Day Trip to Saranda & Butrint National Park (Optional) from Corfu

Overview

Mobile ticket

Our single-day cruise to the fascinating country of Albania is aimed at adventurous travellers seeking something out of the ordinary. From the Port of Corfu, we follow the Albanian coast to the city port of Saranda. A 20 km guided coach tour of the south coast’s virgin shores and scattered islands is available. We pass small picturesque villages and endless fertile plains that lead to a great lake. The highlight of your day will be a visit to Butrint – an UNESCO World Heritage site. Over the centuries, the ancient town had disappeared under layers of silt and vegetation. In recent years, however, archaeologists have uncovered some of the finest working town remains in the Mediterranean. The Venetian Tower near the entrance, the ancient theatre, the Temple of Asclepius, the ancient gymnasium, the Roman Baths, the Roman Baptistery with its priceless mosaic floor, the Lion gate and the enormous Cyclopean walls will transport you back in time from 2500 years till the 3rd century.(OPTIONAL)

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Coach tour in Albania with Lunch (OPTIONAL)

Professional guiding in French every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

Professional guiding in English every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Professional guiding in German every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

Entrance to the Ancient City of Butrint and the Museum in the Venetian Castle (OPTIONAL)

Items purchased from the on-board bar

Drinks at the restaurant during lunch (If Butrint Tour Selected)

Port fees (20€)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Corfu Palace Hotel

2, Leoforos Democratias Corfu Town Greece

Please be aware that due to the limited passport & customs control facilities and due to the lack of personnel for passport control, there might be a delay in the control process at the port of Corfu, from 30 to 90 minutes upon arrival or departure for all the summer itineraries. Our company provides coach transfers to and from the hotel and the main Port of Corfu. The duration of coach transfer depends on your hotel location (from 20' to 120', approximately). Please be at the meeting point at least 5 minutes in advance and look for the bus with an Ionian Cruises sign. The Corfu Cruises Customer Service phone number is available for the morning coach transfer. Please note that our company provides transfer from San George-Pagi (North) every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Departure from the port at 08:45. Boarding from 07:40 until 08:20. Terminal gate closes at 08:30. Please be at the port at least 40 minutes before the scheduled boat departure time if you have not booked a pick-up. The departure time is subject to slight change according to local traffic conditions.

What To Expect

Corfu Old Town

Admire the scenery of the Old Town of Corfu

Admission Not Applicable

Saranda

Arrival at the main Port of Albania (Saranda). Passport control and coach boarding

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

With Transfer & Butrint Tour

Butrint Tour & Luch: Includes round-trip transfer from your hotel, ferry tickets, and a guided tour to Butrint National Park & Lunch
Pickup included

With Tranfer (No Butrint)

Pickup included

Without Transfer & Butrint

Guided Tour Butrint: Meet us directly at the port of Corfu. Includes ferry tickets and a guided visit to Butrint National Park & Lunch

Without tranfer (No Butrint)

Reviews

4.00

6 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Ruins and info great, shame it didn't live up to advertised expectations
Tammy G,
Jun 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
I really enjoyed all the information and looking at the ruins. Although disapointed not to see the big mosaics advertised in the description of the trip and my main purpose in going. The lunch was a buffet style and Although it was good I expected something traditional. As for the time left to look around Sarandra, we found it to be pointless unless you want more food and drink we saw two shops selling junk items, and we did walk up and down the tiered streets as recommended. Would not do again unfortunately.
Buntrint with lunch
paulw69,
Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A fantastic day of Antiquity, and a very very enjoyable buffet. Great guide and driver, also relaxing cruise there and back.
Excellent visit from Butrint.
Martine H,
May 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Very nice day with our myra guide who spoke French very well. Beautiful argeological site to see absolutely. I recommend this excursion.
Well organised and interesting day trip
Allison M,
May 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The day was very well organised. We opted for the pick up which was prompt, professional and comfortable. When we arrived at the port, we were clearly directed as to where we should be and what to do, there were plenty of staff to assist. The boat was comfortable and the journey to Sarandë took about 1 hr 15 minutes, it was very smooth for most of it, around 10 minutes on the approach to Sarande was a little choppy. Once we arrived, we were professionally guided to the correct coach by language and greeted by our guide who stayed with us for the remainder of the day. He gave us great information as we toured the site of Butrint which was amazing. If you are unsteady in your feet the paths here can be a little difficult, there were some people with strollers on our tour and I think it was very hard for them. The included lunch was really good and in a nice location, we then returned to Sarande for around an hour of free time before heading back to Corfú. We were are party of 3 - couple of 55 and one 70+ year old - and we all had a great day and thought it to be exceptionally good value.
Expensive excursion with regard to interest ....
allojudo,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
From our hotel in Messonghi, 50 minutes by coach to reach the city of Corfu departure from the boat. Then 50 minutes by boat to Albania where we discover the city of Saranda: concrete and buildings. The guide offers us from the arrival a break in a bar-restaurant (10 minutes by bus) to rest 30 minutes 🙄... And we leave by coach to the site of Butrint (35 minutes by bus), although classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but where visitors are free to walk anywhere, no limits or protection!? The site is of little interest to us... ruins, mosaics that are on the guides but not visible because covered with sand to protect them. Then back to the restaurant included in the price of the exit (35mn bus), a simple buffet with apple for dessert 🥴. Re-bus (20 minutes) towards the castle Lekuresi where we are offered a 15 minutes stop for the view + photo, we take the bus (20 minutes) for a free time in Saranda 50 minutes but not much to see, new constructions, bars, restaurants and few shops... Finally: Back, it's gone for 1 hour boat to Corfu and 50 minutes bus to the hotel... balance 5h30 transport..😕 It may be worth visiting Butrint if you are already in Albania, but the excursion from Corfu is disappointing...
A Quick Trip to Albania
Anne M,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Pretty organized and a well planned day to Sarande and Butrint. So many of the ruins are still standing and in decent shape. Bus driver managed to navigate a difficult detour due to construction. Lunch was delicious and included in my package.