How to Visit Butrint National Park: Complete Guide (2024)
Are you planning to visit Butrint National Park in Albania? A visit to the national park is a great activity during your holiday on the Albanian Riviera, which is ideal for all ages.
Ksamil is the best base for visiting the Ancient City of Butrint and its archaeological museum. But you can also take a day trip from Saranda, Corfu, or Tirana.
This ultimate guide to Butrint National Park includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect, and tips for visiting.
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- How to Visit Butrint National Park: Complete Guide (2024)
- Where is Butrint National Park located in Albania?
- Best Time to Visit Butrint National Archaeological Park
- How to Get to the Butrint National Park & Parking
- Butrint National Park from Saranda, Ksamil by Bus
- Car Rental in Albania
- Butrint National Park History
- What to See in Butrint National Park
- Butrint National Park Opening Hours
- Butrint National Park Entrance Fee & Ticket Prices
- Butrint National Park Map
- Where to Stay near Butrint
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Where is Butrint National Park located in Albania?
It is located in the south of Albania, about 5 km from Ksmail and 18 km from Saranda.
Best Time to Visit Butrint National Archaeological Park
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Albania is from May to October. The hottest months are July and August. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 33°C.
The summer months are the peak season in Albania when hotel prices are higher and attractions are busier. We visited the Ancient City of Butrint at the end of May and had fantastic weather.
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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!
How to Get to the Butrint National Park & Parking
You can get to the national park by car, bus, or taxi. Alternatively, you can join an organized tour from Saranda, Ksamil, Corfu, or Tirana, which includes transport. If you arrive by car, there is a large car park in front of the entrance where you can leave your car for free. But during the peak season, places quickly run out, so arrive early!
Alternatively, you can park 1 km away and reach the national park on foot in about 20 minutes. You can find the Google location here. You can enjoy the panoramic view from the parking lot and see the Vivari Channel, which connects Lake Butrint (a salt lagoon) with the Ionian Sea.
Take a day trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park from Corfu.
Although you can get from Ksamil to Butrint in about 1 hour on foot. But when you arrive, you will have to walk another 1-2 hours to explore the national park. We don’t recommend this option in summer because of the unbearable heat.
Recommended post → How to Get from Tirana to Saranda
Butrint National Park from Saranda, Ksamil by Bus
Buses depart from the bus stop at the Port of Saranda to Butrint National Park every 30 minutes between 7:30 AM and 7 PM. The bus ride takes about 40-45 minutes and passes through Ksamil. A bus ticket to Butrint costs about 200 LEK (2 EUR) per person. Since the bus timetable may change, ask locals for the current bus schedule.
Alternatively, take a taxi or join an organized tour. A taxi from Ksamil to Butrint will cost around 1000-1500 LEK (10-15 EUR). Taxis from Saranda are more expensive, costing between 4000-5000 LEK (40-50 EUR) for one way. Before you get in the taxi, be sure to negotiate the price and whether the driver will wait for you while you visit Butrint.
Discover the natural and historic wonders of the Saranda region on a full-day tour. Visit the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Butrint, the Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle, and the Ksamil Islands.
Car Rental in Albania
The best way to get around Albania is by car, as you can easily reach the best places and hidden gems. We did our Albania Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. Once you arrive at Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA), you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car. Another option is to rent a car in Saranda.
The car rental costs will be different when you travel to Albania in high season (June to September) or low season and rent a car in advance or at the last minute. You will spend around 30-50 EUR daily for a standard car with full coverage.
Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
The drive time between Tirana and the national park is usually 4 hours, depending on traffic. Always wear your seat belt and obey the speed limit!
Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.
Butrint National Park History
Butrint is an ancient port city about 2,500 years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania.
Butrint has been inhabited since prehistoric times as a Greek colony, Roman city, and bishopric. After a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration and a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The various cultures (Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman) have left their mark on the ancient city of Butrint.
Butrint’s name comes from the word buthrotos, meaning “wounded bull”. This name comes from a mythic Greek legend about the failed sacrifice of a bull on the neighboring island of Corfu. The bull escaped and swam to the mainland, which was taken as a sign from the gods, and the Greeks decided to build a settlement at this place.
