16 Best Things to Do in Saranda
(Ultimate 2025 Guide)
Saranda, called Sarandë in Albanian, is possibly the most well known coastal destination in Albania and a great starting to point to exploring this beautiful country. Here you will find crystal-clear water, delicious food and stunning day trips, all budget-friendly. If you are planning your trip to Saranda, here are the 16 top things to do in the city and surroundings.
Saranda makes for the perfect budget-friendly destination to relax on the beach and enjoy the most delicious and affordable food, while also being the perfect home base to venture out to some of Albania’s most popular tourist attractions.
It is close to the famous Ksamil, sometimes referred to as the Maldives of Europe, as well as the Blue Eye where you will find the clearest turquoise water in a natural monument of impressive beauty.
There are so many incredible things to do in Saranda, I have listed my 16 favourites below!
How to get to Saranda?
The best way to get to Saranda is fly into Corfu airport and then take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda.
The two big ferry transfer companies are Ionian Seaways and Finikas Lines. The journey takes about 30 mins to an hours and has gorgeous views of Corfu and Albania.
I’d recommend booking online and then printing your ticket – while they usually are okay with the digital ticket, it does say on their websites to print the tickets and its better safe than sorry. That being said, I booked last-minute and had to use the e-ticket and it was completely fine.
Ticket prices range from 19-30 Euros one-way, so really affordable and Corfu has most budget airlines flying in.
There is a public bus from Corfu airport straight to the ferry terminal and the terminal in Saranda is a 5-minute walk from the center and most hotels.
Where to stay in Saranda?
Check out my full accommodation guides for Saranda here:
Budget to Luxury: Where to Stay in Saranda for Every Traveller
Top things to do in Saranda
1. Wander along Saranda Promenade
Also called the Hasan Tahsini Boulevard, Saranda’s promenade is a gorgeous seaside walk with views over Saranda harbour and beach. You can also find some great restaurants and bars here to fuel up!
2. Go for a dip at Saranda Beach
Saranda and its surroundings has many incredible beaches, but the most central, accessible and free beach is Saranda beach. It does get very busy, however the water is lovely and it’s super convenient for a quick dip or tan.
3. Hike to the Monastery Of 40 Saints for sunset
The monastery is at the top of one of the hills that surrounds Saranda and around a 45 minute hike from the town centre. I would recommend going later in the day to avoid the extreme heat as the hike is fairly steep (but beautiful).
At the top, you will get incredible views of Saranda and the coastline, which are especially stunning around sunset. The monastery itself is a collection of ruins, but the view steals the show.
4. Enjoy a drink with a view at Wine bar Kristiano
On the way down from the monastery, you will come by Wine Bar Kristiano. It looks extremely fancy and hotel-like but is open to anyone and serves some incredible wine with sweeping views over Saranda and the coast.
5. Check out Saranda's city centre
Saranda’s city centre is on the small side but there are countless of delicious restaurants, cute cafes, some souvenir and local shops. As you start heading further up the hills of Saranda, you will get some beautiful views and peaceful neighbourhoods.
6. Visit Lekursi castle for more incredible views
Lekursi Castle is easily one of the best viewpoints of Saranda. It is free to visit, though there is also a restaurant there if you fancy a drink with your sunset (though the place has some mixed reviews). It’s around a one hour walk or short taxi ride up and especially amazing around sunset.
7. Go on a daytrip to the magical Blue Eye - Syri i kaltër
The Blue Eye is a must-visit attraction while in Saranda. It is a natural spring in a gorgeous, protected area. Seeing it for the first time was magical – pictures can’t do it justice. The water is crystal-clear and reflecting the stunning blue and green hues of the algae and ground beneath.
It is ice-cold as the water comes straight from an underwater cave. Swimming is prohibited, though you will see many tourists doing it anyway. I would personally refrain from doing so for ethical and preservation reasons – after all, there is a reason that swimming is not allowed.
I’d recommend hiring a scooter for the day and leaving early to avoid the massive crowds you get in summer. Scooters are only 25 Euros for 24 hours and really easy to use. The drive is around 40 minutes and there is a parking area at the entry of the area.
There is a minimal entry fee to access the Blue Eye (50 LEK so less than 50 Cents) and a parking fee for cars (100 LEK).
You do need to be prepared to hike for up to an hour to reach the Blue Eye from the parking area. It is a simple walk but pack enough liquids for hot summer days. There is a restaurant with reasonable prices right by the Blue Eye if you need refreshments.
8. Stroll through the Stone City - Gjirokastra
In a surprise twist, Gjirokastra turned out to be one of my favourite day trips from Saranda. We did it together with the Blue Eye on our scooter – the roads are windy and a little rough at parts, so I’d only recommend doing it this way if you have experience with scooters. Otherwise there are tons of tours or local buses.
The city is gorgous, full of cobble streets, vendors lining the old, traditional houses and boasting beautiful views over the valley.
There are lots of cultural and historic attractions to explore. The food scene is also one of a kind, with the most delicious and budget-friendly eats around every corner. Highly recommend visiting!
9. Explore Albania’s history in Butrint National Park
Butrint is one of the most advertised attractions of Albania. It is a UNSECO World Heritage Site and rightfully so. The park has a unique mix of historic, archeological sites, monuments and nature.
There are tons of tours heading there, or you can rent a car/scooter and do the 30 minute drive yourself. A must for any history lovers or those looking for the best beaches in the area.
10. Head to the "Maldives" of Albania - Ksamil
Ksamil is famously called the “Maldives of Europe” on social media. The little coastal village is a short bus ride from Saranda and famous for its white beaches and turquoise water.
For Albania, prices here are a bit more steep, with two beach chairs going for about 40 Euros per day in the most popular bars. It is also probably one of the busiest areas in Albania, especially during peak season.
I think Ksamil is worth visiting if you are after the most Instagram-worthy pictures as well as some rare sandy beaches and are prepared to spend a little more than you would anywhere else in Albania (still cheap in comparison to other European hotspots btw). I’d recommend heading here in the off-season.
11. Visit some of the more “hidden” beaches
Between Saranda and Ksamil are countless other beaches, many of which are a little less busy and cheaper than Ksamil with the same vibes. The water is crystal-clear, the beaches beautiful. The bus that goes to Ksamil stops close to many of those beaches.
We went to Gjiri i Hartës beach which has a free, public section where you will find all the locals (and us) as well as a paid, sunset section. It is a bit of a walk but worth it if you are looking for comparable water and views to Ksamil for cheaper and less-crowded. Other beaches to try are Plazhi i Pasqyrave beach, Pulëbardha Beach and Shpella e Pëllumbave beach.
12. Go on a boat tour
Sign up for one of the action-packed, affordable boat day trips – they provide an unique way to see attractions like Ksamil as well as exclusive access to some of the best beaches in the area. Saranda has countless options for boat trips that go to hidden beaches, offer snorkling and more. A must-do to enjoy the stunning seascape around Saranda and get some peaceful time in the crystal-clear water.
13. Take a trip to Borsh or Himare
If you are after quieter and more public beaches that are as beautiful as Ksamil, consider renting a car or scooter and heading to Himare or Borsh for a day. They are both around one hour drive from Saranda and offer huge beaches, small villages and friendly locals!
14. Try some Albanian Wine
You probably won’t know Albania for its wines, but they actually have a long history of wine-making and some delicious locally-produced wines. Tours of wineries here are usually pretty affordable (from around 15€) and the wines are absolutely delicious.
Some great wineries to try near Saranda are Kantina e Verës ISAK and The Barrels Ms (te Fuçite). Both are best reached by car or taxi.
15. Have a cocktail at Lost seaside Beach club or Escape Beach lounge
You don’t have to head to Ksamil for incredible beach clubs. Some of the best ones are located right near Saranda’s centre, serving delicious cocktails, cool interior and private beach access.
Lost Seaside and Escape Beach Lounge both have a unique and photo-worthy design with great food and drinks.
16. Join an Albanian cooking class
One of the best ways to get to know a country and its people is through the food. I always find a cooking class is one of the best ways to do so. Albania has some incredible, local food that you will learn to make in a super unique activity that supports the local community.
How many days do you need in Saranda?
I would recommend an absolute minimum of 3 days in Saranda. If you can, spend a week. There are so many things to explore, day trips to go on and amazing tours to take part in.
On top of that, you probably want a day or two to also just relax on the beach. Ideally, you need 5-7 days in Saranda.
Is Saranda, Albania worth visiting?
Saranda is definitely worth a visit and was one of my favourite stops along the Albanian Riviera.
It is more lively than Vlore and has so many daytrip options, as well as more accessible public beaches. It has the crystal-clear waters and stunning beaches associated with Greece and Italy for a fraction of the price.
It also has many of Albania’s most famous attractions closeby, such as the Blue Eye and Ksamil.
I would highly recommend a trip to Saranda and Albania in general before it becomes as overrun as other European hotspots.
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Spending a Hot Day in Vlorë, Albania
Hi, I'm Bell
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