13 Splendid Things to Do in Saranda, Albania (+ Nearby!)

Planning a trip to Albania’s gorgeous riviera and considering whether the best things to do in Saranda make it worth a visit?

We asked ourselves the same question, and here’s the short answer: after basing ourselves there for almost a week during our latest trip to the Balkans, we’re so glad we decided to visit Saranda!

Nestled along the sparkling Ionian Sea (and rapidly climbing further and further into the hills above it thanks to new construction), Saranda is a delightful and convenient home base along the Albanian Riviera.

If you’re looking for idyllic cobblestone streets and historic architecture, this is not the city for you (outside of a handful of specific attractions, anyway).

If, one the other hand, you’re looking for access to magnificent beaches and a very diverse set of day trips that will lead you to some of the best places to visit in Albania, Saranda is a fantastic spot.

In other words, it’s a city that’s as much about the surroundings as the city itself.

Here are the best things to do in Saranda… and nearby!

Spelling Saranda vs. Sarandë vs. Sarande

If you’re planning a trip to Albania, you’ll likely see Saranda written variously as Sarandë, Saranda, and Sarande.

Sarandë is the city’s official name in Albanian, and the English translation is technically Saranda. However, many people simply drop the diaeresis (which represents a schwa in Albanian) when writing in English and write Sarande.

You’ll see similar occurrences throughout the country, like in Himarë vs. Himare vs. Himara, and Tiranë vs. Tirana.

I’ve opted to use Saranda throughout this blog post.

Planning Your Saranda Trip in a Hurry?

Planning your trip to Saranda at the last minute and want to see as much as you can, as fast as you can?

We’ll cover all the best things to do in Saranda in much more detail below, but to get you started, here are the top tours and travel experiences we recommend in this blog post:

• Blue Eye, Gjiokastra, Lekursi Castle + More Day Trip (several of the best places to visit near Saranda in one efficient day)
• Ionian Coast Hidden Beaches & Caves Boat Tour (includes places you can’t access without a boat!)
• Butrint, Ksamil + Beyond Day Trip (UNESCO ruins, beach time & beyond)
• Ksamil Islands Boat Tour (a day on the water in Ksamil!)

Wondering where to stay? Here’s the apartment we loved:

• Sea Crest Apartments (the balcony with a sea view is incredible)

The Best Things to Do in Saranda, Albania

Stroll along the Hasan Tahsini Boulevard and Saranda Promenade.

The palm-tree-lined Hasan Tahsini Boulevard and Saranda Promenade are the perfect place to kick off any trip to Saranda.

Lined with restaurants and cafes, pebbled beaches and quirky landmarks like the “Welcome to Saranda City” Stairway (to nowhere), it’s a delightful place to stroll and relax.

It reminded me quite a bit of Split’s promenade, and we found ourselves spending quite a bit of time there (and not just because there’s a handful of small playgrounds scattered along the promenade that our toddler loved).

Book a boat tour to some of the best beaches in Albania.

One thing quickly becomes clear when planning a trip to the Albanian Riviera in general: the best beaches are often a car and/or boat ride away from town.

Saranda is no exception, which is why signing up for a multi-stop boat tour like this is easily one of the best things to do in Saranda!

Generally, the way boat tours work in Albania is that several beaches and coves will be on the agenda, and one of them will be selected to spend a longer amount of time at… but which beach that is varies by the day.

However, places like Turtle Bay, Kroreza Beach, and Kepi I Qefalit are all phenomenal, so it’s hard to go wrong!

Book your Saranda boat tour today!

… or enjoy the beach right in the city center.

True, the beaches in the city center don’t have quite the charm of the more isolated coves, but we loved our time at Saranda’s public beach!

The water was crystal clear, the views lovely, and best of all, it was free and quick to visit.

We went a handful of times during our trip to Saranda, mostly for short stops when we wanted to enjoy the water without a big time commitment.

Check out the Synagogue Complex and the Archaeological Museum.

Located in the center of Saranda, you’ll find the remains of a basilica-turned-synagogue dating to the as early as the 4th century BCE!

This is a fairly small ruin site, and is quick and free to see.

You can also visit the nearby Museum of Archaeology, which is extremely small but houses some of the artifacts, including impressive mosaic floors, from the Synagogue Complex.

There’s a small charge to enter the museum (100 lek as of 2026).

Stop by the Saranda Farmers Market.

Listed as the Saranda Town Market on Google Maps, this casual covered market was a fun stop for produce in Saranda!

We enjoyed our visit and stocked up on cherries, peaches, fig pie (an obsession during our latest Balkans trip: think the inside of a Fig Newton, but much better), zucchini, peppers, and olives.

