2025 Recommended Itineraries in Saranda (Updated September)

Dreaming of turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a bit of history? Sarandë and Ksamil make the ultimate duo on Albania’s Riviera — and they’re only 20 minutes apart. Here's how to combine both in a single (perfect) day or over a relaxed weekend: ☀️ Morning: Start in Sarandë 🏖️ Take a Seaside Stroll Begin your day along Sarandë’s promenade. Grab a coffee with a sea view — locals love places like Haxhi or Mare Nostrum — and soak up the laid-back vibes. 🏛️ Optional: Lekuresi Castle If you are up for a quick panoramic view, head to Lekuresi Castle (10-min drive uphill). You’ll get a stunning vista over both Sarandë and Ksamil — perfect for early photos before the heat hits. 🚐 Midday: Head to Ksamil 🚌 How to Get There: By bus: Every 30–60 minutes in summer from Sarandë (approx. 100–150 lek) By car or taxi: 15–20 minutes, super easy (taxis may charge €10–15) By scooter or bike: Ideal for flexibility, but it can be hot in summer 🏝️ Ksamil: The Beaches You Came For Now for the main event — Ksamil’s famous beaches. Think crystal-clear waters, beach bars, and tiny islands you can swim or kayak to. Top Beaches to consider: Ksamil Beach 9 & 10 – good mix of crowds + views Bora Bora Beach – chill vibes, soft sand, bars nearby Lori Beach – more local and relaxed Private beach clubs (like Guvat or Cori) if you want comfy loungers 🛶 Tip: Rent a kayak or paddle boat to explore the Ksamil islets just off the shore! 🌅 Evening: Back to Sarandë Return to Sarandë in the late afternoon. Walk the promenade at sunset Enjoy seafood dinner at places like Taverna Fish Filipi or La Petite Grab a drink at rooftop bars like Sunset by the Sea or Jericho Cocktail Bar 📌 Final Tips Time your trip: Ksamil gets crowded in July–August, so go early or off-season if you can Transportation: Buses are cheap but irregular, so renting a car/scooter gives freedom Stay overnight? Definitely worth it if you want to relax — Ksamil is quieter at night!

🌍 Passport in hand, just go! 4 off-the-beaten-path visa-free countries✨ Airfare 3k+ with prices so low it’s touching! 🏰 TOP 1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (Round trip 3.2k) 💵 7-day expenses: 4k ✅ Eastern Europe’s hidden gem ▫️ Mostar Old Bridge: Free to watch the diving warriors 🤽‍♂️ Early 8 AM for empty shots ▫️ Sarajevo: Stay in an Ottoman old house for 80/night! Eat Burek cheese rolls for 3 yuan bursting with flavor 🧀 ▫️ Bragaj Fortress: Hike a wild castle 🏰 Pick raspberries and feed deer 🦌 🍜 Food: Somun bread with grilled meat for 5 yuan! Cherries 10 yuan/jin for freedom 🚌 Itinerary Day 1-3: Explore Latin Bridge and Yellow Fortress sunset in Sarajevo Day 4-5: Hunt for copperware in Mostar - stay in a riverside guesthouse Day 6-7: Hike in Bragaj - carry handmade coffee back 🏜️ TOP 2 Oman (Round trip 4k) 💵 6-day expenses: 5k ✅ Hidden wealthy spot in the Middle East ▫️ Green Mountain Sinkhole: Free! Cliff pool overlooking the canyon 💧 Brew coffee with Bedouins in exchange for roasted lamb ▫️ Sur Turtle Bay: Night visit to see turtles laying eggs 🐢 (August only!) ▫️ Nizwa Market: Bargain silver daggers for 150 yuan 🗡️ Uncle fills your bag with dates 🍜 Food: Shark meat stew for 20 yuan! Saffron ice cream for 8 yuan, mind-blowing 🚗 Itinerary Day 1: Shoot starry dome at Muscat Mosque Day 2: Cliff pool diving at Green Mountain Day 3: Watch turtles in Sur - stay in beach tents Day 4: Market day in Nizwa - learn pottery making 🌊 TOP 3 Albania (Round trip 3.5k) 💵 5-day expenses: 3k ✅ Mediterranean alternative top pick ▫️ Ksamil Islands: Free snorkeling! Breadcrumbs attract a fish storm 🐠 ▫️ Gjirokastër: Stay in a stone castle for 100/night ⚔️ Help the blacksmith forge a silver eagle ▫️ Blue Eye Spring: Jump into 16℃ icy spring 💧 So cold it feels out of body 🍜 Food: Grilled rainbow trout for 15 yuan! Olive oil dipped bread is heavenly 🛵 Itinerary Day 1: Relax in Ksamil - collect sea glass Day 2: Learn silver carving in Gjirokastër - eat kiln-roasted lamb Day 3: Dive in Blue Eye Spring - stay in a waterfall guesthouse Day 4: Buy olive oil soap and head home 🦒 TOP 4 Tanzania (Round trip 5k) 💵 7-day expenses: 6k ✅ Africa’s hidden gem ▫️ Zanzibar Island: Free! Pet Persian cats in Stone Town 🐈 Bargain at the morning market for lobster at 30 yuan ▫️ Jozani Forest: Track red colobus monkeys 🐒 Guide fee 50 yuan worth every penny ▫️ Northern beaches: Exclusive pink sand beaches 🏖️ Starfish cover the seabed 🍜 Food: Coconut curry crab for 15 yuan! Cassava leaf fish stew so good you’ll lick the plate 🚤 Itinerary Day 1: Maze alleys of Stone Town - eat spice pizza Day 2: Monkey tracking in forest - stay in coral house Day 3: Snorkel at pink sand beach - collect starfish Day 4: Learn to make clove coffee - carry spices home 💡 Safety tips for solo female travelers 1️⃣ Accommodation: In Bosnia, choose a female dorm in Sarajevo Old Town hostel! 50 yuan/night super safe 2️⃣ Avoid scams: Use OTAXI APP for taxis in Oman! Roadside taxis charge double 3️⃣ Bargaining: Halve the price in Tanzania! Lobster from 80 down to 30 yuan 4️⃣ Must-have: Bring a foldable water bottle! European hostels often have little hot water 📸 Iconic no-face shots ▫️ Mostar Old Bridge sunrise → silhouette with coffee cup ▫️ Green Mountain sinkhole pool → aerial shot blending into the emerald lake ▫️ Pink sand beach at low tide → bucket of starfish aerial shot 💬 Got cherry wine from a grandma in Bosnia… Click 🐷 to get the "Visa-Free Country Dialect Handbook" 🗣️ Hardcore tips for bargaining and taking taxis

