The 8 Best Butrint & Ancient Site Tours

1.Day Trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park from Corfu

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 847 reviews · 10 hours · from $68Our pick

Cross from Corfu to Saranda by boat, then ride along Albania’s southern coast to Butrint, a UNESCO-listed ancient city. A local guide such as Aferdita, Dori, Ilir, or Darinela may lead the visit, with ruins, a Venetian castle museum, and Roman mosaics. Choose free time in Saranda instead of Butrint if you prefer a slower day.

“Fantastic day out. Amazing sights, so much history at Butrint.”

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

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

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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3.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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4.Tour to Butrint Antic City/Blue Eye Spring/Lekursi Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $86Top rated

Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Saranda with guide Klajdi or another local guide to the Blue Eye, Lëkurësi Castle, Butrint, and Ksamil. Expect flexible timing, hotel or port pickup, a 30-minute walk to the Blue Eye, and extra fees for Butrint and the optional train.

“Excellent guide and driver. Kind and attentive to pace of walking. Very sweet and thoughtful. Thank you.”

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5.Private Day Tour of Saranda Gjirokaster and Butrint from Tirana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $251

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Tirana, Durres, or Golem to Gjirokaster, Saranda, and Butrint. Guides such as Ilir, Giulio, Skerdi, and Xhuljano bring local history and Albanian culture to life. Expect scenic roads, a castle, seafood by the Ionian Sea, and a long 13-hour day.

“Our guide, Guilio, was great. As there are many hours of driving on this tour, it’s important the driver/guide is personable and he definitely was. He was excited to share Albanian culture and traditions and was knowledgeable about the sites. My only warning about this tour is that it is A LOT of time in the car for one day, a better way might be to go down one day and come back the next, or continue on down to Greece.”

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6.Gjirokastra & Bylis Illyrian City Day tour Tirana/Durres/Golem

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $65

Travel from Tirana, Durrës, or Golem to ancient Bylis and stone-built Gjirokastër. You’ll see Illyrian ruins, the Old Bazaar, and Gjirokastër Castle with an English-speaking guide such as Xhuliano, Skerdi, or Guillio. The 11-hour day includes transport but not the €4 entrance fees for Bylis and the castle.

“La propia ciudad otomana y su impresionante castillo, blue eye y la vuelta por la Riviera Albanesa con el Mar Jónico de acompañante!!!!”

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7.Ancient City of Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage site – A Must

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63Best value

Travel from Saranda to UNESCO-listed Butrint National Park by air-conditioned car or minivan. You’ll spend about two hours among Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and later ruins with a guide such as Tony, Alban, or Gerdi. Pickup and bottled water are offered, but confirm the entrance fee and tour timing before you book.

“Butrint is located in a stunningly beautiful setting. The site itself is extensive and our guide was knowledgeable and very interesting. We were collected from our hotel on schedule and our bags were kindly stored for us in the company office. The whole trip was seamlessly organised. We really enjoyed our visit.”

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8.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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