A PERFECT BEACH BASE FOR DAY TRIPS

When I was scheduling my trip in Albania, I knew I wanted to spend some time along the Albanian Riviera. I really struggled when picking which city to head to, though, and I ended up just taking the advice of a hostel mate - to go to Sarande. I’m really glad I did.

Admittedly, Sarande is nowhere near the most beautiful or historic strip along the riviera. It has beaches, but they aren’t the sandiest, bluest, or most charming. It has ruins, but not the most impressive. What Sarande offers, though, is a lively local economy and a ton of easy to schedule, affordable options for day trips. It’s the perfect base to leave all day to explore the nearby sites, and then head back to enjoy the sunset (with the best view at Lekuresi Castle) and grab some dinner.

Stroll Along the Sarande Coastline

The best part of Sarande is easily its seaside promenade, which offers small beaches, charming statues and plenty of benches. It’s also where you’ll schedule a day trip because the entire strip is plastered with signs for daylong boat or van tours. My recommendation is to head straight to the shore when you arrive in Sarande to enjoy the coast views and to see your options for the next few days.

Relax Along the Pristine Beaches in Ksamil

I think a trip to the Albanian Riviera would be incomplete without a day relaxing along one of its pristine beaches - and Sarande offers an easy, short trip to some of the most beautiful in Albania. From the bus station alongside the Synagogue Ruins, you can catch one of the hourly buses to Ksamil - a small beach resort town just south of Sarande. For a little over a dollar and in just 30 minutes, you’ll find yourself at some of the most gorgeous sand beaches in Albania.

Explore Butrint National Park

About 3 miles south of Ksamil and along the same bus route, you’ll also find one of Albania’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites - Butrint National Park. It’s an archaeological site of an ancient city (Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and then Venetian) and also a wetlands reserve - a unique combination of ruins and natural beauty.

I recommend getting there right at opening though because it gets busy around 11:00 when cruise tour groups start to come in.

Schedule a Day Trip

If anything, Sarande offers too many options for day trips. I chose to take a minivan tour of Blue Eye (a nearby natural spring known for its vibrant blue and green colors) and Gjirokaster (a mountain town that is a UNESCO world heritage site for its preserved Ottoman architecture and market). The other most common trips are to take a ferry to Corfu (Greece) or to take a boat trip along the Albanian Riviera. You’ll find those aren’t your only options, though, as you look through all the advertisements throughout the city.