Sarandë is the most famous resort of the Albanian Riviera. The city lies on the Ionian Sea, near the Greek island of Corfu. Although the resort is mainly equipped for beachgoers and parties, there are still some interesting spots that you can explore in the city. We’ll go over just 8 of them today to give you a taste of what Sarandë’s like.
Sarandë
Exploring the city
Sarandë is a small town located at the foot of the hills, on the coast of the Albanian Riviera. You have almost 300 days of sunshine a year in Sarandë, so it’s no wonder it’s a popular holiday destination. It’s mainly inhabited by Albanians, though you’ll find lots of Greeks here also. Sarandë is named after the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste who were killed by Roman Emperor Licinius.
The city is relatively small but you may want a car to visit the nearby attractions. There’s public transport, of course, but we’d still recommend hiring a car for the versatility and freedom (if you don’t mind the extra added cost, that is). The region is full of historical and natural tourist attractions, like the beautiful forests, mountains and various groves. The nearby Blue Eye, Ksamil and its islands and the Butrint Archeological Site are well worth a visit. Also, make sure to bring a suitable amount of Albanian Leks, as, quite often, facilities may require payment in cash.
Lëkurësi Castle
Kalaja e Lëkurësit
The castle is located on a hill, about 1.2 miles from the city centre. The fortress was built on the orders of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537. The castle served the Sultan as a base of operations from which he attempted to conquer Corfu. It currently houses no military operations, though it has a nice restaurant and some great views of the area.
The castle can be reached on foot. The walk takes about 45 minutes uphill.
Sarandë’s promenade
A stroll along the coastline
Sarandë’s promenade stretches out along the harbour and the coastline of the city. You’ll find plenty of shops, bars and restaurants here, so lots of opportunities to try some Albanian cuisine! 🙂 The palm trees growing on a narrow green belt provide some much needed shade. It’s a perfect place for watching the sunset.
Blue Eye
Syri i Kaltër
The source of the Bistricë River, the Blue Eye, is located about 12 miles away from Sarandë. This water spring gets its name from its oval shape and the colour of the water here. Its colour changes like the iris of an eye – it’s dark blue-ish in the middle and gets brighter as it approaches the banks. The temperature of the spring is constant, at around 15 degrees Celsius.
The Blue Eye was once the private property of the country’s leader, Hoxha. He would regularly invite his guests over to see the Eye. And yes, you can totally swim in its crystal clear waters, though, be warned, it is quite cold all year round. The Blue Eye has been recognised as a Natural Monument.
The easiest way to get here is by taxi. You can ask the driver to wait for you. The cost is around €20.
Archeological Site of Butrini
Kombetar Arkeologjik Park Butrintit
This archeological complex is located within the Butrint National Park. To be exact, it’s on the southern side of the lake of the same name, 10 miles away from Sarandë.
Butrint has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List since 1992. In addition to the medieval walls of the former settlement, numerous monuments remain from the periods of Roman, Venetian and Turkish occupations. The theatre is one of the best-preserved buildings in the city. It’s located just below the Acropolis and overlooks the Vivari Canal. An important site is also the Lion’s Gate, one of the six entrances to the city, dating back to the 4th century BC.
The park can be easily reached by bus, which will cost you a 100 Lek. A ticket to Butrint costs 1000 Lek (so about 10 pounds for a standard ticket), though you can also get discounts; you can see the details here. It’s better to get here early in the morning, before the first tourists from Corfu get a chance to arrive.
Ksamil islands
Ishujt e Ksamilit
What else to see in Sarandë? You certainly cannot miss out on Ksamil. It’s a small peaceful village with beautiful sandy coastlines. The attraction here is the three beautiful islands which you can easily reach by kayak or a pedal boat. If you’re lazy, you can also hire a boat. Two of the islands are connected by a metre-wide strip of fine gravel.
Ksamil can be reached from Sarandë by bus or taxi.
Beaches in Sarandë
Beaches in Ksamil and Sarandë
We’ve already mentioned Ksamil, we can mention the rest of the best beaches in Albania while we’re at it. You’ll find many pearls in the area, which we’ve covered in a separate article. There are many options in Saranda alone if you want to take a break from active exploration. Take plenty of sunscreen and water with you!
Hiking along the coast
Trekking in Sarandë
There’s a lovely hiking trail north of the city, about 6 miles long, overlooking the Ionian Sea and Corfu. You can also find many beautiful bays here, if you want to combine your hike with a pleasant swim.
Cruise to Corfu
Sarandë Corfu Ferry
If you haven’t yet been to Corfu, here’s an opportunity. There are hydrofoils and ferries running from Sarandë to the island. The journey takes about 30-70 minutes depending on the ship.
If you are wondering what else to visit in Albania, check out Vlore and Durres.
See also:
