TIRANA TIMES
Located in southernmost Albania along the Ionian Sea and only a few miles from the Greek Island of Corfu, Saranda is the main resort of the Albanian Riviera and a great place from which to visit the important archaeological sites of the region.
This charming town has an attractive waterfront and houses fanning the hillsides. With a wonderful view of the blue Ionian Sea, Saranda is about 12.5 km from Corfu, the Greek island. The town’s warm weather and ideal location makes it perfect for tourists looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation.
Saranda is, no doubt, a young man’s paradise. So many young people live, work and decide to spend their holidays there.
The city is also a favourite destination of a great number of high school students who have Saranda in their regular tours in the south of the country. Many young foreign tourists also decide to spend their holidays and to explore Saranda. The city has been cited in many international newspapers as a lovely place to visit and as an interesting holiday destination.
The village of Ksamil is also a worthy attraction. It has a tranquil beach with several small islands that tourists can swim to. The beauty of Saranda is that it is laid back and far from the hustle and bustle of large crowds.
History
In ancient times, Saranda was known as Oncehesmos and was mostly inhabited by the Chaonians, a Greek tribe. During this time, the town flourished as a port for Phoenice, which was the Chaonian capital. Saranda experienced frequent attacks from the Goths in 552 CE. In 1913, the town was included in the newly formed Albanian state. From 1913 to 1941, there have been many disputes between Italy and Greek over the town. Saranda’s current name was given by the Agioi Saranta (Greek for Forty Saints), a Byzantine monastery.
Sightseeing
Most of the attractions in Saranda are a little distance away from the town. One such attraction and a must-visit spot is the archeological site of Butrint. This ancient and mesmerizing site was a city through the Roman, Greek, Byzantine and Bishopric periods. Excavations at Butrint have uncovered a Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine basilica, a Roman temple with a mosaic floor, a carved lion gate and numerous other constructions which were built during the various periods. It is believed the city of Butrint was abandoned in the Middle Ages due to a malaria epidemic and marshy surroundings.
Castle of Lekursi
Castle of L쬵rsi is a XVI century structure which was built in the old village of L쬵rsi. It is an important tourist attraction site nowadays. The place has been converted into a luxurious and attractive bar and restaurant that attracts countless visitors and holiday-makers.
Historians believe the castle was built around 1537, when Sultan Sulejman attacked the island of Corfu and saw it necessary to control Saranda harbour and the Saranda-Butrint road stretch.
The castle is located on top of a high and dominating hill, surrounded by the ruins of the old village. It has an important strategic position, overlooking the city of Saranda and the nearby roads. It also offers a spectacular panorama of the small islands of Ksamil.
Monastery of 40 Saints
The monastery of 40 Saints has a very symbolic name. This monastery gave its name to the city, because Saranda in Greek means 40. The monastery is located near the pass on top of a hill opposite the castle of Lekursi.
The Ruins of the Old Synagogue
In the center of the city, the old ruins of a synagogue were uncovered. It is an important element that sheds light into the city’s past and a testimony of the city’s Hebrew community.
Blue Eye
25 km away from Saranda town, near the traditional impressive stone built village of Musina, into a forest of hazelnuts, walnuts, cherries, pines and fir trees 177 meters above the sea level 18 springs come out the bottom of the earth and great a rare beauty the famous “Blue Eye”, which is a geological phenomenon.
Because of its oval shaped form and of the water, which is coming out of the earth, deep blue in the center and the light blue at the sides it looks like a human eye. It has a rate of flow of 6 cubic meters of water per second and a water temperature of 13 Celsius degrees. The water of it is believed to be a filtration from Drinos valley. These 18 springs provide water to “Bistrica” rive which is 25 km long and by an artificial channel built in 1958, its waters flow into the Ionian Sea.
Visitors on a one-day organized trip can relax into its peaceful landscape. Next to a picturesque waterfall opposite the “Blue Eye” spring, there is a traditional wood and stone built restaurant you may enjoy Albania’s snaps named “Raki”.
Accommodation and Food
Saranda offers suitable accommodation for all kinds of travelers. There are quite a lot of hotels around the town that offer comfortable housing at affordable rates.
Saranda offers even luxury hotels and restaurants for those who can afford the prices, which are not expensive by international standards.
Hotels like Butrinti and Grandi are luxurious and very comfortable.
Haxhi Suites offer the luxury that a family might need and they have the latest modern facilities.
There are plenty of budget hotels that will offer standard facilities at very cheap prices. These hotels aim to attract and satisfy the need of those who cannot afford luxury.
Saranda is full of cafes, restaurants and bars where tourists can enjoy good food at reasonable rates. As it is a port town and located on the coast, most of the dishes there are seafood. Dining options are numerous during the summer and many are located very close to the beach. While different kinds of alcohol are available in the town, tourists should try the local firewater called Albanian Raki.
Camping
Camping out has become an increasingly popupar activity. Many people really prefer to camp out in tents and enjoy the compay of other people.
Saranda has some very attractive places which are ideal for camping out. Almost all the villages located on the coastline offer the ideal environment for this activity, especially Borshi and Qeparo.
They have green fields in olive groves where you can set up your tent under the shade of olive trees and the beach is really only a stone throw away. This has become very popular way of enjoying your holiday and socializing and getting to know other people.
Caravanning
Due to rapid and great improvement in the road system in the recent years, another form of enjoying the holiday is on the increase. Caravanning through the country has become really a great pleasure.
One can see many people in Saranda arriving in their own caravans. This gives the possibility to explore many places and to travel around the country stopping off wherever you find a lovely place worth paying a visit.
Saranda is ideal for caravanning because it has so many lovely beaches and nature beauty spots that you would need to look for them while driving. Driving a caravan you can visit them all and simply move on to another city.
Travel
Buses to Saranda from both Tirana and Vlora follow an interior route via Gjirokastra.
Several buses to Gjirokastra and Tirana leave Saranda in morning. Several daily passenger ferries cross between Corfu (Greece) and Saranda.
Traveling by bus takes from Tirana takes about 6 hours while by car the coastal town can bes reached in 4 hours.
The crossing with the ferries takes 30 to 60 minutes. Some travel agencies uses their own speed ferries to bring foreign tourists from Corfu to city of Saranda and Butrint.
