Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Curious about what to see and do in Saranda? This popular Albanian tourist resort offers sun, swimming and relaxation, but you can also do many different exciting excursions. Here you will find our best tips.
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Saranda in Albania
In Albania we were surprised by the beautiful beaches, the clear water, the dramatic mountains and not least the friendly people. When we camped here with our camper van, it happened several times that the owners knocked on the camper van door, just to offer us a homemade cake, which the wife had just baked.
If you want to experience Albania during your holiday, Saranda is a good option. You start from a tourist resort where there is a lot going on, while there are plenty of excursion opportunities.
Quick Guide: Saranda
Top 5 attractions in Saranda – our best tips
Here are the most important sights and experiences in Saranda – perfect for those who want to experience the highlights of the destination in a short time.
- Butrint – UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive remains from the ancient city.
- Ksamil – Perhaps Albania's most popular seaside resort, with white sandy beaches and crystal clear water.
- Blue Eye – a fascinating spring with intensely turquoise water, surrounded by lush nature.
- Lëkurësi Castle – historic castle with stunning panoramic views of Saranda, the Ionian Sea and Corfu.
- Saranda promenade – the heart of the city, lined with restaurants, cafes and a lovely atmosphere, especially in the evening.
Saranda is located on the Ionian Sea in southern Albania, right on the coast and close to the Greek island of Corfu.
What can you see and do in Sarandë?
Saranda offers sun, swimming and an affordable holiday lifestyle, but you can also discover historical sites and go on adventures. Here you will find our tips in a list.
1. Walk along the seafront promenade
Saranda's promenade is the city's natural meeting place, lined with restaurants, cafés and bars. Here you can sit down for a coffee, a bite to eat or perhaps take the opportunity to shop for small items and souvenirs. In the evening, the promenade is filled with both locals and tourists, and there is a lovely atmosphere.
2. Relax on the beaches of Saranda
There are several swimming spots in Saranda, and within a short distance there are even more beaches with clear turquoise water. Feel free to vary your visit so that you try different beaches on different days. Since the price is relatively favorable, you can take the opportunity to treat yourself to things like renting a sun lounger and parasol or perhaps enjoying ice cream or drinks. Keep in mind that it is often pebbles instead of fine sand.
3. Visit Butrint
UNESCO World Heritage Site Butrint is one of Albania's most impressive archaeological sites and a must-see. The city was inhabited for about 3,000 years, and the oldest finds date back to 800 BC. There are ruins here from completely different eras, and when you walk around the area, you can travel back in your imagination to many different times in history.
4. Take a trip to Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye)
The famous spring with its intense blue water is one of Albania's most photographed natural attractions. The Blue Eye spring is a natural phenomenon – a bright blue-green spring that is at least 50 meters deep. We personally thought it was far too cold to swim in the 12.7-degree water, but it's still worth going here, for the magically beautiful environment.
5. Discover Ksamil
The white beaches and the small islands off Ksamil makes the resort one of Albania's most popular destinations. Around the Ksamil Islands you can enjoy pedal boats, canoeing, renting jet skis or hanging out at a beach bar around sun loungers and parasols around the green-blue sea. This became one of our absolute favorites during our trip through Albania.
6. Visit Lëkurësi Castle
Lëkurësi Castle, which today is a castle ruin of an old Ottoman castle, is located high above Saranda and offers fantastic views of the city, the Ionian Sea and Corfu.
7. Take a day trip to Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a unique stone city in southern Albania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Ottoman architecture and steep cobblestone streets. It also has a large fortress that is worth exploring.
8. Go on a boat trip
Several boat trips take you to secluded coves and beaches that are difficult to reach by land. You can join organized tours or perhaps rent a smaller motorboat and head out on your own.
9. Explore the beaches outside Saranda
Just south of Sarandra there are several different beaches to visit such as Mirror Beach (Plazhi Pasqyrat), Pulëbardha Beach and Manastir Beach. You can also find beaches in a northerly direction, such as the beautiful Bunec Beach, just south of Piqeras. This quiet and relaxed beach became a favorite for us. Here the warm water was interspersed with occasional cold currents from the mountains, which was a wonderfully refreshing experience.
10. Taste Albanian specialties
In Albania, you can enjoy fresh seafood, octopus, grilled lamb, byrek and local wines at the city's many restaurants. It is also common to find dishes inspired by Italy and Greece. The prices are still good, so you can easily treat yourself to both a starter and a dessert.
READ MORE: Albanian food - 20 classic dishes you must try
11. Visit the old synagogue complex
In the middle of Saranda are the remains of a synagogue from the 5th–6th centuries, reminiscent of the city's long history.
12. Watch the sun set over the Ionian Sea
Saranda is one of the few places on the Albanian Riviera where you can watch the sun set over the Ionian Sea, with Corfu on the horizon.
There is a lot to see and do in Saranda, and you will still find more tips about Saranda on the German website Explorertom.
