Just landed in Saranda and wondering what’s actually worth your time?
Skip the tourist traps.
This is your quick-hit guide to where to eat, swim, sip and explore, written by someone who lives here and knows the local secrets.
We’ve teamed up with Hasta La Vista to give you all the good stuff in one place.
Things to Do | Food & Drink | Beaches | Day Trips | Next Stops | Travel Tips | Loved Saranda? You’ll Love These Too
Things to Do in Saranda
First time here? Don’t worry, I’ve rounded up the best boat tours, viewpoints and hidden gems worth the hype.
This section will help you plan out your time and skip the boring stuff.
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My Honest Review of a Boat Tour in Saranda: Is It Worth It?
If you’re visiting Saranda for the first time, chances are you’ve already heard whispers about the boat tours to Krorez and Kakome beach, and trust…
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16 Best Saranda Tours & Day Trips I’d Actually Recommend
Whilst Sarande in Albania is well known for its gorgeous beaches, there is so much more to this beautiful destination that can often gets overlooked….
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26 Best Things to do in Saranda, Albania
Saranda is the most beautiful city to visit in Albania, no questions asked. There are many amazing things to do in Saranda (also called Sarande…
Food & Drink
Saranda might be small, but it punches above its weight in the food scene.
Here’s where to eat, sip and snack like a local.
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Saranda Restaurants: The Best Places to Eat in Saranda, Albania
It’s always tricky when coming to a new city and looking for a restaurant with great food. Luckily, there are many great Saranda restaurants. As…
Things to Do | Food & Drink | Beaches | Day Trips | Next Stops | Travel Tips | Loved Saranda? You’ll Love These Too
Beaches
Looking for those famous turquoise waters? I got you.
From busy Saranda to quieter gems, here’s where to lay your towel.
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13 Best Beaches in Saranda, Albania (Tried and Tested After 7+ Years Living Here)
If you’re visiting Saranda this summer, then you need to bookmark this post immediately. Saranda has been my home for over 7 years now and…
Day Trips from Saranda
Feel like venturing out? These day trips are all easy from Saranda and totally worth it.
From mountains to waterfalls to ancient ruins, take your pick.
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How I Get from Saranda to Ksamil (Without Getting Ripped Off)
Planning a quick day trip from Saranda to Ksamil? You’ve got options—and yes, one is super budget-friendly. Since I’ve been living in Saranda since 2017,…
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16 Best Saranda Tours & Day Trips I’d Actually Recommend
Whilst Sarande in Albania is well known for its gorgeous beaches, there is so much more to this beautiful destination that can often gets overlooked….
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18 Epic Things to Do in Gjirokaster: My Personal Favourites
Looking for the best things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania? You’ve come to the right place! The charming UNESCO town of Gjirokastra, Albania is a…
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Visiting the Blue Eye Albania (Syri i Kalter): My Honest Tips + What to Expect
If you are visiting Saranda, then you should take a couple of hours and discover the Blue Eye – or, in Albanian, Syri i Kaltër….
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Visiting Butrint, Albania: My Guide to Albania’s Famous UNESCO Site
Butrint National Park is an important UNESCO site in Albania which is also incredibly popular. It’s one of the biggest and best places to see…
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Ali Pasha Castle, Butrint: My Guide After Visiting This Hidden Gem
When you think of Albania, castles are not usually the first thing to spring to mind. But Albania does indeed have castles, and Ali Pasha…
Next Stops After Saranda
Leaving Saranda? Here’s where I’d head next.
Each place linked here has its own vibe, and yes, I’ve written full guides for them.
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How to Get from Tirana to Saranda (I’ve Done It 50+ Times as a Local)
So you’ve landed in Tirana and now you’re staring at the map thinking… how the heck do I get to Saranda? Don’t worry, I’ve been…
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Athens to Saranda: How I Travel Between Greece and Albania 2026
When I travel overseas from Saranda, I almost always fly out of Athens because they have incredibly cheap flights to Asia and elsewhere in Europe. …
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Corfu to Saranda Ferry: My Honest Tips After 8+ Years and 20+ Crossings (2026)
I’ve taken the Corfu to Saranda ferry more times than I can count at this point, somewhere past twenty crossings in the 8+ years I’ve…
Practical Travel Tips
From transport quirks to money hacks, this section is your practical cheat sheet.