In general in Albania, we found supermarket produce lacking more often than not, and mostly shopped for it at farmers markets and roadside stands.

The Saranda Farmers Market seemed to walk the line between being for locals and for tourists: it didn’t feel like an exclusively tourist market, but I have no doubt that prices were higher there than at roadside stands outside the center!

Be sure to ask for prices before committing to a purchase, as they’re not listed and can vary.

Admire views of Saranda and beyond from Lekursi (Lëkurësi) Castle.

Without doubt, the coolest part of visiting Lëkurësi Castle is the views! Perched at the top of a cliff, from here you can admire incredible views of the Ionian Sea, Saranda, Corfu, and beyond.

This isn’t a typical castle visit, in the sense that there’s no museum or signage to explore. Instead, much of the 16th century Ottoman castle has been taken over by a restaurant and cafe, though you can easily visit without being a customer.

Don’t miss getting a glimpse at the Saranda Lighthouse just a short walk down the road, either! There’s a nearby bunker to peer into, to, though not much to see in it.

Lëkurësi Castle is free to visit, and there’s a parking lot just below the entrance to the castle walls.

By far the easiest way to visit Lëkurësi Castle is to drive there from downtown Saranda (which is what we did), or visit as part of a multi-stop day trip like this.

You can technically walk/hike there, which takes about an hour from the Saranda Promenade. People do it, but it’s mostly an uninspired, unshaded walk along the road, so be prepared for that!

Check out the Monastery of the 40 Saints.

As the monastery that gave Saranda its name, it’s safe to say that the Monastery of the 40 Saints is worth including on a list of the top things to see in Saranda!

Today, the monastery is in ruins, but as the story goes, 40 martyrs perished here rather than denounce their Christian faith. The monastery itself, which featured a cooresponding 40 rooms, was built in the 6th century.

“Saranda” itself means “40”.

There’s not much signage here, and the monastery is definitely a ruin these days, but the history is memorable and the views are incredible!

However, no buses run here, and like Lëkurësi Castle, it’s just under an hour’s walk from the Saranda Promenade, much of the way being steep, unshaded, and taking place on the roadside. In other words, it’s not an atmospheric hike.

The views are incredible, but fairly similar to those from the castle.

Personally, I think that if you don’t have a car to make visiting simple, you could easily opt to visit either Lëkurësi Castle or the Monastery of 40 Saints, rather than both. If you’d like to visit both on foot, it’s about a 45-minute walk between the two.

Cool Places to Visit Near Saranda

Looking for the best day trips from Saranda? All of these places are well worth a visit!

The Blue Eye of Saranda, Butrint, Gjiorkastra, and the beaches of Ksamil in particular are often considered some of the best things to see in Albania overall, and all of them are located within a short drive of Saranda.

If you rent a car and drive, these are easy enough to explore yourself. We drove to all of these spots (except Corfu, of course).

If you’d rather not drive, this popular day trip gets excellent reviews and includes stops at the Blue Eye, Gjiorkastra, and Lekursi Castle! Alternatively, you can reach most of them by bus (some more easily than others).

Here’s where not to miss near Saranda:

Marvel at UNESCO-recognized ruins in Butrint.

As the first UNESCO site recognized in Albania, and a fairly uncrowded one by the standards of Roman ruins in Europe, Butrint is absolutely worth a visit!

Like so many ancient cities in the area, Butrint’s story feels like everyone passed through and had a hand in it: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans.

Today, its best known attractions include Asclepius’ Sancutary (which we loved: the water gives it a lived-in feel) and the Ancient Theatre.

Ali Pasha’s Castle, accessible via a short boat ride, is simultaneously well-known within Butrint and typically uncrowded, since it takes a bit of a commitment to get to!

Much of the standard route through Butrint is shaded, but summer heat and competitive parking (if you drive) makes an early morning here very appealing. The site opens at 8:30 AM in April through October, 9:00 AM in the off-season. You can check updated hours and visiting information here.

You can easily visit Butrint independently, but it’s also included on some guided day trips like this.

Visit the famous Blue Eye of Saranda (Syri i Kalter).

Magnificent and mysterious, the iconic Blue Eye of Saranda is a karst spring that’s said to be more than 50 meters deep: no one as ever reached the bottom!

Located about 30 minutes inland from Saranda by car, it’s one of the most famous views in Albania, and it’s truly even more beautiful than photos can convey.

It’s also a fairly quick stop. Since you can’t swim in the spring, really much of your visit is taken up by traveling from the parking lot (30 minute walk or quick touristy train ride) to the spring, and maybe grabbing a drink or snack at one of the cafes alongside it.

