The third and final stage of the Giro d'Italia in Albanian territory appears far from simple. Starting and finishing in Valona, 160 kilometers to cover: the route essentially circles around the Mount Maja Qores (over 2000 meters high right by the sea).

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The route heads southeast through the Lumi Shushicës valley on wide and smooth roads: at km 34.5 the first sprint point in Gjorm, at km 107.5 the second in Gijilik. The sea is reached through the Qafa Shakellës pass (4th category mountain point) where a coastal section of over 40 km begins with numerous curves and ups and downs until tackling the Qafa e Llogarasë climb of about 11 km at over 7%. A fast descent follows to Valona to reach the finish line.

THE TERRITORY. The third stage of the Giro starts and ends in Valona, the last in Albanian territory. The port city in the southern part of the country can thus showcase its entire beauty. There will be time to visit it. Before or after the stage. Valona's ancient heart is Flag Square, where the Monument celebrating Albanian independence in 1912 is located. Nearby, the Muradie Mosque, dating back to the 16th century and designed by the famous Ottoman architect Sinan, is one of the city's most fascinating religious buildings. To immerse oneself in local culture, a visit to the Valona Historical Museum and the Independence Museum allows discovering the region's history and traditions. The visit to the Zvernec Monastery, located on a small island in the Narta Lagoon, accessible via a wooden bridge, is also fascinating.

Those preferring beach relaxation along the Valona Riviera will find some of Albania's most beautiful beaches, including Plazhi i Ri, a long stretch of golden sand, Dhërmi and Jale, enchanting bays with turquoise waters. For those seeking more wild places, the Gjipe beach, accessible with a short walk, is a pristine natural corner between cliffs and crystal-clear sea.

The stage, with a rather animated elevation profile, begins with a long excursion into the hinterland, crossing silent villages, far from the coast's frenzy. After passing the modest Shakellës pass, a long descent returns to the seaside where a beautiful collection of noteworthy villages begins. At Porto Palermo, the gaze is captured by Ali Pasha's powerful castle, built in the early 19th century by the famous vizier, reportedly as a gift to a lover, though its structure and dimensions make it hard not to think of primarily military use.

In Dhërmi, the village of 31 churches, the one dedicated to Saint Stephen with magnificent 18th-century Byzantine icons and the Panajia Monastery, with a church built in the 14th century adorned with icons from the construction period, are worth visiting.

The Mountain Grand Prix at Logara Pass, just over a thousand meters high, allows entering the Llogara National Park, largely covered by extensive forests but also offering stunning views of the sea and the Ionian coast.

Before returning to Valona, one last stop is made in Orikum to visit the Archaeological Park with the remains of the city founded in the 7th century BC and the Byzantine church of Marmiroi decorated with precious frescoes. Valona's nightlife is just four kilometers away.