Top 15 Beach Trips in Saranda

1.Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 125 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $71Our pick

This 6 to 7 hour tour from Saranda combines the ancient ruins of Butrint, a short Ksamil beach stop, the Blue Eye spring, and Lekuresi Castle. Tony is often the guide, though staffing can vary. Hotel pickup, transport, Butrint admission, Blue Eye admission, and WiFi are included. Bring snacks and cash for the optional Blue Eye train.

“Tony was a great guide…and best to go with a tour because I wouldn’t want to drive on the roads here. Pick-up and drop-off at our hotel, received highlights of all the places, including entrance fees. We only had to pay the €6/person to ride the train from the entrance of the Blue Eye park to the actual spring head waters. (The train is one of those “kiddie trains” used for tours around city streets.) Perfect amount of time in all the places, but no time for lunch built into the schedule…so eat a good breakfast or bring snacks. Plenty of time to get a drink, but not a sit-down…”

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2.From Durrës or Golem: Ksamil, Saranda and Blue Eye Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 14 hours · from $52Best value

Travel from Durrës or Golem to southern Albania by air-conditioned coach, with a guide such as Mirsad, Andrew, Beni, or Mario. Swim at Ksamil, stroll Saranda, see Corfu from Lekursi Castle, and visit the Blue Eye spring. It is a long day, but hotel pickup, transport, guiding, and Blue Eye entry are included.

“This day trip to Ksamil, Sarandë, and the Blue Eye was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and stunning scenery. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Highly recommend if you’re looking to see some of Albania’s most beautiful spots in one day!”

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3.Mussel Sailing Tour with Food and Drink in Albania

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Top rated

Join a small traditional-boat tour from the Baba Sherifi meeting point near Ksamil. Guides such as Elidon and Antonio explain mussel farming, help you clean the catch, and take you to a family-run restaurant for mussels prepared several ways, vegetables, bread, local white wine, and water.

“In early summer, this tour leaves from right in front of Butrint park and is very easy to find. Ilio explained the life cycle of farmed mussels and we met mussel farmers and fishermen. It was beautiful and relaxing! After debearding the mussels, we visited Livia restaurant and feasted on them. An absolutely wo of experience!”

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4.Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil and Lekuresi Castle Tour From Saranda

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 102 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $81

This six-hour Saranda tour links Lekuresi Castle, the Blue Eye, Butrint National Park, and Ksamil in an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi. You may get a private car or join a small group, despite the private-tour wording. Guides such as Elvis, Mara, Katie, and Marjela have earned praise for flexible schedules and thoughtful help.

“It was amazing. The driver was very friendly. We were a bit late so we couldn't do the first one but we did the three which was blue eye, butrint national park and kshmil beach. They were all beautiful places.”

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5.Stand Up Paddle-boarding around Ksamil islands (3 times a day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Meet Ari at Kristal Seafood Restaurant in Ksamil for a guided SUP outing around the Ksamil Islands. You’ll receive a short lesson, paddle across clear water, and may swim before returning for coffee or tea. Sunrise, morning, afternoon, and sunset timing can suit different schedules. Beginners are welcome, and groups can include up to 15 people.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable a friendly. He taught us how to paddle and the islands he showed us were so beautiful it was a highlight of my holiday. Would definitely do again if I come back to Ksamil. Highly recommend.”

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6.Saranda Catamaran VIP to Krorez and Kakome Beach with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $106

Set out from Saranda’s Limion Port at 9:30 a.m. on a catamaran capped at 29 people. Swim at isolated Krorëza, Kakome, Soldier’s Beach, and Qefal Beach, then enjoy a boat-cooked lunch. Mario may be both your crew member and chef, with seafood linguini and flexible meal options available.

“A very wonderful tour. The boat was very spacious. We were able to stop at each stop for an ample amount of time for a swim . The crowd was amazing too everyone was dancing at various points and staff was very responsive and attentive. I would recommend going !”

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7.Buthrotum, Blue Eye Springs, Ksamil and Lekursi Castle from Saranda

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $180

From Saranda or Ksamil, this 4 to 6-hour tour combines the Blue Eye spring, Butrint’s ancient ruins, a short Ksamil stop, and Lekursi Castle. You travel by air-conditioned minivan with pickup, water, snacks, and a local guide. Guides such as Irena, Linda, and Leo have earned special praise, though stop times can be tight.

“My mom and I booked a private tour, that way we got to decide how long to stay where, when to stop in between etc. Our guide Irena was the most wonderful guide you could ever hope for. Our driver added great information in Albanian which Irena translated for us. Butrint is a very unique experience I would recommend for anyone, the blue eye has many tourists but kind of feels like a must see of the area and the castle has a spectacular view! Best day of our trip, thank you!!!”

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8.Half-day Tour in South Albania (Blue Eye, Lekursi Castle, Ksamil)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $118

Set out from Saranda or Ksamil with guide Ari for a compact tour of southern Albania. You’ll visit the vivid Blue Eye spring, the hilltop ruins of Lekursi Castle, and a favorite Ksamil beach. Transport, entrance fees, snacks, and water are included, while beach costs and personal spending are not.

“A great trip! We had a limited time being cruise ship guests to the area and our friendly tour guide was great at making sure we were back in plenty of time as indicated on the tour timings. A really nice potter about 3 lovely spots and well worth it for us to make the most of our short time docked in Sarandë. Absolutely loved the blue eye, worth the journey out - it was stunning and our guide kindly bought us a drink in the cafe at the site. Would recommend, you'll be in good hands! (Picture of us and our guide in the blue eye photo).”