No fluff, just the stuff you’ll actually need.
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My 2026 Albania Transport Guide After 8+ Years Living Here
Trying to figure out public transport in Albania online? Good luck. I’ve lived in Albania for 8+ years and have travelled around the country just…
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Car Rental in Saranda: What I’ve Learned From Renting & Driving Here
If you’re heading to the beautiful seaside city of Saranda and you’re either looking for some info on how to hire a car in Saranda…
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Traditional Albanian Food: 39 Dishes I’ve Tried + What I Recommend
When travelling to Albania I can almost guarantee that you will be surprised about traditional Albanian food. Albania is not known for its food necessarily,…
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Important Albania Travel Tips I’ve Learned After 8+ Years Here
There’s no doubt that Albania is a hidden gem in Europe, many people don’t even know it exists! Over 8 years of living in Albania,…
Loved Saranda? You’ll Love These Places Too
If you’re moving on from Saranda, you’re in for a treat, some of Albania’s best spots are just around the corner.
Here are the most popular next stops:
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Things to Do in Theth 2026: What I’d Recommend After Visiting
Anyone who plans on visiting the Balkans or dreams of backpacking across Europe must visit Theth. A retreat into the remote Albania mountain villages in…
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13 Amazing Things to Do in Korca: What I’d Recommend in 2026
The unofficial cultural capital of Albania – Korca (or Korçë) – is only a three-hour drive from Tirana and a beautiful city that tourists from…
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8 Best Things to Do in Permet: What I’d Recommend to a Friend
Permet is still a relatively undiscovered gem, but this location won’t stay secret for long. Permet has some of the most beautiful natural scenes, interesting…
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How to Get to Gjipe Beach: My Experience + Essential Tips
Gjipe beach is one of the most magnificent places to visit in Southern Albania. It’s a small natural paradise that can be enjoyed by everyone,…
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18 Epic Things to Do in Gjirokaster: My Personal Favourites
Looking for the best things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania? You’ve come to the right place! The charming UNESCO town of Gjirokastra, Albania is a…
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8 Best Things to Do in Berat: My Personal Favourites
A visit to the beautiful UNESCO town of Berat in Albania is not to be missed on your adventures through the country. It is one…
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Things to Do in Himare: My Favourite Beaches, Restaurants + Places
Along the Albanian Riveria lies a small coastal town of Himara (Himarë in Albanian). It’s one of the must-see stops as it is more relaxed…
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Things to Do in Kruja, Albania: My Favourite Places in the City of Skanderbeg
Kruja city, also known as the city of Skanderbeg, a national hero for Albania, is a historic city and one that shouldn’t be missed if…
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17 Best Albania Beaches I Recommend After 8+ Years Here
To be completely honest, Albania beaches have some of the most beautiful beaches that I had ever seen in Europe. You know those stunning beaches…
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Old Qeparo, Albania: Why I Think This Half-Abandoned Village Is Worth Visiting
The charming small village of Old Qeparo Albania is one you will instantly fall in love with just like I did. Along the Albanian Riviera,…
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35 Unique Things to Do in Albania I’ve Actually Experienced 2026
I have been in love with Albania since 2017! It’s a destination that challenges your perceptions and stereotypes and allows you to relax in absolute…
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19 Best Things to Do in Tirana, Albania I’d Actually Recommend 2026
The cool city of Tirana (Tirane in Albania) is one to watch closely as it’s becoming increasingly popular with travellers around the world. Tirana is…
Things to Do | Food & Drink | Beaches | Day Trips | Next Stops | Travel Tips | Loved Saranda? You’ll Love These Too
