Kaninë is a village 6 km from Vlorë, gathered around its ancient castle. Walk between stone houses and along narrow cobbled lanes, stop at the quiet church of St Mary and try the local food before heading back to the city.
VlorëTrip outside the city
Check opening hours, access and prices before setting off.
Read the official guide ↗There are no Click partners in Vlorë yet: yours could be the first.
Orikum is a small coastal town between the Bay of Vlorë and the start of the Riviera, where fishing, olives and vineyards carry on beside a modern port. In summer many families take in guests, and the ancient ruins, the lagoon and Llogara’s trails are nearby.
Set on a hill above the Ionian coast, Vuno is a small village of stone houses and cobbled lanes, with the churches of St Nicholas (Shën Kolli) and St Mary. Walks lead up the mountain or towards Gjipe canyon, and the nearest beaches are Gjipe and Jalë.
On the edge of the Narta Lagoon, the village of Zvërnec brings together open water, pine woods and the island monastery of St Mary. Nature watchers come for the waterbirds, and a path through the Soda pine forest leads down to the sea.
Kaninë Castle crowns a hill south of Vlorë, with views across the bay. Its origins are Illyrian, and it was rebuilt in turn by the Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans; in the 14th century it was the seat of the Principality of Valona until the Ottomans took it in 1417. Its walls and towers can still be explored.
Montis is a hotel and spa on a hillside in the village of Kaninë, a few minutes’ drive from central Vlorë, with wide views over the city, its bay and the Ionian Sea. It pairs modern comforts with a quiet rural setting; contact the hotel for details.
Built in 1542 under Ottoman rule, the Muradie Mosque is attributed to Mimar Sinan, the empire’s court architect. It stands in the centre of Vlorë, simple and elegant in form, with a plain, naturally lit interior; dress respectfully if you go inside.
