PÉNINSULE DE KARABURUN

This wild peninsula (Gadishulli i Karaburunit) is home to the most beautiful beaches in Albania. But these are only accessible by sea, by water cab or by excursion from Vlora or Radhima. The peninsula closes the bay of Vlora with the neighboring island of Sazan, both forming the marine national park of Karaburun-Sazan (124 km2). The peninsula itself is a mountainous strip 15 km long, 5 km wide and with an area of 64 km2.

Relief, fauna and flora. The peninsula has the Turkish name of Karaburun which means "black cape". It was first called Akrokeravnio ("lightning cape" in Greek). This name is now given to the mountains that overlook the "Albanian Riviera": the Acrocerunian Mountains (Malet Akrokeraune). Also called Ceranian Mountains, they culminate at 2 044 m altitude at the peak of Çika above the village of Dhërmi (40 km southeast of Orikum). For there is a geological continuity between the peninsula and this coastal chain that were formed about 50 million years ago. Very steep and covered with a thick forest of pine, juniper and oak scrubland, the peninsula has the highest point of "Mount Umbrellas" (Maja Çaderës), at 839 m altitude. On its coasts alternate cliffs, bays and sea caves that host some of the most endangered species in the world: loggerhead turtle(Caretta caretta), bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus) and Mediterranean monk seal(Monachus monachus). Inland, the peninsula has many species of mammals: golden jackal, wild cat, chamois, deer, wild boar, badger ..

Eastern coast. After the bay of Pashaliman, which houses the naval base and the archaeological park of Orikum, there is the bay of Zhanpovel with a beautiful white sandy beach that is organized in the summer to receive groups coming by boat tour. Further north, the bay of St. Basil (Gjiri i Shën Vasilit) is also covered with white sand, but not very popular. A little further on, the rocky bay of Alda has the only restaurant on the peninsula, which is open every day in summer. Continuing north, we reach the sea cave of Cape St. George (Kepi I Shengjergjit), a rocky cavity with crystal-clear waters that adjoins a beach equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas. Finally, to the north, Cape Galoveci is located at 4,600 m from the southern tip of the island of Sazan.

Western coast. Facing Italy, we discover the most famous sea cave, the one called Haxhi Ali (Shpella e Haxhi Aliut): 18 m high and 30 m deep, it was used as a hideout by the Albanian pirate from Calabria Haxhi Aliu Ulqinaku (1569-1625). A little further south, the cape of Gjuhëz is the most western point of Albania: Italy is only 70 km away. The coast is then made up of cliffs until the beautiful bays of Dafina and Brisan. The coast continues south for 20 km, outside the peninsula, under the Acrocerunian mountains, with beaches, coves and caves only accessible by boat. The most famous site is the bay of Grama with its wonderful little white sandy beach at the foot of the cliffs. It owes its name to the hundreds of "letters"(grama in Greek) inscribed on the rocky walls: dedications left by the sailors of Antiquity and the Middle Ages to attract the favors of the gods and saints.