The 15 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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9.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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10.1001 Windows of Berat & Golden Sunset in Apollonia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $126

Travel from Tirana to UNESCO-listed Berat and ancient Apollonia with an English-speaking guide such as Jetmir. See Berat’s white hillside houses, visit its castle and Onufri Museum, then walk among Greek and Roman ruins as the light turns gold. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Lunch is optional for €10.

“I have to say, this was one of the highlights of our trip to Albania. Our guide Jetmir was extremely attentive and informative. He made sure our trip was one for the books. Berat is one of the most beautiful cities in Albania and we had enough time to explore and even enjoy traditional lunch there. Apollonia is without a doubt a must see when visiting Albania. The museum is pretty impressive and the ruins of the city are breathtaking. The time of our visit to the archeological site was perfect, because we were able to capture pictures with a beautiful golden light. I would highly recommend this experience to…”

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11.Day tour of Apollonia Park, Vlore and Narta from Tirana&Durres

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $112

Travel south from Tirana or Durres with an English-speaking guide such as Gezim, visiting Apollonia’s Greek and Roman ruins, Narta Lagoon’s flamingos and pelicans, and Vlore’s Independence Square, Old Town, Muradie Mosque, and Kuzum Baba. Hotel pickup, transport, and binoculars are included.

“Apollonia Park is a gem and not to be missed. Our guide, Gezim, was delightful and informative. The entire day was interesting, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the coastal city of Vlore.”

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12.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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13.Ancients and Ottomans – Apollonia and Berat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $135

Spend about 10 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Apollonia Archaeological Park, Berat Castle, and the Onufri Museum. Guides such as Elton and Ervin add local stories about Albania’s Ottoman, communist, and ancient past. Hotel pickup is offered, though the tour can also begin at Tirana Castle.

“We have just completed a seven-day guided tour of Albania organised by Albanian Trip. This included visits to Ohrid in North Macedonia, the old towns of Berat and Gjirokastër returning to Tirana along the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, staying in Sarandë and Vlorë. The scenery was stunning, with steep, jagged hills, and old towns built into the hill sides and the return along the coast was through attractive villages and over high passes had fantastic views.”

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14.Private Full Day Tour of Butrint, Saranda & Gjirokaster from Tirana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $246

Travel south from Tirana in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide. See Gjirokaster Castle and Bazaar, explore UNESCO-listed Butrint, and stop in Saranda. Andy and Julio are named guides, and pickup, entry fees, and taxes are included. The long day also brings views along the Llogara Pass and Albanian coast.

“My guides, Andy and Julio were amazing - very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable! Definitely recommended!”

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15.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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