The first village south of Vlorë, where olive groves run down to the sea and an old story leads to Italy.
Radhimë is the first village south of Vlorë, on the western slopes of the Llogara mountains, with about 7.5 kilometres of pebble coves between rocky headlands. Olive groves, citrus orchards and vines run almost to the water’s edge. It is 11 km from Valza, about 20 minutes by car or taxi: allow half a day, or a full beach day.
Olive groves down to the sea
Leave Vlorë heading south and, within twenty minutes, the city falls away. Radhimë sits on the western slopes of the Llogara mountains, and its hillsides are a patchwork of olive groves, citrus orchards and vines that run almost to the water’s edge. Below them, about 7.5 kilometres of coast unfolds as a chain of pebble coves between rocky headlands, from Ura e Vrizit to the mouth of the Izvor stream.
Mornings here are for the sea: calm water, a kayak or a paddleboard, and nobody in a hurry. Evenings are for the view. As the sun goes down, Sazan Island and the long ridge of the Karaburun Peninsula darken against the sky across the bay.
The village is older than its holiday homes suggest. Its name first appears on a map in 1118, and during the First World War, works in the Mavro Nero area turned up large ceramic blocks thought to belong to an ancient wall; finds from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC are now in museums in Vlorë and Tirana.
And there is a longer journey in Radhimë’s past. After Skanderbeg’s death in 1468, it is believed to have been one of the places from which Albanians set sail for southern Italy, where their descendants, the Arbëreshë, still speak their language today.
What you’ll see
Mornings on the water
Calm water, a kayak or a paddleboard, and nobody in a hurry.
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The pebble coves
A chain of coves between rocky headlands, from Ura e Vrizit to the mouth of the Izvor stream.
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The groves above the sea
Olive groves, citrus orchards and vines on the slopes of the Llogara mountains.
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Sunset across the bay
Sazan Island and the long ridge of the Karaburun Peninsula darken against the sky.
Older than its holiday homes
- 3rd and 2nd centuries BC
Finds from these centuries are now in museums in Vlorë and Tirana.
- 1118
The village’s name first appears on a map.
- 1468
After Skanderbeg’s death, Radhimë is believed to be one of the places from which Albanians set sail for southern Italy. Their descendants, the Arbëreshë, still speak their language today.
- First World War
Works in the Mavro Nero area turn up large ceramic blocks, thought to belong to an ancient wall.
Radhimë in numbers
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7.5 km
Of coast, a chain of pebble coves
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11 km
From Valza, about 20 minutes
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1118
The first mention of the village’s name on a map
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3rd–2nd century BC
The age of the finds from Mavro Nero
Where it is
The first village south of Vlorë, on the western slopes of the Llogara mountains, 11 km from Valza along the coastal road.
What to bring
- Water shoes: pebble coves between rocky headlands
- Swimwear and towel: calm mornings are for the sea
- Dry bag: keeps your phone safe on a kayak or paddleboard
- Sun hat: for a half day or a full beach day
- Water: for a long day by the sea
- Cash in lek: for sunbeds where available
- Light layer: for the view once the sun goes down
Is it worth it?
Yes, if…
you want calm morning water for a swim, a kayak or a paddleboard, and a sunset view of Sazan Island and the Karaburun Peninsula.
Maybe not, if…
you prefer sand to pebbles: the coves here are pebble, between rocky headlands.
Go in the calm of the morning for the sea, and stay on for the sunset view.
Combine it with
Continue exploring
More places and ideas for your days around Vlorë:
- The beaches of the Bay of Vlora
- The Lungomare, Vlorë’s Seafront Promenade
- 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