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9.Into the Blue :Adventure Along the Beaches of Saranda Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $52

From Saranda, cruise north with Lily Boat Tour to Turtles Cave, Anchor Cave, Gremina Bay, Kakome Bay, Lovers Bay, and Krorez Beach. Guide and captain names vary, with Ilir, Sokold, and Ibrahim praised for friendly, capable service. Expect a 5-hour trip, bottled water, swimming stops, and about 3 hours at Krorez.

“This tour was absolutely amazing from start to finish! We explored beautiful caves, Grëmina, Kakome, and Krorez, each one more stunning than the last. The group was small, which made the experience more personal and relaxed, and everything was perfectly organized. Our tour guide went above and beyond to show us hidden gems along the way, making the trip feel really special. The boat itself was super comfortable, and the captain was both professional and fun, playing great music and keeping the vibe lively while giving us plenty of free time to enjoy the beaches Highly recommended to anyone visiting Saranda! this is the kind of tour that makes your…”

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10.Visit The Ancient City of Butrint and the Beaches of Ksamil

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $77

Travel from Saranda to Butrint National Park and Ksamil in about five hours. You’ll see Butrint’s Greek and Roman theater, Byzantine Basilica, castle museum, and other ancient remains with a live guide, then have time at Ksamil’s beaches. Pickup is available from the port, your hotel, or the Tea Tours office. The guide Elidon has earned particular praise for bringing the site’s legends to life.

“We booked a group tour, and got a private tour due to numbers - win! Our guide tried, but did not have as much knowledge as other guides I have had, but did add to our experience. Butrint is definitely worth the visit - we really enjoyed the walk around the site. Ksamil is, however, not worth the effort, it is now so over-developed that there is very little point in visiting for an hour, you either need to stay for a full afternoon/evening or not bother. It would be worth a different, less busy beach option.”

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11.Full Day Tour: Butrint National Park, Ksamil, Blue Eye and Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $132

Start in Saranda at 9:30 am for a six- to seven-hour tour of Butrint National Park, Ksamil, the Blue Eye, and Lekursi Castle. Guide Neida leads the experience, with pickup, drop-off, and an air-conditioned vehicle included. You will need to budget separately for Butrint and Blue Eye admission and any meals.

“Todos os locais visitados são fantásticos! Adorámos! Foi um dia cheio, mas não foi cansativo. E a nossa Guia, a Neida, foi 5 estrelas! Obrigada Neida.”

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12.The Albanian Riviera, Porto Palermo, Qeparo Village, And A Big Ol’ Kalaja.

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · from $98

Travel from Saranda to Porto Palermo and old Qeparo on a private English or Italian tour. See Ali Pasha’s fortress, a former Soviet submarine base, cobbled lanes, old churches, and a castle shaped by French military design. Pickup is offered, and the experience returns to Saranda.

“Compramos por error viaje desde Saranda , cuando pudimos buscar TIRANA… cuando nos dimos cuenta avisamos la noche anterior … pero no nos devolvieron nada ( ojo esta en la letra)pero pensamos aunque sea el 50 por ciento sería lo más justo ! En fin seguimos las vacaciones”

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13.Visit Qeparo Village and The Beaches of Himara

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $107

Travel from Saranda by air-conditioned vehicle to Qeparo, where cobbled lanes, old churches, and Ali Pasha Tepelena’s castle set the scene. Then enjoy about two hours at a Himara beach. Pickup is available from your hotel, Saranda Port, or Tea Tours’ office. The tour runs in English and returns to the starting point.

“They do not comply with the offer, they took us in a car of the 60s, without air conditioning because it comes out hot and without belts, a horrible little trip Besides, they also do not fulfill the itinerary, they do not take to the beach of livadhi, if not to the one that catches them passing through. The guide isn't ready either. Anyway a scamAuto-translated”

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14.Tour in South of Albania (Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $195

Travel from Saranda with guide Ari to ancient Butrint, the Blue Eye spring, hilltop Lëkurësi Castle, and the beaches and islands of Ksamil. The roughly five-and-a-half-hour outing includes transport, guiding, snacks, drinks, entrance fees, and hotel pickup in Saranda or Ksamil. Summer traffic may change the order of stops.

“We chose this tour with Ari and it was amazing.”

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15.Riviera Tour Borsh-Qeparo-Himare-Porto Palermo-Vuno-Dhermi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $145

Travel from Saranda along Albania’s Ionian coast with a private group and local guide. You’ll see Borsh, Qeparo, Porto Palermo Castle, Himara, Vuno, Dhërmi, and Llamani Beach. Guide Kladji is associated with this experience and may adapt the day to your interests, including an added stop when time allows.

“Nos gustó mucho el tour por la Riviera albanesa con Kladji. El guía nos enseñó muchos sitios maravillosos en el tour, nos explicó muchas cosas de los sitios que veíamos y de la historia de Albania y nos llevó a Gjirokaster también que no estaba en el tour y teníamos muchas ganas de ver. Kladji fue muy amable con nosotros, nos compró fresas frescas en el tour y nos hizo pasar un día muy interesante viendo sitios preciosos. Muy recomendable. Se adapta a lo que necesites.”

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