One Epic Day Trip From Corfu to Sarandë, Albania: Ferry & Itinerary
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Want to maximize a day trip from Corfu to Sarandë, Albania?
I’ve spent a few weeks in and around Sarandë this year and loved it. And while I think Albania deserves more than a quick day trip, if this is all you’ve got – let’s make the most of it, prioritizing the best restaurants and beaches while not making this a “checklist” fast-paced day.
I’ve included a step-by-step guide on how the ferry works, as well as prices, schedules, and things to know below. I’ll share what’s worth it and what’s not, and also ways you can spend a day around Sarandë to maximize the best things to see.
BEFORE YOU GO ON YOUR DAY TRIP TO ALBANIA
✅ You will need your passport to cross from Corfu to Sarandë, as you’re technically crossing from Greece to Albania. There is a little customs and immigration check, but it’s super low-key.
✅ Albania is a cash-forward country, and the local currency is NOT the Euro. It’s the Lek. There are ATMs everywhere in Sarandë you can take out cash when you get off the ferry.
✅ ATM fees are high, like €7 per transaction, so make it count. I would say you’ll need about €100 (this is 10,000 LEK) for the day to cover taxis, sun beds, food, and souvenirs.
✅ No need to rent a car. There is no Uber in Albania, but the Speed Taxi App is the best taxi service – it works similarly to Uber and is quick, safe, and cheap. Plus, you don’t have to hail a cab off the streets and get overcharged.
✅ I didn’t think Butrint National Park was that impressive – so my itinerary recs focus on Albania’s most beautiful beaches around Ksamil Islands and Sarandë.
It’s my sincere opinion that while Albania has its rougher edges, it’s one of the few hidden gems in Europe where tourists have not fully invaded, and Instagram doesn’t do it justice. The beaches are as pretty as those in Greece, and the prices are almost cut in half. The food is Mediterranean & Italian inspired and delicious, it’s safe, and most everyone in the south of Albania speaks English.
Ferry Logistics: Corfu to Sarandë, Albania
🚨 TIME ZONE CHANGES: There’s a time zone change when going from Corfu to Albania, so keep that in mind for ferry schedules – they are always in local time.
There is only one way to get from the island of Corfu to Sarandë, Albania, and that is by ferry. I usually use FerryHopper to see the schedules and buy my tickets beforehand.
⛴️ CORFU TO SARANDË
Departure: Corfu Port
Trip frequency: Every day
First trip: 08:00
Last trip: 22:30
Average Trip Time: 1.5 hrs
Price range: €20 – €35
Ferry Companies: Finikas Lines, Ionian Seaways & Albania Luxury Ferries
⛴️ SARANDË TO CORFU
Departure: Sarandë Port
Trip frequency: Every day
First trip: 06:00
Last trip: 20:00
Average Trip Time: 1.5 – 2hrs
Price range: €20 – €35
➡️ PASSPORT CHECK: You will need to have your passport on you because you are crossing from one country to another. You also need to have your ferry ticket purchased already before you can clear customs.
⛴️ Corfu to Sarandë Ferry Schedule
Usually, the earliest ferry to Sarandë leaves from Corfu at 08:00 am and arrives at 07:30 am local time in Albania.
🚨PRO TIP: I know that sounds weird, but remember there’s a time zone shift – Greece is 1 hour ahead of Albania.
The latest departure from Corfu is at 22:30, with the ferry arriving in Sarandë at 22:40 – this is if you want to go the night before, party in Sarandë like the Balkans do, and have the whole next day to spend on the best beaches Albania has! 🥳
To get back from Sarandë to Corfu, the last boat out is at 20:00 local Albanian time.
Please note that the ferry schedules can change depending on the season, so you should check FerryHopper for the latest.
💰 Corfu to Sarande Ferry Prices
Corfu to Sarandë ferry tickets range between €20 to €35, depending on the season, the ferry company you choose, and any discounts (like for kids or the elderly).
The low season is between January and June, and then again, when it gets cold between October and December.
High season is between July and the end of September – and this is when there are 40+ ferry crossings a day, and the prices are at their peak.
🎫 Where to Buy Corfu to Sarandë Ferry Tickets
You can buy tickets right at the ferry port, but it’s a mess logistically, and who knows when either the Albanians or Greeks take their smoke and lunch breaks!
The best way to get ferry boat tickets from Corfu to Sarande is through FerryHopper – it’s what I always use. They deliver the ticket to your email and you can show it digitally.
1-Day Itinerary Around Saranda, Albania
While there’s a ton to do in Albania, less is more for a day trip. This is why I’m going to recommend my favorite things and not give you a list of everything you can do – I think this is in itself what makes my itinerary unique and curated.
You also won’t need a car, and you won’t be taking the bus either because it wastes too much time. The best way to get around Albania and Sarandë for the day is by taxi.
➡️ Best Taxi Service: Speed Taxi App works similarly to Uber and is quick, safe, and cheap. Plus, you don’t have to hail a cab off the streets and get overcharged.
Morning in Saranda
Arrive in Saranda around 8-9 am and take a little stroll down the beachfront. First thing to do is grab breakfast – I recommend
Lunch on Pulëbardhës Beach
Around 11 am, grab a taxi and head to Pulëbardhës Beach – it’s about 20 minutes from the city center of Sarandë, down a rough little dirt road. It’s definitely not on many people’s radar, and I found this gem through a few local recommendations.
