From beach days in Ksamil and adventures at the Blue Eye, to sunsets at Lëkurësi Castle these are the best day trips from Sarandë, Albania.
Are you visiting Sarandë soon and wondering what special experiences you can add to your time there? I’ve got plenty of inspiration for you!
About Sarandë
Sarandë (often spelled as Saranda) is one of the largest beach towns on the Albanian Riviera. We visited as part of our family road trip around the country, which took us from Tirana, down along the coast, then inland to the mountains of Permet. It was an amazing adventure, spanning beaches, mountains, culture and tasty food. If you’re looking for a whole Albania itinerary, definitely read my guide.
Once you find out about all the amazing destinations nearby, you’ll understand why we loved staying in Sarandë so much. The town itself is known for its clear turquoise waters, pebbly beaches and pretty views across to Corfu. Compared to other Albanian beach towns it’s quite built up, with hotels and accommodation stacked up from the beaches. We loved walking the palm-lined promenade and ate at several restaurants during our trip. Don’t miss a trip to Marea – I had one of the best pizzas I’ve had in years!
You can catch the ferry to Corfu from Sarande, which helps make it busy all year round. Many other destinations along Albania’s Rivera are seasonal, so if you’re visiting out of the summer months, I’d say stay in Sarande. By late October, places like Ksamil were pretty much closed. To be honest, the only thing we didn’t love about the town was the parking. We booked an apartment and finding on-street parking close by was challenging, even in October!
If you’re using Sarandë as a base like we did, I’m going to share some of our favourite places to visit. Most are no more than 30-60 mins drive away, so you can fit them in as half days or spend a full day out.
11 Amazing Day Trips From Sarandë, Albania
Lëkurësi Castle
- Approximately 4 km from central Sarandë
- 10–15 minutes by car
Rather than planning a full day trip, Lëkurësi Castle is somewhere to spend a couple of hours, ideally arriving late afternoon. It’s one of the best sunset spots in the region. This historic fortress sits high above Sarandë, with incredible panoramic views across the town, the Ionian Sea and even as far as the Greek island of Corfu. There’s a restaurant and bar at the top, along with a huge multi-level terrace. Simply drive up, find yourself a seat and settle in for the views.
We grabbed a glass of wine and spent around 30 minutes watching the sun go down. The sky gradually shifted through the most beautiful shades of orange and peach, before a soft pink glow took over. It was one of those lovely moments that everyone around you seems to share, a little like watching the sunset in Ibiza.
Be warned, though, this place gets incredibly busy during the summer months, particularly since becoming a social media hotspot. It’s all over TikTok! I’ve heard it can get quite hectic, but I wouldn’t let that put you off visiting. Just give yourself plenty of time to arrive and find parking, and take it slowly on the drive back down. It’s well worth it for the sunset alone.
If you don’t have your own transport, you could look at this tour, which takes you to The Blue Eye in the daytime, then to the castle for sunset,
Himarë
- Approximately 54 km north of Sarandë
- 1 hour 10–15 minutes by car
The drive from Sarandë to Himarë is worth doing for the scenery alone. Expect spectacular mountain roads, steep valleys and endless views of the turquoise Ionian Sea. The roads are winding and steep in places, so take your time, but I promise the views are absolutely incredible.
Himarë is a pretty little beach town, with a stretch of pale, almost white pebbles and the most wonderfully clear water. One end of the beach is framed by a tree-lined peninsula, making for a particularly lovely setting. Even when we visited in late October, there were still people swimming, and I could completely understand the temptation!
During the summer months, you’ll also find a choice of beach clubs along the waterfront, where you can hire sun loungers, order a drink and spend a lazy afternoon by the sea. The promenade has a buzzy vibe with lots of restaurants and cafés. Himarë might not have quite the character of some of Albania’s more historic towns, but the beach and beautiful coastal setting more than make up for it.
Porto Palermo Castle
- Approximately 45 km north of Sarandë
- 50–60 minutes by car
Sitting on a small peninsula jutting out into a beautiful sheltered bay, the triangular-shaped castle is quite a sight. It’s only a short five-minute walk from the parking area to reach the entrance, making it an easy addition to a day exploring the Albanian Riviera.
There’s a small entrance fee if you fancy exploring inside, but honestly, I think the setting is the real attraction here. The castle overlooks the most gorgeous bay, with its emerald-green water, little fishing boats and surrounding mountains. It’s one of those places where you’ll probably want to spend as much time admiring the scenery as exploring the historic building itself.
If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a small restaurant overlooking the bay. We thought the setting was absolutely spectacular, and it had some of the best restaurant views of anywhere we visited in Albania!
Porto Palermo Castle makes a lovely stop on a day trip from Sarandë, particularly if you’re driving north towards Himarë.
