Corfu to Albania by Ferry: the Best Do it Yourself Day Trip (2026)
One of the best day trips from Corfu is Saranda, Albania. Saranda is a lovely seaside town that’s very easy to explore. And it only takes 30 minutes to get there on the fast ferry from Corfu.
Corfu to Albania by Ferry: the Best Do it Yourself Day Trip
One of the best things about visiting Albania from Corfu is the Saranda port is only 150 metres from the town centre. You can walk everywhere without the need for a car or guide.
The moment you leave the port there are shops, ATMs, restaurants, cafes and bakeries. You can be on the main promenade in less than 5 minutes.
I’ve done this day trip the other way around too (Albania to Corfu), and it’s a pain arriving at the international port terminal in Corfu so far from the centre. The Corfu to Albania day trip really couldn’t be any easier.
Is it Worth Visiting Saranda, Albania from Corfu?
Absolutely! Saranda is a lovely, compact city. Albanians are friendly (though with limited English), and prices are less expensive than Corfu.
For decades Albania was closed off to the outside world, so here’s your chance to see one of the last former communist regimes. Saranda, and Albania in general, are still lesser known destinations.
It’s also very safe. I have never felt uncomfortable travelling as a solo female in Albania. Locals are helpful and respectful.
Important to Know for Before You Arrive in Albania
- Passport Control: You will need your passport to exit Corfu and enter Albania.
- Check if you need a visa: Albania is not part of the EU or Schengen area. Check the Albanian Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs website for visa requirements.
- You’ll need cash: Credit cards and euros or not widely accepted. The local currency is the Albanian lek. Take out cash from an ATM near the port (there are lots), or the ABI machine on Rruga Skanderbeu which has the lowest ATM charges.
- Your Greek sim won’t work in Albania: You can get a local sim from Vodafone on Rruga Jonianet on the promenade, or use the Maps.me app (just make sure to download it before leaving Corfu).
- Don’t drink the tap water: Just like Corfu, you shouldn’t drink the tap water in Albania.
- Don’t plan to stay overnight without a reservation: In summer almost all accommodation in Saranda is fully booked.
How to Get to Saranda, Albania from Corfu
The ferries to Albania depart from the international terminal of Corfu Port on Ethnikis Antistaseos, 1 km from the centre.
During peak season this is a busy route. I recommend purchasing your ferry ticket in advance. I first check the ferry schedule on Direct Ferries, and then book directly with the ferry company – either online or in person.
The last time I did this my tickets were 5 euros less each way, when booking in person at the Finkas ticket office. The ticket office is on the same road as the port, almost 1 km from the international terminal.
Hydrofoils, called Flying Dolphins in Greece, do the crossing in 30 minutes. Regular ferries, or the slow ferry as it is usually called, makes the journey in 1.5 hours. If you have a car you’ll have to take the slow ferry.
The ferries run all year with increased number of daily crossings during peak season.
You should turn up an hour before your departure to allow time for passport control. The Greek side is notoriously slow.
Also allow extra time in case of cancellation. The last time I departed Corfu the earlier hydrofoil was cancelled, and passengers had been waiting hours for the next one.
I’ve done the crossing on both the slow and fast ferries. I enjoy the speed of the hydrofoil, but I love the experience of the slow ferry.
If you’re travelling with luggage, I recommend the hydrofoil. There’s luggage storage when you enter, and no steep stairs to deal with (like on the slow ferry).
If you’re coming straight from Corfu Airport
The Corfu port terminal for ferries to Albania is 4 km from the airport. You can take a taxi, but if you have time there is an airport bus that goes to the port.
Things to Do in Saranda, Albania
Now that you’ve arrived in Saranda, Albania, what should you do? The main attractions are the beaches and enjoying the seaside location, but there are a few sites to take in.
The beachfront promenade is only 200 metres from the port. Many of Saranda’s things to do are on or very close to the promenade. Saranda is a pretty city, it’s nice just to walk around.
To get to the promenade, keep on the same road as the port entrance and exit. It will take you to a set of stairs that go straight down to the start of the promenade.
- Stroll the beachfront promenade: Saranda has a long promenade that curves around the public beach. Stop at Limani and have a coffee on the waterfront, or go to Bar Riviera for the traditional Albanian dessert, zup.
- Explore Saranda centre: Just off the beach promenade is the city centre. It’s pretty with lovely tiled sidewalks, lots of cafes and byrek shops.
- View the mosaic floor at the Saranda Museum of Archaeology: Saranda has a tiny archeology museum with an excavated mosaic floor. Compared with the ruins of Greece it’s not that impressive, but the entrance fee is only 100 lek ($1.20 USD).
