Haxhi Ali Cave sits along the rocky edge of the Karaburun Peninsula, about 30 minutes by boat from Vlorë. Known for its wide stone entrance and clear blue water, the cave offers a simple but striking stop on many coastal trips. Unlike crowded city beaches, it stays quiet, with no built paths or facilities. Visitors come here to swim inside or float just outside the cave mouth, taking in how sunlight changes the color of the water and the surrounding rock.
A visit to Haxhi Ali Cave is usually part of a half-day tour that also shows other small bays or nearby points of interest. Local boat guides handle the route, giving guests time to relax on deck between stops. It’s a straightforward way to see a different part of Albania’s coastline — one that feels more natural, with steep rock walls and calm sea, far from busy shorelines lined with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Haxhi Ali Cave is named after a 17th-century Albanian sailor who sheltered here from storms and naval pursuits. The cave’s large opening and deep chamber offered a safe hideout along this rugged coast. Today, it stands as a quiet reminder of maritime history, visited by small boats exploring the natural and simple past of Albania’s shoreline.
