Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park lies in Vlorë County in southern Albania, south of Sarandë, in the eastern part of the Strait of Corfu. It covers hilly terrain with freshwater lakes, wetlands, salt marshes, open plains, reed beds and islands, and shelters a great variety of animals and plants. It protects the lake and lagoon of Butrint, the natural channel of Vivari, which joins the lake to the Ionian Sea through a narrow sandy bar, the islands of Ksamil and the archaeological site of Butrint, whose remains are among the most important in the country. The climate is mild Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, dry summers.

Visiting Butrint

The circuit through the ruins takes 1.5–2 hours on a mostly flat, uneven path, so wear shoes with a good sole. Pay cash at the kiosk inside the entrance. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians all left their mark: the Lion Gate, the theatre, the baptistery with its mosaic (often covered) and the Venetian tower, now a small museum. Summer is hot, so arrive near opening time or late in the afternoon, and the site floods in winter. If the car park is full, staff may send you over the Vivari Channel on the car ferry. Ksamil is about 5 km away, with minibuses every 30–60 minutes, and an easy 4.8 km coastal walk links the two. Ali Pasha Castle boat trips mostly run from June to September.