Everything You Need to Know About Saranda Beach

Saranda Beach is the main beach in the popular town of Saranda along the beautiful coastline of Albania. Saranda Beach is the public beach in town, and while it might not be a ‘postcard’ beach, it’s the atmosphere, amenities and vibe that make it a great place to base yourself in Saranda Albania.

I spent one month living by Saranda Beach, and it ended up being one of my favourite destinations, even in July and August, when the crowds were at their biggest.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable beach holiday in the Summer, or are a digital nomad looking to escape the expense of Western Europe, Saranda (and Albania as a whole) is a destination to be considered for sure.

But first, let me tell you everything you need to know about Saranda Beach before you make the decision!

About Saranda Beach?

The city beach, known as Saranda Beach, is the main beach in Saranda and is located right in the heart of town. It’s very central, and is located between the neighbourhoods of Kodrra and Rruga Butrinti. Saranda Beach is in the Qender neighbourhood, meaning Centre so is perfectly placed.

For information, Koddra is the neighbourhood to the left of Saranda Beach and has a more local feel. Rruga Butrinti is to the right of Saranda Beach and is where you’ll find many beach clubs and bars.

Saranda Beach is the only public beach in town, so it does get a little busy. It has a long stretch of pebbles which meets bright blue water. It stretches the entire waterfront, from the Ferry Terminal (where you’ll see swimming lanes) all the way down to where the end of the embankment reaches Rruga Butrinti – it’s quite the stretch.

Of course, Saranda Beach is a ‘city’ beach, and it’s where many boats leave for trips and tours, and as I said above, it’s right next to the ferry terminal. So, it’s never going to be the best beach you’ll visit in Albania. However, the view over the bay, the fun and lively atmosphere and the fantastic amenities make this a great place to be in Saranda.

I would often wander down to Saranda beach and spend the afternoon catching some rays, having a quick swim (the water is actually quite good considering all the boats) and enjoy and ice cream or cocktail.

Hopefully you’ve got a bit of an idea of what it’s like, but let’s now get into the specifics!

Things to Do at Saranda Beach

There are so many great things to do in Saranda, with many of these being located right around Saranda Beach.

Relax on the Beach

Saranda Beach is a great place to go to get a couple of hours of sun. You’ll find a lot of locals here who bring their chairs and parasols and pitch up on the weekend but in the week, it’s a lot of people going for a swim afterwork or reading on the beach. It’s a nice atmosphere and I’d recommend it.

Walk the Saranda Embankment

The Saranda Beach Embankment basically lines the entire beach. In the day, it’s usually pretty quiet because it’s so warm, but at night it attracts the crowds.

There are some fantastic restaurants and bars located here, along with many tour operators who you can talk to if you want to arrange a tour. We found them to be very friendly and not too pushy.

Go on a Pirate Boat

You can’t miss the big boats that head out to the bay at night. One is a huge pirate ship where you walk through the tentacled beard of Davy Jones to enter. There are a couple of other ones too.

You’ll only like this experience if you like a party vibe as the music is loud, there are flashing lights, and it gets wild for an hour! But it was actually quite fun and many of the people on board were locals having a great time.

The ticket includes a drink on board, and the view of Saranda from the water at night is pretty nice.

Go on the Inflatables

There is a ‘water park’ just offshore in the Bay Area which while you may think is great for sending the kids off to enjoy (and you’d be absolutely right!) but it’s also so much fun for adults!

My friends and I spent an hour running around like lunatics on this thing to try and work off a hangover from the previous night, and it was great fun. We just didn’t have the stamina of the kids, but we gave it a good go!

It was quite affordable too, especially if you buy a pass, which may be handy if you’ve got kids.

Walk Up to Saranda Castle

For the best views over Saranda Beach and Bay, you need to go up to the Castle. The view is absolutely spectacular and best seen at sunset. Not only do you see over the beach and town as the sun sets, but over the valleys and mountains on the other side too.

