Sarandë

Saranda City Break

Well our Break city tours are designed for those seeking a brief stay in Albania, or one of the many attractive cultural or historical centers or ethnographic panorama in general.  Join us in an impressive journey, that will take you throughout the trail of medieval historic events to a country that is undergoing dramatic changes.

Day 01: Port Saranda - Saranda

Arrival in the Port of Saranda. Transfer to center city. Check in the hotel. Accommodation & overnight Hotel in Saranda

Day 02: Saranda - Butrinti - Saranda  

Morning, after the breakfast, meet the group at the lobby and departure for a sightseeing tour in Butrinti ancient city. During visit on this site we will be focused mostly to the archeology. Butrint- Archaeological artifacts prove that during the 7th and the 6th centuries BC Butrint was a proto-urban centre, but it was only during the 5th century BC that it turned into a full city. By the end of the 4th century the agora, the boulevard, a small temple and the theatre holding 1500 seats were built up, the latter one fortunately being preserved till our days. The complex of the theatre and other buildings like Asklep’s temple, portico, baths, etc. form the most magnificent part of the ancient city.  During late antiquity and early Middle Ages, Butrint flourished greatly. The construction of the baptistery, which is the most important monument of the early Christian period, dates from this time. The baptistery, which has a round shape with a diameter of 13.50 m, is laid with multicolored geometric and animal mosaic motifs and bears special artistic values.  The hall has two rows of granite colonnades upon which the roof rests. After tour back in Saranda. Afternoon free time in the city center (Possibility to enjoy the dinner in Lekursi Castle, an interesting sight now days combined to a traditional restaurant). Enjoy the dinner and overnight. Hotel in Saranda

Day 03: Saranda - Gjirokastra - Saranda 

In the morning after the breakfast, meet the group at the lobby. Transfer to another interesting sight, situated in south of Albania.
On the way a short stop to Blue Eyes, water resource. Continue trip Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra - Many houses in Gjirokastër have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "Town of the Stones", because most of the old houses have roofs covered with stones. Of a great importance and interesting to be visit, are The Museum of Weapons (inside the castle)The Ethnographic Museum or known as the Enver  Hoxha house, The Castle of Gjirokastra, The characteristic house of Zekate, an important family in Gjirokastra. After tour, free time for optional lunch in other interesting sight, Park of Viroi, A traditional local restaurant is situated there. After lunch, free time and transfer back to Saranda. Enjoy the dinner and overnight. Hotel in Saranda. 

Day 04: Saranda - Port Of Saranda 

In the morning after breakfast, meet the group at the lobby and check out. Transfer to the Port.

Good to know:

  • Day 01:  Port Saranda - Saranda

  • Day 02:  Saranda - Butrinti - Saranda

  • Day 03:  Saranda - Gjirokastra - Saranda

  • Day 04:  Saranda - Port of Saranda

Including: 

  • Transportation AC vehicle, including all taxes, parking and road tolls

  • Professional Local Guide English speaking – according to the program

  • Entrance fees as detailed in the program

Not Including:

  • Extras out of program

  • Drinks

  • Gratuities

  1. Mother Teresa (Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu) is generally celebrated as the only Albanian to win a Nobel Prize, though born in Skopje in 1910 (now in Macedonia but then in the Ottoman Empire).
  2. Between 1950 to 1985 around 600,000 bunkers were built in Albania, they are nearly impossible to destroy so many are still in existence.
  3. Noding your head in Albania is a disagreement while shaking the head means “yes”, so it can get pretty confusing for tourists.
  4. At its closest point Albania is only 10km away from Corfu across the Ionian Sea.
  5. Hoxha’s official title was ‘Comrade-Chairman-Prime Minister-Foreign Minister-Minister of War-Commander in Chief of the People’s Army’ – quite a mouthful!
  6. Under the leadership of Enver Hoxha, Albania was declared the world’s first atheist state in 1967.
  7. Xhiro is the name for an evening walk in Albania. Some of the towns close roads to cars at certain times of the evening so locals can talk their daily stroll.
  8. Norman Wisdom was a cult figure in Albania where he was one of the few Western actors whose films were allowed in the country under Hoxha’s dictatorship
  9. Officially 70% of Albanians are Muslim but the number who actively practice is much lower.

  1. George Kastriot Skanderbeg
  2. Mother Teresa
  3. Fan Noli
  4. Pope Clement XI
  5. Gjon Mili
  6. Ismail Kadare
  7. Ferid Murad
  8. Inva Mula
  9. Eliza Dushku
  10. John and Jim Belushi
  11. Ermonela Joha

Saranda

1 of 7