There are some trails in the area, but as far as the iconic view itself, you don’t need long.

For that reason, we recommend combining a trip to the Blue Eye with another stop in the area. Gjiorkastra is the obvious choice (though note that a new-ish road means you’ll need to detour a bit further than you once needed to to reach the Blue Eye).

This popular day trip includes a stop at the Blue Eye, and if you choose to drive like we did, there’s plenty of parking.

Note that there’s a second Blue Eye in Albania, up in the mountains near Theth. You’re looking for the one close to Saranda!

Pay a visit to one of Ksamil’s famous beaches.

Just 30 minutes up the road from Saranda, you’ll find the bustling beach town of Ksamil.

Justifiably famous, Ksamil is home to absolutely stunning beaches, featuring glistening blue water, (artificial) sand, and oodles of beach clubs.

The beaches here have been compared to the Maldives and Thailand, and while personally I think that’s a bit much, they are certainly beautiful!

During the high season, you’ll find virtually every beach packed tightly with sunbeds run by various beach clubs.

While you can seek out some small sections of public beach if you try, they are extremely competitive to access during the summer!

For this reason, plus the general crowds, I don’t recommend making Ksamil your only summer beach destination in Albania unless you want to prioritize being in the thick of the action… but it is definitely a beautiful spot worth seeing if you’re in the area!

The main Ksamil beach, Ksamil 7 Beach, is a great starting point, but show up early if you’re visiting during the high season (which is better for enjoying the water anyway: it tends to be windier in the afternoon)! Here’s a great roundup of Ksamil’s various beaches.

A boat tour like this, that will take you to the famous Ksamil Islands, is also a great way to spend a day.

Book your Ksamil Islands tour today!

Take a day trip to Greece.

While it’s much more popular to take a day trip from Corfu to Saranda than the other way around, you can absolutely day trip to Corfu Town, too!

Located a tantalizing 30 minutes or so across the sea, traveling to Corfu from Saranda is as easy as booking a ferry ticket through Finikas Lines or Ionian Seaways. Note that tickets are cheaper the earlier you book, but booking in person may yield a 10% discount for same-day return tickets. If you experience this, we’d love to hear about it!

We spent a few days in Corfu during our trip, and were surprised by how much we loved it!

Despite being so close to Saranda, it feels worlds apart. And, while distinctly Greek, the architecture screams Italy in many places thanks to Venetian influences.

On a day trip, you can check out views from the Old Fortress, stroll the Liston Promenade, wander the narrow streets of the Campiello district, and even go to the beach if you’re so inclined (we had a wonderful afternoon at Faliraki Beach).

Of course, indulging in excellent Greek food is a must!

We can recommend Mouragia for a classic Greek tavern experience near the water. Save room for dessert and stop by the Dairy Shop of Alexis for rice pudding before leaving!

Check out one of the best castles in Albania in Gjiorkastra (Gjirokastër).

The UNESCO-recognized inland town of Gjiorkastra, with its stone houses, imposing castle at the top of the hill, and picturesque bazaar, is (along with Berat) one of the best places to see Ottoman-era architecture in Albania.

In other words, Gjiorkastra feels nothing like Saranda from an architectural perspective!

Incredibly picturesque, Gjiorkastra is absolutely worth a visit… but it’s also quite small, and considering it’s under an hour from Saranda by car, we felt like a day trip there was plenty.

Be sure to explore the castle and its various viewpoints (don’t miss the Cold War-era US fighter jet that ended up in Albania circa 1957), wander through the 5 streets of the bazaar, and do a bit of souvenir shopping if you’re so inclined!

There are a few museums in town, including the Ethnographic Museum (housed in the former home of dictator Enver Hoxha), some small house museums, and even a “Nostalgia Tunnel” near the castle that covers Gjiorkastra’s history from ancient to modern in a quirky space.

Where to Stay When Visiting Saranda, Albania

The biggest thing to consider when deciding where to stay in Saranda is location. Otherwise, you may end up with quite the climb!

Saranda is, along with the Albanian Riviera in general, rapidly expanding, with new buildings climbing into the hills as fast as construction workers can put them up.

As a result, many places in Saranda are now quite a hike from the beach, promenade, and other amenities of the city. If walkability is important to you, be sure to carefully review the location of where you’re staying!

We absolutely loved our stay at Sea Crest Apartments and would happily recommend them.

Not only was the view impeccable and the apartment extremely clean and comfortable, but the on-site parking made getting in and out of town incredibly easy. To top it off, we were a very short walk from the promenade, while being set just far enough back that noise wasn’t an issue.

