Vlora is located in south-western Albania where the two seas, Adriatic and Ionian, meet, and the town with its wide boulevards decorated by huge palm trees has a real southern Mediterranean feel to it. Where the two seas meet the water becomes deeper and clearer and besides sandy beaches, you have rocky beaches (which are characteristics of Ionian coast). In front of Vlora bay is the only island of Albania, called Sazan, very sought after by different powers at different historic periods due to it being in a strategic position from where maritime access to the Adriatic could be controlled.
Vlora was known as Aulona in ancient times and the Roman poet Martial, refers to it as producing excellent quality wool and wine. The oldest traces of civilization in the area of Vlora date back to the 6th century B.C. During the 4th century AD was frequently mentioned as a landing port for ships of goods from the ports of Otranto and Brindisi, as well as an important stop over between the prosperous ancient cities of Apollonia and Butrint.
Although an important town throughout history its claim to fame came on November 28th, 1912, when the National Assembly of Albania declared the independence of Albania in Vlora, to end a five century Ottoman rule. The town was the first capital of independent Albania.
Things worth seeing in Vlora are: Museum of Independence, Ethnographic Museum, Historical Museum, the beaches and the coastal road. All this means that Vlora has seen quite a bit of tourist developments, with hotels, bars and restaurants being the main ones. Most of hotels are located near the beach, but the city center is not far either.