If you’re a history and nature lover, visiting Butrint National Park should be at the top of your bucket list, and we’re here to help you check that box off. Located on the southeastern coast, it’s one of Albania’s most known treasures, inviting everyone to go and enjoy the amazing sights. 

It’s a pretty frequented site, with many interesting sites and objects to explore, without leaving behind the beautiful natural landscapes, such as the crystal waters and eye-relaxing mountain views.

The co-existence of nature and historic structures makes this place even more unique and worthy to visit. We guarantee the history of Butrint National Park buffs will swoon over the place—there is plenty to see and explore there, which we’ll get into in thorough detail further down.

Why Should You Visit the Butrint National Park in Albania?

As the informing experts we know ourselves to be, we’ll give you a bunch of reasons why you should pay a visit to the Butrint National Park. This place is:

1. The largest archaeological park in Albania. Even though it's a small country, Albania is home to many beautiful archaeological sites, Butrint Park being the largest of them all. 
2. Home to numerous historical and cultural treasures. Having once been an ancient city, Butrint is home to many historical and cultural treasures, such as The Roman Theater, The Archaeological Museum, and similar, which we’re sure will stay on your mind for a long time.
3. So close to the beach! The park is situated very close to some of the most beautiful beaches in Albania, such as the ones in Ksamil and Saranda. When you’re done admiring the site, you can take a quick dive into the crystal clear waters and enjoy a refreshing swim. 
4. A nature lover’s paradise with rich diversity of flora and fauna. Thanks to its unbeatable location, surrounded by trees from all sides, the park is the equivalent of paradise for any nature lover out there, beaming with life. 
5. A true representative of Mediterranean culture.  Given that it was inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been a Greek Colony and also a Roman City. It had its time of wealth while under the Byzantine administration, and then the Venetians came into the picture. It was abandoned in the late Middle Ages. With all these various cultures leaving their mark in Butrint, the place has become an actual representative of Mediterranean background.
6. Full of outdoor activities, including hiking, bird watching, and boating. Beautiful sights and historical monuments are not all that this place has to offer, of course. For all adventurers, hiking and boating are a perfect choice while visiting Butrint. Also, the variation of fauna in this park makes bird watching an ideal activity for more tranquil visitors. 
   

And, if this wasn’t enough, there’s another interesting fact related to Butrint—it was actually mentioned in Virgil’s masterpiece, “Aeneid!” The author states that the main character of his poem visited this place after his escape from the destruction of Troy. How cool is that?

There are various modes of transportation that can get you to the Butrint National Park. If you’re visiting from outside of Albania, the easiest way to get there is to fly to Tirana (Albania’s capital city), and then go to the park from there by:

1. Car
2. Bus
3. Taxi
4. Plane + ferry

We’ll take you through each choice so that it’s easier for you to decide!

#1. By Car

Most people go to the Butrint National Park by car. It’s the most comfortable option, having in mind that the  drive from Tirana is around 4 hours long. 

If you’re on vacation in Saranda and want to take a day trip to this place, its only a 30-minute drive. However, you’ll still be able to see amazing panoramic views leading up to your destination. The road is clear and has information boards at each turn, so you won’t get lost!  

#2. By Bus

There are buses from Saranda to Butrint National Park that also pass through Ksamil. The bus drive usually lasts about 30 minutes as well. A bus ticket to Butrint costs around 1.7 euros, and the buses depart every hour from the terminal—you just need to let the driver know where you want to get off.

#3. By Taxi

A taxi ride is also a comfortable and reliable way to get around. It should cost around 3–4 euros (you can negotiate the price with the drivers), and you can either ask the taxi driver to wait for you or just grab another one on the way back.

#4. By Plane + an Additional Ferry Ride 

You can also take a plane directly to Corfu, a beautiful island in Greece, which is located just across the water from the park. From there, you can take a ferry to Sarande, and you’ll arrive in  Butrint in half an hour.

Accommodation at The Butrint National Park

The park itself does not offer any accommodation on site, as it’s an untouched natural area, but worry not! There are a number of hotels, guesthouses, and other accommodation options in the nearby city of Sarande, and we’ll give you some ideas on places where you can stay when visiting Butrint. 

Here is a list of the best hotels and apartments in this area:

1. Hotel Piccolino -  It’s a great option for a nice and comfortable stay in Saranda, near the park. 
2. Palma City Hotel- For a more luxurious stay, you can give this option a try.
3. Niko Apartments 
4. Denni’s Home 

These are both some more affordable and modest options, but will still give you a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Of course, we’re here to make sure you have a good time wherever you go, so let’s see how you can spend time while in The Butrint National Park. There’s something for everyone, so you can choose to:

#1. Explore Archaeological Sites

As we have mentioned before, Butrint National Park is home to countless valuable archaeological sites, some of them being:

The Amphitheater. The theater was originally built by the Greeks in 2 BC and was later remodeled to be influenced more by Roman culture. It was used for religious ceremonies and meetings with the community.

