Ksamil & Butrint Private Day Tour from Saranda

Beaches, ruins, and a full day at your own pace

A private day tour from Saranda combining Ksamil's turquoise beaches and Butrint's UNESCO-listed ruins in a single outing, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide speaking English, Italian or Greek. The itinerary is flexible, so you set the rhythm at each stop and choose photo moments along the way.

The experience

The tour runs eight hours and covers two distinct landscapes. You start at Ksamil, where shallow turquoise water and small islands create a beach setting that draws the "Maldives of Albania" comparison. The water is calm enough for swimming, and the islands are close enough to reach by boat if you want to explore them. Time there is yours to spend: some travelers swim for an hour, others photograph and move on. The guide waits with the vehicle and can suggest lunch spots or point out the best light for photos.

Butrint sits about thirty minutes south, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built over layers of Greek, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman occupation. The ruins spread across a peninsula with a fortress, a baptistry, a theater and scattered columns marking where buildings once stood. A guide leads you through the site and explains what you're looking at. The pace is yours. The archaeological museum at the entrance holds smaller finds and provides context for what you see outside.

Travel happens in a private air-conditioned vehicle, which means no waiting for other groups and no fixed schedule beyond the eight-hour window. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the day starts and ends at your accommodation. The driver knows the route and can stop for photos of the coastline or the Ionian Sea if you ask. A guide in English, Italian or Greek travels with you and answers questions about the sites and the region.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group.
• hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Saranda.
• a guide speaking English, Italian or Greek.
• flexible scheduling and photo stops along the way.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to5h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by GreenTours

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to set your own pace at each stop: linger at Butrint's ruins or swim at Ksamil without coordinating with other travelers, all within a single day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Greek.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's actually in the water at Ksamil, is it safe to swim?

Ksamil's beaches sit in a protected bay with shallow, clear water. The site is a popular swimming spot, and the calm conditions make it suitable for swimmers of most abilities. Bring a towel and change of clothes if you plan to go in.

How much time do you spend at each place?

The eight-hour tour includes travel time, so the actual time at Ksamil and Butrint depends on what you want to do. Most travelers spend two to three hours at Ksamil and two to three at Butrint, with the rest going to driving and photo stops. Your guide can adjust the split based on your interests.

Is Butrint difficult to walk around?

Butrint's ruins are spread across uneven ground with some steep sections, but the site is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Wear comfortable shoes with grip, bring water, and take breaks in the shade. The museum building and some covered areas offer rest spots.

What if you want to skip one of the two sites?

The tour is designed to include both Ksamil and Butrint, but the flexible itinerary means you can discuss changes with your guide on the day. If you want to spend more time at one site or skip it entirely, that conversation happens when you meet.