Butrint National Archaeological Park
- Approximately 18 km south of Sarandë
- 25–30 minutes by car
One of the most fascinating day trips from Sarandë is to Butrint National Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back more than 2,500 years. This ancient city is home to an incredible collection of ruins, including a Roman theatre, ancient city walls and a basilica, all of which offer a fascinating glimpse into Albania’s past.
What I felt makes Butrint particularly special is its setting. Rather than being surrounded by modern buildings or busy roads, the ruins are tucked away among lush woodland, lakes and wetlands. There are beautiful views around every corner, and I loved how nature is intertwined with the ancient city.
You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering along the shaded pathways, exploring the ruins and taking in the scenery. Even if you’re not usually someone who gets excited about ancient history, I think the combination of fascinating architecture and beautiful natural surroundings makes this a really worthwhile visit. Our son, even at the age of three, enjoyed climbing up the steps of the amphitheatre and exploring the woodland. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably come away with far more photos than you intended!
Ksamil
- Approximately 14 km south of Sarandë
- 20–25 minutes by car
The beautiful photos of Ksamil, often nicknamed the ‘Maldives of Albania’, had me sold long before we arrived. I’m pleased to report that it really is just as pretty in real life! Think tiny tree-topped islands, clear turquoise water and stretches of white sand.
Ksamil has become a fashionable beach destination, with an increasingly upmarket feel. Along the waterfront you’ll find stylish beach clubs, swanky restaurants and plenty of places to hire sun loungers for the day. Some of the beach clubs have become rather Instagram-famous, with hammocks over the water and quirky sculptures dotted around. It’s certainly not the cheapest place to spend a day at the beach, though, particularly in July and August when prices for sun loungers, food and cocktails can be close to London prices.
We visited at the end of October, when most of the beach clubs, hotels and restaurants had already closed for the season. I’d been keen to try somewhere like Poda Beach Club or Principoti, but sadly they weren’t open. The giant sculptures and Instagram-worthy decorations were still there, though, so at least I got to see what all the fuss was about!
Thankfully, Tre Ishujt Restaurant was open and provided everything we needed for a lovely afternoon. We tucked into delicious sea bream at a table overlooking the beach, before settling onto some sun loungers. The water looked incredibly inviting, although the late October temperatures meant I was rather happier admiring it from the shore! My son did take a dip though – brave boy!
I can imagine Ksamil has a very different atmosphere in the height of summer, when the beach clubs are in full swing and the crowds arrive. There’s no denying that the beaches are beautiful, with wonderfully shallow, clear water in places, but I imagine some of the tourists will make it a little hectic, similar to Ibiza!
As Ksamil is so close to Butrint National Park, I’d recommend spending a few hours at each.
The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
- Approximately 22 km east of Sarandë
- 35–40 minutes by car
The Blue Eye, or Syri i Kaltër as it’s known locally, is one of the most popular day trips from Sarandë. This extraordinary natural spring is famous for its vivid blue and green water, which bubbles up from an underwater cave deep below the surface. The exact depth is still something of a mystery, although thought to be 50m+, which adds to the magic. It reminded me of the cenotes we’ve visited in Mexico.
When we first caught sight of the water, I genuinely wondered whether someone had turned up the saturation settings! It’s an almost unnatural shade of bright turquoise, surrounded by beautiful woodland and lush greenery. It’s one of those places that photographs really don’t do justice to. You can’t swim here – it’s prohibited and prison has been named as a penalty! Despite this, I’ve seen photos of immature types jumping in the water in the summer.
From the entrance, there’s a walk through the woodland to reach the spring itself. You can also use the little tourist train when it’s operating, or hire e-bikes if you’d rather save your legs. We opted for the train, which added a little novelty to the outing! Our kids loved this part!
Once there, we spent time admiring the incredible colours of the water and wandering around the surrounding area. There’s also a restaurant beside the river, where we stopped for a coffee. The river itself was an equally impressive shade of bright aqua, and I could quite happily have sat there for much longer. I can see why people regard it as one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania.
I’d allow a couple of hours for the visit. It’s a lovely change of pace from the beaches around Sarandë, and somewhere I’d definitely recommend adding to your Albania itinerary.
If you don’t have your own car, I’d recommend this tour, which will collect you from Saranda to take you to The Blue Eye.
Gjirokastër
- Approximately 55–60 km from Sarandë
- 1 hour 10–30 minutes by car
Often referred to as the Stone City, Gjirokastër is one of the prettiest historic towns in Albania, and somewhere I’d definitely recommend visiting if you’re staying in Sarandë. Its UNESCO-listed old town is a maze of cobbled streets, traditional Ottoman houses and beautiful slate rooftops, all overlooked by an imposing castle perched high above the valley.
I loved the contrast between Gjirokastër and the coastal towns around Sarandë. It feels like stepping back in time, with little artisan shops, traditional cafés and beautiful old buildings at every turn. The Old Bazaar is a particularly lovely place to wander, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a coffee or browse the local souvenirs.
