Self-guided Walking Tour of Sarandë (2025)

Saranda Beach is the city’s main coastal attraction, stretching along the Ionian Sea with its clear turquoise waters and smooth pebbled shoreline. The beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, offering a vibrant atmosphere in the summer months while still retaining a sense of natural beauty. Lined with cafés, restaurants, and small bars, it provides visitors with the chance to enjoy local seafood and refreshments while taking in panoramic views of the sea and the nearby island of Corfu. Its central location makes it an easy stop for tourists exploring the city, blending relaxation with convenience.

Adjacent to the beach runs Saranda’s lively promenade, a hub of activity and social life in the city. Here, visitors can stroll past shops, market stalls, and cafés, enjoying the laid-back coastal vibe. The promenade is popular in the evenings, when locals and tourists gather to walk, dine, or simply enjoy the sea breeze. It also provides access points to water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, making it a versatile space that combines leisure, culture, and recreation in one scenic stretch along the waterfront.

Look out for remains of a 2,000-year-old stone pillar from Onchesmos on the beach itself. Onchesmos, known as Onhesmi in Albanian, was an ancient Greek settlement that flourished during the Hellenistic period. You will see more sites, which includes remnants of city walls, a synagogue, and a basilica, all situated near the modern waterfront.

In the heart of Saranda lie the remains of an ancient synagogue-basilica complex, one of the city’s most remarkable archaeological discoveries. The ruins date back to the 5th and 6th centuries, when Saranda was a thriving port city of the Byzantine Empire. Located near the eastern wall of late antiquity, the site highlights the religious diversity and cultural importance of the settlement during this period.

The original structure was a synagogue, believed to have served the city’s Jewish community. Its mosaics depict motifs such as the menorah, a shofar, and other symbolic elements, making it a rare testimony to Jewish life in the Balkans during late antiquity. Later, the building was converted into a Christian basilica, reflecting the religious transformations that swept the region. This layering of faiths makes the site particularly significant for historians and visitors alike.

Walking among the ruins today, one can see the outlines of walls, mosaic floors, and column bases that once formed part of the synagogue and basilica. The artistry of the mosaics, though weathered, still conveys the richness of the site’s decoration. Its urban location, set within the modern city center, creates a striking juxtaposition between the ancient and the contemporary.

The site continues to be studied and preserved, as archaeologists work to better understand the lives of the communities who used it. For visitors, it offers a rare opportunity to connect with both Jewish and Christian heritage in Albania, often overlooked in broader historical narratives. The Synagogue-Basilica ruins are an evocative reminder of Saranda’s place in the religious and cultural networks of the ancient Mediterranean.

The ruins of the Monastery of Forty Saints are among the most evocative landmarks overlooking Saranda. Perched on a hill to the east of the city, the site is named after forty Christian martyrs from Sebaste, a group of Roman soldiers executed for their faith in the 4th century. The monastery was an important spiritual center in Byzantine times, giving Saranda its name—derived from “Agioi Saranda,” meaning “Forty Saints.”

The monastery was built in the 6th century and was once a vast complex, with multiple chapels, a crypt, and living quarters for monks. It served as both a religious and cultural hub for the region, attracting pilgrims and reinforcing the city’s Christian identity. Its position on a high hill gave it visibility from the sea, symbolizing faith and offering guidance to sailors approaching the coast.

During the Second World War, the monastery suffered heavy damage from bombing, leaving much of it in ruins. Today, only fragments of its once grand structure remain, but the sense of history is palpable. Visitors can still explore the remains of its walls, arches, and underground chambers, while imagining the scale and significance of the original complex.

The site’s elevated position makes it not only historically meaningful but also visually rewarding. From the monastery, there are panoramic views over Saranda, the Ionian Sea, and the island of Corfu. This combination of history, spirituality, and scenery ensures that the Monastery of Forty Saints continues to captivate those who climb the hill to visit it. It remains one of the most unique monuments in the area, embodying both Albania’s Byzantine heritage and the resilience of its sacred sites.

Lëkurësi Castle occupies one of the most commanding positions in Saranda, standing on a hill above the bay with sweeping views over the Ionian coast. Built in the 16th century under Ottoman rule, the castle was constructed for defensive purposes, controlling the road from the hinterland to the sea. Its placement also gave it a strategic vantage point opposite the Monastery of the Forty Saints, making it part of a wider defensive network. Today, its ruins are a popular destination for travelers seeking both history and spectacular panoramas.

