When visiting Albania’s still undiscovered coast and gorgeous Vlora riviera, which is located just a ferry ride from the Italian coast and its colourful port of Brindisi, you’ll be amazed by the utter number of lovely places to eat and drink.
On this sunny coast, you will find that good lunch or dinner in an affordable restaurant accompanied by refreshing drinks are both vital ingredients for any Albanian holiday.
Here is our choice for the best places to eat in this beautiful coastal town:
Restaurant Joni Vlore
Joni Lovre is a popular seafood restaurant in Vlora, not to be missed for true lovers of seafood specialities including Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, good fish and pizza. Homemade desserts are freshly prepared on the day. The restaurant offers an ambience of comfort and relaxation with attention to the smallest details. Plenty of outdoor seating are available all year round.
Address: Restaurant Joni Vlore, 1001 Vlora, Vlorë, Albania; Reservations: +355 69 528 2492 ; More info
Restaurant Bujar
Situated in popular Lungomare, Vlore, at the very seafront, this popular restaurant offers fresh, high-quality food and drinks that are served up and matched by its surroundings in this lovely environment. The opening is year-round and serves lunch and dinner with a changing menu of delights like lobster with pasta, ravioli or rigatoni as well as meat and poultry dishes. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, the restaurant ensures that you enjoy a taste of Albania’s finest meals with contemporary twists.
Address: Restaurant Bujar, Rr. Murat Terbaci, Lungomare, Vlorë, Albania, Reservations tel +355 69 553 7476; More info
Pizzeria Amantia
Pizzeria Amantia is a traditional and popular pizza place situated in Vlora’s city centre. The outdoor seating here is traditional benches and large tables, ideal for a group of friends or families. The wide selection of tasty pizzas here is available all year round. Vegetarian options include Ricola, salads, penne, rigatoni, spaghetti and more. A selection of seafood and seafood pizzas is also available. Great place with good prices. More details on the Facebook page
Getting here, where to stay and things to do
Vlore is easily accessible by ferry from Brindisi in southern Italy. The average journey time is about seven hours. It is usually an overnight ferry so be prepared to sleep onboard. To get back, take a ferry from Vlore to Brindisi, the one that departs at 2 pm run by European Seaways. Departures vary depending on the time of year. All ferries travelling from Vlore to Brindisi and back are operated by European Seaways. See all the details here.
Where to stay near Vlore? There are hundreds of hotels available here with an average price of 55 Euro per night. Check Airbnb.
Once in Vlore, visit Zvërnec Island and its village and Monastery that is just up to the road, further along, the northern part of Vlore bay.
Kaninë Castle, also known as Kalaja e Kaninësis is a Roman and Byzantine fortress castle situated at the top of the hill above the village Kaninë very near Vlore, south Albania. This is a must-do trip for any history buffs.
In the city itself, don’t miss the Muradie Mosque, also known as Xhamia e Muradies is situated in the city’s central square. Erected in 1537 by the Ottoman architects under the rulership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent this magnificent building dominates the city’s landscape. It was built on the site of the older mosque that was there even in the 11th century.