There is a little restaurant and bar up there. I’ve heard the food isn’t fantastic, so we didn’t give it a go, but it could be good! We just went for a drink, and it was one of the best things to do by Saranda Beach.e

Places to Eat at Saranda Beach

There is so much choice when it comes to food in Saranda. Here are the places not to be missed during your trip.

Haxhi

Haxhi is a family-run, seafood restaurant. It is hands-down my favourite restaurant in Saranda. It’s not located right on Saranda Beach but on the road above the embankment, so it has a lovely view of the bay.

Haxhi gets very busy, but usually they don’t take bookings during the summer months, so there’s an element of luck to getting a table. If you go early, you’re more likely to get one.

The food is super fresh and the portions are large. My favourite is the seafood pasta which included muscles, prawns, crab and squid in a tomato sauce with spaghetti. It’s delicious!

Old Story

Old Story is based right on the embankment, so is in a prime location. Because of this, it’s a little more pricey than some of the other options on this list. However, the food is great, and the atmosphere is lovely.

The owner recommended we try the house dish, the Village Pot, which is a meaty stew served in a hollowed out bread roll. We weren’t disappointed, it was absolutely delicious! I recommend this place for a nice dinner overlooking the bay and for excellent service.

The Meat House

The Meat House is located on the road above the embankment, but has a lovely view over the bay as it is slightly higher. We arrived at this restaurant with average expectations, which were massively exceeded by the super friendly staff and the incredible food.

Predominantly for meat lovers, but they also do incredible grilled fish too. The food is very Greek in style, think meat skewers, salad and dips and all very affordable too!

Nomad Steaks & Burgers

Nomad Steaks & Burgers is the place to go for a decent burger! They also do steaks, which I didn’t try, but if they’re as good as the burgers you’ll not be disappointed.

They also do delicious veggie burgers, which we’re greatly enjoyed by our vegetarian friend we were travelling with! The ‘Big Daddy’ burger would be my choice!

Proper Pizza

Proper Pizza is located just at the entrance to Saranda Beach Embankment, just opposite the arcade. It’s a chain that you’ll see throughout Albania, and the pizzas are incredible.

The restaurants are pretty cool too, and they’re a great place to enjoy a few beers over a slice! I’d say this is Albania’s answer to Dominos!

Best Bars at Saranda Beach

There are so many fantastic cocktail bars and clubs around Saranda Beach, you definitely won’t be disappointed in the nightlife!

Jamaica

Jamaica is a cocktail bar located at the Port end of Saranda Embankment. The cocktails are great and you can watch the world go by from here. This was my go to for an early afternoon cocktail.

Tipsy

Tipsy Drinks & More is my favourite cocktail bar in Saranda. It’s a rooftop bar based right on the embankment across from Limani Cafe.

You have a beautiful view over the embankment and the cocktails are absolutely delicious. Go for happy hour and enjoy 2 for 1 cocktails between 5 and 7pm. We also had sushi there and I’d recommend it.

No Name Bar

No Name Bar another one of my favourites which is close to the Rruga Butrinti side of Saranda Embankment. It’s a little unassuming bar but with a great atmosphere. Grab a beer, or my choice, an Aperol Spritz and enjoy watching the carnage unfold on the inflatables across the way.

Limani

Bar Restaurant Limani is a super cute spot to grab a drink or a dessert at night. You can of course go in the day, but my preference is at night because you can sit right on the water’s edge, which is super special in the moonlight.

The only thing is that it gets very busy here which means the service can be slow at times, but if you’re not in a rush, the atmosphere makes up for it.

Jericho Cocktail Bar

Jericho Cocktail Bar is a bit more of an upmarket choice, shall we say, with fancier cocktails which are a little more on the pricey side. It’s one of the best places to see the sunset and has very Boho/Tulum vibes inside.

The cocktails are great, and it’s open late (until around 2am on the weekend) so if you want the party to continue, this is a great option.