Two great restaurants share the beach, and if you eat at any of them, the beach chairs are free. Otherwise, they should be €10-20, depending on the season. I’ve eaten at both restaurants, and they are great. What’s more, when you’re done, you can order drinks to your beach chair!
Afternoon in Ksamil Islands
Around 3 pm, I would schedule a taxi with the Speed Taxi app (or via WhatsApp) to come pick you up from Pulëbardhës Beach and take you to the center of Ksamil.
I would walk around small town Ksamil, which has a more luxurious vibe than Sarandë, and shop, get drinks at a tiki bar, or just wander.
My favorite restaurant for views, snacks and cocktails is Abiori Restaurant. I would enjoy the afternoon either at the restaurant or under one of the umbrellas. You can also rent a paddleboat to explore some of the nearby islands, although to be honest with you, they are close enough to swim to.
Once 6 pm rolls around, grab a taxi back to Ksmail and have happy hour drinks at Jericho Bar, overlooking what I hope to be pop-up festivals along the beachfront. It’s where all the locals go for cocktails before clubbing it up and Orange Club.
If you want a bit more detail on how else you can spend some time around Saranda and Ksamil, I’ve got you. Otherwise, grab the ferry back to Corfu and call it a day well spent in the Balkans!
❌ Not Worth It For The Day
👉 Butrint National Park – it’s quite small, and a lot of the interesting pieces of archeology have been removed and are housed in various museums.
👉 The Blue Eye – it’s a bit far by taxi into the mountains, and the “eye” is small and freezing cold. There are a bunch of “blue eye” pools throughout Europe, but this was not my fave.
👉 Saranda Old Town – I recommend walking a couple of hours down the boardwalk by the sea and stopping into a restaurant. That’s enough for a daytime stroll. I think Saranda comes alive at night with the pop-up festivals on the beach and the Balkan club culture.
FAQ: Day Trip To Albania
Here are a few things you should know before hopping the pond from Greece to Albania.
Is a day trip from Corfu to Albania worth it?
Hell, the fuck, yes, a day trip from Corfu to Albania is worth it. How bold is it to casually visit this mysterious gem of another world, otherwise known as Albania?!
I say if there was an entry-level drug to the Balkans, it would either be Albania or Slovenia.
Both countries are stunningly beautiful, to the point where you’ll be gasping and thinking – why the fuck was I not made aware of this sooner. But also, the food is great, people speak English, and it’s cheap compared to anywhere else you’ll visit in Europe.
Can you do a day trip from Sarandë to Corfu?
Yes, you can do a day trip from Saranda to Corfu. In fact, I did and was super impressed by the Greek side.
I will say there’s a big difference between the Albanian and Greek sides. I think they’re both naturally beautiful because they’re so close to each other, but Albania looks rougher. Some might call it authentic, and yes, that’s true, but it is also rougher.
I personally think Communism stunted the infrastructure development of all the Balkan countries it touched, and there’s just a depressy vibe to some of the unpainted buildings and pot-holed roads of Albania specifically. Maybe you won’t notice, but as a girl born and raised in Romania, I noticed.
How long is the ferry from Corfu to Sarandë?
It depends on what ferry you take, but to cross the chasm between Corfu and Sarandë usually takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours. I usually use FerryHopper to see the schedules and buy my tickets beforehand.
🚨 TIME ZONE CHANGES: There’s a time zone change when going from Corfu to Albania, so keep that in mind for ferry schedules – they are always in local time.
Greece is 1 hour ahead of Albania. That’s why some of the duration time indicates a 30-minute ferry ride – the software is not smart enough to show that 1-hour time difference.
Is Sarandë, Albania, worth visiting?
Yes, Sarandë, Albania is worth a visit for a day. If I were you, I would spend 2 days on the Albanian side. This way, you can party Balkan style on some of Sarandë’s epic nightclubs on the beach!
Is Sarandë, Albania, expensive to visit?
No, Sarandë, Albania, is not expensive to visit. In fact, it’s cheaper than Greece. Just to give you a sense of the prices, the exchange rate when I went was €1 = 100 LEK. For reference, here’s how much some things cost:
- Iced Coffee/Espresso Freddo – €2 (200 LEK)
- Budget Lodging (per night) – €30 (3,000 LEK)
- Luxury Lodging (per night) – €100 (10,000 LEK)
- Restaurant Lunch for One – €15 (1,500 LEK)
- Lounge Chairs at Beach – €10 (100 LEK)
- Large Beer – €3 (300 LEK)
PRO TIP: I was surprised at the high ATM fees, some as high as €7, so I decided to estimate my costs and take out a large amount upfront.
What is the most beautiful town in Albania?
I think the most beautiful town in Albania is Gjorkaster, which is in the southern mountains of Albania. I also loved the coastal towns of Ksamil and Himarë – both are near some incredible beaches, some of which can only be accessed by boat.
Conclusion: Day Trip from Corfu to Sarandë
To wrap up my thoughts, if you’re in Greece and really want to go off the beaten path, I think a day trip from Corfu to Sarandë, Albania is a must. The only way you can get over is by taking the 1.5-hour ferry across and spending the day exploring.
Albania is rough, beautiful, authentic, and Balkan as fuck. I think there’s an interesting mix of Italian, Greek, and traditional Albanian culture mixed into the food, the wines, the type of coffee (and addiction to it) Albanians drink, and even how they party.
It’s a unique opportunity to visit a Balkan country, and especially one as beautiful as Albania – a great entry-level drug to the rest of East Europe!
