Sarandë is the largest city on the Albanian Riviera. Once a hamlet of a few houses, it is now a bustling resort resembling a concrete jungle. There are virtually no sights to be found in Sarandë itself, but some interesting locations are located in the immediate vicinity. Sarandë is a transport hub and an ideal destination for exploring the coast, the Greek island of Corfu, as well as the UNESCO sites of Gjirokastër and Butrint.
The city was founded in the 5th century BC in a sheltered bay by ancient Greeks and called Onchesmos. The settlement persisted into the times of ancient Romans and later Byzantine Empire. It is believed, that Sarandë had a Jewish presence as early as the early Middle Ages. This is demonstrated by the discovery of the remnants of a synagogue dating from the 6th century AD, which some Israeli academics say is among the earliest evidence of Jewish culture’s presence outside the Holy Land.
There are no buildings commemorating these events that have remained, but some excavations and mosaics can be seen at the Archaeological Museum (Muzeu Arkeologjik, open 9:00-16:00, entry 200 leks).
A visit to Lëkurës Castle (Kalaja e Lëkurësit) is a must-do in Saranda. The Turkish Sultan Suleiman built it in 1537 on one of the hills above Sarandë to bolster his attack against the island of Corfu. The castle is now a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the sea from its terrace, especially around sunset. It is four kilometres from the centre and is accessible by an asphalt road.
On the adjacent hill, there are ruins of the early Christian Monastery of the Forty Saints (Manastiri i Dyzet Shënjtorëve). It dates back to the 5th or 6th centuries and used to be one of the oldest monasteries in Albania. Sarandë itself was named after it as the Greek word for the 40 saints is Hagioi Saranta.
The monastery was destroyed and built up again several times in its history. But in the Second World War, it was almost razed to the ground as a result of Allied bombing. Only the crypt of the basilica remained. Due to the immense cultural value of the monastery, the Albanian government is considering its restoration. The monastery is worth a visit for the views of the city and the opposite island of Corfu alone.
The city centre itself has a modern look and is characterised by dense multi-storey buildings, most of them hotels. A pleasant spot is the newly renovated Naim Frashëri waterfront promenade and adjacent beach.
Sarandë is well connected to the rest of Albania. There is no bus station in Sarandë, but rather several streets around Parku Miqësia where all the buses and minibuses depart and terminate.
Tickets from Tirana to Saranë can be bought on-line via Gjirafa bus search engine.
Tirana (5:00 / 6:30 / 8:30 / 9:30 / 10:45 / 14:00 / 22:00), Berat (08.00 / 10.15 / 14.30), Durrës (5:00), Elbasan (06.00 / 11.30 / 13.30), Fier (12.00 / 12.30), Vlorë (07.30 / 11.30), Finiq (07.00 / 09.00 / 11.00 / 13.30), Përmet (07.30), Himarë (10.00 / 13.00), Korçë (5:30). The once short intervals of buses to Gjirokastër (1 hour) have become less frequent after the opening of the Skërfica tunnel.
Buses to Ksamil run from Sarandë roughly every hour, with the final stop being Butrint. The bus stop in Sarandë can be found at the intersection of Rruga Mithat Hoxha and Rruga Jonianët, a short walk from the port.
There is also a bus line from Sarandë to Pristina, Kosovo (15:30, 16:30), Skopje, North Macedonia (11:30) and Athens, Greece (6:00). The best way to travel between Sarandë and Igoumenitsa in Greece is to take a bus to the border crossing Qafë Bota/Mavromati, cross the border on foot, and finish the rest by taxi or minibuses waiting on the other side of the border.
You can also take a ferry from the Greek island of Corfu to Sarandë which is provided by Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways. The companies run at least six sailings a day in high season, with daily sailings in low season. The ferry can be very useful for those, who plan to reach the Albanian Riviera from Corfu Airport which has flights to almost every country in Europe.
WARNING: Be aware that there is a one-hour time difference between Greece and Albania. So please, take this into the account when booking your ferry ticket to catch a flight in Corfu!
Day trips from Sarandë
As a transport hub and a gateway to the Albanian Riviera, Sarandë has a plethora of enchanting day trip opportunities. Visit the hidden beach of Krorëz, the famous Blue Eye spring, or the UNESCO-listed sites of Gjirokastër and Butrint with the help of local tourist agencies.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Use Booking.com to find the best places to stay in Sarandë.
Flights
Find the cheapest flight to Albania or Korfu on Kiwi.com It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
Airalo provides affordable and convenient mobile data to keep you connected wherever you travel. Forget local SIM or roaming charges.
Experiences
Book a day trip from Sarandë on Viator.com.