Sarandë promenade
Walk the waterfront
Follow the palms along the bay, stop for coffee, then stay as the waterfront lights up for the evening.
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Sea · Sun · South Albania
Swim. Explore.
Slow down.
Your starting point for the city, the coast and the stories of southern Albania.
THE CITY GATE GUIDESARANDË / ALBANIA
There is always
another blue.
Start at the waterfront, climb to a castle for sunset, or set out for islands and ancient cities. These are a few of the places we think make a stay in Sarandë unforgettable.
Lëkurësi Castle
See the city from above
Head into the hills for a wide-open view across Sarandë, the Ionian Sea and the islands beyond.
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Ksamil
Swim between islands
Turquoise shallows, small green islands and a full day by the water make Ksamil an essential Riviera stop.
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The Albanian Riviera
Find your stretch of coast
Follow the coast for clear coves, pebble beaches and quiet corners beyond the centre of town.
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Gjirokastër
Step into an old stone city
Make a day of cobbled streets, traditional houses, the old bazaar and the dramatic fortress above the city.
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The Blue Eye
Look into the deep blue
Walk through green woodland to this remarkable natural spring, where clear water shifts from turquoise to a deep blue centre.
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Butrint National Park
Explore an ancient city
Follow shaded paths through Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian history at Albania’s celebrated archaeological park.
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Monastery of the 40 Saints
Discover Sarandë’s namesake
Visit the atmospheric hilltop ruins that gave Sarandë its name and look out across the city and the Ionian coast.
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Pulëbardha Beach
Swim in a cliff-backed cove
A compact pebble cove with brilliantly clear water, rocky scenery and an easy escape between Sarandë and Ksamil.
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Kakome Beach
Follow the road to a hidden bay
A secluded Riviera bay surrounded by green hills, best suited to travellers who enjoy quieter and more adventurous stops.
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Plazhi i Shpellave
Find a quieter corner of Lukovë
Clear Ionian water and a more secluded shoreline reward the journey down from the village of Lukovë.
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Lukova Beach
Spend the day below the terraces
A broad, peaceful stretch of coast beneath the hillside village, with blue water and room to slow the pace.
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Bunec Beach
Unwind beside the little pier
A relaxed pebble beach south of Piqeras, known for its calm bay, clear water and laid-back Riviera character.
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Borsh Beach
Walk one of the Riviera’s longest beaches
Settle in along a long sweep of pebbled shoreline backed by olive-covered hills and the village of Borsh.
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Castle of Porto Palermo
Tour a fortress above the sea
Explore the stone fortress on its small peninsula, then pause for wide views across Porto Palermo Bay.
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Boat Trips
Set sail along the coast
Find many boat tours along the waterfront in the city, with easy trips to hidden beaches, quiet bays and the clear Ionian coast.
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Photo credits
Butrint theatre — Valerie M, CC BY 2.0 · Monastery of the 40 Saints — Albinfo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kakome Bay road — Stephen Daniel Kellett, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Plazhi i Shpellave — Trigruda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lukova Beach — Joergsam, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bunec Beach — Albinfo, CC BY 4.0 · Borsh Beach — Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 · Porto Palermo Castle — Pasztilla / Attila Terbócs, CC BY-SA 4.0