Want to know more about Albania? Check out my other blogs:

• My Favourite Tours in Albania
• My Ultimate Guide to Ksamil Beaches
• The Best Hotels in Tirana
• The Best Restaurants in Tirana
• The Best Things to Do in Tirana

Best Places to Stay near Saranda Beach

Saranda Beach is a great place to base yourself in Saranda because it’s so central. This makes exploring the rest of the Saranda very easy on foot.

It’s also located on the main road, which makes getting to Ksamil or Butrint very easy, particularly if you are down by the Rruga Butrinti side of the embankment as you’ll avoid all the traffic through town.

Waking up to a view of the beach is a pretty good way to start the day, and a sea-view in the middle of summer can be very affordable in Saranda Beach when compared to other European countries.

However, I had a Mountain View when I stayed in Saranda, and it was just as good, so don’t be too disappointed if you can’t see the Sea from your accommodation.

Here are a few recommendations for my favourite Saranda hotels and other accommodation options.

Hotel Ramo

Hotel Ramo is a great little hotel close to the Port. It’s very affordable, and the rooms are bright and spacious. It’s a great location, and will likely be a little quieter at night than the other side of Saranda Embankment. For around $45 a night, you’ll get a deluxe double room and a fresh buffet breakfast included.

House of A&Arwen

This beautiful hotel located close to the Port and is definitely a more upscale, luxury hotel. The rooms are bright and airy and some have lovely little terraces. If your room doesn’t have a terrace, go and enjoy the communal garden. This is a fantastic, centrally located Saranda beach hotel that I 100% recommend.

Yacht Villa

You won’t get closer to the sea than in Yacht Villa! While this may not be the best apartment for digital nomads in Saranda as it’s a studio, it would be perfect for a couple looking to explore Saranda on vacation or their travels. It is right on the Embankment and has the most beautiful view of the sea from the bed!

Sun N Blue Hotel

This hotel is located on the road behind Saranda Embankment, close to Cafe Limani. The rooms are lovely, and you can get a double room with a sea view over the bay for around $50 a night. It’s a proper hotel, so you’ll get all the things you expect like breakfast, concierge and also car rental.

Apartment in Saranda

This gorgeous apartment is my choice for digital nomads, and would be my choice if I were to return to lovely Saranda. The apartment is both cosy and comfortable, has a table to work from and a fully equipped kitchen.

The balcony is the star of the show, with amazing views and comfortable furniture which would be perfect for some late night work (or more likely late night wines!).

Best Beaches Near to Saranda Beach

Check out my blog post, 15 Best Beaches in Saranda Albania for an extensive list of my favourite Albanian beaches and also my guide to the best beaches in Ksamil if you’re looking to take a day trip there. For now, here are my top three beaches around Saranda.

Mirror Beach

Mirror Beach Saranda is right between Saranda and Ksamil and is one of my favourite Saranda beaches. It has its very own little bay and takes its name from the way that the crystal clear water reflects the sun like a mirror.

Generally the water here in the morning is very still (and mirror-like) but it can get a little wavy in the afternoon. It’s got beautiful clean white sand and there are loungers for you to relax and read your book on.

To get here, I recommend that you go by car or scooter, if you’ve rented one, or grab a taxi. You can take a bus, but it involves a 30-minute walk over a hill to reach the beach, which is no mean feat in the summer sun.

Krorez Beach

You can only reach Krorez Beach by boat, so I definitely recommend that you take a boat tour to go and see some of the secluded beaches up the coast.

Krorez is a virgin beach, so there’s pretty much nothing there, but the water is absolutely incredible. The colour is very much like that in Cancun, in Mexico. It’s this bright, vibrant turquoise colour and it’s so clear!

I visited Krorez on a private boat tour with Aaron (my boyfriend) and two of our friends for my birthday (shout out Lex & Laura!) and it was so much fun. It was around €150 for the day, and we took drinks and snacks which we put in a cool box on board.

