Day Trips by Car from Sarandë: Butrint, Blue Eye, Gjirokastër |

Sarandë is a good town to stay in, but much of what makes the far south of Albania special lies just outside it: an ancient city in a lagoon forest, a spring of startling blue water, a stone town above a valley, and beaches that look more Caribbean than Balkan. All of them are within about an hour by car. Here are the classic day trips from Sarandë, with rough distances and the practical details that make each one easier.

Want prices from local companies in Sarandë? Send us your dates and we will ask two or three local rental companies for offers. Free for you, no obligation.

Butrint and Ksamil (south, about 18 km)

Butrint is the big one: a UNESCO-listed archaeological site with Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian layers, set in woodland beside a lagoon. It is about 18 km south of Sarandë, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car, on the road that passes through Ksamil.

Go early. The site is cooler, quieter and easier to park at in the morning, especially in summer.
Allow two to three hours if you want to see the theatre, the baptistery and the walls without rushing.
Bring water and good shoes; the paths are uneven.

Ksamil, on the way, is the obvious place to finish the day: small beaches, clear water and islets just offshore. In July and August it is very crowded and parking is hard, so arrive early or late. Outside the peak season it is a different, much calmer place.

The Blue Eye (inland, about 25 km)

The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is a natural spring where deep blue water wells up from a pool among the trees. It is about 25 km from Sarandë, roughly 30 to 45 minutes, on the inland road towards Gjirokastër. A short signed access road leads from the main road to the site.

There is a small entrance fee. Have some lek in cash.
From the car park you walk a short way to the spring. Thirty to forty minutes there is enough for most visitors.
It is popular with tour buses from midday onwards. Early morning is best.

Gjirokastër (inland, about 55 km)

Gjirokastër is a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town of stone-roofed houses climbing up to a huge castle. From Sarandë it is about an hour’s drive, roughly 55 km, over the hills on the same inland road that passes the Blue Eye. That makes the two an easy combination.

The old town is steep with cobbled lanes. Park lower down and walk up, rather than driving into the narrow streets.
The castle, the old bazaar and one of the restored tower houses make a full half-day.
Stay for lunch: the town is known for its local dishes.

A good one-day loop

If you have only one day with the car, this works well:

Morning: drive inland to the Blue Eye before the crowds.
Midday: continue to Gjirokastër for the castle and lunch.
Afternoon: drive back to Sarandë for a late swim, or save Ksamil and Butrint for the next morning.

Two days covers everything comfortably: one inland (Blue Eye and Gjirokastër) and one south (Butrint and Ksamil).

Further along the coast

North of Sarandë, the coast road climbs along the Riviera towards Borsh, Himarë and Dhërmi, with long beaches and villages above the sea. It is a beautiful but winding drive. Treat it as a separate day, or as part of a road trip north rather than a quick outing. The road towards Konispol and the Greek border at Kakavijë is quieter; if you plan to cross into Greece, you need the rental company’s permission first.

Practical tips for driving around Sarandë

Start early in summer. Roads, car parks and sites are all easier before 10:00.
Carry cash. Entrance fees, parking attendants and small cafés often prefer lek.
Fuel up in town. There are filling stations on the main roads, but it is easier to leave with a full tank.
Drive defensively. Albanian roads are better than their reputation, but expect sudden stops, overtaking on bends and animals on rural roads.

More for your Sarandë trip

Local car rental companies in Sarandë.
Arriving from Corfu? Corfu to Sarandë by ferry and picking up a car at the port.
Where to stay: family-run guesthouses on the Albanian Riviera.
Renting a car in Albania: the full guide.