After a week of exploring historical cities and islands of Greece, we continued our backpacking through the Balkans journey towards North. We took a ferry from Paros to Athens and a overnight bus from Athens to Saranda, Albania, a very long day of travel.
Saranda (Sarandë), sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and hills of olive groves, is one of most charming towns and the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera in southern Albania. The city is known for its deep blue water of the Mediterranean. The village of Ksamili just south of Sarandë has a beautiful beach with several small islands one can swim to. Further south near Greek border, are the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During summer months the town gets really busy mostly with domestic tourists.
Pictures below are of Sarandë and surrounding area of the Albanian Riviera.
Welcome to Albania! Welcome to Saranda (Sarandë)! Welcome to the Albanian Riviera! A Simple Manhole Cover. A beautiful view from our Hostel Room!$450 Million Sailing Yacht A, decided to visit us in Sarandë. More information about that Yacht at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_(sailing_yacht)Delicious Breakfast with a breathtaking view of the Albanian Riviera and $450 Million Sailing Yacht A.A Fast ferry from Corfu(Greece) to Saranda(Albania) on the Ionian Sea with a very beautiful sunset in the backdrop.
During our stay in Sarandë, we took a public bus from the city center to visit Butrint Archaeological Site located within Butrint National Park. Butrint was an ancient Greek and later Roman city and bishopric in Epirus, located 15 KM south of Sarandë and close to the Greece border. Butrint is one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.
Ancient fortified walled city of Butrint on the bank of a lake Butrint (or lake Bouthrotum) originally founded in 7th century BC. In the picture is the Ali Pasha Castle and the Venetian Tower.The Vivari Channel, also known as Butrinto River, links Lake Butrint (Albania) with the Straits of Corfu (Greece), and forms a border of the peninsula of Butrint. According to international organizations, the channel serves as the demarcation line where the Adriatic Sea ends and the Ionian Sea begins.The Venetian Tower located near the entrance to the archaeological site, The building was erected in the 15th century and is a remnant of the period of Venetian rule in Albania.Roman Ruins in the Butrint Archaeology Site.Raul @ Roman Theater in the Butrint Archaeology Site.Roman Theater in the Butrint Archaeology Site.Roman Ruins in the Butrint Archaeology Site.Roman Ruins in the Butrint Archaeology Site overlooking the Vivari Channel.Albanian National Flag at the Butrint Archaeology Site.Raul at the Butrint Archaeology Site.
After visiting the Butrint Archaeological Site, we spent the afternoon at Ksamil (Ksamili), a village in the riviera of Southern Albania and part of Butrint National Park.
Ksamil is one of the most frequented coastal resorts by both domestic and foreign tourists.Birra Elbar, an Albanian Beer at the Ksamil Beach over looking the Ionian Sea.Beautiful Sunset from the Ksamil Beach over looking the Ionian Sea.Beautiful Sunset from the Ksamil Beach over looking the Ionian Sea.Raul enjoying a beautiful Sunset over the Ionian Sea from the Ksamil Beach.
During out stay in Sarandë, we hitchhiked to Muzinë, to visit the Blue Eye (Syri i Kalter), one of the most amazing natural sites in Albania.
The Blue Eye is a water spring with extremely clear turquoise blue water gushes from a more than 50-meter deep pool. Divers have attempted to descend into the Blue Eye to calculate its actual depth but it’s still unclear how far the mysterious hole really goes.The Blue Eye also known as ‘springs of Bistricë’ as it is the initial water source of Bistricë river, 25 km long, which ends in the Ionian Sea south of Sarandë.At the Blue Eye of Albania.Birra Kaon, an Albanian Beer, celebrating Albania as Raul’s 25th Country, at the Blue Eye of Albania.
After few days in Saranda (Sarandë), an unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, we continued our backpacking through the Balkans journey to the old town of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 