One day trip from Corfu to Albania

Ferry from Kerkyra to Saranda

Ferries to Albania depart from Kerkyra, Corfu’s main port. Their destination is Saranda, Albania’s third-largest harbour. The port in Kerkyra is easily accessible from the city’s airport (line 15) or from the centre (lines 15, 16, or 17). You can find the timetable [here]. If you are staying in Corfu outside of Kerkyra, you can drive to the harbour area and park in one of the municipal car parks along the city walls. Unfortunately, there is no parking within the harbour area itself. It is advisable to allow some extra time for this, as you may need to walk some distance from your parking to the port.

**Remember:** Take your passport with you – Albania is outside the European Union and the Schengen Area.

Kerkyra-Sarande connections are operated by Ionian Seaways. You can choose between the fast (and more expensive) hydrofoil, which takes about half an hour, or the traditional, larger ferry, which takes twice as long. If your budget allows, we recommend the hydrofoil, which departs around 8 a.m.; a little after 9 a.m., you will be on the promenade in Saranda! You can buy your tickets on their website.

**Remember 2:** The carrier and the port authorities ask you to arrive at least one hour before the departure time.

The ferry port of Saranda is located at the far end of the local promenade, just off the exit of the small pink terminal. After a brief passport control, you are in Albania!

What to Do in Saranda?

The first place you will visit is the local seaside promenade. It is quite nice, well-kept, and very crowded during the high season. There are numerous cafes and bars along the shore where you can eat (check out our blog post about the Albanian food).  Unfortunately, apart from the promenade, the town has little to offer. Above the town are two castles – the Fortress of 40 Saints (ruined) and the Lekuresi Castle (converted into a party venue). Both are quite difficult to access (the access roads are on the other side of the mountains) and not very interesting. There are no good beaches in town, but Ksamil is quite nearby.

The primary reason for visiting Sarande would be two top sites of Albanian riviera: the ancient (and ruined) city of Butrint, and the sea resort of Ksamil.

Butrint

Butrint features intriguing ruins of an ancient Roman town. In Byzantine era it was the seat of a bishop (and actually still is). Later, Venetians left their mark by building a castle. The ruins are densely covered with green vegetation, which is quite unusual if you’re used to rather dry landscapes of Greek archaeological sites. We cover Butrint in our mobile guide to Albania, providing an audio guide in English with an offline map (download here)!  Also check out our blog post about visiting this fascinating place [here].

You can get there by bus (with a stop at the harbour), by taxi (be sure to arrange your return!), or by using the services of one of the local travel agencies. Renting a car is also an option. Driving in Albania is hassle-free, and the route to the ruins is straightforward (just drive straight down the street along the quay heading south).

For more things to see in the area, take a look at our mobile guide or this post (or preferably both!).

Ksamil

A local resort considered to be the most beautiful beach holiday destination in all of Albania. Each year thousands of tourists come here, lured by postcard images of three small islands – the ‘Ksamil islets’ – close to the mainland. And indeed, the islets are there, as are a dozen or so not very large (and not very sandy) beaches. Surrounded by dozens of waterfront bars and restaurants.