Sarandë
From Wikitravel
Sarandë, the gateway to the southern Albania, is a small town of about 33.000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Located opposite the Greek island of Corfu, Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters. Saranda typically has over 300 sunny days a year. Due to its location and warm weather Saranda is one of the most attractive tourist towns on the Albanian Riviera, where honeymooners traditionally spend their holidays. Fronting the sea and along the main promenade there are some hotels and restaurants which offer you catering facilities and accommodation.
[edit] Get in
Daily ferryboats link Sarandë with the nearby Greek island of Corfu.
[edit] Get around
[edit][add listing] See
Ksamili and Butrint
The village of Ksamili is near Sarande. Ksamili has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. There was one hotel in the village in 2005. The owner exchanges dollars as well operates a full service restaurant. You can catch a bus from Ksamili to Butrint.
Just outside of Ksamili, lies Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic.
Despite being one of the greatest classical cities of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. As of summer of 2005, there is an international archaeological team performing excavations at Butrint which can be observed inside the park.
[edit][add listing] Do
Above Saranda is the old Castle of Lekures at "Qafa e Gjashtes" (The Pass of Six). There is a nice outdoor restaurant within the castle from which you have panoramic views of Saranda Bay below, the inland mountains, the Butrint Lagoon and the island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea. After visiting Butrint and the Ali Pasha Tepelena Castle, you could go to the Pulbardha Beach and enjoy great food and relax on the sandy beach. Syri i Kalter is just 25 min away past the city of Saranda. This is a great place to visit and relax.
[edit] Contact
[edit] Contact
Attractive Travel, rr"Bardhok Biba"(Behind Hotel Tirana International), Fax: 00 355(0)42 244 347 Tel:00 355(0) 682020013 Email:attractivetravel@yahoo.com, . daily. This organization of scholars, professors, and specialists in such fields as architecture, archaeology, art history, and theology organize walking and bus tours for groups and individuals.
[edit][add listing] Buy
"Skenderbeu" Cognac
Miniature bunker from alabaster
"Albanische Mythologie" book
[edit][add listing] Eat
Saranda is bustling with restaurants, cafes and bars. Fast food places offer a surprisingly cheap and tasty variety of options: 1 euro will usually get you a good Souvlaki (usuallu pork) or a very nice crepe. Look out for yoghurt flavoured ice cream on the boardwalk, near the tourist info office. In Ksamil, there are a few places you can eat at. At least 4 restaurants in Ksamil are open year-round, but in the summer there are a lot more options and many are just seconds from the beach. All serve fresh seafood (fish, mussels, calamari, etc.) and local produce.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Albanian Raki, the local firewater.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- The Hairy Lemon, ☎ +355 69 355 9317. €10 per night. A small 12 bed hostel run by a great Irish lady. Has hot shower, laundry, free breafast, 24 hour tea and coffee, internet, comfy bunks, large balcony with awesome view of the beach and Corfu. Just a hop skip and a jump from a nice beach with complimentary beach chairs and beach umbrellas! Directions: A taxi from the port costs 3 euros. Otherwise, with your back to the Port turn left and continue on this coastal road (part tarmac and part dirt track) 1 km till you see a sign on the right: 'Pharmacy' and on the left 'Kasandro Restaurant' at the 'Apollonia Hotel' junction. Ask anyone along the coastal road for 'Apollonia Hotel'. From the map 'Andon Lapa Hotel' to 'Apollonia Hotel' is a 2/3 min walk. Above the 'Pharmacy' in the 10 storey lemon and orange building, look up to the 8th floor to see the 'Hairy Lemon' banner. Go to the opposite side of this building to find the entrance. You can get a key to the building from the shop near the building entrance. Take the lift to the 8th floor. From the lift go left, and the 'Hairy Lemon' awaits you, behind the last door on the left! 10 euro. editImage:Saranda map.jpgmap of saranda with reference to the hairy lemon hostel
- Jolly Hotel, Dhermi (on the boardwalk), ☎ 068-224-0334, [1]. This small beach village before reaching Sarande has a beautiful beach, and the Jolly Hotel has 4 person rooms for 20 to 25 euros per room (not person!). You can negotiate. The staff, food, room, and location are all great. 20euro. edit
The luxury five star Hotel Butrint in Saranda is prohibitively expensive but very pretty.
The simple yet nice Porto Eda Hotel.
[edit] Get out
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