The national park has a total area of 9,424.04 ha. It is home to a diverse flora and fauna, including some endangered and rare species.
What to See in Butrint National Park
Most people come from Ksamil, Saranda, or Corfu. We drove from Ksamil to the Butrint. The SH81 road to the national park was paved, and the travel time was about 10 minutes. We arrived at 10 AM, and we still found a parking space. But around midday, the spaces run out quickly. After we bought the tickets, we started exploring the national park.
At the park entrance, pick up a free brochure (available in several languages) and use the map to find the ancient ruins. Immediately after the entrance, you will find the Venetian tower, from where the path leads to the Roman civic house (point 7).
But we suggest heading towards the Theatre & Sanctuary of Asclepius (point 2/3). The chapel was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. When you cross the bridge, you will see many turtles in the water.
The ancient amphitheater offers fantastic photo opportunities, so wait until the tourist groups move on and take some beautiful pictures.
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If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive right after opening (9 AM).
Triconch Palace
Then, continue towards the Roman Baths until you reach the Forum/Agora. Afterward, you can see the Gymnasium and the Roman civic house (Triconch Palace). The Baptistery (point 8), built in the 6th century AD, has a well-preserved mosaic floor and 16 columns. Unfortunately, the mosaic floor is covered with a layer of sand and gravel to protect it from the elements, so you probably won’t see how amazing it is. We discovered this on our visit and were quite disappointed.
The Lion’s Gate
Then, you can admire the fountain dedicated to the Nymphs and visit the Great Basilica. This was the main temple of the ancient city of Butrint and looks gorgeous. After that, you can see Lake Gate and the Lion’s Gate (point 12). In fact, the lion relief was not part of the original wall. The Lion Gate takes its name from the relief depicting a lion devouring the head of a bull above the entrance. Honestly, at first, we thought it looked like a wild boar.
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Wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water and mosquito repellent, and use sunscreen.
Museum of the Ancient City of Butrint
The Venetian Acropolis Castle (point 14) is another highlight of the Butrint National Park, where the museum is also located. When you arrive, we recommend you take a break and use the toilets. Then, you can enjoy the fantastic view of the turquoise water and visit the archaeological museum.
The museum provides a chronological overview of the history of Butrint, starting from the Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages. You can also see some sculptures and mosaics.
At the walls of the Venetian Castle, you can admire a statue of the head of the Goddess of Butrint.
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Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours in the national park.
We almost missed this attraction because we didn’t think it was worth a visit, and we couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s a fantastic place, in our opinion, a must-see for history and nature lovers. We explored the Roman remains, read the information boards, visited the museum, and enjoyed the fantastic views.
The national park is the perfect escape from the summer heat, as the paths lead through shady areas. You can easily combine your visit with other great attractions such as Lekuresi Castle, the Blue Eye, and Ali Pasha Castle.
See also → Blue Eye Albania
Butrint National Park Opening Hours
It is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM. However, the national park usually closes at dusk, so closing times vary throughout the year.
Butrint National Park Entrance Fee & Ticket Prices
The entrance fee to the national park is 1000 LEK (10 EUR) for adults and 300 LEK (3 EUR) for children (12-18 years old). Children under 12 years are free of charge.
For students (only for Albanian citizens), the ticket costs 300 LEK (3 EUR). The ticket for pensioners and disabled persons (only for Albanian citizens) costs 500 LEK (5 EUR). Card payments are not accepted everywhere, so bring enough cash (LEK or EUR).
Good to know
There are a few public holidays in the year when entry to Butrint is free for locals and foreign visitors.
Butrint National Park Map
Where to Stay near Butrint
The national park is just a 10-minute drive from Ksamil and 30 minutes from Saranda. We recommend you stay in one of the coastal towns and explore the beautiful beaches of the Albanian Riviera. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Saranda
- Luxury: Yacht Premium Hotel
- Mid-Range: Demi Hotel or Rozafa Palace Hotel
- Budget: Keos Hotel
Best hotels in Ksamil
- Mid-Range: Colosseum Hotel or Hotel Denoel
- Budget: Hotel ABA
Recommended post → Best Ksamil Beach Hotels
We hope you found our guide to Butrint National Park useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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