Plizio Visual Lab

Selenicë

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Selenicë

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

View the massive open-pit bitumen mines from the northern hills; it's a unique industrial landscape active since ancient times.
Selenicë is a major hub for the Aromanian (Vlach) minority; look for the '10 May' school where their language is taught.
The drive from Vlorë through the Shushicë river valley is incredibly scenic; allow extra time for stops in rural villages.
Stay on public paths and do not enter the active mining zones without permission, as they are hazardous industrial sites.
The town is best visited as a day trip from Vlorë (approx. 40 mins) to experience the authentic rural atmosphere.

🍽 Food

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Spit-Roasted Lamb

A hallmark of the Labëria region, meat is slow-roasted over an open wood fire in local roadside tavernas.

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Lakror under saç

A savory pie baked under a heavy iron dome covered in hot ashes, giving it a unique texture and smoky flavor.

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Traditional Bean Soup

A thick white bean stew (Fasule), often served as a hearty lunch with homemade pickled vegetables.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Local Olive Oil

Olive oil from the Vlorë hinterland is prized for its high quality and robust, peppery flavor.

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Artisanal Raki

The local grape brandy is often homemade; you can find authentic bottles at the small village shops.

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Wildflower Honey

Honey collected from the surrounding hills, known for its distinct aroma from the local Mediterranean flora.

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Shushicë River Bank

A peaceful spot below the town, well-suited for a break under the shade of massive plane trees.

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Northern Hilltops

Walk up to the ridges above the mines for a silent view over the vast Vjosa River valley.

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Amantia Surroundings

A short drive away, the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Amantia offer total tranquility.

Selenicë is a small town in the Vlorë County of southern Albania, globally renowned for its unique deposits of natural bitumen or asphalt. The mines of Selenicë are among the oldest in the world, having been utilized in antiquity by Babylonians, Egyptians, and Romans to waterproof ships and reinforce structures. Geographically, the town is positioned above the Vjosa Valley, surrounded by hills rich in geological resources. Industrial exploitation of bitumen began in the late 19th century through French and Italian companies, leading to the development of early railway infrastructure, which was rare for the region at the time. During the socialist era, the mine was a cornerstone of the Albanian construction industry, exporting asphalt to numerous countries. Today, Selenicë is a quieter town but continues to be defined by bitumen extraction, while the surrounding landscape provides potential for agriculture and rural tourism. The historical significance of the mines makes Selenicë an intriguing site for industrial heritage enthusiasts.

Location: Albania
Nearby: Kotë (6 km)
Population: ~6.912

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	10	10	12	15	18	23	26	26	22	19	15	11
Rain mm	103	90	82	61	57	36	22	26	80	98	123	128

Geography

Population

6,912

Coordinates

40.53110, 19.63500

Facts

The bitumen mines of Selenicë have been in continuous use for over 2,000 years.
Natural bitumen from Selenicë is considered among the highest quality in the world.
A narrow-gauge railway formerly connected the mines directly to the port of Vlorë.
Ancient writers such as Strabo and Pliny the Elder described the bitumen deposits here.
Modern industrial extraction was pioneered by French investors in the 1870s.
The mine remains a major employer and a key site for Albania's mineral industry.