An anecdote from our first meeting with Saranda
We drove into Saranda with our camper van and the first thing on our agenda was to get internet SIM cards for our phones. Parking a 7.3 meter camper van in the middle of town was not easy.
The cars were parked wide on the streets or at an angle so that they stuck out far into the lane. But finally we found a parking space right outside the Vodafone store. We crossed the street and then a … cow came! On its way to the pharmacy, maybe?
It was fine to get a SIM card in Albania, at least not if we showed our passports and gave my dad's first name. Yes, you read that right!
I asked three times: Do you mean the last name perhaps? Are you sure you really want …? Yes, my father's first name, otherwise there will be no SIM card. Ok, of course we gave the name and we got our SIM card.
Saranda in 3 days – complete day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 – Discover Saranda
- Morning: Start with a walk along Saranda's promenade and take a dip at one of the city's beaches. Be sure to visit the remains of the old synagogue in the center.
- Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant on the promenade and try fresh fish or another Albanian specialty.
- Afternoon: Make your way up to Lëkurësi Castle, where you will be treated to stunning views of Saranda, the Ionian Sea, and the Greek island of Corfu.
- Evening: End the day with dinner by the water and enjoy the sunset over the sea.
Day 2 – Butrint, Ksamil and Albania's beautiful beaches
- Morning: Visit Butrint, one of Albania's most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites with remains from several different eras.
- Lunch: Have lunch in Ksamil, preferably at a restaurant with a sea view.
- Afternoon: Relax on one of the beaches in Ksamil or continue to Mirror Beach or Pulëbardha Beach for swimming and relaxation.
- Evening: Dinner back in Saranda.
Day 3 – Blue Eye and Gjirokastër
- Morning: Take a trip to the famous Blue Eye spring (Syri i Kaltër) and enjoy the beautiful nature.
- Lunch: On the road towards Gjirokastër or in the old city center.
- Afternoon: Explore Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, traditional stone houses and a mighty fortress with stunning views.
- Evening: Return to Saranda for a final dinner and perhaps an evening stroll along the promenade.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Are you traveling around Albania and want to see more? Here you will find more reports and tips on places to discover:
Tips in Saranda – our best advice for your trip
- Make sure you have cash – Although you can pay with cards in larger places, cash is still important in Albania.
- Bathing shoes can be nice – Many beaches in Albania are rocky beaches with pebbles.
- Get an e-SIM or local SIM card – Albania is not included in the roaming-free zone, and using your own subscription can be extremely expensive.
FAQ - frequently asked questions about Saranda
Where is Sarandë located?
Located at the bottom of Albania's southern coast, on the Ionian Sea and opposite the Greek island of Corfu, Saranda is one of Albania's most popular seaside resorts.
What is Saranda known for?
Saranda is known for its crystal clear waters, long promenade and location near several of Albania's top attractions, including the ancient city of Butrint and the famous Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye) spring.
How to get to Sarandë?
Many visitors fly to Corfu in Greece and then take the ferry to Saranda, a journey that takes between 30 minutes and just over an hour depending on the type of ferry. It is also possible to travel here by car or bus from Tirana and other parts of Albania.
How many days do you need in Saranda?
Three to five days is enough to enjoy the city's beaches and do some excursions in the surrounding area. Many choose to stay for a week to combine relaxation with sightseeing.
What is there to do in Sarandë?
Stroll along the promenade, swim at the city's beaches, visit the ancient city of Butrint and take a trip to the Blue Eye. You can also take boat trips along the coast or visit the small bathing coves north and south of the city.
Is Saranda a good destination for swimming?
Yes, Saranda is one of Albania's most popular beach destinations. There are both city beaches and several beautiful rocky and sandy beaches in the surrounding area, with clear turquoise water.
Is Saranda child-friendly?
Yes, Saranda is great for families with children. Many beaches have calm waters and the car-free promenade is nice for evening walks. There are also plenty of family-friendly hotels and restaurants.
When is the best time to visit Sarandë?
May, June and September offer pleasant temperatures and fewer visitors. July and August are high season with warm weather, a lively atmosphere and many tourists.
What should not be missed in Saranda?
Don't miss the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, the natural phenomenon of the Blue Eye and a stroll along the promenade at sunset. If you have time, the beaches of Ksamil and Mirror Beach are also well worth a visit.
Can you combine Saranda with other destinations in Albania?
Yes, Saranda is often combined with Ksamil, Butrint and Blue Eye. Many also take the opportunity to visit the Greek island of Corfu or continue north along the Albanian Riviera towards Himarë and Dhërmi.
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Aila says:
Albania sounds more and more interesting...
/Aila Liberty's owner
19 August 2015 - 17:13
anita wag agrimanaki says:
The father's first name is very important here in Greece too...
Even on my bank cards, the first letter of my father's first name appears between my name and surname. Letters from authorities, for example, always include my father's name in the address.