Europe is known for its high costs, but across the sea from Italy lies a small, unspoiled gem of a country with a socialist charm. Prices here are almost half of what you'd find in Italy. The cuisine is a delightful blend of Italian and Turkish flavors. You'll also get to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites. Day 1: Sightseeing in Tirana Day 2: Visit Kruja Castle → Berat ✅️ The City of a Thousand Windows Day 3: → Saranda ✅️ Ionian Sea Resort → Butrint ✅️ A coastal city with roots dating back to the Greek era → Saranda Day 4: → Gjirokastër ✅️ The Stone City → Saranda After sightseeing, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the ultimate resort experience. From Saranda, you can take a ferry to Corfu Island in about an hour. The pastel-colored old town streets are perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.

Albania is one of Europe’s last underrated gems — a place where rugged mountains, UNESCO-listed towns, and crystal-clear beaches coexist without the crowds (for now). But when exactly is the best time to visit? After traveling across the country on a 7-day adventure — from the capital Tirana to beach paradise Ksamil — I can tell you this: timing matters. Let’s explore which season is best for this itinerary, depending on your travel style, weather preferences, and interests. 📍 First, here is the 7-day itinerary I followed: Day 1: Tirana – Albania’s colorful and quirky capital Day 2: Shkoder – Art, history, and cycling by the lake Day 3: Kruje – Medieval town and Ottoman bazaar Day 4: Berat – UNESCO city of a thousand windows Day 5: Gjirokaster – Stone City with fairytale views Day 6: Blue Eye + Sarande – Natural springs + seaside charm Day 7: Ksamil – Caribbean-like beaches with a Balkan soul 🌸 SPRING (April – early June): The Ideal Balance If I had to recommend one perfect season for this itinerary, it would be late spring, especially May to early June. Why Spring is Great: Nature is in full bloom: The mountains around Gjirokaster and Berat are lush and green. Mild temperatures: Days are sunny but not too hot — perfect for sightseeing and hiking. Beaches are peaceful: Ksamil and Sarande are still relatively quiet before the summer rush. Prices are lower than peak summer, and accommodation is easier to find. ☀️ SUMMER (late June – August): Best for Beach Lovers Summer is high season in Albania, and for good reason: the beaches in Ksamil and Sarande are at their most spectacular. Why Summer is Great: Perfect beach weather: Ksamil feels like the Maldives, with warm turquoise water. Blue Eye Spring is refreshing: and a welcome break from the heat. Festivals & local events in Tirana, Shkoder, and Gjirokaster bring extra energy. But… Consider This: Temperatures in cities like Berat and Gjirokaster can exceed 35°C (95°F). Tourist numbers rise, especially on the southern coast. Accommodation in Sarande and Ksamil gets booked fast — plan ahead! Travel Tips for Summer: Start sightseeing early in the day to avoid the midday heat. Book accommodations in Ksamil at least 1–2 months ahead. Bring a reusable water bottle — tap water is safe in most places, and staying hydrated is key. 🍁 AUTUMN (September – October): Peaceful & Pleasant If you want the beaches to yourself and the weather still warm, autumn — especially September — is a hidden gem of a season in Albania. Why Autumn Works: Sea is still warm from summer, perfect for swimming in Ksamil. Fewer tourists, especially in towns like Kruje and Gjirokaster. Golden colors and harvest season in Berat — ideal for wine lovers and photographers. Prices drop and accommodation is easier to find. ❄️ WINTER (November – March): Budget-Friendly but Limited Winter in Albania can be charming in certain places but not ideal for this full itinerary. Pros: Very budget-friendly: flights and hotels are at their lowest. Fewer tourists: explore places like Tirana and Berat almost alone. Cultural experiences: Cafes, museums, and bazaars are open and cozy. Cons: The coast is quiet — many businesses in Ksamil and Sarande shut down. Snow in the mountains may affect roads to places like Kruje or Gjirokaster.