Saranda, the sea-port, and the coastline suburbs are located in the southernmost extremity of Albania, in a very favorable geographical position offering good opportunities for connection with other touristic sites within and outside Albania, including Butrint, Gjirokastra, other beaches of the Albanian Riviera, and Corfu.
It is worth visiting Saranda at each time of the year. Saranda has around 300 sunny days all around the year. Hence, both the summer season that lasts until the month of September and often until October, and spring and autumn are very good times to be spent by the Ionian at Saranda. The touristic season starts officially on May 15 and lasts until September. If visitors happen to be there in wintertime, then they will have all the time to visit numerous historical monuments in Saranda and its surroundings. Saranda has very mild winter, allowing visitors to follow the itineraries developed commonly for tourists in summertime or to take trips to nearby Corfu.
How to reach Saranda
Once arrived in the Rinas Airport, near Tirana, drive south towards Saranda (285 km). Tourists may also fly to the Corfu Airport, and then take the ferry to Saranda. Those driving from the north and north-east of Albania, the Durr쳠sea-port and the whole central Albania have a couple of options to consider once they arrive in Fier: either to follow the national road to Saranda through Ballshi, Tepelena, Gjirokastra and Muzina Pass, or drive through Vlora, the Llogara Pass and then along the Ionian coastline.
Those driving from Greece may choose to cross the border at the checking point in Kakavija, Tri Urat (near P쳭et), or the Bota Pass (near Konispol). Those driving from eastern Albania, Macedonia or north of Greece (crossing the border at Kapshtica) may follow one of the two roads branching off at Fier, or choose to drive through Kor衠and P쳭et. Saranda can be reached also by public transportation lines (buses or vans) from Tirana, Vlora, Fier, Gjirokastra and Tepelena.
City and history
Today’s Saranda is a new city. Visitors will be impressed by the prevailing buildings constructed under communism. A few private dwellings dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, each with a history of their own, can be spotted in the city. A number of squares and old bazaars are indeed very pleasant. Recent years have seen a boom of constructions designed as tourist locations both in the city and the sea-side. Despite the new and pleasant view the city has an old history.
The city was first mentioned in ancient sources as Onchesmus in the 2nd century BC. During this time, the town flourished as a port for Phoenice, which was the Chaonian capital. The city became relatively important during the pax romana period, but was destroyed many times but foreign invaders. Ottoman ruled the city for 500 years and only after the Albania’s independence the city began to flourish. During WWII the city was named Porto Eda, after Mussolini’s dearest daughter. The current name Saranda derives from Greek (40 Saints) after a Byzantine monastery located in the vicinity of the city.
Tourism/Sightseeing
With a varied coastline and marvelous beaches, Saranda offers a remarkable maritime destination for tourism. The beach outlining the city, the Ksamil Beach with its islands, and the Kakome Beach enables tourists to draw infinite pleasure. Saranda is also a perfect place for cultural tourism. Saranda has a numerous cultural potentials, including an entire ancient town with its National Park, Butrint, the archeological centre at Phoenice, two castles, the Monastery of 40 Saints, churches, a synagogue and a mosque. Furthermore, Saranda has many natural monuments worth visiting.
Beaches
A stretch of sand and shallow waters very suitable for children, the Rinia Beach lies parallel to the city avenue, thus making driving to site unnecessary.
The Pasqyrat Beach, which features sand and is highly populated by young people, is located along the road from Saranda to Ksamil, past the Monastery Beach.
The Kakome Beach (Bay) features sand and a crystal-clear and deep sea. It is reached via sea by small boats, or by land following the itinerary Nivica-Bubar.
The Ksamil Beach is situated 15 km away from the city of Saranda. The stretch of beach is covered with pebbles. The crystal-clear sea and particularly the islands that can be reached by boats or motorboats are a rare beauty.
Butrint
The ancient city of Butrint occupies the small Ksamil peninsula between the straight of Corfu and the inland salt-water Lake Butrint. Butrint was established as a fortified centre in the 7th century BC. Throughout its long history, it was also a Greek colony, a Roman city and an early Christian bishopric. It was also ruled by the Byzantine Empire, followed by the Venetians, French and Ali Pash롔epelena.
The first archeological excavations started in 1928 by the well-known Italian archeologist Luigi Ugolini. Various ruins are still standing Butrint, including its fortifications, which dates from the 6th century BC, its amphitheatre from the 3rd century BC, two ancient temples, a baptistery and a byzantine basilica, now in ruins, which is said to be the second largest in the Byzantine Empire after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Along with archeological values, Butrint offers a whole natural complex and a special geo-system. The ancient town is nestled amidst natural greenery of the National Park of Butrint.
Phoenice
The ancient town of Phoenice is located 10 km from Saranda along the road to Delvina. Phoenice was the wealthy capital of the Epirote League. The city’s prosperity continued throughout the Roman and Byzantine periods, but Ottoman occupation appears to have caused the population and trade of Phoenice to dwindle.
Phoenice boasts several archaeologically important relics, including a small “prostylos” temple, a theatre, examples of Hellenistic houses, and several Roman water cisterns. A significant Byzantine church can also be observed when visiting this picturesque site.
Castles
Saranda has two castles. The first is located at the heart of the city. It is a pentagonal fortification of the 4th century AD with thick walls which reportedly had twenty towers. Only eight of them have survived to date. The castle still houses shambles of dwellings and ruins of a big basilica of which floor is decorated by a multicolor mosaic. An expedition in 2004 confirmed that the basilica has been a synagogue which is fully supported by the typical Jewish symbols of the mosaic found in the ruins.
The second castle, L쬵r쳬 is found on a top of a dominant hill over the Saranda, only 2 km far from the city. The castle was built up during 16th-17th centuries by Sultan Suleymani in his campaign to conquer Corfu. Once up there, visitors can enjoy the splendid view and the good food of a pleasant restaurant.
Religious object
Saranda and its surroundings are one of the richest areas in old religious objects at national level. The following are some of the most important and easily accessible objects.
Monastery Church of 40 Saints is located to the east of Saranda. It was built in the 15th century. According to the legend the Ottoman soldiers killed there 40 monks because they would not change their religion. So, the people and the church declared them as Saints.
Monastery Church of Saint Mary in Mesopotam is located only a few km away along the road linking Saranda and the Bistrica hydropower station. The Church reveals a combination of the old Byzantine and Roman style. It was built in the 12th century, when this territory was under Angevins’ rule.
Mosque of Gjin Aleksi is located in the village of Rusan near Delvina. A mosque devoted to a Christian arouses curiosity by itself. The Mosque is built on top of the ruins of a 12th century church and found along with other sacred Moslem graves at the heart of the village.
Natural monuments
The Blue Eye is situated at the village of Muzina along the national road between Saranda and Gjirokastra. The Blue Eye is a 45-metre deep water spring set amid a Mediterranean oak forest. The water in the inner part of the spring appears very dark blue, like the pupil of an eye, and a lighter color of blue as an outer ring – the iris, which gives the impression of a blue eye. The Blue Eye is declared a Rare Natural Treasure and it is protected by the government. Visitors who are there in summertime will enjoy even more its greenery and its coolness. A number of bars and restaurants which stands up for their quality service and gastronomic richness have been set up all around it.
Accommodation and Food
Saranda offers suitable accommodation for all kinds of travelers. There are quite a few hotels around the town that offer comfortable housing at affordable rates. Saranda is full of cafes, restaurants and bars where tourists can enjoy good food at reasonable rates. As it is a port and located on the coast, most of the dishes 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, visitors should try the local firewater called Albanian raki.
