Albania
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Sarandë
Sarandë
About
Sarandë is the high-energy "unofficial capital" of the Albanian Riviera, a port city that serves as a gateway to ancient ruins, vibrant nightlife, and the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea
Insider Tips
Sarandë has suffered from decades of unregulated, "Wild West" construction. It is a dense forest of concrete hotels and half-finished buildings. If you are looking for quaint, traditional charm, you will be disappointed as it has a big “summer resort” energy in peak season
Sarandë’s town beaches are convenient but not the dream you see on social media. Expect pebbles/rocky entries, busy waterfront, and a more “urban swim” vibe. The best “wow-water” usually means going south toward Ksamil but you'll face even more crowds. Traffic jams on the Sarandë–Ksamil road in peak season are common (especially on weekends)
Did you know?
During World War II, when Albania was occupied by Italian forces, Benito Mussolini renamed the city "Porto Edda" in honor of his eldest daughter, Edda Ciano; the name was immediately scrapped and changed back to Sarandë (which means "Forty" in Greek, after the 40 Saints) the moment the war ended.