SARANDA
Albania’s summer resort
Resorti veror i Shqipërisë
SARANDA
Albania’s summer resort
Resorti veror i Shqipërisë
Overview
Overview of Saranda
Overview
The town of Saranda is Albania’s most famous resort. Its origins come from an early monastery (Ayii Saranada) that settled on a hill above the town. When the town was annexed to Italy between 1939 to 1941, it was named ‘Porto Edda’, after the daughter of the Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini. The main attractions of the town comprise of its horseshoe shape promenade and the ‘Castle of Lekuresit’; which provides stunning views of the town. The drawcard of Saranda is definitely its day trips. You have up to 5 high quality destinations to choose from, this includes: the Blue Eye Spring, Butrint National Park, Corfu, Ksamil, and Gjirokastra. The Blue Eye, which looks like an iris of an eye, is a spring that produces endless bubbles. The Butrint National Park was an ancient settlement for the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. The most notable feature is its 3rd Century BC Greek theatre. The island of Corfu is part of Greece, and it’s only a 45-minute ride by ferry, thus making it a perfect daytrip to explore a Greek island. The town of Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Museum and is regarded as one of the most magical places in Albania. Lastly, Ksamil is another beach resort which has 3 small islands that you can swim between each other.
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Sights & Trips
The blue eye is a natural phenomenon that produces endless bubbles. The exact depth of the spring is unknown, however it has said to be more than 50 metres. The appearance of the spring looks like an iris of an eye. The surroundings around the spring comprises of lush plantation, which makes it a perfect place for a picnic. The area also comprises of restaurants and cabins. To get to the blue eye, you can take a taxi or a furgon that travels between Saranda and Gjirokastra. The furgon will stop you 2 km away from the spring, however the walk to the spring is definitely worth it.
Butrint was an ancient settlement for the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. The national park covers 29 square kilometres. The settlement itself takes approximately 2 hours to explore. The Greeks from Corfu first settled in the region on a hill in 6th century BC. The settlement quickly flourished. Within a century, it already became fortified and had an acropolis on the top of the hill. During the 3rd century BC, the settlement began to develop a lower town under the hill. In 167 BC, the Romans took over the settlement, which continued the town’s prosperity. When the Byzantines took over, the settlement became a focus for Christianity. Once the Byzantine Empire collapsed, the settlement went into a long decline, eventually it became abandoned. In 1927, the settlement was revived by Italian Archaeologists. Once you enter the site, you’re greeted by the 3rd Century BC Greek theater. The theater was able to cater for 2500 spectators. From there, you can see the framework of small public baths. You’re then welcomed by the framework arches of a large 6th century Basilica. You then continue your walk to the top of the hill, which once stood an Acropolis, but now is a castle. The castle is now a museum which provides history of Butrint. From the viewpoint of the hill, you can see the amazing scenery of the national park. Daily buses operate from Saranda to Butrint every hour between 7am and 5pm. The price of the journey is ~1 euro one away.
The island of Corfu Greece is only 45 minutes by ferry, which makes it a perfect day trip to explore a Greek island.
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum (2008). Regarded as Albania’s most magical place. The town is known for its bunker covered mountains, chunky limestone road, views of Drina valley, the 600 monumental houses, and its castle. The houses are mostly influenced by the Ottoman era. The two famous houses in the town, are the Zekate house (dates from 1811) and the Skenduli house (dates from 1700). The castle site has been established since the 12th century, however its present appearance is from the early 19th century. The castle contains a recovered US Air force Jet, which was shot down during Albania’s communist era. The town also contains a beautiful Bazaar in its old town. The history of Gjirokastra dates back to 2500 years, as archaeologists believe that settlement had once stood here. In present history, the town is the former birthplace of Albania’s dictator Enver Hoxha. He made sure that his home town was preserved, however after the collapse of the communist regime, some of the houses became damage beyond repair. There are 7 buses a day that go from Saranda to Gjirokastra. The Journey is 90 minutes and it costs ~3 euros.
A beach resort with 3 small islands that you can swim between each other. In the summer, the resort comprises of many beach-side bars and restaurants. Daily buses operate From Saranda to Ksamil every hour between 7am to 5pm (The bus goes via Butrint). The price of the journey is ~1 euro one away.
Was a former castle, yet is now a restaurant that provides stunning views over the town of Saranda and the Butrint Lagoon.
Filled with high rise buildings along its horseshoe shape. It’s popular at night, as the locals do their prime evening walk.
The blue eye is a natural phenomenon that produces endless bubbles. The exact depth of the spring is unknown, however it has said to be more than 50 metres. The appearance of the spring looks like an iris of an eye. The surroundings around the spring comprises of lush plantation, which makes it a perfect place for a picnic. The area also comprises of restaurants and cabins. To get to the blue eye, you can take a taxi or a furgon that travels between Saranda and Gjirokastra. The furgon will stop you 2 km away from the spring, however the walk to the spring is definitely worth it.
Butrint was an ancient settlement for the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. The national park covers 29 square kilometres. The settlement itself takes approximately 2 hours to explore. The Greeks from Corfu first settled in the region on a hill in 6th century BC. The settlement quickly flourished. Within a century, it already became fortified and had an acropolis on the top of the hill. During the 3rd century BC, the settlement began to develop a lower town under the hill. In 167 BC, the Romans took over the settlement, which continued the town’s prosperity. When the Byzantines took over, the settlement became a focus for Christianity. Once the Byzantine Empire collapsed, the settlement went into a long decline, eventually it became abandoned. In 1927, the settlement was revived by Italian Archaeologists. Once you enter the site, you’re greeted by the 3rd Century BC Greek theater. The theater was able to cater for 2500 spectators. From there, you can see the framework of small public baths. You’re then welcomed by the framework arches of a large 6th century Basilica. You then continue your walk to the top of the hill, which once stood an Acropolis, but now is a castle. The castle is now a museum which provides history of Butrint. From the viewpoint of the hill, you can see the amazing scenery of the national park. Daily buses operate from Saranda to Butrint every hour between 7am and 5pm. The price of the journey is ~1 euro one away.
The island of Corfu Greece is only 45 minutes by ferry, which makes it a perfect day trip to explore a Greek island.
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed museum (2008). Regarded as Albania’s most magical place. The town is known for its bunker covered mountains, chunky limestone road, views of Drina valley, the 600 monumental houses, and its castle. The houses are mostly influenced by the Ottoman era. The two famous houses in the town, are the Zekate house (dates from 1811) and the Skenduli house (dates from 1700). The castle site has been established since the 12th century, however its present appearance is from the early 19th century. The castle contains a recovered US Air force Jet, which was shot down during Albania’s communist era. The town also contains a beautiful Bazaar in its old town. The history of Gjirokastra dates back to 2500 years, as archaeologists believe that settlement had once stood here. In present history, the town is the former birthplace of Albania’s dictator Enver Hoxha. He made sure that his home town was preserved, however after the collapse of the communist regime, some of the houses became damage beyond repair. There are 7 buses a day that go from Saranda to Gjirokastra. The Journey is 90 minutes and it costs ~3 euros.
A beach resort with 3 small islands that you can swim between each other. In the summer, the resort comprises of many beach-side bars and restaurants. Daily buses operate From Saranda to Ksamil every hour between 7am to 5pm (The bus goes via Butrint). The price of the journey is ~1 euro one away.
Was a former castle, yet is now a restaurant that provides stunning views over the town of Saranda and the Butrint Lagoon.
Filled with high rise buildings along its horseshoe shape. It’s popular at night, as the locals do their prime evening walk.