A day trip by Ferry from Corfu to Saranda
The blissful Greek Island of Corfu is a holiday paradise for many tourists. But did you know you can take a day trip by ferry from Corfu to Saranda, Albania?
Travel to Corfu is easy from almost anywhere in Europe. This rugged island is, of course, a well-established tourist hot spot so there are many well priced flights. In this post we take a look at how easy and quick is is to take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda!
We Spend Two Nights in Corfu
We visited Corfu in peak season, August, and spent 2 nights on the Island. This gave us enough time to explore the busy old town and beautiful harbour and to sample plenty of the Island’s cuisine.
As we walked along the Island’s edge in the evening heat we looked over onto the calm water. We could see the Greek Island of Ptichia and, in the hazy distance, we could just make out the shores of Albania, our next destination.
Why Visit Albania?
So, you’re loving life of the Greek island, why is it worth taking the ferry from Corfu to Saranda? Albania is a country that has been shrouded in mystery until relatively recently. It has remained somewhat undiscovered by western tourists and still has a rather enigmatic reputation. However, Albania is fast becoming THE European summer destination for those in the know.
Not many outsiders know a lot about this small Balkan country, so here is a super brief summary of its history. Albania became an independent state in the early 20th century after hundreds of years of Ottoman rule. Since then, the country has been occupied by the Italians from 1939 – ‘43, the Germans from 1943 – ‘44 and later became a Communist State, until the late 1980s, when the Eastern Bloc capitulated. This dramatic timeline provides an intriguing charm to the country which is evident throughout its architecture, culture and people.
Now that you’re desperate to visit this beautiful country of dramatic mountains, white beaches and quirky little towns, here’s how to take a day trip by ferry from Corfu to Saranda.
A day Trip by Ferry from Corfu to Saranda
The ferry from Corfu to Saranda departs from the Port of Corfu. The port is about a 30 minute walk from the centre of Corfu town (Kerkyra). We decided to walk from our accommodation. However, a taxi would cost about €10 – 12 from the centre of Corfu town. Having nearly melted after 10 minutes of dragging our bags in the scorching heat, we stopped for some freshly squeezed pomegranate juice in a small juice bar en route.
Back on track, we began to think that the €10 for a taxi was actually a great deal… There is not much shade if you are walking to the port so make sure you bring plenty of sun protection and some water.
The Ferry from Corfu to Saranda
Our ferry from Corfu to Saranda was departing from the terminal at the very farthest end of the port. When we arrived, we went through all the usual ticket and passport checks before we boarded our craft.
The boat was well-worn but practical, economically priced and not uncomfortable. We set off and motored past the end of Corfu Island and across the Ionian Sea to Albania.
We booked our ticket for the ferry from Corfu to Saranda in advance, online here. There are two different companies – Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways – but they are pretty similar. The price ranges from about 25 – 50 Euros each way, depending on the season.
The journey only takes around 30 minutes on the fast boat and up to 1.5 hours on the slower option. The service is pretty frequent and you can book on the day but you will have more options booking in advance online. You will also need to print your ticket or buy it from the travel outlet near the port. During the summer months, we would certainly advice booking the ferry from Corfu to Saranda in advance as it can get busy, especially the morning sailings.
There are several ferry departures per day but it varies depending on the time of year. For example, in high season in the summer there are around 12 – 13 departures from Corfu to Saranda per day. During the winter there may only be a couple.
Summary of Useful Information when Taking the Ferry from Corfu to Saranda
| Cost of taxi from town centre to port | € 10 |
| Time to walk from town centre to port | 30 minutes |
| Cost of ferry | €25 – €50 |
| Time on ferry | 30 minutes to 1.5 hours |
| Where to book ferry | Online or in booking office by the port (Finikas Lines or Ionian Seaways) |
| Where does the ferry dock? | Saranda, Albania |
Our Ferry Arrives in Saranda, Albania
On arrival in Saranda we found a seaside resort, but not as you might know it. Albanians have been spending summers in Saranda for decades but the arrival of global travellers is a relatively recent development. The usual apartment blocks and beach bars are there but this holiday town certainly has a different vibe to it.
Things to Do in Saranda
After an easy ferry ride from Corfu to Saranda, we stepped off the boat at the port and came across an amazing coffee shop – Baci A Tutti. If you need to cool down with an iced coffee or ice cream, the little joint is amazing.
We were staying in Saranda for a few nights but there are plenty of great activities to do in a day. If you are spending the day in the town there is so much to explore in this ancient port city. Not far from the centre are the ruins of an ancient synagogue. It wasn’t discovered until 2003 and has been dated back to 200 AD. And if you like history, there is also Lekursi Castle to discover. Sitting on the hilltop, there are amazing views over Saranda and the valley and a great restaurant to try.
Friendship Park is a nice little space to enjoy some quiet time. It is near the synagogue and is a good way to escape the heat for a while. Or, for something a bit odd, visit the Hillary Clinton Memorial in the Main Square.
Saranda is a coastal town so there are tons of amazing beaches. Ohana Beach Bar has a great atmosphere, serves delicious cocktails and has a beautiful view over the clear blue water.
La Onda Beach Bar & Restaurant is fabulous for seafood and is a great way to spend an evening after a busy day exploring Saranda.
Things to Do Near Saranda
Saranda is a really nice town with a relaxed vibe. However, there are some many amazing places just a stones throw away. If you get an early start from Corfu, you can easily fit these activities into your day trip.
