Vlorë makes a good base for a day behind the wheel. The coast road south — the SH8 — links the city with Himarë, and three worthwhile stops sit within reach: Orikum just outside the city, Himarë two hours down the coast, and Sarandë much further south. All you need is an early start, a full tank and a car you have checked over.
Want prices from local companies in Vlorë? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.
Distances below come from published route information, along with the drive time for Himarë. Roadworks, summer traffic and the pace of the coast road can all add time, so treat the figures as a guide and build in some slack.
Himarë — 70 km, about 2 hours
Himarë sits on the SH8 highway, 70 km (43 mi) south of Vlorë, and the drive takes around two hours. That works out at a modest average speed, which tells you most of what you need to know about this road: it bends, it climbs, and it rewards a driver who is not in a hurry.
Go early. Leaving Vlorë in the morning gives you time to stop at viewpoints on the way, spend the middle of the day in Himarë, and still be back before dark. If you are picking up a car specifically for this trip, a small hatchback is easier on the narrow sections than a large SUV, though either will manage.
Sarandë — 120 km
Sarandë is 120 km (75 mi) from Vlorë. At that distance it is a full day out rather than a morning errand, and it makes more sense if you are already heading south or plan to stay the night. Set off early, keep an eye on the clock on the return leg, and be realistic about how much you want to drive in one day.
If you continue beyond Sarandë you reach the Greek border. There are three road routes between Greece and Vlorë: via Kakavi, Gjirokastër and Tepelenë; via Kakavi, Gjirokastër, Qafë e Muzinës and Sarandë; or via Qafë Botë, Sarandë and Dhërmi, which is the shortest of the three. Crossing a border in a hired car needs the rental company’s agreement first, so ask before you book.
Orikum — 20 km south
Orikum is the easy one. It lies 20 km south of Vlorë, close enough for a half-day, and it holds two sights worth the trip: the ancient theatre of Orikum, which dates from the 1st century BC, and the Church of Marmiroi.
Because it is so close, Orikum works well as a first outing in a new rental car — a chance to get used to the controls, the mirrors and the size of the vehicle before tackling the coast road proper. Combine it with a swim on the way back, or use it as the first stop on a longer run south.
Want prices from local companies in Vlorë? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.
A suggested one-day loop
Start in Vlorë with a full tank and drive south to Orikum, 20 km away. Spend an hour or so at the theatre and the Church of Marmiroi, then rejoin the road and continue on the SH8 towards Himarë. Himarë is 70 km from Vlorë and about two hours from the city, so with the Orikum stop the day stays comfortable rather than rushed.
Have lunch in Himarë, walk a little, and start back in the mid-afternoon. The return is the same road, which means you see the coast from the other side and can stop at anything you missed on the way down. Back in Vlorë by evening, you have covered the best of the Riviera without changing hotels.
If two hours each way sounds like a lot for one day, make Orikum the destination and save Himarë for a day when you can leave earlier. The shorter trip still gives you the theatre, the church and a stretch of coast road, and it leaves the afternoon free.
Practical tips
- Start early. Morning light, quieter roads and a buffer if anything goes wrong.
- Fuel up in Vlorë. Fill the tank before you leave the city rather than relying on finding a station on the coast road.
- Carry some cash. Small car parks, cafés and beach stalls may not take cards.
- Check the car before you go. Confirm the spare tyre, the jack and the warning triangle, and photograph any damage.
- Agree the rules with the company. Ask where you may take the car and what to do if it breaks down; keep the emergency number to hand.
- Leave time for the return. Coast roads are slower than the map suggests, and you do not want to be driving an unfamiliar car after dark.
- Confirm the drop-off. Check the return time and where to leave the car before you set off, so the last hour is not a scramble.
More for your Vlorë trip
- Local car rental companies based in Vlorë
- Arriving by ferry and picking up a car at Vlorë port
- Renting a car in Albania: the full guide
Want prices from local companies in Vlorë? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.