Vlore or Saranda, Albania: Why Saranda is the Better Beach City

Before my first trip to Albania, I couldn’t decide which would be better, Saranda or Vlore. Albanians seem to really love Vlore, but expats rave about Saranda. So, I stayed in both for one month to see for myself.

In the end I preferred Saranda because it’s more compact and laid back. But, I’ll review key factors of both cities so you can decide for yourself.

Vlore or Saranda, Which Albanian Beach City is Better to Visit?

To be honest, even though I was in Vlore for a month, I started to second guess myself. I preferred Saranda for several reasons which I’ll review, but Albanians gush about Vlore.

Did I miss something?

In the end I think my first impressions were right – at least from a visitor’s perspective. While Vlore is bigger, Saranda is more beautiful and easier to get around.

How to Get to Vlore and Saranda

Vlore is easier to get to than Saranda because it’s closer to Tirana. However, to reach Saranda, visitors have the option of taking the ferry from Corfu, Greece.

How to get to Vlore

• Cheapest: Take the bus from the South North Bus Terminal. It’s a 3 hour bus ride and cost 700 lek ($8.50 USD).
• Easiest but expensive: Take a taxi from the airport. They charge 11,000 lek ($131 USD).
• Most convenient: Rent a car and self drive. The drive is about 2.5 hours and the highways are good in Albania.

How to get to Saranda

• Cheapest: Take the bus from South North Bus Terminal. It’s a 5 hour bus ride and costs 1700 lek ($20 USD).
• Easiest but expensive: Take a taxi from the airport. They charge 20,000 lek ($236 USD).
• Most convenient: Rent a car in Tirana and self drive. The coastal route after Vlore is spectacular, and the roads are pretty good in Albania.
• By ferry from Corfu, Greece: A convenient option. The fast ferry is 30 minutes, and the slow ferry 1.5 hours. Corfu port is very close to the airport. Once you arrive in Saranda the port is in the centre, so you can probably walk to your hotel. Many visitors prefer this travel option. Check the ferry schedule on Direct Ferries.

If you’re going to fly into Tirana, take a few days and see Albania’s capital.  Tirana is worth visiting – it’s an under-rated European city.

Where are the Beaches Better, Vlore or Saranda?

Vlore and Saranda are both on the Albanian Riviera and have beaches, but the beaches in Saranda are cleaner.

Vlore has a big beach along the promenade (Lungomare Beach), but pollution is sometimes a problem. For good swimming beaches you need a car to go north to Narta (7 km), or south down to Bora Bora (10 km) or Radhime (11 km).

Saranda has very nice beaches you can walk to. I like Mucobega Beach and Era Beach.

Does Vlore or Saranda Have More to Do?

There are fewer things to do in Saranda than Vlore. Vlore is a lot bigger and has more going on, especially in terms of museums.

Things to do in Vlore

• Visit the museums: National Museum of Independence, Museum of History and Ethnographic Museum.
• Explore Old Town: Charming small area with restored homes and a few restaurants.
• See Muradie Mosque: One of the oldest mosques in Albania, built in 1537.
• Take an evening stroll on the promenade: The promenade along Lungomare Beach is a hive of activity when the sun goes down.
• See Flag Square and the Independence Monument: The site where Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Empire was declared in 1912. Check out the historic old walls of Vlore behind the monument.
• Climb the stairs to Kuzum Baba: Bektashi Sufi order holy site with amazing views overlooking Vlore.
• Enjoy the beaches: The best ones are just outside the centre.

Things to do in Saranda

• Visit Lekuresi Castle: Historic castle overlooking Saranda, the Ionian Sea and the island of Corfu.
• Stroll the beach front promenade: The centre of activity in Saranda.
• Enjoy the beaches: Saranda has some lovely beaches close to the centre.
• Scenic hikes: Walk to the Monastery of Fourty Saints or the Bektashi Tekke.

Which is Better for Day Trips

There are several excellent day trips from both Vlore and Saranda. But you can also go to Corfu, Greece from Saranda, which is kind of the best day trip of them all!

From Vlore you can take a ferry to Brindisi, Italy (and it looks beautiful), but the crossing is about 7 hours – more of a weekend trip.

Day trips from Vlore

Apollonia Archeological Park (UNESCO): Ancient Greek city dating back to 6th century BC. There’s no direct bus from Vlore, but you can book a private transfer or take a day tour like this highly rated tour which includes Berat, and Zvernec.

Berat (UNESCO): Known as the city of a thousand windows, this is beautiful historic town with an Ottoman side and Christian side divided by a river. I arranged a private transfer with Taxi Landi from Vlore when I went to Berat, but you can also take a bus from Vlore.

Zvernec & St. Mary’s Monastery: Picturesque village famous for a small island connected to the mainland by a wooden pedestrian bridge and home to the 13th century monastery, St. Mary’s.

