Wide panoramic view of Sarandë’s waterfront in Albania showing terraced apartment buildings climbing green hills above a long beach, calm turquoise water and a tree-lined promenade.

Sarandë , Albania

Cruises to Sarandë, Albania

View cruises

Things to do in Sarandë

Sarandë is a hidden treasure of castles and ancient ruins set among local boutiques, cafés and trendy restaurants, surrounded by unspoiled beaches, deep blue waters and breathtaking mountain landscapes. Once a quiet naval base, it’s now rising fast thanks to its mix of seaside energy, ancient history and natural marvels like the Blue Eye Spring. Sarandë greets you with Riviera resort luxury and welcomes you into its ancient past through Illyrian mosaics, Ottoman castles and Byzantine monasteries — plus plenty of scenic spots to linger over fresh local flavors.

Explore things to do in Sarandë
01 / 04
  • Marshy shoreline with patches of grasses and shrubs beside a calm blue lake in Butrint National Park, with rolling mountains and clouds in the distance and a small boat on the water.

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, a layered archeological wonder that swings from Roman theaters to Venetian fortresses.

  • Stone walls and a large round tower of Lëkurësi Castle rise above rocky ground and dry vegetation under an overcast sky in southern Albania.

    Climb to Lëkurësi Castle for sweeping views of Ksamil and the Ionian Sea.

  • Wooden board filled with assorted Albanian pastries, vegetable stew, dips and small glasses of yogurt, surrounded by bowls of soup and salad on an outdoor table.

    Explore the ruins of the ancient city of Onchesmos, then grab a coffee at one of the town’s many cafés and seafood restaurants.

  • Vibrant turquoise pool fed by a small waterfall surrounded by lush green forest and rocky cliffs at the Blue Eye spring in Albania.

    Dive into local legend at the Blue Eye spring, where shades of turquoise swirl like a portal to another world.

01 / 04

Shore excursions to explore in Sarandë

Choose from excursions that pull back the curtain on ancient cultures, natural wonders and wine-fueled hilltop panoramas.

01 / 06
  • Ruins of the Baptistery at Butrint featuring stone archways, a semicircular theater-like structure and a shallow water-filled center surrounded by dense green forest and distant mountains.

    Best of Sarande

    Start at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, where the Romans, Venetians and Greeks all left their fingerprints. Walk past temples, theaters and fortresses, then continue to the mystical Blue Eye spring. Local legend once blamed a 12-headed dragon for hoarding its waters (but today you’re more likely to find tourists doing slow 360s with their phones). After lunch at the Foinike restaurant and a photo stop at Lëkurësi Castle, you’ll feel like you’ve unlocked a lesser-known corner of Europe.

    Learn More
  • Circular ruins in Butrint featuring weathered stone columns arranged around an ornate mosaic floor with geometric patterns and animal motifs, surrounded by low walls and dense green trees.

    Ancient Butrint and Sarande on Foot

    Step back 2,500 years at Butrint, one of the most impressive Greco-Roman ruins on the Illyrian coast. Marvel at the baptistery mosaics and Roman forums before heading back to Sarandë for a stroll through its own buried past. You’ll visit the Onhezmi Synagogue, built atop a Christian basilica and later converted for Jewish worship. The mosaic floors tell stories in symbols: menorahs and ram’s horns laid in stone.

    Learn More
  • Weathered stone walls and a round tower of Lëkurësi Castle rise above a dry, grassy hillside under a bright blue sky.

    Sarande, Lekuresi Castle & Wine Tasting

    Start with a hilltop view from Lëkurësi Castle, then sip your way through Albanian wine history at the Isak Winery. You’ll sample local vintages and raki alongside cheese and fruit, with a crash course in wine production dating back 3,000 years. Wrap it all up with a visit to the ruins of Onchesmos with its ancient basilicas and water cisterns.

    Learn More
  • Aerial view of Porto Palermo Castle in Albania, showing its distinct triangular fortress layout surrounded by dense coastal greenery and steep cliffs descending into the bright blue Ionian Sea.

    Porto Palermo Castle and Himara Village

    Travel south along the coast to the 15th-century Porto Palermo Castle, a triangular fortress with five towers and panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. Then continue to the seaside village of Himara for a short walking tour, a taste of raki and a snack at a local café. Between the sunshine, the sea and the storybook setting, this is coastal Albania at its most charismatic.

    Learn More
  • Overhead view of the Blue Eye spring in Albania, showing vibrant turquoise water swirling above deep underwater caverns surrounded by lush green aquatic plants.

    Lekuresi Castle, Mesopotam Monastery and Blue Eye National Park

    Kick off your day with a drive up to Lëkurësi Castle and views stretching from Sarandë to Ksamil. Then it’s on to the Mesopotam Monastery, one of the oldest Byzantine churches in Albania. Cap it off at the Blue Eye, where cold spring water bubbles up in brilliant blue from an underwater cave. A traditional lunch rounds out the adventure.

    Learn More
  • Stone courtyard and terrace at Lëkurësi Castle with rustic buildings, café tables and bright blue sky.

    Traditional Albania

    This one’s for the culture buffs. Begin with a stop at Lëkurësi Castle, then view the exterior of the Mesopotam Monastery. After a short break for local refreshments, head back toward town for a deep dive into the ruins of Onchesmos. Mosaics, basilicas and ancient cisterns reveal a side of Albania that’s as complex as it is underrated.

    Learn More
01 / 06
Explore all Sarandë shore excursions

Explore itineraries with cruises to Sarandë

As part of select Mediterranean or European cruise itineraries, Sarandë is a relatively undiscovered gem that links you to the wider region. Princess Cruises® guests tender ashore into a harbor framed by rugged hills and Roman history. Explore Ksamil’s bright beaches, roam hilltop castles or relax with seafood by the sea. With natural springs, ancient cities and historic synagogues all nearby, Sarandë offers more depth than you might expect from such a breezy port stop.

01 / 06
Vatican view

7-Day Mediterranean with Greece & Italy

View cruise

50-Day Grand Mediterranean Odyssey

View cruise

Discover Sarandë on your next cruise

Sarande holds deeper stories than you might expect; shaped by the convergence of civilizations. You’ll find Greek ruins next to Ottoman relics, Roman theaters down the road from Byzantine monasteries and the Blue Eye Spring capping it off like a geological exclamation point. With curated excursions and comfortable tender service, Princess delivers you straight into the heart of Albania’s coastal story.

Cruises to Sarandë
Lush green trees and thick vegetation surrounding the vivid turquoise waters of the Blue Eye natural spring in Albania, with sunlight reflecting across the clear shallows.

Step into a world of emerald forest and crystal water at Albania’s Blue Eye spring.

Aerial view of a rocky peninsula in southern Albania with a helipad at the tip, turquoise water surrounding it and modern villas with pools built into the lush hillside above.

Soar above a secluded peninsula where luxury villas meet crystal-clear water.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

Explore ships visiting this port

Cruises to Sarandë FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

You may also like

Edinbourgh view

British Isles cruises

Land of storybook settings, megalithic, monuments and legendary lores.

LEARN MORE
Stockholm

Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

Royal palaces, ancient art and celebrated history of Baltic ports.

LEARN MORE
Mediterranean Cruises

Mediterranean cruises

Rich flavors, thriving culture and long history fills this regions.

LEARN MORE
01 / 06