Sazan (in Italian: Saseno) is the island that closes the bay of Vlore towards the open sea — a secret military base for decades, today the most requested boat trip in Vlore. The combo tour pairs it with the Haxhi Ali Cave and the beaches of Karaburun: three bay icons in half a day.
How to visit Sazan Island
The island is reachable only by sea, and the only sensible way is an organised tour with a local skipper: there are no scheduled ferries and no DIY landings. The combo tour leaves from the Vlore promenade (morning, usually 9:00–10:00, or early afternoon) and reaches Sazan in 20–30 minutes. Landing is at the northern jetty: from here you walk up through the remains of the Italian-Albanian military base — bunkers, barracks, the little ghost citadel — to the viewpoints over the lighthouse and the western cliff, where the island plunges into Ionian blue. Mediterranean scrub has reclaimed everything, and the mix of military ruins and wild maquis is almost surreally photogenic. The skippers know the best spots and the right timing; some tours include a short snorkelling stop along the island's shores.
The combo tour: what the day includes
After Sazan the speedboat heads for the Karaburun coast: second stop the Haxhi Ali Cave, the great sea cave at the peninsula's northern tip — the boat goes right inside, and the play of light on the water is the most photographed moment of the tour. Last stop a wild Karaburun beach for the long swim: transparent water, white pebbles, an hour and more of proper sea. Back at the Vlore promenade after 4–5 hours in total. It is the tour we recommend as your first outing: it covers all the bay's icons at a tiny price.
Indicative prices 2026
| Option | What is included | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Shared combo | Sazan + Haxhi Ali Cave + Karaburun beach, 4–5h | from €30 per person |
| Haxhi Ali Cave only (short) | 1.5–4h tour centred on the cave | from €25 per person |
| Children 0–10 | on shared tours | -30% |
| Private boat with skipper | Same destinations, boat all to yourselves | from €400 per group |
Prices indicative, confirmed exactly on WhatsApp. Lunch not included: bring snacks and water, or ask us about departures with a lunch stop.
Practical tips
- Bring comfortable shoes for the climb on Sazan (dirt roads and steps), plus swimwear and a towel
- There are no bars or fountains on the island: plenty of water is a must in summer
- Mask and snorkel: the seabeds of Sazan and Karaburun reward them
- Early morning = best light in the cave and fewer boats; afternoon = warmer water
- The combo is perfect for families: manageable duration, kids -30%
When to go
Season May–October, daily departures in high season. June and September are the best — warm sea, half-empty island. If you have only one day in Vlore, the choice is between this combo (half day, three icons) and the Grama Bay full day (a whole day, the most beautiful cove). Many travellers do both on different days: send us your dates and we will tell you how to combine them.
Frequently asked questions
Can you actually land on Sazan Island?
Yes — organised tours land at the northern jetty and you visit the former military base area and viewpoints on foot. There is no free DIY access: you need an authorised boat with a skipper, which is exactly what we arrange.
How long is the island visit?
Normally 1–1.5 hours ashore within a 4–5 hour total tour that also includes the Haxhi Ali Cave and the Karaburun swim stop. Easy walking but on dirt paths: comfortable shoes.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes — together with the pirate tour it is the most suitable: contained duration, varied stops, and children 0–10 pay 30% less. Just bring water and plenty of sun protection for the walking part on the island.
The Sazan combo or the short Blue Cave tour?
If you have 4–5 hours: the combo — it includes the cave anyway, so you lose nothing. The short €25 version makes sense if you only have a morning free or care exclusively about the Haxhi Ali Cave.
You may also like
Ready to set sail from Vlore?
One message is enough: tell us your dates, where you are staying and what you want to see. We reply in minutes with real options and indicative prices, confirmed before you book. No online payment.
Plan my boat trip on WhatsAppor call: +39 351 476 6918