Getting there
Visiting Butrint
The main archaeological site in the Butrint National Park is open all year round from 8am until dusk. The museum, located in the Acropolis castle, is open from 9am until 4pm.
Admission fees to the archaeological site are:
300 Leke for Albanian citizens
700 Leke for other nationals
500 Leke for other nationals in groups of 10 or more
At the entrance you may ask for a guide or if you prefer a self-guided tour you can find various guidebooks on sale at the ticket booth. The archaeological site is well provided with information panels detailing the history of the site and individual monuments. You should allow about three hours to visit the archaeological site and the museum. Locally-produced, handmade souvenirs are on sale within the site, although refreshments may not be available.
During the summer season (June – September) boat services provided by local fishermen offer tours to isolated monuments such as Ali Pasha’s Castle.
Travelling to Butrint from Abroad
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa) provides an entry point to Albania from many European cities. Once in Albania, Butrint is reached by road, a journey of up to five hours by car. Saranda, 19 km north of Butrint, is the closest international port with ferry connections to/from Corfu.
(http://www.ionian-cruises.com/lines.php)
From mainland Greece, the border crossing of Qafë Botë near Igoumenitsa is a good, close option, whilst there is also a land border at Kakavia, near Ioannina.
Most nationals do not need a visa to enter Albania; however, one must be in possession of a valid passport. Please check with your embassy for details.
When planning travel schedules it is important to note the change in time zones between Albania and Greece. Albania is GMT +1 hour, Greece is GMT +2 hours.
Travelling to Butrint from Saranda and Ksamil
Journey time from Saranda is about 30 minutes by car. If arriving in Saranda by ferry, you may find taxis at the exit of the port. Taxis may also be found in the main town square near the archaeological ruins of the Synagogue and near to the Hotel Butrinti. The trip by taxi from Saranda to Butrint costs about 1400 Leke (or 10 Euros). If you choose to travel by taxi it is advisable to negotiate the return trip with the same driver as it can be difficult to find a taxi at Butrint.
One can also travel from Saranda to Butrint on the regular bus service. This service can be found by turning right out of the port and then continuing down the hill to the roundabout (identifiable by the tree in its centre); the bus stop is immediately on the left. Other bus stations are located by the main town square as well as in front of the Hotel Butrinti. A journey on the bus takes about 45 minutes and costs 100 Leke (or 1 Euro).
In Ksamil, a small seaside town 4km from Butrint, you may catch the bus from any of the three little squares that are by the main road. There are no signs for the bus stop and buses stop only on request.
Accommodation
There is little alternative accommodation to simple hotels available locally. The rating of hotels with stars is not always an indication of quality as these are self-awarded with no national scheme.
The only accommodation close to the main site of Butrint is a single hotel with a bar and restaurant. Ksamil, however, offers plenty of small-size hotels. Saranda is the biggest urban area in the region and there are many hotels, particularly along the road south out of town towards Butrint. Saranda is one of the primary destinations for domestic summer holidays and can become very overcrowded. Prior booking of accommodation is advisable during the high season from mid June to the end of August.
UK Registered Charity No. 1135705
UK Registered Company No. 07230517
All Rights Reserved © The Butrint Foundation 2013