Sanctuary of Asclepius. The temple is set on numerous terraces and stands in front of the amphitheater. The ground is well-preserved ( from 3 BC to this very day) and pretty easy to explore. 



The Baptisery. This isa late antique structure known for its almost-in-perfect-shape mosaic floor. It was made of 16 columns that once supported a wooden roof in the 6th century AD.



The Great Basilica.  This place was the principal church in the ancient city of Butrint, and parts of it are still well-preserved. During Butrint’s time of wealth and success, in the 13th century, it was the Basilicas' time to shine once again—it was rebuilt and became Butrint’s cathedral.



#2. Take a Boat Tour

The park’s surroundings make it possible for anyone to take a boat tour around its coastal wetlands. From there, you can see a large variety of bird species, including here herons, egrets, cormorants and many more. 

There are also some boats that depart from Saranda, pass through the Butrint National Park, and end up at the beautiful beaches of Ksamil. A ride costs around 22 euros, but the price typically depends on the boat tour you’re taking.

#3. Hike Through the Butrint National Park’s Forests and Hills

If you’re feeling up for a walk, you can hike through a large forest and climb some hills, too. 

The scenery just takes your breath away (literally, if you get easily tired!). It’s all worth it when you see the landscape that accompanies you during the walk, with all the birds chirping and creating the perfect symphony that goes so well with the amazing scenery. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for hiking, or else you won’t be able to fully enjoy it!

#4. Visit the Butrint Museum 

For any history lover, going to the Archaeological Museum of Butrint would be a dream come true. This  was opened in 1938 to display the many Graeco-Roman finds, and it’s now enriched with objects found from excavations within Butrint. 



Seeing these ancient objects helps tourists understand the conditions of the rise and development of the city of Butrint during the Hellenistic and Roman times.



#5. Go to the Butrinti Summer Festival

Butrinti Summer Festival is also a great and fun way to enjoy your time in Butrint. Many people from all the surrounding places gather to see this festival bring life to the park. 

This event usually takes place in July and lasts a week, with dancers and singers coming from Albania, Greece, Macedonia, and even Ukraine. They give amazing performances in the form of dances and songs. This symbolizes the importance of all different cultures coming together as one for the sake of art and making people happy.

#6. Visit Ali Pasha’s Castle or Ksamil 

Ali Pasha’s castle is situated close to the Vivari Channel in the Butrint National Park, but the only way to get there is by boat. So, having this in mind, we can safely say that it’s a real hidden gem. It was built in the 15th or 16th century (that’s unsure to this day) and was named after the Ottoman ruler Ali Pashe Tepelena. 

A boat trip to the castle costs about 22 euros, but the entrance to the castle itself is free. 

#7. Relax on the Beach

Of course, we can’t help but mention the amazing beaches near the Park, some of them even being the best of Albania. 

The most popular ones are the above-mentioned  Saranda and Ksamil beaches, which  are very close to Butrint. Grab a beach chair and an umbrella and just unwind—after soaking up all that knowledge in the National Park, you also deserve to soak up some sun! 

Travel with Kalemi to Butrint National Park 

Multi Day UNESCO Tour

In this tour by Kalemi you’ll have the chance to explore 3 UNESCO sites in Albania. On the first day you’ll visit Gjirokaster, along with Zekate House and the medieval bazar, where you’ll be amazed by the beautiful handmade crafts from the locals. 

The next day you’ll get to visit the wonderful Blue Eye, a marvelous fresh water spring surrounded by beautiful greenery. The next stop is the second UNESCO site, Butrint, one of the most significant archaeological sites. Then, a drive along the coastline of the Albanian Riviera will feast your eyes with incredible views of the beaches nearby.

The third and final UNESCO site you’ll visit is the city of Berat, where you can explore the old Castle of Berat, which is steeped in culture and history. Then you’ll go to the old part of Berat, where the view of the countless windows will leave you stunned.



What to Expect While Visiting the Butrint National Park

Just so you are well-prepared for your trip, here are a few things you should have in mind when visiting the Butrint National Park:

• Opening hours are from 9am until 7pm, seven days a week.
• The entrance fee for the Park is 1000 ALL (around 8 euros).
• If you’re planning on exploring the whole park, it will take you about 2 to 3 hours. That means lots of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. 
• Since there aren’t many restaurants directly on the site, it would be best if you packed your lunch and ate it there, taking in all the beauty of the place.

Inside the town, you can find toilets and cafes where you can take a break from all the exploring.