Sazani Island and the Karaburuni Peninsula in Albania were proclaimed as the first Marine Protected Area in Albania in 2010, covering 12,570 hectares. The region has high potential for tourism due to its natural landscape, biodiversity, beaches, and historical and cultural sites like the ancient town of Orikumi, an important port dating back to the 4th century BC. The MPA was created to protect this culturally and environmentally significant coastal region in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

1. Sazani Island – Karaburuni Peninsula,
the first Marine Protected Area in Albania

2. Karaburuni Peninsula – Sazani Island (Adriatic and Ionian seas)
the first MPA in Albania

3. The ancient town of Orikumi (former Orik), one of the most
important Illyrian ports, founded in 4th century BC and
mentioned as an important economic and cultural center
in the Mediterranean during the ancient Greek and Roman
periods until the Medieval period.

4. High potentials for all kind of tourism, sports,
educational activities and social – cultural values:
Landscape, nature, biodiversity, underwater topography,
history, culture, archaeology, cleaned and quiet beaches,
traditional farming with old breeds ….

5. Sazani Island – Karaburuni peninsula,
the first MPA in Albania (12.570 ha),
proclaimed as a Marine Park (IUCN
category II), on April 28-th 2010.