Best Corfu To Albania Day Trips
If you’re searching for the best day trip from Corfu to Albania, you have come to the right place.
In this article, we outline a number of different day trip options to Albania that you can take.
We outline group day trips, as well as private tours from Corfu.
Most of the day trips we outline begin in Corfu and help you sample some of the amazing Albanian culture found only a short ferry ride away.
So, let’s dive into: Best Corfu to Albania Day Trips
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Best Corfu to Albania Day Trips Overview
Best option if you want everything taken care of: Day trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park
Best option if you want free time to explore on a day trip: Albania Day trip from Corfu
Best option for larger groups (up to 6 people): Private day trip to Albania from Corfu
Best option if you want a full itinerary: Private Albanian Highlights from Saranda
Common Questions about Corfu to Albania Day Trips
Can you do a day trip to Albania from Corfu?
We start by answering a very common question - can you actually do a day trip to Albania from Corfu? The answer is absolutely yes, you can do a day trip to Albania from Corfu all throughout the year.
The island of Corfu is only a 30-minute speed boat, or 70-minute ferry ride away from the Albanian mainland. The ferry takes you across the straits of Corfu to the port of Saranda - itself a wonderful destination to visit.
Is Albania worth visiting?
This one is also straightforward to answer. Albania is a hugely underrated country and we spent several weeks there during our European van life road trip.
Albania’s coastline is absolutely stunning and as such, the Albanian Riviera is often referred to as the ‘Thailand of Europe’, thanks largely in part to the beautiful beaches and tropical water.
Albania is also home to many of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans. The country is jam-packed with endearing culture and fascinating history. It is certainly going to be a popular destination for many years to come - so make sure to visit now before all the crowds take over.
Venetian Tower - Butrint National Park - Albania day trip from Corfu
Best Corfu to Albania Day Trips
Now that we have answered some common questions, we will outline some of the best-guided tour options for day trips to Albania from Corfu.
The tours outlined below are hosted either by GetYourGuide or Viator, two very credible and reputable tour companies - we have been on guided tours with both companies all over the world and can honestly say they are both fantastic.
Both companies also promote local tour guides, which is equally fantastic as they give back to the local economy and promote tourism in Albania.
Day Trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park from Corfu
Best option for people that like everything taken care of in advance (inc. ferry crossing from Corfu)
Saranda and Butrint day trip at a glance:
Pick-up from designated meeting spots in Corfu
Ferry ride across to Saranda
Entry and guided tour to Butrint National Park
Buffet lunch at Sea-view restaurant in Saranda
Guided walking tour of Saranda
Saranda and Butrint day trip in detail:
The first-day trip from Corfu is hosted by GetYourGuide and features a fascinating blend of modern and ancient sites.
The day trip begins with a pick-up from one of the meeting points in Corfu, taking you to the ferry port. Thankfully, the ferry ticket is included in the price of the day trip, so you don’t have to worry about that side of things.
Once you have passed customs, the bus takes 20km along the beautiful Albanian Coast before arriving at the intriguing Butrint National Park.
Visiting Butrint National Park is sure to be the main highlight of your trip - Butrint is the largest ancient site in Albania. It is contained within the boundaries of a 29-sq-km National Park. It really is a fascinating place!
Once you’ve finished at Butrint, the bus takes you to Saranda, where you will be taken directly to a sea-view restaurant for a delicious buffet lunch.
Full to the brim with wonderful Albanian cuisine (don’t forget to try the Qofte!), you then enjoy a detailed guided walking tour of Saranda before setting sail back towards Corfu.
Butrint National Park - Greek Theatre
Albania Cruise from Corfu
Ideal for anyone that enjoys free time to explore independently on a day trip
Albania Cruise from Corfu day trip at a glance:
Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
Return ferry journey to Saranda
Lunch in Saranda and free time to explore the city and beaches
Guided trip to Butrint National Park
Albania Cruise from Corfu day trip in detail:
The trip offers great flexibility in terms of itineraries and optional extras.
Albania Cruise from Corfu day trip is operated by Viator (the tour company associated with TripAdvisor - so you know it’s going to be good!) and is ideal for those who prefer to take day trips at their own pace.
The most basic package includes a return ferry ride to Saranda and around 6 hours of free time to explore and meander around the streets of Saranda. You can also spend time at the beach, giving plenty of time to sunbathe and swim.
The trip to Butrint National Park is the highlight of this day trip - the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a joy to behold and a great place to visit on a day trip to Albania from Corfu.
Important note: the mandatory port tax (~$15 is not included in the price)
Venetian Castle - Butrint National Park
Private Tour to Albania from Corfu
Best Corfu to Albania day trip option for larger groups (up to 6 people)
Private Tour to Albania from Corfu at a glance:
Private Minivan pick-up from hotel in Corfu
Return ferry tickets to Albania
Entrance fees and a guided tour of Butrint National Park included
Free time to shop and explore Saranda
Private Tour to Albania from Corfu in detail:
A private minivan picks you up directly from your hotel and transports you to the ferry terminal, where the return ferry tickets to Saranda are included in your day trip fees.
You are then taken to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint - a glorious mix of Byzantine, Roman and Venetian ruins set in a beautiful national park. It’s a truly unique place to visit, and thankfully, in this private tour, your guide is there to highlight all of the main sites.
Once you’ve finished exploring the Venetian Castle, head towards Saranda, where you can explore independently and at your own pace or have your guide show you around the city.
After exploring Saranda, you jump aboard the ferry towards Corfu before the private minivan drops you back off at your hotel.
Blue Eye Natural Spring
Private Albanian Highlights tour from Saranda
Best option if you want an action-packed itinerary on your Albania day trip from Corfu
Private Albanian Highlights tour at a glance:
Pick-up from Saranda ferry terminal
Explore the 6th Century Saranda Synagogue archaeological site
Butrint National Park
Swimming and exploring in Ksamil (town on the Albanian Riviera)
See ‘The Blue Eye’ - a 50m deep natural water spring
Visit Lekursi Castle overlooking Saranda
Private Albanian Highlights tour in detail:
This tour is perfect for people who want to explore as many of Albania’s highlights in one action-packed day trip.
The tour begins at the Saranda Synagogue archaeological site - the Basilica is now in ruins thanks to a combination of earthquake and a Slovak invasion - where the admission ticket is free.
You then head towards the wonderful Butrint National Park. Butrint is mentioned in almost every guide or article on the best places to visit in Albania, and as soon as you see the UNESCO World Heritage site for yourself, you will quickly understand why.
From Butrint, the day trip heads to Ksamil, one of the main highlights of the Albanian Riviera. Enjoy some time in the water or stroll up and down the beachfront, admiring the stunning scenery along the way.
A short bus journey from Ksamil, you will find the incredible natural wonder of ‘the blue eye’. Nobody quite knows how the 50m deep natural water spring was first discovered, but one thing remains certain: it is an awe-inspiring Albanian sight.
You finish up the tour with a trip to Lekursi Castle - a hilltop castle with views over the surrounding area, including brilliant views of Corfu.
Important note: This tour begins in Saranda so you have to get the ferry from Corfu to Albania independently - this is fairly straightforward though so no need to panic
There we have it, folks, our round-up of the best Corfu to Albania day trips. We hope this article has inspired you to take a day trip from Corfu to Albania. Albania was one of our favourite countries in the Western Balkans, and it certainly makes for the perfect day trip from Corfu.
