Sazan Island in the European nation of Albania is an attractive place in the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea.

It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Asia in the east and separates Europe from Africa. It is often called the incubator of Western civilization.

This majestic water occupies a deep, expansive, almost terrestrial irregular area. The fantastic Mediterranean is between 30° and 46° N latitudes and 5°50′ W and 36° E longitudes.

Sazan Island Albania
albinfoCC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This great Sea, including the Marmara Sea, covers an area of ​​about 970,000 square miles. There is no doubt that it is an area of the water that is large.

The Romans and the Venetians used this little piece of land in the Adriatic Sea as a fortress. This small islet has become a beautiful tourist destination, without any doubt.

There are plenty of activities to do on vacation in this spot of Albania. Albania is a beautiful country in Southeastern Europe, and this place is an example of the beauty.

Beautiful Sazan Island Albania

It is the largest island in the country and the westernmost point of Albania. It separates Italy from Albania and is at the entrance to the Gulf of Vlora on the Eastern Strait of Ontario.

It is also on the connecting line of the Adriatic and Ionian seas within the Mediterranean to the south. It is according to the International Scientific Organization.

This scenic land consisted of limestone rocks. These rocks formed during the Cretaceous period. The eastern part of it is partly consisted of regional and clastogenic deposits.

Area5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi)
Length4.8 km (2.98 mi)
Width2 km (1.2 mi)
StateVlorë County
MunicipalityVlorë

It has four peaks, and the largest is 344 meters above sea level. It has another two peaks of 331 and 307 meters, with the lowest being 228 meters south of the island.

This scenic place has a coastline of about 15 km, characterized by sandy beaches and rocky hills. Albania has an unusual climate due to the island’s maritime location.

It is not Mediterranean but sub-tropical due to warm winters and hot summers. The climate and vegetation of this scenic land have similarities with many islands.

Some of these are available in Greece, Tunisia, and even Egypt. The plant differs from the rest of Albania in that it is subtropical.

The name of this Albanian land was the first thing that struck anyone about it. There is no doubt that Sazan is a lovely name that resembles its beauty.

A military clash happened here between Philip V of Macedon’s armies and the Romans in 215 BC. The island was once a part of the Roman Empire.

However, after the Romans, Byzantines ruled this island. Anjou of Naples seized this land in 1279. Albanians who were famous as lords occupied this place in the 14th century.

But this place was often under the protection of the Republic of Venice. Ottomans took this land about 1400, but by 1696, it was under Venetian hands.

British started to protect this land in 1815, along with the Ionian Islands. It got later recognition as an independent republic from the authorities.

Italy occupied it and appointed a military commander named Saseno on 30/10/1914. The secret Treaty of London on 26/04/1915 reaffirmed it.

Albania ceded this scenic land to Italy on 02/09/1920. It was part of the Albano-Italian agreement following World War I.

Sazan
AlbinfoCC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From 1920 until 1945, this scenic island was part of Lagosta, in the province of Zara, and was a part of Italy. It means the ownership of this area changed many times to many hands.

The Italian authorities constructed a lighthouse and some naval defenses on this land. They also relocated a few families of fishermen from Apulia to this island of the Adriatic Sea.

It was united with the Italian Governorate of Dalmatia in 1941 during World War II. Italy ceded it to Albania on 10 February 1947 under the postwar peace treaty with Italy.

Come for the untouched natural beauty, and stay for the fish restaurants. Sazan is one of the most underrated travel destinations in Albania.

This place is ideal if you want to get away from daily hassles. This small land can be reachable by ferry from Vlora or Sarande port in just 20 minutes.

Once you reach this site, you will explore hidden coves, pristine beaches, and lush forests. But an important fact is there are not any hotels or cafes insight.

There are flights to Tirana from numerous European towns, Albania’s coastal capital. You may take a short ferry ride to the lovely Sazan from Tirana.

This land of the Adriatic Sea is a desirable location for several factors. Its proximity to Albania’s southern region is one of the main justifications.

Another reason why Sazan Island is a great travel destination is its sheer size. This land of the Adriatic Sea is one of the largest islands in Vlora Bay.

It means Sazan Island in Albania offers plenty of natural beauty with hidden treasures. You will never run out of things to do on this land!

There is one final reason why Sazan Island in Albania is such a great travel destination. The reason is its proximity to other great travel destinations.

You may travel to this place in Albania during the summer, from May to September. The weather is pleasant and sunny at this time.

Summertime sea temperatures are still warm, making swimming and scuba diving excellent. This place on the Adriatic Sea experiences cold, rainy winters.

Bring appropriate attire and footwear. This place in the Mediterranean Sea is about two square miles. But despite its diminutive size, it more than makes up for its wildlife diversity.

This land has a different climate from the rest of Albania. Because of that, it has an array of plant life rare in the rest of the country.

This majestic area in the Mediterranean Sea has a rich lizard life. There are more than fifteen species of reptiles available. Thirteen of these species of reptiles are very rare.

The nearest port to this magnificent land is Vlorë, Albania’s third-largest city. Visitors to the heel of Italy might even be able to spot it from the Salento coast on a fine day.

Halophile plants, including Lotus cytisoides and Limonium, are available in this land. You will see these plants on southern coastal cliffs and rocky shorelines.

The forests are generally composed of shrubs and sclerophyll forests with holm oak. It also has a deciduous forest with hophornbeam and South European flowering ash.

The most glorious reptile of this magnificent land is the Dalmatian Algyroides. This land of Albania has distinctive vegetation and biodiversity.

It is because of its unique topography, climatic, hydrological, and geological characteristics. Nearly 122 species of invertebrates, 15 mammals, and 39 birds are the fauna of this area.

It also includes eight species of reptiles and one species of amphibian. Eight of the 15 mammal species are also bats.

The most famous are the black rat, common pipistrelle, and soprano pipistrelle. You will see Twenty-three songbird species and five raptors in this place.

You will also see three pigeons and three swifts among the bird species available in this land. This area is ready to give wonderful time to the people, without question.

Things To Do

Swimming is one sport many people take pleasure in in this majestic spot. There are many swimming areas in this place. But stay out of the water close to the jetty.

If you like to hike, this fantastic spot has several trails for hikers. These trails can take you to secluded coves and show spectacular views.

Sazan Island Albania
AlbinfoCC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On the place, you can get bicycles and tour the shoreline at your speed. Visit the Butrinti to learn more about the rich history of the island.

It is an ancient Illyrian city that dates back to the 5th century BC. You can also head to the coastal town named Sarande, which is just 20 minutes away by ferry.

Sazan Island Albania has no hotels or hostels. You can rent an Airbnb in Vlora or Sarande and have a quick ferry ride to the island from there.

Conclusion

This Albanian land is one of the most underrated travel destinations. I can ensure you will never run out of things to do on the Sazan Island of Albania. 

From scuba diving to hiking along trails, there is something for everyone. It is the perfect place to go if you want to explore the untouched beauty of Albania.

You can visit Sazan Island Albania by spending a phenomenal week. You will be able to travel the whole country by spending little.

Tirana, the capital, is the most expensive Albanian city. Yet, you need not spend too much compared to other Eastern European destinations. Stay with Nehrin.

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