I would have done this day tour if I didn’t have my dog with me. It includes all 3 sites:
Apollonia Archaeological Park, Zvernec & Berat Day Tour

Day trips from Saranda

Butrint National Park (UNESCO): Large national park with Roman, Venetian and Greek ruins, including a fabulous amphitheatre. One of Albania’s most important sites. Only 15 km from Saranda and easy to reach by taxi or bus.

Gjirokaster (UNESCO): Historic stone town in the mountains, with castle and medieval bazaar. Extremely scenic and quaint. There are buses from Saranda and the ride is only 1 hour.

Syri i Kalter:  Natural springs in a scenic setting. Swimming is not permitted (many ignore the rule). The water colour is incredible – a vivid aquamarine. I booked a taxi and stopped at Syri i Kalter on the way back from Gjirokaster. The two sites are often done together. In Saranda I use Saranda Eco Taxi.

Ksamil:  Beach resort town dubbed as the Maldives of Europe. Ksamil’s beaches are gorgeous, but busy in summer and you’ll have to rent an umbrella and lounger. Take the Ksamil-Butrint bus from Saranda. It’s about a 30-45 minute drive.

Corfu, Greece: The ultimate day trip! Saranda is so close to Corfu you can practically swim there. Take the fast ferry from Saranda Port and you’ll be in Corfu Town in 30 minutes. Corfu Town is completely different from Saranda. It’s a great change of pace, and easy to do on your own.

Which Is Cheaper, Saranda or Vlore?

This is where Vlore wins hands down. During peak season everything is more expensive in both coastal towns, but in general Vlore is about 20% less expensive than Saranda.

I travelled to Vlore directly after a month in Saranda and noticed the price difference immediately. Airbnbs, groceries, coffees, restaurant meals – it was all cheaper.

If you really want to budget, skip both cites and head to Durres. Durres is another coastal city. It’s very nice, has good beaches and the best prices I’ve encountered on the Albanian coast.

Which is Better for Families?

I would say Vlore is better for families for a few reasons: in summer there’s amusement park rides by the promenade in Lungomare, the main beach in town is very shallow (though water quality is questionable), and Vlore is more budget friendly.

Saranda also has rides on its promenade in summer, but the Vlore amusement area is a lot bigger.

Which is Better for Couples?

Saranda is more charming and romantic than Vlore. It’s a quieter, slower vibe that is perfect for couples wanting to unwind and relax. Beautiful sunset views from Lekuresi Castle, rooftop cocktails with views of Corfu, Greece and peaceful hikes to secluded ruins.

Which is Better for Solo Travellers?

In terms of safety, I felt very safe in both cities. Albania in general is very safe for solo travellers.

It’s not hard to meet other travellers or nomads. Both Vlore and Saranda have active expat communities and get a fair number of nomads. Join a local FB group for meet up opportunities. I’ve made some great friends this way in Albania.

Saranda is smaller and it’s easier to walk everywhere. I also love that the beach promenade is basically in the centre, so you’re always close to the sea. And Saranda is very pretty!

In Vlore the coastal promenade is in Lungomare, which is close to the centre, but not right in it. The sea is a bit further from the centre than in Saranda.

Where to Eat in Vlore and Saranda

Saranda and Vlore both have excellent food. Seafood and traditional Albanian dishes are the best things to eat on the Albanian coast.

Saranda Restaurants

• Taste of Tradition: Upscale cafeteria style eatery for traditional Albanian dishes. It’s one of my favourite places to eat in Saranda.
• Taverna Oxhacu: Traditional foods and seafood. They have the best kalamari!
• Taverna Beni Peshkatari: Out of the tourist area. A great seafood restaurant by the water.

Vlore Restaurants

• Taverna Xhakaj: Traditional foods specializing in grilled meats. I ate here because it was away from the tourist area, and it was great.
• Sofra e Lakrorit: Homestyle Albanian foods. They are one of the few places that serve jufka, a traditional chicken and noodle dish.
• Pasticeri Likaj: My favourite pastry and coffee shop near the water.

Where to Stay in Saranda and Vlore

The best areas to stay in Saranda are Kodra (behind the port) or the centre near the promenade.

I like these hotels in Saranda:

• Luxury: Hotel Vale
• Mid-priced: Titania Hotel
• Budget: Vila Konomi
• Beachfront: Vila Era Beach

In Vlore, it’s best to stay in Lungomare (beside the beach promenade), but close to the centre and not too far down.

These are good hotels in Vlore:

• Luxury: Abi’s Hotel & Spa Vlore
• Mid-priced hotel: Beliz Boutique Hotel
• Budget: Ulcas Guest Huse

Final Verdict: Vlore or Saranda?

After spending time in both, here’s how Vlore and Saranda compare:

FAQs

Here are common questions related to visiting Vlore and Saranda:

Final Words on Vlore or Saranda, Albania: Which Beach City is Better

I’ve spent extended time in Saranda and Vlore on my own, and enjoyed Saranda more. I liked Vlore, but if I had to pick between the two it would be Saranda.