Day Trips From Saranda That Will Make You Fall Even More in Love

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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