due to this enforced seclusion, that the peninsula has remained mostly untouched. The last few years, however, have seen a steep rise in its popularity and, nowadays, there are daily tours to this beautiful rugged beach.
During the summer months, Gjuhëza Cape is populated by tourists searching for water adventures and virgin beaches. The fresh, emerald waters invite you to dive in while the finely grained white sand is ideal for sunbathing. Though the peninsula has always been well-known, in the last decade, Karaburun has become increasingly popular, hosting some of the coolest land and boat parties of the summer. People reach this uninhabited island via boats that leave from the coast of Vlora or, via jet-skis.
Cave of Haxhi Ali
The Cave of Haxhi Ali is a karst cave formed in limestone cliffs in southwestern Albania, located in the Karaburun Peninsula near the Cape of Gjuhëz in Vlorë County. The cave was named after Haxhi Aliu, a prominent Albanian warrior and sailor from Ulcinj who fled with his son in this cave.
Several archaeological objects have been found, that prove that this cave was used by traders and passers during the ancient times. The cave has a length of 30 metres with a width which can vary between of 10–12 metres and a height of 18 metres.
Despite its strategic location on the Karaburun Peninsula within the Albanian Riviera it is regarded as one of the country's most beautiful caves and attracts numerous visitors. Notably it has been recognised as a natural monument of national importance by the Ministry of Environment and is part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
Dependant on tour times
ADDRESS
Karaburun, Vlore, Albania
Grama Bay
Grama Bay, Gjiri i Gramës is one of the indisputable pearls of the Ionian coast. Here, the sea is segmented by massive rocks which quite naturally create a paradisiacal oasis. In ancient times, this bay sheltered countless ships attempting to escape the stormy seas. Numerous Ancient Greek and Latin inscriptions on the cliffsides of the bay, place Grama in the time period preceding Christ. Phrases written in Greek or Latin have been preserved for centuries in the vertical cliffs and rocks surrounding the spectacular bay.
The easiest way to reach this bay Is through the sea. However, there are unofficial marked hiking trails, of a certain level of difficulty, for those who would like to intimately explore the landscape. Many have been those adventurers who have walked for hours through the lush forests of the Llogara Mountains all the way to the cliffs of the Karaburun peninsula, a hike that descends dramatically into the sea. In one of these steep slopes, located in the peninsula’s western part, near the Orikum area, you will find Grama beach.
According to Ols Lafe, Director of the Centre for the Development of Ancient and Medieval Albanian Heritage,
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
Dependant on tour times
ADDRESS
Karaburun Peninsula, Vlore, Albania
the bay takes its name from the 1500 rock inscriptions from various historical periods, dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C all the way to the 19th century. Some very prominent names are present in these inscriptions, including that of the Byzantine Emperor John V Palaiologos. There are also Socialist-era inscriptions made by soldiers stationed there. You will find these types of inscriptions in almost every destination that was under army control before the ‘90s.
In addition, there are even more recent inscriptions and some very unfortunate vandalism of a few of the ancient inscriptions. According to sea lore, Grama was a quarry from where stones that were used to construt entire Illyrian cities were extracted. As a result, it is generally thought that the rock inscriptions were left by the sailors and the quarry workers. In addition to its rich ancient history and amazing nature, Grama Bay also offers the option of cave exploration as there are plenty of gorgeous ones around here.
Narta Lagoon
The Lagoon of Narta is a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea on the Mediterranean Sea in the central coast of Albania. The lagoon extends north of the Bay of Vlorë on the eastern shore of the Strait of Otranto and is separated from the sea by a narrow littoral strip, consisting of an alluvial dune.
It has a surface area of 41.8 kilometres squared with a maximal depth of 1.5 metres. It is situated within the boundaries of the Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape and has been recognised as an important Bird and Plant Area of international importance.
It is formed by the constant accumulation of solid flow of the Vjosa River, which originates within the Pindus Mountains close to the border between Albania and Greece. The lagoon is named after the village of Nartë, which is found on the lagoon's southern shores. Within the lagoon, there are two islands located, with Zvërnec Island being the largest. A wooden footbridge connects mainland to the island, where a 13th-century monastery is located. At least 34,800 wintering birds can be counted on the lagoon.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
Natra Lagoon, Vlore, Albania
Tragjas
Tragjas village is traditional and by contrast has a new hotel at centre, The Grand Hotel Tragjas. The village has a pleasant bar and war memorial further up if you decide to turn left and explore a little before you go up to the old village. The village path threads on for about 1.5 kilometres and grows more basic. You will find some old curved farm factories at the end of the village to the left, the bright limestone path climbs steeply behind them and zig zags along for about 3 kilometres climbing steeply in parts.
The effort is well worth it because the view back to Orikum and the coast from these high hills is spectacularly beautiful and you can see the impact of the burgeoning new development. The low pass between New Tragjas and the Old Tragjas village is called the Pass of the Tombs because of the tombs scattered about there. Watch out for these on the right when you reach the top. Near the top of the hill you will come across a dried-up stream and broken-down concrete bridge which is about 1 kilometres from the old village. Carry on across it to find the village spread out with its derelict and houses scattered. Just inside the village is a spring and further on a 300-year-old
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
Tragjas, Vlore, Albania
Ottoman var (tomb) with Arabic tablet on top.
Also, to be found is the Tomb of the Jew recognised by a star of David carving, in honour of a prominent Jewish doctor . Tragjas i Vieter, Old Tragjas, is overgrown and deserted, however retains the occasional traditional local. However, you can still get an idea of how special this community must have been from its architecture and layout which is intimate and on a human scale. During World War II Tragjas was part of the battlefield of the Battle of Gjorm, where Albanian resistance units defeated and routed the troops of the Kingdom of Italy.
Marmiroi Church
Marmiroi church, Kisha e Marmiroit is a church near Pashaliman, Vlorë County, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania. The church is mentioned in historical records for the first time in 1307.
Since it has no narthex, and because of other similarities to other similar churches in Bulgaria and former Yugoslavia, it is thought to have been built in the 12th or 13th century AD, although some researchers have put its construction period in the 10th century. The most accredited hypothesis is that it was dedicated to Saint Mary.
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
8C3W+MM7, Orikum, Albania
Kulla e Dervish Aliut
Dervish Ali's Towers are an early 19th century complex of towers in Dukat, Vlorë County, Albania. It is a Cultural Monument of Albania since 1979. The towers were built during the beginning of the 19th century as a personal property for Dervish Aliu, a local native, known as one of the organizers of the revolts against the Ottoman Empire Tanzimat reforms. The building was constructed on his land by master builders who hailed from Ioannina.
It is one of the most representative defensive buildings in Southern Albania. There is a watchtower, a defensive tower, a main hall, called divan, which has stone pillars and arches, the bread house, the guest room, and other surrounding buildings. On the highest edifice, which is in a dominating position, there are small windows made exclusively for shooters to fit their rifle and defend the property. The towers are not reachable by car; they are 1km from Dukat, and there is a walking path that leads the visitors to the Dervish Ali's towers.
Until 1991 the towers were a well visited landmark, as the 1979 reconstruction and rehabilitation with furniture, carpeting and pictures of Dervish Aliu and his family were
OPENING HOURS
Everyday
ADDRESS
7H29+Q7J, Dukat, Albania
well made, and the government funded its maintenance. After 1991 maintenance stopped and, as of June 2018, the towers are almost in a complete abandoned state, and likely to be thoroughly destroyed by the elements.
