Places

Butrint

A place of great historical interest, Butrint is located only 20 minutes' drive from Saranda, in the very south of Albania. It is listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List and offers a stunning walk around sites from the Greek & Roman period until the early 20th century. A must-do, when in southern Albania. Open all year round, and off season you can really enjoy this place as there are few people here. 

Finiq 

Just east of Saranda, on a hill overlooking the surrounding farming flatlands as well as the Butrint channel is Finiq, another place well worth a visit. Here you can see archeological sites from the roman empire just next to bunkers from Enver Hoxha's Communist era. And the view of the surrounding areas is great. 

Lekurski Castle

The highest point in Saranda with great view over the city and a restaurant where they often have traditional live music in the evenings. 

Porto Palermo 

On the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, you can stop at the fort in Porto Palermo. It is very well preserved and you can walk both inside and at the top of it. The fort served as a submarine base during the Communist regime and there are abandoned tunnels in the rock below. If you are lucky you can get an enthusiastic guard guiding you inside and telling stories about the past!

The Blue Eye

On the mountain road from Saranda towards Gjirokastër, you can visit the cold well Syri I Kalter in Albanien. It's a good mix to visit Gjirokastër and the Blue Eye in the same day. The depth of the well has been measured to over 50 m and the water temperature is 12,75° C... It's a good mix to visit Gjirokastër and the Blue Eye in the same day and the drive from Saranda is around 30 min.

St Mary's Monastery

On the road to Kakome Beach you can take a short walk to the abandoned but well lokked after monastery. It has fantastic wall and roof paintings. Don't forget to leave some LEK for the family looking after it.