Where the mountains pour cold water into the sea, and the young people of Vlorë leap from the rock.
Uji i Ftohtë is the neighbourhood where Valza stands, a stretch of coast whose name means “cold water”: along about 1.7 kilometres, scientists have counted 32 springs rising at sea level. Kalaja Beach, five minutes’ walk along the shore, has a tall rock where young people dive. The nearest beach is about 300 metres from the hotel.
Why the sea turns cold off Uji i Ftohtë
Swim off the shore of Uji i Ftohtë on a hot August afternoon and, every so often, the sea will surprise you: a sudden ribbon of cold, as if someone had opened a tap beneath the waves. Someone has, in a way. The name means “cold water”, and along about 1.7 kilometres of this coast scientists have counted 32 springs rising at sea level. They are the outlets of a vast karst aquifer: rain that falls on the mountains, seeps into the limestone and travels underground until it meets the bay, some of it rising beneath the surface of the sea itself.
The neighbourhood has its secrets too. Under communism, part of this shoreline was reserved for the villas and holiday homes of the leadership, behind fences; Enver Hoxha is recorded here in April 1976. A few of those former state houses still stand among the newer homes and hotels.
Five minutes’ walk along the shore brings you to Kalaja Beach, Te Kalaja to locals. There is no castle: “Kalaja” is a tall natural rock above the water, and on summer days the young people of Vlorë gather to dive from it while everyone else watches from the fine pebbles below, in water so clear and blue it looks unreal. If you jump, check the depth first and never jump alone.
What you’ll see
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Ribbons of cold
Swim off the shore on a hot August afternoon and the water turns suddenly cold, as if someone had opened a tap.
A calm cove
Rocks and trees on the shore, and the mountains across the Bay of Vlora.
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Kalaja Beach
Five minutes’ walk along the shore, with fine pebbles and water so clear and blue it looks unreal.
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The rock and the divers
On summer days the young people of Vlorë dive from the tall rock while everyone else watches from below.
Uji i Ftohtë in numbers
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32 springs
Counted by scientists, rising at sea level
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1.7 kilometres
Of coast along which the springs rise
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300 metres
From Valza to the nearest beach, a 5–6 minute walk
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5 minutes
On foot along the shore to Kalaja Beach
Where it is
In the Uji i Ftohtë neighbourhood, on the shore of the bay: the nearest beach is about 300 metres from Valza, and Kalaja Beach is about 5 minutes on foot.
What to bring
- Water shoes: fine pebbles and rock at the water’s edge
- Swimwear: the sea is clear and blue
- Towel: for drying off on the pebbles
- Sun cream: for a long summer afternoon by the sea
- Snorkel and mask: the water is so clear it looks unreal
- Water: for a hot summer afternoon
- Camera: young divers leaping from the Kalaja rock
Is it worth it?
Yes, if…
you want to swim in clear water, feel the cold of the springs, or watch the divers from the pebbles.
Maybe not, if…
you are looking for a castle at Kalaja: there is none, because “Kalaja” is a tall natural rock above the water.
If you jump, check the depth first and never jump alone.
Combine it with
Continue exploring
More places and ideas for your days around Vlorë:
- Uji i Ftohtë: cold water and 32 springs
- All attractions around Vlorë
- Vlorë in autumn: a 3-day itinerary from Orikum to Labëria
- Archaeological sites in Vlorë: Amantia, Orikum, Kanina and ancient Aulona
- Where to stay in Vlorë: our complete guide
