Sunshade umbrellas and deckchairs on Mango beach in Saranda, Albania

Things to do in  Saranda

The coast is clear

With its public beach, convenient port, and built-up downtown, Saranda is hailed as the gateway to the Albanian Riviera. Almost everyone who comes to Saranda is seeking a beach getaway—there aren't many things to do in Saranda that don’t involve the sea and sand. Many come to this small city for its nightlife or easy access to the many beaches and islands of Ksamil in the south. A hilltop fort and ancient Roman archaeological site provide temporary distractions from soaking up the sun.

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Top activities in Saranda

SARANDA JEEP SAFARI (for hotel in Saranda & Ksamil)

SARANDA JEEP SAFARI (for hotel in Saranda & Ksamil)

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Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

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$104.32
Gjirokastra- The Stone City & Blue Eye- The monument of Nature.

Gjirokastra- The Stone City & Blue Eye- The monument of Nature.

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$97.73
Ancient City of Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage site - A Must

Ancient City of Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage site - A Must

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$60.40
Private tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle

Private tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle

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$93.01
1-Day PRIVATE TOUR in South of Albania (Blue Eye, Gjirokaster, Lekures, Ksamil)

1-Day PRIVATE TOUR in South of Albania (Blue Eye, Gjirokaster, Lekures, Ksamil)

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$244.83
Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & The Fortress of Lekurësi

Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & The Fortress of Lekurësi

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$45.02
Experience Blue Eye , Lekuresi Castle and Taste Traditional Albanian Wine

Experience Blue Eye , Lekuresi Castle and Taste Traditional Albanian Wine

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$86.75
Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

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$94.49
Visit The National Park of Blue Eye and The Fortress of Lekuresi
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Visit The National Park of Blue Eye and The Fortress of Lekuresi

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$52.16
$54.91  $2.75 savings
Explore Blue Eye- The Monument of Nature

Explore Blue Eye- The Monument of Nature

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$42.83
Gjirokaster City Tour & Blue Eye Adventure

Gjirokaster City Tour & Blue Eye Adventure

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$87.85
All Day Tour of Përmet
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All Day Tour of Përmet

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$100.32
$105.60  $5.28 savings
Visit Permet and Tepelena

Visit Permet and Tepelena

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$126.29
Rafting in Bistrica River, Albania Tours 15 min from Saranda (ARG)

Rafting in Bistrica River, Albania Tours 15 min from Saranda (ARG)

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Visit Qeparo Village and The Beaches of Himara
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Visit Qeparo Village and The Beaches of Himara

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Traveler transport from/to Tirana.

Traveler transport from/to Tirana.

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$219.63
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Visit the City of Gjirokastra
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Visit the City of Gjirokastra

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Visit The National Park of Blue Eye

Visit The National Park of Blue Eye

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$49.28
Daytour •Butrint~Ksamil

Daytour •Butrint~Ksamil

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$97.73
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All about Saranda

When to visit

Since Saranda is a beach resort, the most popular time to visit is during summer (June–August). This time of year can get quite busy, though, so if you want nice weather with fewer people, stick to the shoulder months of April, May, and late September. If you’re just seeking the sun and don’t mind it being too cold to swim at the beach, you can even visit in winter when it’s quiet.

Getting around

Saranda is made up of the city center—around the Port of Saranda and lively Saranda Beach—but also the string of beach resorts that run south along the coast. While you can walk around the city center, you’ll want to use the local buses to get between the center and areas such as Mango Beach. Local buses also run down to Ksamil and Butrint, although they get full in summer, so take a taxi instead.

Traveler tips

Most of the beaches in Saranda—particularly around Kodrra and Ksamil—are private beaches, where you’ll need to rent an umbrella for the day. Normally, renting an umbrella comes with two sun loungers, leaving solo beachgoers paying for two people. Saranda Beach in the downtown area is the only free public beach in town where you can come and go as you please.

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People Also Ask

Is Saranda in Albania worth visiting?

Saranda is worth visiting if you want to experience the Albanian Riviera and everything that comes with it. If you’re looking for a beach getaway with music, food, and drinks, Saranda and nearby Ksamil are worth it, so long as you don’t mind paying to rent umbrellas and sun loungers at the beaches.

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How do I spend a day in Saranda?

Most people spend a day in Saranda walking along the embankment followed by time at the beach. In the evening, you can go to one of the many waterfront restaurants and bars to enjoy the town’s nightlife. Alternatively, you could hike or drive up to Lekursi Castle to admire its panoramic view of the town.

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How many days do you need in Saranda, Albania?

It depends. You only need one day in Saranda if you come for sightseeing or two days if you also want to see the ruins at Butrint or the beaches at Ksamil. But Saranda is a beach resort, so how long you stay depends on how many beach days you want. It's worth adding a day or two for sightseeing.

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What are the top attractions in Saranda?

The top attractions in Saranda are Saranda Beach, Saranda Embankment on the waterfront, and Lekursi Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the town. Other nearby attractions include the beaches and islands at Ksamil, and the ancient Roman ruins of Butrint National Archaeological Park, which are a popular day trip from Saranda.

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Are there any beautiful beaches in Saranda?

There are several nice beaches in Saranda, including the town’s main beach. But for the most beautiful beaches, visit Ksamil to the south of town. Here, you can visit beautiful beaches such as Pulëbardha Beach, Mirror Beach, and Lori Beach—though they’re covered in umbrellas and sun loungers. You can also find pretty beaches on the Ksamil Islands.

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Is Saranda a family-friendly destination?

It depends. Saranda is a family-friendly destination if your children enjoy going to the beach and you find areas that don’t have loud music playing. Most of the beaches at Saranda and Ksamil have warm and shallow water with very little surf, making them suitable for young kids. Plus, there are lots of places to get food near the beaches for when they get hungry.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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