Sarandë, from the terrace.
Everything we tell our guests when they ask how to spend three days on the Albanian Riviera - beaches, ruins, ferries and long lunches.
Getting to Sarandë
Sarandë sits at the southern tip of the Albanian Riviera, a 30-minute ferry from Corfu, three hours by car from Tirana, and a scenic four-hour drive down the SH8 coastal road. The nearest airports are Corfu (CFU) and Tirana (TIA) - most guests arrive via the Corfu ferry.
Best beaches near Sarandë
Ksamil's four islets are 20 minutes south - turquoise water and swim-to shores. Pulëbardha and Mirror Beach are quieter picks north of town. For a wilder day, drive to Gjipe Beach and hike down the canyon.
Read the full Sarandë beaches guide →Butrint National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site 20 km south - Greek, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman ruins layered inside a lagoon. Go at 8am before the buses arrive, and pair with lunch back in Ksamil.
The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
A karst spring so deep no one has measured its bottom, glowing electric blue between fir trees. About 45 minutes inland - combine with a stop at Lëkurësi Castle for the drive back.
Day trip to Corfu
Two ferries a day cross to Corfu Town - 30 minutes on the fast boat. Passport required, book same-day at the Sarandë port office. Great for a change of pace or an old-town evening.
Where to eat in Sarandë
The waterfront (Bulevardi Hasan Tahsini) is where locals go for fresh fish and long dinners. Krahu i Shqiponjës sits at the northern end, right on the rail. For morning byrek, walk two blocks up to the market. For late-night raki, the old-town side streets stay open past midnight.
Coming to town? Save an evening for us.