Butrint National Park
If you get an early start on your day trip from Corfu to Albania, it’s easy to visit Butrint National Park. Butrint National Park contains an ancient port city in Southern Albania. We first heard about this UNESCO site on our visit to Tirana earlier in the year. Several locals advised us that it was one of the most interesting and complete historical sites in the Balkans
How to Get to Butrint National Park
There are a few options for travelling to Butrint from Saranda. If you are short on time you can hire a taxi to take you there and back, costing around 15 Euros each way. If you’re short on money, the local bus, or “furgon”, will take you there for around 100Lek (or 80 cents) each way, which is what we did.
From the port of Saranda, it’s easy to find the bus stop on foot. On exiting the port turn right and walk for about 220m until you see a roundabout with a huge tree in the middle and lots of cars screeching in every direction.
- The bus departs from here
- There is roughly one departure per hour
- It takes about 30 – 40 minutes
- The cost is 100 lek (€0.80) for a one way ticket
- You will pass at least two ATMs between the port and the bus stop
Our return journey took slightly longer, however, as our driver misjudged the distance between his bus and an oncoming car resulting in lots of shouting and an unexpected walk back to our flat.
If you are visiting for the day from Corfu, a taxi will save you a bit of time.
- You can hail a cab from the port or turn right and walk a little towards the roundabout HERE where you will find more taxis
- It should cost about 2,500 Lek, €20, but you might have to negotiate the price
- A taxi will take about 25 minutes, depending on traffic
- You can pay in Euros or Lek
- There are a couple of ATMs by the port but none at Butrint
The Blue Eye Natural Spring
Syri I Kalter is a natural water spring of unknown depth and chilling temperatures. The centre of the spring is a deep, dark blue whilst the surrounding water is a fresh green fading out to the white of the pebbly shore. It is a stunning natural sight that can be visited in a day trip from Corfu.
A “Furgon”, from Saranda will take you close to the Blue Eye. The bus departs from a stop next to the Synagogue remains on Rruga Flamurit. See it on the map HERE. You can buy the tickets on the bus. Tell the driver you are going to Syri i Kalter, this is a popular stop and they will know what you mean. The trip will cost 300 Lek (about €2) for a one-way journey. Buses can get busy so don’t be shocked if the driver whips out some spare plastic stools to place down the aisle for standing passengers to take a seat.
The Town of Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is a small city in the Gjerë mountains about 1.5 hours by minibus from Saranda. Take the same minibus that goes to the Blue Eye and stay on for longer. Gjirokaster is not known as Albania’s most beautiful town for nothing! Surrounded by mountains, the town overlooks the valley which stretches for miles.
The winding cobbled streets are lined with well maintained Ottoman architecture and lead through the old town up towards the imposing castle. The Bazaar displays traditional Albanian crafts, hand made rugs and the occasional fridge magnet but tourists are very scarce, even in peak season. Check out our guide to Gjirokaster HERE.
It’s possible to visit Gjirokaster and the Blue Eye in the day if you start early enough.
Ksamil Islands and Beach
Ksamil Islands are also a great day out near Saranda and the same bus that takes you to Butrint National Park, will stop in Ksamil. There are miles of beautiful white beaches with clear blue green waters, boat trips, beach bars and lots more.
A day Trip from Corfu to Saranda
If you visit Corfu, make some time to experience another country while you’re there. Somewhere different from Western Europe, somewhere ancient, exciting and welcoming. The ferry from Corfu to Saranda is an easy introduction to the Albanian Riviera. However, there is plenty of undiscovered Albania waiting to be explored.
Where to next?
From Saranda you can continue you Balkan tour. Why not take the bus from Saranda to the beautiful Lake Ohrid that lies over the border of Albania and North Macedonia.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you taken the ferry from Corfu to Saranda? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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I agree. Not many people know much about Balkan travel so hopefully we can help them out 🙂
Yes! Albania and Butrint National Park should be on everyone’s post covid travel list!
Thanks Nessica. It’s fun to write about previous trips and to relive it a bit. I hope you make it to that part of the world. It’s really beautiful!
That is a long way! But it’s so worth it to take an extra trip while you’re there! Albania is full of oddities too 🙂
Yes, you must try it! The ferry is so easy and relatively cheap. We just weren’t prepared for the summer heat!
Me too! This can be an amazing day trip or a way to continue on a Balkan tour. We travelled from Corfu to Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia on public transport. I think we saw so much more and learned about the culture.
You’re welcome! I love bringing my fur baby when I can too! the ferry is really easy and so quick! There are car ferries too but I think they take a little longer.
Wow! What an interesting travel idea! I don’t know many people who travelled from Greece to Albania. Probably many people aren’t aware of this option. Thanks for sharing!
Corfu seriously looks amazing! I would love to visit whenever I go next! This is certainly a wonderfully written post!
This looks amazing! Some friends went to Abania a couple of years ago and I was so jealous. We hope to head over to Greece with the kids when the COVID situation improves (we’re in Australia so it’s a long way) but I never realised how easy it is to get to Albania from Corfu. Also I love oddities, so the Hillary Clinton museum is on my list now.
Corfu looks amazing to visit, and easy to access from Albania which will come in handy if I ever find myself there! Thanks for all of the great tips.
I wish I had known about this when we visited Corfu! Now I have even more of a reason return. I love that feeling of day tripping to another country while already on vacation 🙂
This post is great! I travel with my dog (in other words, I rarely fly) and have often considered the route between Italy-Corfu-Albania. Both Corfu and Albania are high on my bucket list. Butrint National Park looks incredible! Thanks for sharing!