We ended up extending our stay here and would happily book again!

Generally speaking, apartment rentals are very popular in Saranda. However, if you’re looking for a more traditional hotel experience, Hotel Royal Saranda boasts incredible reviews in a great location on the beach!

Check rates & book your stay in Saranda today!

Getting Around When Visiting Saranda

While Saranda is an excellent base for the surrounding area, this isn’t a city where you can simply see everything you want to on foot. You’ll definitely need other transportation!

The options essentially break down to buses, guided tours, renting a car and driving, or some combination of the three.

As you plan your trip to Albania you’ll likely notice that the bus “system” (highly informal and frequently without reliable online schedules) is considered highly intimidating… and that driving is often considered just as intimidating.

Inevitably, most travelers choose either to travel via bus or rent a car, make it through their trip, and then declare that it was totally doable and undoubtedly easier than the other option.

I’ll resist that temptation, since I’m sure we could have figured the buses out just fine, but I will say that driving was not even 20% as bad as we feared (though we didn’t visit the Accursed Mountains), and definitely preferable to us when traveling with a toddler.

Here’s a very brief overview of the 3 options:

Exploring Saranda By Bus

In Saranda in particular, if you’re traveling via bus, the Saranda-Butrint bus (via Ksamil) and Saranda-Gjiorkastra bus will be useful routes to get between the attractions included in this blog post.

This bus schedule is worth perusing to get a feel for things, though I strongly recommend confirming the schedules and stop locations with locals on the ground.

Exploring Saranda By Car

We road-tripped through a good chunk of Albania during our 3-week Balkan trip, covering Tirana, Berat, Gjiorkastra, Saranda, Ksamil, Himara, and the Blue Eye, plus occasional detours and a few days in Ohrid, North Macedonia.

Overall, we found the driving to be very smooth outside of the occasional extremely aggressive driver (virtually always in a very expensive vehicle).

Parking was plentiful (though early mornings are advised during high season), highways smooth, and the occasional rough or dirt road navigable enough. We did have a couple of brief livestock-based traffic jams in the countryside, but those were more entertaining than anything.

We wouldn’t hesitate to drive in Albania again or to recommend it to confident drivers, and definitely left feeling like it was the simplest and most convenient way to get around, especially as a family (though again, people who travel by bus tend to be just as validated in their choices by the end!).

If you’d like to rent a car, we recommend comparing prices and inclusions via Discover Cars, which is an aggregate that will quickly compare multiple companies on your behalf.

In our case, we ended up going through Sicily By Car for this trip and had an unremarkable experience. As always, we purchased additional collision insurance for peace of mind.

Shop rental cars for your trip to Albania today!

Exploring Saranda By Organized Tour

Even if you opt to travel around Saranda by bus or car, there’s one thing you’ll likely want to book an organize day trip for: visiting beaches by boat!

Throughout the Albanian Riviera, many of the most lauded beaches are accessible only by boat, and booking a day trip like this is an easy (and fun) way to access some of them for yourself.

Want to visit some inland destinations without dealing with buses or driving? This multi-stop day tirp to Gjiorkastra, the Blue Eye, and more is popular for good reason!

Book your boat day and/or Blue Eye/Gjiorkastra day trip day!

Should You Base Yourself in Saranda On the Albanian Riviera?

Before visiting the Albanian Riveria for ourselves, we hemmed and hawwed quite a bit about whether to stay in Saranda, Ksamil, or the up the road an hour in Himara.

From what I could tell, this is a common question!

In the end, we stayed in both Saranda and Himara, and visited Ksamil on a couple of day trips. It ended up feeling like the right balance for us, and I think we made the right decision.

We were visiting Albania as a family of 3 (two experienced traveler parents, one 2 year old enchanted with beaches) with zero interest in nightlife, which certainly played into our preferences.

In our experience, we found Ksamil felt like a built up backpacker beach town, perfect for travelers who want to be in the center of the action. If you squint, parts of the main drags could’ve been just about anywhere that backpackers haunt, though definitely with international prices and heavy traffic.

Saranda felt less like a small beach town and more like a city that happened to be on the beach, if that makes sense. I wouldn’t call it atmospheric in most places, but it was incredibly practical and easy to get in and out of for day trips.

We adored Himara, and agree with other parents that it’s the perfect beach to visit with young kids… but it’s far enough away from Saranda, Ksamil, and popular day trips like the Blue Eye that I do think we would’ve missed out on some of what we wanted to see if we had based ourselves there the whole time.

(Though no doubt we would’ve found other favorites, like the Porto Palermo Castle.)

Map of the Best Things to See in Saranda

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.