Saranda Albania: Even Better than Expected

Wondering what to do in Saranda? Look no further, pals. Also known as Sarandë, and Sarande, this colourful Mediterranean city is a great place to stay if you want to explore more of the Albanian Riviera. If any place in the world ever involves the word ‘riviera,’ you can pretty much guarantee that means it will be beautiful, and the Albanian Riviera- a stretch of olive grove-smattered rocky coastline running alongside the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea- is no exception.

How to get to Saranda Albania

The best way to get there is by taking the Hooti Campervan straight from Tirana National Airport.

Once you pick up your cozy, fully-equipped campervan, you're all set for a scenic journey through the heart of Albania. The drive to Saranda takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, offering breathtaking views of mountains, villages, and the Ionian Sea along the way.

Whether you're heading there for the beaches, the food, or the charm of the Albanian Riviera—getting there with Hooti makes the adventure even better.

The best beaches in Saranda

These days, tourism is the main economy for this little Albanian city, and walking along the main promenade by the beach feels pretty much the same as walking along a beach resort in Italy.

The atmosphere during late Summer when I was there, was busy and bustling, and the pebble beaches were full of groups of friends or families hanging out and having a laugh; although I’ll be honest, I think it’ll be a while before the city of Saranda is a mainstream destination for people outside of Albania, Greece or Italy.

The quieter, more beautiful beaches are located a very short distance outside of the city, around the village of Ksamil and beyond- which is about half an hour from Saranda by public bus. The crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches around the main resorts here can get busy in the height of summer, although it’s still easy to find secluded coves with fewer people relaxing on them.

Where to eat in Saranda

The landscape of Southern Albania produces the same kind of things that are available in other Mediterranean countries: the seafood here is amazing, and there is an abundance of olives, olive oil and citrus fruits. The dishes themselves are generally the same kind of thing you’d find in Italy or Greece- pizza and pasta from Italy, and souvlaki and salads from Greece.