I have a cruise booked that will include a port call in Saranda, Albania. I know I can ask in CruiseCritic, but let's just say I rarely get answers compatible with my interests so I want to extend the information pool.
Port timing is not the best as it is 1300 - 1900hrs.
If I could do it, I would be interested in Butrint National Park, but the timing may not work.
I would prefer a DIY, local tour, then ship's tour in that order.
This is April 2020. Beach and shopping are not of interest. Ruins and parks are preferred.
Does anybody have any recommendations for an afternoon in the area?
Thank you.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Yes, the people on cruise critic do overwhelmingly take ship run excursions. I use it to get an idea what people did and whether it's something I'd enjoy.
What does the ship offer? In my experience, if you can do it through the ship, you can find a local guide for no more than half the price. I booked with a private tour operator for two days of touring in St. Petersburg, Russia for about half what the ship wanted. Plus it was in a 12 passenger van (including the driver and guide) rather than a 60 passenger bus.
If the ship doesn't offer it, you may still be able to find a local guide that offers it. In Belize, the ship stopped offering a trip to Mayan ruins (name translates to sunken crocodile) because they were back late too often. I booked with a local company at a decent price - and made it back in time. I've also booked SCUBA days in Cozumel for less than half what the ship wanted.
If you can't find a local tour guide who regularly offers what you want. There is still an option. You can hire a taxi driver (or a local guide) for the day to take you where you want to go. I've done that in Gdansk, Poland to go to Malbork castle. In Ixtapa, Mexico to go see a small local archaeological museum (then a local palapa restaurant on the beach). In Acupulco, Mexico a group hired a taxi driver with a van to see our specific list of sights for the day.
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Thanks Brad.
As this is a year out, I didn't find excursions offered after logging in, but did look at what they are offering for April 2019 for the port. They do offer a tour of Butrint for 5 hours at $60. Compared to Caribbean tours, this seems rather affordable. I'l check out other offerings, but was also wondering what else to see in the area.
This is with MSC and looks like that is the most frequent cruise line for this port. Holland America is the only 'top 5' line that uses it, and that is perhaps once a month. I won't have to worry about more than one ship in port, but that makes me think there may not be that many local tours to comply to port schedules.....however, I might have a better chance of an English language tour. MSC tends to do announcements in 5 languages and English is not one of the first 3 so I am not holding my breath there will be sufficient numbers for English guided tour.
The TripAdvisor forum is infrequently visited and most don't go as far as this archeological site, so will have to delve deeper. I got the Bradt guide from the library but haven't read it yet. They tend to be realistic on their DIY offerings so will see what they might suggest.
Posted by
1 posts
Hi there. I had three nights last year in Saranda and visited the Butrint Archaeological Park. It is a World Class Unesco Heritage Site and you would need 4 hours to visit it. It is stunning and incredible place to visit. Our guide says they call it the New Troy because of the connections they had with the people of Troy. I cannot really help you with how to get to Butrint because we were on a 23 days Balkans private Tours and Albania was part of it, but also the most beautiful and interesting place of the whole tour. I remember the port is on the western side of the city but very close to the center. I believe it would not be a problem for you to find a taxi to get you there but don't know any tour guide as we have one assigned all the time by the local tour operator we booked with. I would suggest you get in touch with them, just googled the name - https://www.apollon-tours.com/ - and ask everything you need. They were very nice and helpful to us so I hope you will be able to get as much info as possible.
Please do not miss the Blue Eye and the Lekursesi Castle with a wonderful view of the ocean and the city.
GL
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
970 posts
I did Butrint on a ship’s tour a couple of years ago. A very interesting site and a nice setting. It’s quite a ways from Sarande, took a good hour to get there. The site is a mixture of Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian buildings and a good guide is essential to fully understand the site. There is an interesting site in Sarande itself, the remains of a 6th century synagogue, unfortunately our tour dis not stop there.
The drive to the site is interesting and some lovely country. Our guide was a retired university professor, sociology I seem to recall, and had some interesting comments aboutAlbania since the fall of communism. If you want to look at some of my photos, please contact me. Butrint is very different from the Classical sites of Greece and Italy - no temples and few columns but still interesting.