- Walk through the ruins of Basilica Synagogue: In the middle of the centre are ruins of a 5th century synagogue that was later converted to a Christian basilica. There are mosaics here also, but the small building that houses them is usually closed.
- Visit the beaches: Saranda has nice beaches, part of Albania’s Riviera. Saranda Beach is a long public beach along the promenade. It’s free. Era Beach is a nice private beach, only 500 metres from the port. There’s a casual waterfront bar there, Shark Bar.
- Walk (or take a taxi) to Lekursi Castle: Not much remains of the castle ruins, but there are amazing views of Saranda. Have a meal or drink at the beautiful restaurant. Spectacular at sunset. In Saranda I use Saranda Eco Taxi.
- Hike up to the ruins of Monastery of 40 Saints: Don’t do this on a hot day like I did. It’s uphill without a lot of shade. But if the weather’s good, it’s a nice short hike and the site is very atmospheric. Saranda was named after this monastery. The Greek word for 40 is ‘saranta.’
- Enjoy a drink on a rooftop lounge: Porto Eda Hotel has a relaxing rooftop lounge with beautiful views of Saranda and the sea. If you want something more lively and partyish, Illyrian Boutique Hotel has a nice rooftop bar with great views.
- Visit Gjirokaster and Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye): Gjirokaster (UNESCO), the enchanting stone city is only an hour from Saranda and worth a visit. On the way back stop at Syri i Kalter, beautiful natural springs that are bright aquamarine. Book a private taxi, (I used Taxi Landi for this), or take this top rated Gjirokaster and Blue Eye 6 hour day tour.
Where to Eat in Saranda
There’s plenty of good places to eat in Saranda near the port and along the promenade. These are the ones I like:
- Peta Jon: If you’re hungry when you get off the ferry make this your first stop. It’s across the street from the port and open very early. They sell byrek (traditional pie with savoury fillings), sandwiches, croissants, bougatsa, and peinirli (bread boats filled with cheese, egg and ham).
- Taste of Tradition: Upscale cafeteria style eatery specializing in traditional Albanian dishes. They open around 8 am for breakfast. I’ve had lunch and breakfast here, and it’s always been good.
- Taverna Oxhaku: Traditional taverna selling seafood, grilled meats and some vegetable dishes. I think they have the best kalamari in Albania!
- Taverna Beni Peshkatari: If you want to escape the crowds come to this fish taverna. It’s located at a small port off the main street in Saranda. Everything is super fresh. I ate excellent kalamari and seafood linguine here.
- Limani Bar & Restaurant: Located over the water on the promenade – it’s touristy, but the location can’t be beat. The only thing I’ve tried here is cake and coffee. I’ve heard the food is good, but prices are higher because of the location.
Should You Stay Overnight in Saranda, Albania?
Yes! If you can, you should stay overnight. This will give you time to explore outside of Saranda and see more of Albania. Albania is a beautiful country and worth an extra day.
If you stay overnight in Saranda, explore the town on Day 1 and local sites. Enjoy the beach. Head up to Lekursi Castle for beautiful sunset views in the evening. Have dinner at the restaurant there.
On Day 2 get up early and visit Butrint National Park (UNESCO) or Gjirokaster (UNESCO) and Syri i Kalter.
There’s a local bus that goes to Butrint from Saranda. The stop is beside the Vodafone kiosk on Rruga Skenderbeu. This bus gets very crowded in summer, so go early or consider taking a taxi. The bus is a LOT cheaper than the taxi.
To reach Gjirokaster and Syri i Kalter you need a car. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is a group day tour, like this one: Gjirokaster and Syri i Kalter 6 hour day tour.
After your Albanian day tour, relax at a cafe on the promenade like Limani or Riviera Bar. Then head over to the port for the ferry back to Corfu (1 hour before departure).
Where to Stay in Saranda, Albania
If you decide to stay overnight in Saranda, these are excellent properties with good locations:
Hotel Vale: Luxury hotel right on the beach promenade.
Titania Hotel: Mid priced hotel on the beach promenade.
Vila Konomi: Budget rooms with kitchenettes and views of Corfu. 5 minutes walk from the centre. I stayed here the last time I was in Saranda with my dog and really liked it.
Vila Era Beach: Mid priced beachfront hotel on Era Beach, very close to the port and promenade.
⚠️ Most hotels and guest houses are fully booked in July and August. Make sure you make a reservation if you plan to stay overnight.
Last Words on Corfu to Albania by Ferry: the Best Do it Yourself Day Trip
A day trip from Corfu to Saranda is one of the easiest and most rewarding excursions you can take.
With its compact, walkable layout and vibrant waterfront, Saranda offers the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. Best of all, it’s relatively affordable, safe, and still under the radar compared to other Mediterranean destinations.
