Sazan Island 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. It occupies a deep, expansive, and almost terrestrial irregular depression located between 30° and 46° N latitudes and 5°50′ W and 36° E longitudes.
The Mediterranean Sea, including the Marmara Sea, covers an area of about 970,000 square miles (2,510,000 sq km). 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 with plenty of activities to do on your vacation. Albania is a beautiful country in Southeastern Europe, and this place is a perfect example of the beauty of this country.
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 located at the entrance to the Gulf of Vlora on the Eastern Strait of Ontario.
It is also located on the informal connecting line between the Adriatic and Ionian seas within the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It is according to the International Scientific Organization.
This scenic land is composed of limestone rocks. These rocks formed during the Cretaceous period. The eastern part of this place is partly composed of regional and clastogenic deposits.
| Area | 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) |
| Length | 4.8 km (2.98 mi) |
| Width | 2 km (1.2 mi) |
| State | Vlorë County |
| Municipality | Vlorë |
It has four peaks, the largest 344 meters above sea level. It has also two peaks at the center 331 meters and 307 meters, and the lowest is 228 meters south of the island.
This scenic place has a coastline of about 15 km, characterized by sandy beaches, caves, rocky hills, and underwater fauna. 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 islands of Greece, Tunisia, and even parts of Egypt, south of Crete.
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 me about it. Sazan is a lovely name.
According to Polybius, there was a military clash between Philip V of Macedon’s armies and the Romans in 215 BC. The island was once a part of the Roman Empire. But after the Romans, Byzantines ruled this island.
Anjou of Naples seized this land in 1279. Albanian lords occupied this place in the 14th century and were often under the protection of the Republic of Venice.
Ottomans took this land about 1400, but by 1696, it was under Venetian hands. British took the charge of protection of this land in 1815, along with the Ionian Islands. It achieved later a declaration as an independent republic.
On October 30, 1914, Italy conquered it and appointed a military commander on the island known as Saseno. The secret Treaty of London on April 26, 1915, reaffirmed it.
Albania ceded this scenic land to Italy on September 2, 1920. It was part of the Albano-Italian agreement following World War I.
From 1920 until 1945, this scenic island was part of Lagosta, in the province of Zara, and was a part of Italy.
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.
The land was united with the Italian Governorate of Dalmatia in 1941 during World War II. Italy ceded this scenic island 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 are looking to get away from it all and relax. This small land can be reachable by ferry from Vlora or Sarande port in just 20 minutes.
Once there, you will explore hidden coves, pristine beaches, and lush forests without 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 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 Albania 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 it offers plenty of natural beauty and an abundance of hidden treasures.
You will never run out of things to do on this land! One final reason why Sazan Island Albania is such a great travel destination 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 of 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 it in 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. Sazan has a rich lizard life, with fifteen different species of reptiles.
Thirteen of them are very rare. The nearest port from 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 is also composed of 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. Because of its unique topography, climatic, hydrological, and geological characteristics.
The fauna includes 122 species of invertebrates, 15 mammals, and 39 species of birds. It also includes eight species of reptiles and one species of amphibian.
Eight of the 15 mammal species are also bats. The most prevalent 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.
Things To Do
Swimming is one sport many people take pleasure in on this Albanian land. There are numerous swimming areas on this place. However, stay out of the water close to the jetty.
If you like to hike, this place has several trails that take you to secluded coves and spectacular views of the unspoiled coastline.
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 here.
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.