Car & Van Hire - Vlore

The beautiful Albanian coastline has long been one of Europe's best-kept secrets. Now it's becoming more popular, but Vlore is still a good option if you want to avoid the tourist masses. This harbour city is also a site of historical interest. It was here that Albanian independence was first declared, and there are some fascinating monuments and museums celebrating this. A good starting point is the Independence Monument, built 60 years after independence was declared, and the centre point of the Square of the Flag. The nearby Museum of National Independence will tell you more about Albania's complex history and the long struggle for freedom.

For an adventure, visit the old Zvernec Monastery, a long-abandoned building that was built in the days of the Byzantine Empire. Getting there is half the fun. You'll need to cross a rickety wooden footbridge over the Narta Lagoon. It's not recommended for the faint of heart! When you make it to the other side, you can spend some time admiring the monastery and even enjoy a picnic in its green surroundings.

The communist government of Albania tried to stamp out religion, but a few houses of worship survived. One of the most interesting is Muradie Mosque, which is considered an Albanian National Monument. It dates back to 1537 and was built during the Ottoman era. Made from elaborately decorated stone, it features a graceful minaret and an impressive dome. It makes a great place to spend a morning with your car or van hire in Vlore.

With car hire in Vlore, you can spend the day on one of the best beaches in Albania. Orikum is a charming beach with a mixture of sand and white pebbles. The water is very clear, ideal for snorkelling, and it's shallow enough in places that even young children can enjoy it. In the background is the mighty Mount Athanasious. Follow one of the hiking trails to the top if you dare - or just relax on the beach and admire the view.

For something more daring, try taking a boat trip to Sazan Island. This was only opened to the public in 2015, and it's best reserved for the most adventurous visitors. It was once a Soviet government base and chemical weapons facility. It has a maze of bunkers and tunnels built during the Cold War and designed to withstand a nuclear attack. If you're into history, this old Soviet site is absolutely fascinating.

Vlore does not generally have a lot of traffic, and rush hour is not a major concern. You may want to ask for advice at your hotel about roadworks. This town is undergoing a lot of development as part of the Albanian plan to improve the tourist industry. It's likely that you'll find some streets closed for construction, so ask in advance for advice, as you may need to take alternative routes.

Parking can be a bit of a free-for-all. You'll find some paid car parks around town, and most beaches have a free car park. These are often on uneven patches of land without marked parking spaces. If you want to go to the beach, make sure you get there early, particularly if you're travelling in July or August. Don't be surprised if you come back later to find that another car has blocked you in. If you're parking in town, be sure to carry cash to feed the meter. You will also need cash to pay for petrol. Petrol stations that accept card payments are extremely rare in Albania.

Albanian roads are quite different from what you'll find elsewhere in Europe. Outside Tirana, traffic lights are an extremely rare sight, and you'll be lucky if you see a single stop sign during your visit. You may find that you need to drive defensively to get around. It's always worth paying attention to your fellow drivers and checking carefully to see what their intentions may be. Watch out - there are many older vehicles on the roads, some of which don't have indicators, full sets of lights and so on. This can make driving a real challenge!

Expect narrow, winding roads. The good news is that the views are utterly spectacular. The bad news? Overtaking is difficult, as most roads have just a single lane of traffic. Potholes are common, particularly on access roads leading to beaches. Don't drive outside towns or cities at night. Watch out for animals, particularly stray dogs and groups of goats.

Vlore is very close to the Greek border. Some visitors cross by land, while others take a ferry to Corfu. Although Albania is not part of the Schengen common travel zone, its border with Greece is open. However, you will need to discuss your international travel plans with your Enterprise Rent-A-Car agent before attempting to cross. There may be implications for your insurance.
 Jump to top