The northwest of the county is mostly located on the peninsula of Karaburun, with a rough relief, steep cliffs, bays and rocky beaches.

The ancient city of Butrint is an archeological site in Vlorë County, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë.

[6] The coastal area of Vlorë was one of those Illyrian sites that had experienced pre-urban activity beginning from the 11th–10th centuries BCE.

[8][9][10][11] The coastal area of the Bay was settled by Ancient Greek colonists, who traditionally founded Oricum, Thronion and Aulon.

[8][18] On the Epirote coast the Ancient Greeks developed the town of Sarandë, which they referred to as Onchesmos (or Anchiasmos).

After World War II, with Albania ruled by a Communist Party, the port was leased out to the Soviet Union for use as a submarine base.

During 1960 and 1961 it served as a theater in the aftermath of the decision of Enver Hoxha to denounce Nikita Khrushchev's reforms.

Vlorë is one of the twelve counties of Albania located in the east, south and southwest of the Southern Region.

The combined areas of the four Ksamil islands measure only 7.1 hectares (17.5 acres), and forms part of the larger Butrint National Park.

[32] Sazan Island is located strategically between the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë and has an area of 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) with no civil population.

In addition to being the largest island in Albania, it is a military facility and sometimes in clear weather it may be seen by eye from the coast of Salento, Italy.

The larger island is nearly completely covered with tall pine trees and is connected to the mainland by a 270m long wooden bridge.

The county remains a major seaport and commercial centre, with a significant fishing and industrial sector.

The surrounding region of the city is mainly agricultural and pastoral; a large producer of petroleum, natural gas, bitumen and salt.

It ranks seventh among 22 cities in Southeastern Europe,[38] being placed higher than the capital Tirana, Belgrade and Sarajevo.

Tourism has become a major industry in recent years, with many hotels, recreational centers, and vast beaches.

Vlorë County is considered a prosperous region, one with varied attractions, plants and mountains, rivers and lakes, springs and virgin beaches, citrus plantations, olive groves and vineyards, pastures and woods, fish and shellfish farming and desirable hunting places.

Sarandë's stony beaches are respectable, and there are plenty of sights in and around town, including the ancient archaeological site of Butrint and the hypnotic Blue Eye Spring.