Vlorë Beaches 2026: The City Beaches, Radhimë, Orikum & Karaburun

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Vlorë is where Albania’s two coasts meet — the sandy Adriatic to the north, the clear Ionian to the south — and its beaches run the full range, from urban city stretches to the resort coast at Radhimë and, best of all, the wild boat-only coves of the Karaburun marine park. Here’s every Vlorë-area beach for 2026.

Vlorë stays → Karaburun boat tour →

Quick Answer

Skip the average city beaches for a full beach day and head south to Radhimë and Orikum for cleaner water and resorts, or — the real highlight — take a boat into the Karaburun–Sazan marine park for sea caves and empty coves with the clearest water in Albania. Vlorë itself is a great city base, with a new airport built just north of the city that’s set to make the northern Riviera easy to reach once it opens (not yet operating flights as of 2026).

The Best Vlorë Beaches

1. Karaburun–Sazan coves (boat-only)

The star. The uninhabited Karaburun peninsula and Sazan Island, protected as Albania’s only marine national park, hide sea caves (the Haxhi Aliu Cave), Grama Bay and swim coves with astonishingly clear water — reachable only by boat from Vlorë. The wildest, cleanest swimming in the country. Read our Karaburun–Sazan boat tour review.

Book the Sazan & Karaburun boat tour →

2. Radhimë

Just south of Vlorë on the road toward Orikum, Radhimë has clearer water than the city and a cluster of newer resort hotels and beach clubs — the easiest “proper” beach day near Vlorë.

Stay at Radhimë / south of Vlorë →

3. Orikum

Further south at the foot of the Karaburun peninsula, Orikum has a marina, resort development and calmer bay water — a relaxed family-friendly base and the launch point for some Karaburun trips.

4. Vlorë Old Beach (Plazhi i Vjetër) & New Beach

The city’s own beaches, running along the bay and the Lungomare promenade — urban and average for swimming, but convenient, lively and backed by the full city. Fine for a dip between exploring.

5. Zvërnec & the Narta lagoon

North of the city, the Zvërnec island monastery sits in the Narta lagoon — more a scenic and nature stop than a swimming beach, but a lovely half-day, and the transition into the sandy Adriatic coast.

Vlorë-Area Beaches at a Glance

Beach	Access	Vibe	Best for
Karaburun / Sazan	Boat only	Wild, pristine	The best water, caves
Radhimë	Drive	Resort, clearer	Easy beach day
Orikum	Drive	Marina, calm bay	Families
City beaches	In town	Urban, convenient	A quick dip
Zvërnec / Narta	Drive	Scenic, lagoon	Nature, monastery

Getting to the Beaches

A rental car makes the coast south to Radhimë, Orikum and the Llogara Pass easy, and the new Vlorë International Airport is set to put the northern Riviera within an hour. The Karaburun coves are boat-only from Vlorë harbour. See the Vlorë destination guide and Sarandë vs Vlorë.

Rent a car → Karaburun boat tour →

Where to Stay

Vlorë ranges from bay-front city hotels to resort stays at Radhimë and Orikum. See the Vlorë destination guide and best hotels in Vlorë.

Browse Vlorë hotels →

Explore more of the coast

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Vlorë stays Karaburun boat tour Rent a car

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Vlorë's beaches good?

Vlorë's city beaches are urban and average, but the coast just south is excellent — Radhimë and Orikum have clearer water and a resort feel, and the Karaburun peninsula hides the wildest, clearest coves in Albania, reached only by boat. Vlorë sits where the Adriatic meets the Ionian, so the water gets clearer the further south you go.

What is the best beach near Vlorë?

For a beach day near the city, Radhimë and Orikum to the south are the best — cleaner water and newer resorts. For something spectacular, take a boat into the Karaburun–Sazan Marine National Park, where sea caves and empty coves have the clearest water on the coast. The city's own Old and New beaches are fine for a convenient dip.

Can you visit Karaburun and Sazan Island?

Yes — by boat from Vlorë. Full-day tours cross to Sazan Island (a former military zone now open to limited visits) and down the uninhabited Karaburun peninsula to the Haxhi Aliu Cave and a string of swim coves. It's the only way to reach this stretch, and the water is the clearest in Albania. See our Karaburun–Sazan boat tour review.

Is Vlorë on the Adriatic or Ionian?

Both — Vlorë sits at the meeting point. North of the city the coast is Adriatic (sandier, shallower); south of it, past the Karaburun peninsula and over the Llogara Pass, the Ionian Riviera begins with clearer, deeper water. This makes Vlorë the natural pivot between Albania's two coasts.

Is Vlorë good for families?

Yes — the city beaches and the resort stretches at Radhimë and Orikum are easy, with shallow water, sunbeds and facilities, and Vlorë is a full city with everything you need. The boat trips to Karaburun suit older children and adults more than toddlers, given the length of the day.