The castle itself consists of a square plan with circular towers at two of its corners, typical of Ottoman fortification style. Though much of it has fallen into ruin, the remaining walls give a clear impression of its once formidable presence. Within the castle grounds, traces of old structures and living quarters can still be discerned, reminding visitors that it was not just a defensive site but also a small settlement. Abandoned in the late 19th century after the nearby Lekures village was deserted, the fortress has since become a romantic ruin.

A visit to Lëkurësi Castle is as much about the views as the history. From the top, one can see the entire bay of Saranda, the island of Corfu across the water, and the rolling hills of the Albanian Riviera. The Qafa e Gjashtës (Neck of the Six), a mountain pass, lies within view, emphasizing the castle’s strategic location. At sunset, the panorama becomes particularly magical, making it a favored spot for both visitors and locals.

In recent years, parts of the castle have been adapted for tourism, with a restaurant and café operating within the walls. This allows visitors to enjoy traditional Albanian cuisine while immersed in a historic setting. Concerts and cultural events are sometimes held here, breathing new life into the ruins. Lëkurësi Castle combines the drama of Albania’s Ottoman past with the beauty of its coastal landscape, ensuring its place as one of Saranda’s most memorable landmarks.

The Museum of Archaeology in Saranda plays an important role in preserving and presenting the history of the region. Housed in the former post office building near the city’s waterfront, it was reopened in 2008 after renovation, giving visitors a modern space to explore ancient artifacts. Its collection focuses on the finds from Butrint and the surrounding area, making it a valuable complement to visiting the archaeological park itself.

Among its most striking features is the “Dolphin Mosaic” floor, a piece of Roman artistry that has been carefully preserved and displayed. Other highlights include inscriptions, pottery, sculptures, coins, and decorative objects that illustrate daily life in antiquity. Through these artifacts, the museum reveals how Saranda and Butrint developed across centuries, tracing influences from Greek colonists to Roman settlers and Byzantine rulers.

The museum’s layout is straightforward, with thematic displays that guide visitors through different historical periods. Informational panels, photographs, and reconstructions help bring the objects to life, offering insight into their use and cultural significance. The inclusion of mosaics and architectural fragments allows visitors to imagine how these pieces once adorned villas, baths, and public buildings.

Beyond its collections, the museum also serves as a cultural hub for Saranda, hosting exhibitions and educational programs that deepen public appreciation for local heritage. For travelers, it provides a concise and accessible introduction to the region’s rich past, especially useful for those who may not have the time to explore Butrint in depth. Small but engaging, the Museum of Archaeology is a rewarding stop in Saranda’s city center.

The Museum of Traditions in Saranda provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and social history of southern Albania. Housed in a two-story building in the city center, the museum presents an intimate look at the daily lives of the local communities over the centuries. Its exhibits focus on traditional crafts, household items, and domestic tools, illustrating how ordinary people lived, worked, and celebrated important occasions. Visitors can see how local materials and skills were used to create functional and decorative objects, preserving the memory of regional customs that might otherwise have been forgotten.

A highlight of the museum is its collection of traditional clothing from various Albanian regions, including Chameria, the Greek minority communities, Delvina, and the coastal areas. These garments showcase intricate embroidery, weaving techniques, and regional styles, offering insight into the identity and social status of their wearers. Alongside the textiles, the museum displays jewelry, tools, and utensils, painting a comprehensive picture of both daily life and ceremonial traditions. This makes it a valuable resource for understanding the interplay of culture, geography, and history in shaping the lives of Saranda’s inhabitants.

Although the museum is modest in size, it is thoughtfully curated to provide a rich educational experience. Panels and labels explain the provenance and purpose of each item, helping visitors appreciate the skill and creativity involved in traditional Albanian craftsmanship. The museum is also included in a combined ticket with the Museum of Archaeology and the Art Gallery of Saranda, allowing travelers to explore multiple aspects of the city’s heritage in a single visit. For anyone interested in Albanian history, culture, or ethnography, the Museum of Traditions offers an accessible and engaging encounter with the past.