Where to Work and Meet People in Vlorë
Vlorë doesn't have a buzzing digital nomad scene yet, but the right cafés exist if you know where to look. Here's where I worked and where I found people to talk to.
Let me be honest upfront: Vlorë doesn't have a thriving digital nomad scene. There are no coworking spaces packed with laptop workers, no Nomad List meetups, no established expat infrastructure like you'd find in Lisbon or Chiang Mai.
But that's changing. And in the meantime, the right cafés exist if you know where to find them.
The WiFi Reality
First, the practical stuff. My apartment WiFi hit 99 Mbps download, 30 Mbps upload. Solid enough for video calls and everything else. Using a VPN barely affected it.
If you need backup, a local SIM on the One network gave me 280 Mbps on 5G. Mobile data here isn't that expensive: I paid 1,600 LEK (about £14) for a 30-day package with 12GB. Heavier users can get 100GB for around £26.
The infrastructure is better than I expected. Brief power cuts happened maybe three times in a month, lasting five minutes each. WiFi dropped occasionally but came back quickly. My phone hotspot covered any gaps.
Where to Work
Honestly I didn't even try wi-fi at these places and tethered my iPhone. I can't vouch for what they have available.
URA Specialty Coffee & Kuvend
This is one of the best options for younger people. Chilled music, extremely good coffee, and the closest thing I found to a coworking vibe. The staff and owners are friendly, and there's a large table perfect for working.
It attracts a younger, more international crowd. They also host events. Yes, it's more expensive than typical Albanian café prices, but the quality justifies it.
If you're looking for the one place in Vlorë where you might bump into other remote workers, this is it.
INI - A Place To Be In
My absolute favourite café in the city. North part of the main boulevard, right next to the theatre before the mosque. Stylish, a little quirky, brilliant selection of drinks, and surprisingly cheap.
It's not specifically set up for working, but the atmosphere is relaxed enough that nobody minds a laptop. I came here more for the visual vibe and çaj mente than the coworking.
Mon Cheri Coffee Shop
On my radar as coworking-friendly, though I used it less than URA. Very well located, right at the start of the Lungomare. Large shared desk. Worth checking out if you want to rotate spots.
Love Daniela Tea Room and Coffees
For an option on the main high street with pleasant atmosphere for a change of scene. Does alternatives to cow's milk, which matters if that's a priority.
A Note on Coworking Spaces
I had CoWorking Vlora saved as a potential workspace from Google Maps. When I went to find it, it didn't exist. Either it closed or the listing was outdated. Vlorë is developing quickly; don't assume everything online is current.
Where to Meet People
Finding community here is important. If you're staying for a month or more, the difference between meeting people and not knowing anyone can be significant.
Beer House 24
This was the spot for mixing with the expat community. A bar-restaurant on the Lungomare, most evenings I could pop in and find someone to talk to.
The crowd skews heavily American. The US one-year visa-on-arrival means Albania attracts a lot of Americans. I also met Australians, Dutch, and very few English people. I didn't see many Brits visiting Albania .
Quite a few of the expats here are long-term residents, not just passing through. That means real conversations about what living here is actually like, not just tourist impressions. I met some lovely people here, a highlight of my trip.
Facebook Groups
Don't underestimate these. The Vlorë expat Facebook groups are active. Events get posted, questions get answered, people organise meetups. If you're planning a longer stay, join before you arrive.
The Café Approach
The coffee culture here encourages lingering. Nobody rushes you. After a while, you start recognising faces and conversations happen naturally.
I found that regulars at certain cafés became familiar over a few weeks. Not instant friendships, but enough connection to feel less isolated.
The Honest Picture
Vlorë isn't comparable to Chiang Mai or Da Nang for digital nomads. Few places are. There's no big established scene.
But it's growing. The cafés are there. The WiFi works. More importantly, the cost of living gives you time to actually work on things that matter.
And the international people I met, the small conversations with locals, made my stay considerably richer. Once I found the right spots, Vlorë scored higher on community than many places i have been to. For long term stays I could see opportunities to mix more with the local people and culture. Even though that may not be apparent at first.
If you need a young busy nomad scene with ready-made community, Vlorë isn't there yet. You can quickly find a smaller more focussed group of expats and there are definately growing options. If you just want the space that comes with a quieter place, the size of Vlorë works well.
