Fifteen minutes from the beach, the olive hills above Vlorë open onto the whole bay, the lagoons and the mountains of Karaburun, and the best way to see them is from a saddle at golden hour.
Horse riding in Vlorë starts at Qafa e Topit, the meeting point on the hills just north of the city where your guide from the Golden Sand riding stable waits for you, about 9.5 km and 15 minutes by car from Valza Boutique Hotel in Uji i Ftohtë. Guided rides of one, two or three hours follow country tracks through olive groves to the lake of Babicë e Vogël, above the village of Panajë or as far as Kërkovë, with wide views over the Bay of Vlora.
Horse riding in Vlorë at a glance
- What it is
- A guided ride on country tracks through the olive hills north of Vlorë, with views of the bay, the lagoons and Karaburun.
- Where
- Meeting point at Qafa e Topit, where your Golden Sand guide waits for you, about 9.5 km and 15 minutes by car from Valza Boutique Hotel.
- Time needed
- One, two or three hours in the saddle, depending on the route.
- Best time
- The last two hours before sunset, from spring to autumn; early morning in July and August.
- Cost
- About 2,500, 3,500 or 4,500 lek per person, for one, two or three hours; confirm with the stable when you book.
- Good for
- First-time riders, couples, families with older children, photographers.
What is a ride from Qafa e Topit like?
Calm, and much higher than you expect. Your guide meets you at Qafa e Topit, on the first hills behind the city, with the horses ready, and within a few minutes of setting off the noise of Vlorë falls away. The tracks are dry earth and stone between old olive trees, wide enough to ride side by side, and the horses know them well.
What makes it special is the landscape. This is a relaxing ride through old olive plantations, climbing the hills that surround Vlorë, and every bend of the track opens a new view of a beautiful landscape you will remember long after the ride. To the south lies the whole city and the Bay of Vlora, closed by the long ridge of Karaburun; to the north-west the lagoons shine below the hills; and in the late afternoon the light turns the dust, the olive leaves and the horses gold. The rides are guided at a walking pace, so you do not need to have ridden before.
Which route should you choose?
Three routes leave from Qafa e Topit, and the difference is how far into the hills you want to go.
| 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destination | The lake of Babicë e Vogël | Over the hill above the village of Panajë | The village of Kërkovë |
| Price per person | About 2,500 lek | About 3,500 lek | About 4,500 lek |
| The reward | A quiet lake among the olive groves, close to the stable | The widest views over the bay and the lagoons | A real ride across the countryside to an inland village |
| Best for | First-timers and families | Couples and photographers, at sunset | Riders with some confidence who want the full experience |
One hour: to the lake of Babicë e Vogël
The shortest ride follows the tracks from Qafa e Topit to the small lake of Babicë e Vogël and back. It is the one to choose for a first time on a horse, or with children.
Two hours: above Panajë
The two-hour route climbs over the hills above the village of Panajë. This is the ride for the view: the city, the bay, Karaburun and the lagoons in one panorama, best timed for sunset.
Three hours: as far as Kërkovë
The longest route goes inland as far as the village of Kërkovë, through olive groves and open country. It suits riders who are comfortable in the saddle and want more than a short outing.
Beach rides
Golden Sand also rides down to the coast, with short beach rides and longer routes along the coastal paths. Ask the stable which beach, how long and at what price when you book: the hills at sunset and the beach in the morning make two very different rides.
Moments from the saddle
Saddling up at the stable
The stable yard, olive posts and warm light before the ride.
Riding into the sunset
The last light over the lagoons, the moment to plan the ride around.
A pause on the ridge
Time to stop, look and let the horses rest.
The whole Bay of Vlora
The city, the bay and Karaburun from above.
Over the olive groves
The hills fall away to the lagoons and the open sea.
Golden hour
Orange light, long shadows and the olive trees behind you.
Horse riding in Vlorë in numbers
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15 minutes
By car from Valza to the meeting point, about 9.5 km
-
3 routes
Babicë e Vogël, Panajë and Kërkovë
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1–3 hours
In the saddle, depending on the route
-
2,500 lek
About the price of the one-hour ride, per person
How do you book a ride?
Directly with the stable, on WhatsApp. Golden Sand is an independent stable, not part of the hotel. Send a message to +355 69 218 1856 with the route you would like, the number of riders, their age and riding experience, and the time you prefer. Your guide will meet you at the Qafa e Topit meeting point. In summer it is wise to book a day ahead for the sunset rides.
Tell them Valza Boutique Hotel sent you. Mention in your message that you are writing from Valza Boutique Hotel: whenever they can, the organisers give our guests preferred treatment.
Where the routes go
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Meeting point, Qafa e Topit
Where your Golden Sand guide waits for you, on the hills just north of Vlorë.
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Babicë e Vogël and its lake
The one-hour ride.
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Panajë
The two-hour ride, over the hill above the village.
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Kërkovë
The three-hour ride, inland through the olive country.
What should you wear and bring?
Long trousers and closed shoes, because the tracks are dusty and the stirrups rub bare legs.
- Long trousers: jeans or leggings, never shorts
- Closed shoes with a small heel: trainers are fine, sandals are not
- A helmet: ask the stable for one, above all for children
- A hat and sun cream: there is little shade on the hilltops
- Water: the longer routes are hot in summer
- A light layer: the wind picks up on the ridge at sunset
- A phone in a zipped pocket: for the photos, and safe if you trot
Is it worth it?
Yes, if…
you want a slow, quiet evening with the best views of the Bay of Vlora, close to the hotel, and no experience is needed.
Maybe not, if…
you want a fast, unguided ride: these are calm rides with a guide, on hill tracks and coastal paths.
Book the two-hour ride for the last light, and dinner in Vlorë afterwards.
