Sarande

Sarandë faces the island of Corfu across a narrow channel on Albania's Ionian coast. The waterfront promenade is the centre of town, lined with cafés, seafood restaurants, and a few hotels. The ruins of a 6th-century synagogue sit near the harbour. The town is small and easily covered on foot. Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 18 kilometres south, is the main excursion. The ruins span Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian periods and sit on a wooded peninsula beside a coastal lagoon. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a deep karst spring about 25 kilometres inland, has water so clear it looks artificially blue. Ksamil, a short drive south, has small beaches with views to the Greek islands. Albanian food to try: tavë kosi, a baked lamb and yogurt casserole, and grilled fish with local olive oil. The Albanian lek is the currency, but euros are accepted in most tourist spots.