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City in southern Albania
Photo: Ceever, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sarandë, the gateway to southern Coastal Albania, is a small town of about 33,000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Sarandë is derived from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Sarandë was known as Onchesmus.
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Muzeu i Arkeologjisë
Small collection with remains of a Roman mosaic floor, kept in situ, plus findings from the area (mainly Illyrian, Greek and Roman).
There is a nice outdoor restaurant within the castle from which you have panoramic views of Sarandë Bay below, the inland mountains, the Butrint Lagoon and the island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea.
A maritime village.
This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic. - Despite being one of the greatest classical cities of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well as numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. Most of the sights are under tree shadows so you can go even in midday heat. Butrint visitors should allocate approximately 2 hours to enjoy the site; archaeology fans will probably want closer to 3 hours.
— one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road, perfect for camping.
This village has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. Ksamili is now heavily developed, with a large number of partially-completed properties. An extraordinary sight is that some of these new buildings are toppling over; this is believed to be where buildings have gone up without permission, and the police have sabotaged the building by pulling out a couple of upright pillars, leaving the owner to clear up the damage.
- part of the Albanian Riviera, here is Kakome, one of the most beautiful Albanian beaches. As of July 2018 the road access to Kakome beach was blocked by closed gates with guards, apparently due to a construction project.
The Blue Eye
Water spring - a natural phenomenon. The clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than 50 m-deep pool. A great place to visit and relax.
Friendship Park, Parku Miqesia
In the afternoon, when the sun is setting, you should go to Lekures, and watch the sun set, or you could go to the beach and relax with your friends or family while enjoying the beautiful sunset. Something else that you can do, when it’s not a really hot day is to go camping. If it’s not a hot day, camping would be a really good experience and also allow you to have a good time looking at the stars at night, and it would be a change from going to the beach. Another idea is to visit a new beach each day, such as one day “pllakat” the next day “manastiri” and so on.
This is a very stylish and beautiful place, sea views, lots of lounges outside, relaxed, and airy. Lunch, dinner, late night, drinks, table service, takeout.
Hostel Hasta La Vista offers Reception 24/7 with 36 air-conditioned accommodations with blackout drapes/curtains. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary reliable high-speed wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Guests have access to shared bathrooms. Bathrooms include showers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.
Tomi's Hostel
Centrally located in the heart of town, close to everything Sarandë has to offer. Bus route 6 min walk, Corfu ferry 1 min, Bus st. to Ksamil/Butrint 1 min, Bus st. to Greece 2 min, beach in front of the hostel, the famous promenade (xhiro) on our doorstep, the farmers market, fresh fruits & vegs 1 min. Open year-round. 14 dorm beds in a new building. Free breakfast. Free wifi. Kitchen. Free security lockers. Free linen & bedsheets. Free coffee and tea. Roof terrace. Beach BBQ dinners in front of the hostel in the summer. Run by Tomi, a local resident, who is such a nice and helpful guy. He will make you feel right at home by going out of his way to help you out. Knows lots of information about day trips to Butrint and the Blue Eye.
A small 18-bed hostel run by a great Irish lady. Has hot shower, laundry, free breakfast, 24-hour tea and coffee, internet, comfy bunks and a large balcony with great views of the beach and Corfu.
Hostel run by two wacky Australian blokes. Reception's available 24/7 along with sociable staff. Games of beer pong are often had and the owners will take you out for pub crawls.
There are plenty of private houses, apartments offered by locals especially during the high season period. The accommodation offered ranges from low-budget to highly exclusive locations both for low and reasonably high prices. However, if you are traveling in a group of more than 2 people, it is worth considering. The apartments can usually accommodate up to 10 people and are much cheaper than a hotel. Furthermore, you can usually cook in the apartment and save some money. But make sure to book your accommodation in advance, since most of the apartments get booked out very fast.
The simple. Mobile: +355 69 7233180
Wi-Fi.
Twenty rooms with a shower.
Market Vellezerit Myrtaj
By bus
For buses from Tirana there are two itineraries: Tirana-Durres-Fieri-Vlora-Dhermi-Sarandë or Tirana-Durresi-Fieri-Mallakastra-Tepelena-Gjirokastra-Sarandë.
By car
From Kosovo and North Macedonia follow this itinerary to reach Sarandë: Struga-Qafe Thana-Librazhd-Elbasani-Rrogozhina-Fier and so on.
By air
The idea of an airport in the village of Viron is of great interest, because it is only 5 km from Sarandë. A facility is the urban service offered nowadays.
The local bus from Sarandë center to Ksamil costs 150 lek (last updated 2022-08-18).
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Kerkyra (Corfu) · International · CFU
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