19 August 2015 - 17:30
admin says:
Aila, Albania is really super nice! Beautiful nature, nice beaches and friendly people. But you have to be prepared for some general chaos, bad roads in some places (not everywhere) and campsites that are a bit more disorganised than we might be used to...
Anita, interesting! Is it only women who have to give the father's name, or do men do it too...?
19 August 2015 - 17:40
Ama de casa says:
Haha! Cows in the middle of the streets is not the most common thing in Europe anyway 🙂 .
Here in Spain, the authorities are also curious about the parents' first names. But usually they want both mum and dad's first name, so maybe it's a bit more equal? 😉
The surnames are completely uninteresting.
19 August 2015 - 18:35
admin says:
Ama de casa, is that true? What's with the first names...????
19 August 2015 - 18:57
Åsa says:
I wonder if they double-check? What if you don't have a father? Can you maybe pull something, Glenn or Gudmund or something? Haha!
19 August 2015 - 19:18
BP says:
Since we were incredibly inspired by your posts about Albania, we wondered if there were charter trips to Albania. Oh of course you have the answer right away! Saranda really looks like any southern European tourist resort - minus the skyscrapers, thankfully.
As AMA says, I can also tell you that I had to give my father's first name when I made a police report in Benidorm, where we were robbed. I even told them that my dad was dead, but that didn't help much.
19 August 2015 - 19:49
admin says:
Åsa, haha, I find it hard to believe that the telephone company also does detective work. I could have said just about anything... (and my dad is no longer alive, by the way).
BP, oh how nice that we inspired you! Of course, Albania is also a bit messy and disorganised, but it's also part of the charm that everything is not tourist-perfect (and I think I can now tolerate that ;)). It's beautiful and cheap and everyone is so friendly! And charter to Saranda seems to work well! (Interesting this about the parents' first names! My dad is not alive either but I think it was uninteresting...)
19 August 2015 - 20:08
Anja says:
emri i parë is apparently the first name in Albanian... Had to check...
The first name is even stranger if you consider that this is a Muslim country where all men are called Muhamed, Muhamad or Muhamadani or something like that...
I wonder what bulls and cows are called - if they have names... :)?
19 August 2015 - 20:19
Steve says:
Albania is full of surprises.
19 August 2015 - 20:39
admin says:
Anja, wow, you've done a lot of research! 😉 I recognise that "emri". Albanian is a tricky language otherwise. So far I can say car wash, thank you, yoghurt and fat content, haha. And haha, very funny reflection with Mohammed 😉 I suddenly understand even less the point... 😉 As for the animals, it's interesting. I don't know, maybe they don't even have names?
Steve, yep, this is the land of surprises 😉.
19 August 2015 - 20:51
Lennart says:
Not a day goes by that I don't read about your trip. For me, you are welcome to travel for another year?
19 August 2015 - 21:00
Malin says:
Great to bump into you on the street and hear about your amazing trip. Continue to have a great time and it was very inspiring to read your travel blog. ?Malin
20 August 2015 - 7:37
Ditte says:
New experiences and new experiences, just as I think travelling should be. If it's "like home" then travelling doesn't add much.
That Apollo has started with charter to Albamia sounds exciting but it should be / be fairly easy to fly there on your own. But I have understood that it is a bit tricky to rent a car and that it takes a bit of craftsmanship to move within the country with public communications (heard from younger train travellers) but surely it is possible.
I'm glad that it went so well and that the internet seems to work well.
20 August 2015 - 8:26
admin says:
Lennart, how nice that you like to follow us! We would love to travel another year... but we have to work a bit first 😉.
Malin, likewise, great fun!!! Wish you a continued nice holiday!
Ditte, we have read that the trains are old and mostly only run within the country. We can see if we can find out about renting a car. Internet works well here, both wifi and sim card.
20 August 2015 - 9:30
anita wag agrimanaki says:
Regarding the father's name, both men and women must give the father's name. Letters from the authorities to my son are addressed "to Nikos of Jannis" and to the husband "to Jannis of Nikos (father-in-law's name was Nikos) and since the first son is often given the grandfather's name, the son can apparently identify himself in the same way as the father-in-law i.e. "Nikos of Jannis". Strange or? But I wonder if it is not a bit like in older times in Sweden with the son names.
20 August 2015 - 11:21
admin says:
Anita, thank you for your answer! Then I understand a little better! Yes, it's probably a bit like the son names in the past. But Greeks and Albanians have surnames too? I guess they haven't really caught on ...
20 August 2015 - 14:43
Anna says:
In Albania, the entire population is not Muslim, but many Orthodox :). Just in southern Albania, the majority is orthodox and therefore I think it is odd you have encountered someone named Muhammad hahah. When I was in Saranda in the summer of 2015, I thought it was really fun, beautiful, and exciting to see a different environment. The same summer I travelled to Rhodes city and discovered that life looks the same but that Ksamil had better and nicer beaches. I also encountered some Swedes who had travelled with Apollo in Saranda and it was fun to see that they enjoyed themselves 🙂.
23 June 2016 - 15:30