Saranda (Sarandë) Albania – 10 Best Travel Tips

Sarande › Saranda (Sarandë) Albania – 10 Best Travel Tips

Saranda (officially known as Sarandë) is located in the south of Albania, directly on the Albanian Riviera. The beach resort town is located 175 km as the crow flies from the international airport in the capital, Tirana. The ferry port of the Greek island of Corfu is only 28 kilometres away, which is why the fastest route often leads via Corfu’s airport.

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Although it is very busy in Saranda during the summer, you can still see a herd of sheep or cows on the hillside streets around the bay. Explore Saranda and its surroundings! Here you will find interesting natural beauty spots and historical attractions such as the ancient city of Butrint and the beaches of Ksamil. The city is only a 30-minute ferry ride away from Corfu, making it also a popular day-trip destination from the Greek island.

Where to stay

The centre of Saranda lies near the harbour, an area with the best selection of hotels, restaurants, and shops. The central square is called Parku Miqësia. The city is built on hills, so keep in mind that you will frequently have to walk uphill if you are staying far from the beach.

Places to visit in Saranda

Lëkurësi Castle

Visit Lëkurësi Castle for the best view overlooking Saranda. The ancient castle was built in the 16th century by the Ottoman ruler Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The sultan’s aim was to protect the port of Saranda after attacking Corfu.

During the summer, visitors can enjoy a meal and a drink on the terrace of the castle restaurant.

Getting there: Lekuresi castle is located about 4 km from the port of Sarandë. It takes about 10 minutes by taxi and costs about 500 lek (around €5), or about 45 to 60 minutes walking uphill.

A view of Sarandë from Lëkurësi Castle during the blue hour.

Ruins of the old synagogue

The ruins of the old synagogue are located right in the centre of Saranda, on the edge of Parku Miqësia, between Rruga Skënderbeu and Rruga Onhezmi. The ruins are the remains of the centre of a once prosperous Jewish community that lived in the Saranda area.

Archaeologists believe that the construction of the Christian basilica was first started in the 4th century AD and that it was later converted into a synagogue at the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century AD.

Day Trips from Saranda – Exploring the Surroundings

The main attractions are located outside Saranda, but they are all accessible during day trips.

Butrint National Park Albania

Butrint, a true archaeological gem, is located about 18 kilometres south of Saranda. The archaeological finds in Butrint testify to prehistoric activity in the area. The city served as a Greek polis in the 6th century BC and later as a Roman colony. Today you can see the ruins of ancient Roman baths, a Greek amphitheatre and more recent attractions such as the basilica and the fortress on the hill.

Butrint became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 after the fall of the communist government of Enver Hoxha.

How to get there: You can reach Butrint by local bus, which takes 45 minutes and costs 200 Lek, about €2. The bus departs from Saranda every hour, between 7:30 am and 6:30 pm during the summer and between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm during the winter. From Butrint to Saranda, buses also depart every hour, between 7:00 am and 7:30 pm during the summer and between 7:00 am and 6:30 pm during the winter.

The last stop in Butrint is the car park outside the ancient city. There is a separate ticket vendor on the bus to whom you pay the fare in cash. In the morning during the summer season, the buses are likely to be overcrowded, so you might want to consider a taxi. Timetable: Visit Saranda

A taxi from Saranda to Butrint costs about 2000-2500 Lek (20-25 Euro). The taxi fare is an approximate amount, but the driver always sets the final price. Make sure to agree on the price in advance.

The Blue Eye Saranda (Syri i Kaltër)

Syri i Kaltër is a stunning crystal-clear underwater spring located about 20 kilometres east of Sarandë. It is best reached by car. In summer, it is an extremely popular destination, so large crowds can be an inconvenience.

The entrance fee to the spring is 50 Lek. The nearest car park is about 2 kilometres from the spring, and from there it is a roughly 2-kilometre walk to the spring. You can also take a small tourist train from the car park to the spring, which costs 300 Lek per person each way.

Parking your own car costs 300 Lek for up to 3 hours. Organised tours to the spring are available from Saranda, or you can book a tour through sites like Viator. A private taxi ride to the spring costs 4000-5000 Lek (40-50 Euro), with the driver waiting at the car park for a few hours. The taxi price is an approximate amount, but the driver always sets the final price. Make sure you agree the price in advance.

Gjirokastra (Gjirokastër) – The city of a thousand steps

Gjirokastra, ‘The City of Stone,’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Ottoman-era buildings. The old town is full of narrow, cobblestone streets leading to charming Ottoman houses and small stalls. Gjirokastra is the birthplace of former Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha, and his house is a popular tourist attraction. One of the main attractions in Gjirokastra is the impressive fortress that towers over the city and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

• Getting by bus from Saranda to Gjirokastra: Buses or minibuses depart from the edge of Parku Miqësia. A bus ticket costs 400 lek. You can find timetables on the Gjirafa website. The journey takes about an hour.
• Getting by taxi to Gjirokastra: A taxi ride takes about an hour and costs approximately 4000-4500 Lek. The taxi fare is an approximate amount, but the driver always sets the final price. Make sure to agree on the price in advance.

Ksamil – A Dreamy Beach Paradise

Ksamil is a small coastal village located about 15 kilometres south of Saranda. The beaches of Ksamil, with their crystal-clear water and green islets in front of them, are a true postcard landscape.

Directions: The bus to Butrint passes through Ksamil. The journey from Saranda takes about 35 minutes by bus. The price of the bus ticket is 150 Lek. Timetable: Visit Saranda

By taxi, the journey from Saranda to Ksamil takes about 25 minutes and costs about 1300-1500 lek.

Saranda – Beaches in town and nearby

Sarandë is surrounded by pebble beaches, all of which are very similar. The most beautiful beaches are located outside the city. See here the descriptions of the beaches in Sarandë and the surrounding area.

Restaurants

The local cuisine is a mixture of Albanian, Italian and Greek cuisine. Seafood is particularly common in Sarandë. The quality of the food is not necessarily world class yet, but fresh ingredients and affordable prices make up for it.

In addition to seafood and fish dishes, local delicacies include pita gyros, which Albanians throughout the country love. There are also many pizza and pasta restaurants. As in the neighbouring country, pita gyros are also popular in Albania.

Shopping

Shopping opportunities in Saranda are limited. There are several clothing stores in town, but the selection is limited, mainly consisting of local clothing brands. Major international clothing brands are not available here.

In the mornings, street vendors gather on the seafront promenade Rruga Jonianet/Shëtitorja Naim Frashëri near the harbour. The market stalls mainly sell a variety of handicrafts; products made from sheep’s wool play an important role.

Prices in Saranda

Albania is one of the cheapest travel destinations in Europe. This is one of the main reasons why it attracts tourists. Prices in Saranda are just fantastic for most of us. The essentials for the trip, such as accommodation, food and drinks, fit into any budget.

Below are some examples of restaurant prices in Saranda.

• Pizza – €7-9
• 33 cl beer – €2.5

Getting to Sarandë

Corfu: The nearest international airport is in Corfu, Greece, a 30-minute ferry ride from Saranda. There are several daily departures from Corfu, depending on the season. The faster hydrofoils take 30 minutes and the slower ferries take 70 minutes. The hydrofoils and ferries arrive at the port in the centre of Saranda.

Timetable of the ferry companies: Ionian Seaways & Finikas Lines

Tirana: The nearest international airport is Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa. The bus to Sarandë departs several times a day from West-Tirana. The buses to Sarandë depart from the bus station, which is located about 5 kilometres northwest of the city centre. You can find the location on Google Maps under the name Terminali i Autobusave të Jugut dhe Veriut or South and North Albania Bus Terminal. You can find the location here on Google Maps. The journey costs 1400-1600 lek and takes about 6 hours depending on the stop. The last stop is Parku Miqësia in the city centre. Buses to Tirana also depart from the same place.

Find bus timetables here

Weather in Sarandë

What kind of climate should I expect?

Sarandë has a Mediterranean climate. It stays mild to warm all year round, with daytime temperatures of around 17 degrees in winter and up to 30 degrees in summer. The water also stays inviting, with temperatures of around 15 degrees in winter and 28 degrees in the summer months.

Winter:

December to February is cloudy and rainy. The daily maximum temperatures fluctuate between 5 and 15 °C. At night, temperatures can often drop below 0 °C.

Spring:

From March to May, there is less rainfall and the sun shines more often. The daily maximum temperatures in March rise to 10-15 °C, and in May it is already 20 °C.

Summer:

Sunshine is guaranteed from June to August. The temperature steadily rises to 30°C and above.

Autumn:

September is still a warm month and the temperature remains well above 20°C. By mid-October, the weather has cooled to 20°C and it starts to rain more often. In November, the temperature is already around 15°C.

More Tips for Visiting Saranda