Saranda Beaches: Which One is Best?

Saranda is well known for beaches. But which is the best? I recently spent 2 weeks exploring Saranda and checking out the beaches.

The beaches around Saranda are part of Albania’s Riviera, the famous bit of coastline on the Ionian Sea. The water has a turquoise colour – beautiful!

Almost all beaches are now privatized. You can use them, but you have to pay for an umbrella and lounger. Rates vary by beach and month, but in peak season (July and August) they are 2000-3000 lek ($24-35 USD) for 2 sunbeds and one umbrella.

There are a couple of free, public beaches and I’ve listed them.

Which Beach in Saranda is Best

Basically, the entire coast is a beach. There are all sorts of spots along Rruga Butrinti – that main street that heads south toward Ksamil. Almost all are owned by Saranda restaurants, beach clubs and hotels, but you can use them for a fee.

So apart from the ones listed specifically here, if you see a beach that looks good, go ahead but you’ll probably have to pay to use it.

Saranda does have some nice beaches (the absolute most gorgeous beaches are further south in Ksamil), and I visited all of them!

Saranda Beach

Saranda Beach is right in town and runs the full length of the promenade. It starts just after the port and ends just after the coast starts to curve south.

This is the largest public beach in the area, about 1.1 km long. And it’s free!

The beach is pebbly, wide and considering it’s right in town, pretty clean. The section closer to the port is quieter.

Bring your own towels and umbrellas. I was there in June and didn’t see anyone renting out umbrellas or loungers, but there may be in July and August.

Era Beach (Plazhi Era)

I really like this nice pebbly beach that is right in town near the port. It’s a private beach, so you’ll have to pay for the lounger and umbrella, but there’s restaurants and a bar on the water with great views of Corfu, Greece.

I don’t mind pebbly beaches, you don’t have to worry about getting sand all over everything or your electronics.

The beach is owned by Vila Era Beach Hotel, but you don’t need to be a guest to use it. Lounge chairs and umbrellas cost up to 2000 lek ($24 USD) during peak season.

Planning a longer trip to Albania? See how I fit Saranda into this two-week highlights of Albania itinerary, with both car and bus versions.

Mucobega Beach

This is the best beach that is a relatively easy walk from Saranda. It’s 2 km from the centre, and I walked there in 15 minutes from Halo supermarket by the stadium.

Mucobega Beach is the only sandy beach I found in Saranda. It’s owned by Mucobega Hotel, and has a restaurant and beach club. This seems like more of a family beach and less about the beach party. It was a lot quieter than the beaches along Rruga Butrinti.

This is my top choice for a nice beach in Saranda, away from the party scene. Loungers and umbrellas cost 2000-3000 lek during the summer ($24-35 USD).

Lost Seaside Beach (Maestral Beach)

This beach is owned by Lost Seaside Hotel. The beach is Maestro Beach, but on Google maps it says Lost Seaside Beach.

If you’re staying along or near Rruga Butrinti, you can walk here. Otherwise you can take the Ksamil – Butrint bus from town.

The beach club caters to a young party crowd and children are not allowed. While there is water access, the loungers are on a multi level deck you can either dive into the sea from, or use the stairs that lead into the water.

Different types of loungers are available, and guests have access to the pool. There’s a restaurant and bar. No outside food or drink is allowed in.

This is the most expensive club I saw with loungers starting at 3000 lek ($35 USD) during summer high season.

Mango Beach

Mango Beach is one of the more luxe beach clubs along the Rruga Butrinti beach strip.

Because it’s one of the furthest beaches down this bit of coast until you get into the Ksamil beaches, the water is cleaner and it’s not such a party atmosphere.

Mango Luxury Resorts operates the beach club, but anyone can visit the beach by renting a lounger and umbrella (up to 3000 lek, $35 USD, during peak season).

Flamingo Beach

Flamingo Beach is the next beach up from Mango Beach. It’s a family friendly pebbly beach with a more relaxed vibe.

Out of all the organized beaches along the Rruga Butrinti strip it’s my favourite, just for the more laid back atmosphere.

There was no sign for Flamingo Beach when I visited. Just follow the signs for Saranda Interational Hotel.

Saranda International Hotel owns the beach, but anyone can use it by renting an umbrella and loungers. The cost is 2000 lek ($24 USD) during high season.

Secret Beach

This is the only public beach I know of along the Rruga Butrinti strip that you can access without a boat. It’s small but scenic, with boulders surrounding the cove.

It was very quiet when I went (Sunday afternoon), but I know boat tours sometimes stop here.

There was some construction next to the beach but it’s hard to tell if the project is abandoned or if they were taking a day off. For now the beach is free and undeveloped, but I don’t know how long it will stay that way.

From Rruga Butrinti take the long flight of stone stairs to the beach. I found it using Google maps, but there was a Secret Beach Bar sign. Not sure about the bar – it was not on the beach.

Last Words on Saranda Beaches: Which One is Best

My favourite beaches in Saranda are Flamingo Beach and Secret Beach. But that’s because I prefer a more laid back, non party atmosphere.

There’s pretty much a beach for everyone in Saranda. Because Saranda is on Albania’s Riviera the water will be glorious no matter which beach you end up on.

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