On the day, Krorez was very wavy, and the boat was unable to get to shore, so we had to jump off and swim to shore. Well, that was the plan. Lex got taken out by a wave on our journey to shore, and sadly that meant the end of his Ted Baker sunglasses…they belonged to the sea now. So be careful here, it’s a little rough!

It’s super quiet here and there are some rocks you can climb to get a great photo of the whole beach…see below!

Ksamil Beach

Finally, Ksamil Beach is around 20 minutes from Saranda Beach by car. I recommend that you take a taxi or go on a tour of the Ksamil Beaches. You can explore these by boat. Go and check out the different tours on the Saranda Embankment. The South Tours all head toward Ksamil.

Ksamil has arguably the best beaches in the country. If you’re visiting Albania in shoulder season (April-May and September-October) you’ll likely see these beaches at their peak i.e. relativiely quiet and calm!

The white sand, beach bars and restaurants of Ksamil Beach make this a fantastic beach to relax on and spend the day. It also has some of the most spectacular water in hues of green and blue. From Ksamil beach you can also swim to the Ksamil Islands or hire a paddleboard or kayak to go and check them out.

I loved Ksamil and if you’re based in Saranda Beach you must go and check it out.

Tours and Day Trips from Saranda Beach

There are lots of great things to do in Saranda which make it a great base for exploring the best of the Albanian Riviera and the south of the country. Here are a few of my favourite things to do close to Saranda Beach.

Take the Ferry to Corfu

Fancy ticking off a Greek Island during your trip to Albania? Then go and book your ticket for the Corfu Saranda Ferry! The Old Town of Corfu is absolutely beautiful and an amazing place to explore for the day. I went for my birthday, and we had the best day, soaking up all the Greek culture (and lots of food!).

For all the information about doing a day trip to Corfu from Saranda, including prices, timings of the Ferry and things to do in Corfu, check out my blog post.

Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located to the south of Saranda and Ksamil and located on the beautiful Lake Butrinti.

It’s an ancient, and well-preserved town which has been around since Byzantine times, around 395BC. You can read more about Butrint in my blog about this National Park, but it’s a great day trip from Saranda.

Try this half-day trip from Saranda with transfers and a guided tour of the ancient city. You’ll be able to tackle Butrint in the morning and enjoy the beaches of Saranda in the afternoon!

The Blue Eye

The Blue Eye in Southern Albania is one of my favourite places in the whole country.

Located within a National Park, the Blue Eye is a natural spring with the bluest, and clearest water rushing to the surface. The spring is at least 50 metres deep, which is as far as divers have been able to reach before the pressure is too much – so who knows how deep it might be!

An excellent day trip from Saranda, is this half-day tour to the Blue Eye, which includes both your transfer and a guide. If you want to go to Butrint too and are limited on time, you can combine all three with this brilliant day-tour of the best sites around Saranda.

Tour Saranda by Jeep!

You’ll see Jeep tours advertised along the Saranda Embankment, so by all means have a chat with the tour guides there, but we took this tour on Viator and it was so much fun!

It covers some of the best attractions in Saranda, like Lekuresi Castle, and goes on to the beautiful village of Qeparo, historic Porto Palermo Castle and the little beaches along the coast, including Borsh Beach. You’ll end up at the Blue Eye (which, if you hadn’t already guessed, was one of my highlights of Albania!).

It’s a great way to explore Saranda Beach, but also get out and explore a few places on the South coast all in one day. Check out the tour here, it has some (well deserved) amazing reviews.

Enjoy Your Time at Saranda Beach

I hope this blog has given you some inspiration for your trip to Saranda Beach!

Saranda and Saranda Beach is a really cool place, and there are so many things to do in the area.

Alternatively, if you’re heading to the Albanian capital, I have lots of blogs on the best things to do in Tirana as well as some amazing day trips.

We had an incredible time in Sarande and I hope you will too. If you have any questions or queries, let me know via socials in the comments below.

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