Aoife & Aleks
Aoife & Aleks
Things to Do
Llogara National Park
Thousands of hectares of preserved alpine forest, rich with plant and animal life. Since 1966, this park offers exquisite views, where the greenery blends with the blue waters, just a few km away from the wedding venue (Marina Bay)
Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park
You can take an amazing boat trip to the largest peninsula of Albania, with an area of 62 square kilometers. Part of it being a natural reserve, you'll enjoy amazing views and crystal clear water.
Zvërnec Monastery
Connected by a wooden footbridge, the monastery, located 270m away from the coast, is an unique opportunity to have a lovely afternoon, coupled with a barbeque in Alan beach.
Apolonia Museum
On the right bank of the Vjosa river, this ancient establishment was founded in 588 BC by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth, on a site initially occupied by Illyrian tribes.
Grama Bay
Not only a wonderful virgin beach, Grama Bay is home to precious archaeological, historical and cultural values, as it served as an important harbor and shelter for sailors during Classical antiquity.
Old Town of Vlora
Wander through the Old Town of Vlora, where traditional architecture, charming cafes, and local artisans reflect the city’s rich heritage.
Lungo Mare
Complete your tour with a stroll along Lungo Mare, Vlora’s beautiful seaside promenade lined with palm trees, restaurants, and stunning views of the Ionian Sea. This vibrant stretch is perfect for relaxing, enjoying fresh seafood, and watching the sunset over the water, making it an unforgettable part of your Vlora experience.
Other cities: Gjirokastër
Explore this UNESCO World Heritage city, known for its stone houses, castle, cobblestone streets, and traditional Albanian charm.
Around 2-2.5 hrs from Vlora depending if driving vs taking a bus (about $25)
Other cities- Sarandë
Head south along the coast for turquoise water, beautiful beaches, and some of Albania’s most popular seaside towns.
About 2hrs south of Vlore
Other Cities- Ksamil
Another beautiful beach town along the Albanian Rivera
About 2.45 hrs south of Vlore
Wanting to expand your trip -Albania also borders some other amazing destinations
🇬🇷 Corfu, Greece
Best for: 2–3 days | Very easy add-on
Corfu is probably one of the easiest international destinations to combine with your wedding. From Vlore, guests can travel south to Sarandë, then take a ferry across the Ionian Sea to Corfu. The island is great for beaches, charming villages, Greek food, and a more relaxed Mediterranean feel. Best option: spend 1–2 nights in Sarandë/Ksamil and then 2–3 nights in Corfu. Ferry schedules are seasonal, so these should be checked closer to June 2027.
🇮🇹 Puglia, Italy
Best for: 3–4 days | Especially good after the wedding
Italy is surprisingly accessible from Vlore. There are ferries from Vlore Port to Brindisi, with the crossing taking roughly 4½–5 hours. From Brindisi, guests can easily explore Puglia, including Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, and Lecce.
A great itinerary would be Vlore → ferry to Brindisi → Ostuni/Polignano → Bari. This is one of the options I'd most strongly recommend for wedding guests who want a European vacation without adding a complicated flight.
🇲🇪 Montenegro — Kotor & Budva
Best for: 3–4 days | Gorgeous coastal trip
Montenegro is best combined with a trip through northern Albania. Guests could travel from Vlore/Tirana toward Shkodër, spend a night there, and then continue to Kotor. There are direct buses from Shkodër to Kotor taking roughly 3–4 hours, depending on the service.
From Kotor, guests can visit Perast, Budva and Sveti Stefan. The Bay of Kotor is especially beautiful and makes a great contrast to the beaches around Vlore
🇲🇰 Ohrid, North Macedonia
Best for: 2–3 days | Easy and underrated
Ohrid is a beautiful lakeside town and one of the easiest Balkan side trips. Guests can travel from Tirana to Ohrid by bus, with current services taking approximately 3 hours (some services are faster).
The town has a gorgeous lake, historic churches, a walkable old town, restaurants, and swimming spots. I'd recommend 2 nights in Ohrid rather than trying to squeeze it into one day.
🇽🇰 Kosovo — Pristina & Prizren
Best for: 2–3 days | Culture + food
Kosovo makes a good add-on for guests interested in seeing another Balkan country. From Tirana to Pristina, direct buses currently take around 4–4½ hours.
I'd actually prioritize Prizren over Pristina for a short vacation. Prizren has a beautiful old town, Ottoman architecture, cafés, restaurants, and a mountain backdrop. Guests could do Pristina + Prizren over 2–3 days.