If you’re stopping for lunch, I’d recommend Taverna Kuka in the Old Bazaar. It has a lovely stone terrace and serves traditional local dishes, including qifqi, little rice and herb balls which are a speciality of Gjirokastër. I always think trying the local food is one of the best parts of travelling, and this is a good place to do it!
One of the most popular ways to visit, is on this one-day tour from Sarande. It shows you many of the sights I’ve mentioned so far, in one easy day trip!
Corfu, Greece
- Approximately 30–45 minutes by fast ferry from Sarandë
One of the more unusual day trips from Sarandë is actually crossing the water into another country! The Greek island of Corfu is just a short ferry ride away, making it perfectly possible to spend the day exploring Greece before heading back to Albania for dinner. Not many beach holidays offer that option! Plus, it’s generally far cheaper to holiday in Albania, but this offers the best of both worlds!
We could see Corfu from our apartment in Sarandë, which made it all the more tempting to hop across for a day. Corfu Town is particularly pretty, with its Venetian architecture, pastel-coloured buildings, winding little streets and beautiful harbour. I’d spend the day wandering around the old town, stopping for a coffee before exploring the shops. Make time for the Liston promenade too, a French-designed promenade which is very photogenic.
There are regular ferry services from Sarandë, with Ionian Seaways and or Finikas Lines among the operator. Sailing times change throughout the season. The fast boats take around 30 minutes, but there are slower options too.
One important thing to remember: you’ll be crossing an international border, so don’t forget your passport. I’d also leave plenty of time for check-in and passport control at both ports.
Krorez Beach
- Around 30–60 minutes depending on the boat
If you fancy a beach day somewhere a little more secluded, I’d suggest visiting Krorez Beach. This beautiful stretch of coastline is tucked away in a sheltered bay, with pale sand, clear turquoise water and green hills behind.
Unlike the beaches you can simply drive to, Krorez is generally reached by boat, which makes the journey part of the experience. Several boat trips depart from Sarandë, usually combining the beach with stops at nearby coves, caves and other beautiful stretches of coastline.
Tours such as this one run a six-hour trip along this part of the Riviera, which includes stops at places such as Turtle Cave, Kakome Beach and Krorez. There are also a few beach bars and restaurants here, so you can grab lunch or a cold drink.
Borsh Beach
- Approximately 37–40 km north of Sarandë
- 45–60 minutes by car
If you’re looking for a beach day away from some of the busier resorts, Borsh is a lovely option. It’s home to one of the longest beaches in Albania, with a seemingly endless stretch of pale pebbles and shingle, backed by olive groves and dramatic green mountains. The water is crystal clear, and there’s plenty of space to find a quieter spot, even during the summer months.
What I particularly like about Borsh is that it feels a little less polished and commercialised than some of the trendy beach destinations such as Ksamil. There are beach bars and restaurants dotted along the shore, so you can still hire a sun lounger, order a cocktail and settle in for the day, but without quite the same busy beach club atmosphere.
For lunch, I’d look at Luna Mare, a beachfront restaurant and beach bar serving fresh seafood and tasty Mediterranean dishes. Alternatively, Glob Beach Bar is another option for drinks and a relaxed afternoon by the water.
Lukovë Beach
- Approximately 20–25 km north of Sarandë
- 25–35 minutes by car
For a quieter beach day, how about visiting Lukovë. This pretty coastal village is a little less well-known than some of Albania’s beach destinations, but it has a lovely stretch of coastline and wonderfully clear water. It’s also closer to Saranda than Borsh.
The main beach is reached by following a winding road down from the village towards the sea. It’s a little more rustic than the larger resorts, with a handful of beach bars and restaurants. With Albania becoming more and more developed and commercialised, it was nice to find spots like this on our trip.
There are a few places to grab lunch or a drink along the beach, but I’d do some research and check they’re open before you trek there.
Where to stay in Sarandë
Sarandë makes a brilliant base for exploring the Albanian Riviera, particularly if you’re planning to visit several of the places mentioned in this guide. We stayed in this luxurious two-bedroom apartment at the far end of the bay, close to the ferry port.
It was the wraparound terrace that initially caught my eye when looking online, with its beautiful views across Sarandë and out towards the Greek island of Corfu. Happily, it lived up to the photographs! The apartment itself was incredibly spacious, with two large bedrooms, two bathrooms and a huge kitchen and living area.
Considering the size, views and location, we thought it was fantastic value for money. Having somewhere comfortable to return to after a day of exploring made it an ideal base for our time in Albania. Plus, let’s be honest, that terrace was a pretty lovely place to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of each day!
I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out about my favourite days out from Sarandë. We found it to be a great base for seeing the region. Have a brilliant time!
If you’re looking for more tips for your Albania holiday, check out these guides (more coming soon!)