Some places grow on you slowly. Others hit you like a wave the moment you arrive. Saranda is the kind that does both.
There’s something about this coastal town—the way the Ionian light hits the hillside, the scent of fresh bread drifting out of the bakeries at 7 AM, or the quiet hum of fishing boats at sunrise. But what really seals the deal for most people isn’t just Saranda itself. It’s everything around it.
Because the truth is, when you live here—or even just spend a few weeks—you’re not just investing in one location. You’re getting the entire southern coast of Albania as your backyard.
So let’s talk about a few easy day trips from Saranda. These aren’t just Instagram spots or places I’ve Googled. These are places I go when I need to breathe, reset, or just remind myself why I fell in love with this part of the world.
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1. Ksamil – 20 Minutes Away, But Feels Like Another World
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Ksamil isn’t exactly a secret anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost its magic. Especially if you know when and where to go. Most people crowd the main beach in July, but if you take the narrow path behind Vila Abedini and cut through the olive groves, you’ll find the quieter coves. The water there is glass-clear and usually empty even in high season.
Last week, I showed a client a stunning White Residence Ksamil – VivaView Projects , and their face lit up like a kid seeing the ocean for the first time. That moment—that exact look—is why I love this job. They just stood on the balcony, staring at the islands. No words. Just silence and awe.
After the viewing, we grabbed lunch at a roadside grill near Butrint. Nothing fancy—grilled lamb, fresh salad, a carafe of house wine. Total bill? Under €20 for two. That’s the kind of luxury people forget to count when they’re comparing “value for money” across the Mediterranean.
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2. Butrint – A UNESCO Site Where Time Feels Slower
I always tell people—if you’re going to buy a beachfront property in Saranda , you’re not just buying square meters. You’re buying access to one of the most fascinating stretches of history on the Albanian Riviera.
Butrint is just 25 minutes away. And somehow, no matter how many times I go, it still takes my breath away. There’s something deeply peaceful about walking under centuries-old cypress trees, hearing nothing but cicadas and the occasional ripple of the lagoon.
You’ll pass mosaics from the Roman era, climb the stone steps of a Byzantine basilica, and stand where thousands stood centuries ago. And on your way back, stop by the mussel farms in Lake Butrint. The guys there will crack open a few fresh ones and offer them raw with lemon if you ask nicely (and tip well). It’s the kind of thing no guidebook tells you.
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3. Borsh – Where the Mountains Kiss the Sea
Borsh is about an hour’s drive south. The road there twists and turns through mountain passes that’ll make your palms sweat if you’re not used to Albanian driving, but the views? Unreal.
There’s a small taverna near Borsh beach—no name, just plastic chairs and a grill out front. The owner, Arjan, makes the best qofte I’ve had anywhere in Albania. No exaggeration. He doesn’t have a menu, just points at what’s fresh and nods.
I sometimes drive clients out that way if they’re looking for something off-grid—luxury villas close to nature, private parking, big terraces overlooking the water. There’s so much untouched land out there with insane potential. And prices? Still surprisingly affordable if you know where to look.
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4. Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) – A Natural Wonder Just 30 Minutes Inland
The Blue Eye is probably the most photographed spring in Albania, and for good reason. It’s hypnotic. A cold-water spring that bubbles up with such force it turns the surrounding river into an icy turquoise ribbon.
Here’s what most tourists don’t know: if you go in the late afternoon, after the buses leave, it’s almost empty. The light filters through the trees, and the air gets noticeably cooler. It’s the perfect break from the beach heat.
There’s also a little café built into the forest nearby. They serve Turkish coffee in tiny porcelain cups, and the owner’s daughter sometimes plays the guitar in the background. It’s small moments like that that make this region so layered—so full of texture.
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5. Lekursi Castle at Sunset – The Local Classic
Okay, I know this one isn’t really a “day trip.” It’s technically still in Saranda. But it deserves its own spot.
On a clear day, you can see Corfu, Ksamil, the whole curve of the Ionian coastline. I recommend going about 30 minutes before sunset. Grab a glass of red and just watch the sky melt into the sea.
Every time I bring someone up there—clients, friends, even my own parents—they say the same thing: “How is this not more famous?” And that’s the thing. Saranda has everything the more hyped Mediterranean destinations have. But without the crowds. Without the chaos. And with prices that still make sense.
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
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One Last Thought Before You Pack the Car
It’s easy to fall in love with Saranda. The sun, the food, the prices. But it’s when you explore beyond the town—into the hills, through the olive groves, along the winding coastal roads—that something shifts. You stop being a visitor. You start to imagine a life here.
That’s what happened to me years ago. And now, it happens every week. A couple comes for a holiday, they take a few day trips, and suddenly they’re asking me about Saranda apartments for sale or whether they can work remotely with a sea view.
(Yes. And yes.)
If you’re curious, take a look at this modern apartment just 120m from the beach. It’s new, bright, and ridiculously well-located for morning swims or evening walks into town.
Or browse our full listings here vivaview.alhttps://www.vivaview.alYou visit oftenSaranda Real Estate: VivaView .You never know what might call to you.
But either way—get in the car. Take the drive. Stop for coffee, try the qofte, walk through ruins, breathe the mountain air.
Because Saranda isn’t just a destination. It’s a doorway.
And once you open it, well… you may never want to leave.
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