The Best Day Trips From Saranda
Saranda is one of the most important coastal towns of the Balkans and one of the best places to spend the summer in Albania. The town is surrounded by gorgeous pristine beaches, perfect to spend some time to relax, but Saranda offers many interesting day trips that you could include in your travel itinerary. Read our list of the best places to see just a day from lovely Saranda.
1. Ksamil
Forest, Natural Feature
2. Butrint Archaeological Park
Archaeological site, Museum, Park
4. Gjirokastër
Archaeological site, Bazaar
With an hour and a half by car from Saranda, you can reach the fabulous town of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO world heritage site known for its stunning Ottoman-era architecture. The town is also famous as the birthplace of the two most famous Albanian men, the former dictator Enver Hoxha and the writer Ismail Kadare. The best thing to do in Gjirokastër is stroll through the city center, admire its white-façade houses, buy something at the old bazar, and reach the majestic fortress to admire the beautiful view of the town.
5. Delvina
Archaeological site, Church, Mosque
If you want to explore non-touristic places and discover the real spirit of Albania, avoid the beaches and reach Delvina. Despite its small sizes, this enchanting hamlet built on a mountain slope is home to a mosque, a Catholic church, a Protestant church, and an Orthodox church too. You’ll not find crowds here, so enjoy every single minute of your journey.
6. Finiq
Archaeological site, Museum
Although Butrint is more beautiful and important than any other archaeological park in the country, Albania is home to other interesting sites that you can include in your travel itinerary. Only 19 minutes by car from Saranda, you can reach the archaeological park of Finiq, one of the wealthiest cities of the Epirus in ancient times. In the Byzantine times, Finiq was turned into a bishopric.
7. Corfu
Archaeological site, Museum
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