Ksamil and Its Beaches
A short drive south of Saranda, Ksamil trades a handful of small coves and offshore islets for a summer that fills fast — and a quieter shoulder season most people miss.
10 Aug 20263 min read
Around Saranda
Where to go along this stretch of coast — beaches, ruins and viewpoints, how to get there, and when.
Butrint: A Half-Day Among Twenty-Five Centuries
A UNESCO archaeological site on a wooded peninsula south of Saranda, where Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman layers sit within a single afternoon's walk.
3 Aug 20263 min read
The Blue Eye: Albania's Bottomless Spring
A short drive northeast of Saranda, a karst spring pours out of the earth in a blue so intense it looks unreal. Here is how to see it well.
27 Jul 20262 min read
Lëkurësi Castle Above Saranda
A short drive above the town brings you to an Ottoman-era fortress with the widest view on this stretch of coast — and, most evenings, the best seat for the sunset.
20 Jul 20263 min read
Gjirokastër: A Full Day in the Stone Town
A UNESCO-listed Ottoman town in the hills northeast of Saranda, built of grey stone and slate — steep lanes, tower-houses, and a fortress above the Drino valley.
13 Jul 20263 min read
Mirror Beach and the Coves South of Saranda
A short drive down the coast road, Mirror Beach and a handful of small coves offer clear water and easy beach-hopping — close enough to town for a relaxed half day.
6 Jul 20263 min read
Porto Palermo Castle and the Coast Road North to Himara
A squat stone fortress on its own bay, reached by one of the finest stretches of the Albanian Riviera. This is a day where the drive matters as much as the destination.
29 Jun 20263 min read
The Monastery of the Forty Saints, and the View It Keeps
The ruined monastery on the hill above Saranda gave the town its name. A short walk or drive uphill, it rewards you with the widest view over the bay.
22 Jun 20262 min read