Sazan Island

Albania, Albania

---

Sazan Island is the largest island of Albania, located strategically at the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, in the eastern Strait of Otranto that divides Italy and Albania. It marks the border between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with a 15-kilometer coastline that features sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and underwater fauna.

The island spans about 5.7 square kilometers with a landscape of limestone rocks and several peaks, the highest reaching 344 meters. Sazan has a subtropical climate with warm winters and hot summers, and its flora and fauna are unique within Albania, featuring a blend of Mediterranean and subtropical species including rare plants and diverse wildlife such as birds, bats, reptiles, and insects.

The island was a military exclusion zone for many years but has been open to the public since 2015 as part of the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park. It is accessible only by boat, making it a remote yet fascinating natural destination with rich biodiversity and scenic coastal views.