Advertisement
Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park
4.5
About
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Plan your visit
See what travellers are saying
  • The Truth
    London, United Kingdom295 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice leisurely walk in the woods
    Great trip to see about 20 ancient sites located in shaded woodland , ideal for escaping from the intense heat. Reconstructed buildings provide a great opportunity to take decent photos. Well marked paths to each site leads to the top of a hill where there is a small castle with all modern facilities. An excellent way to spend 1.5 hours. Easy to visit via public transport 10 minute drive from Ksamil , buses every 30 minutes 100 lek
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 14 October 2023
  • Middlefield
    Springfield, Virginia67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Public bus from Saranda to Butrit
    In October 2023 we took a full sized public bus from Saranda to the Butrit archeological site. The bus stop is across from the Synagogue-Basillica archeological site. Bus times are posted on the wall of the bus stop shelter. A ticket seller takes your money after the bus starts moving. Bus fare per person to Butrit was 200 lec. On the return trip we got off at Ksamil which unlike Saranda was mostly shut down for the winter.  The total return fare because we stopped at Ksamil was 300 lec per person.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 October 2023
  • Keith B
    London, United Kingdom13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Butrint in Albania
    Took a punt on a day trip to Albania from Corfu with my partner and wasn't it a delight. Albania and Butrint national park are unspoilt gems. Friendly people and the heritage ! Phoenician, Carthaginian, greek, Roman, ottoman, venetians.. they've all been here in this strategic site and left their mark. The footprint and more of a Roman town amidst wonderfully unspoilt countryside. A stop at Suliman the magnificent s tower gave jaw dropping 360 degree views of countryside and bay. If you're ever in Corfu, especially Kalami bay, do yourself a favour and take a trip to Albania's beautiful national park.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 November 2023
  • Seininya
    Toronto, Canada176 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful untouched national park.
    Beautiful untouched national park. When we went it was quiet but raining. The views are gorgeous. We took a taxi to here but they charged us more so that was a scam, but the actual park is beautiful. If you go, taxis charge 60€-80€. Although local taxis speak as if it is 18€ so not sure if it is on purpose on not. After the trip back, taxi wanted to charge us 100€, saying he waited for 3 hours but it was 3 hours total. Maybe local bus will be better. Another taxi driver on the way back said it is 60€. The national park has lots of mosquitoes so take some bug repellents! I was bitten and had to put some cream as it was too itchy.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 November 2023
  • Tommy599
    Two Rivers, Wisconsin902 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Steps back in time
    We boarded a bus from the sea port and traveled overland for about 40-50 minutes to visit the ruins of Butrint. We have been spoiled (numbed) by visiting many Greek settlements on our trip last year so this city layout although spectacular archaeologically, has resulted in us to becoming numb with any shock and awe impression. But we love the HISTORY of places like this (as all have their own story), and other historical spots that may have (in some cases) been inhabited since prehistoric times. The ruins of the ancient city of Butrint were a lot more than I expected. Situated on a defendable peninsula at the source area of a river, its position had morphed in its 2,500 years of populated history going way back to its first settlement in the fourth century BC, and an eventual peak population of about 10,000 in the Middle Ages and then eventually abandon). To give it credit, the archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city's development, and Tom can “almost” hear the echo of footsteps from the peoples that inhabited this location over the Melia.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 November 2023
  • Laura M
    London, United Kingdom30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    a fantastic morning out
    a fantastic day trip from saranda. we spent almost 2 hours here exploring the different ruins of the ancient town. the surrounding views were incredible too. it cost 1000lek per person but was so worth it. would definitely recommend!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 April 2024
  • travelpotomus
    Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning!
    This place was stunning! I loved that it was like a nature walk and archaeological site all together. The views from the little museum are beautiful! We saw some wildlife living in the ruins as well, which was so nice (turtles, frogs, birds). We came in spring and everything was in bloom and just so pretty. I do not know if kids would really enjoy this, but my husband and I thought this was one of the highlights of our trip to Albania. It was also way less crowded than some other sites I have been to, which made it more pleasant.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 April 2024
  • Jim A
    Chicago, Illinois40 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Small (overpriced) but enjoyable site
    This is a pleasant, small, well-laid out archaeological site. Nice walking paths, though a bit muddy in April. Very swampy site overall with a lot of standing water filling many of the ruins. The basilica was beautiful and well-preserved. Nice wall of inscriptions. Amphitheater was in good condition and worth seeing. The museum was small and had some nice artifacts displayed. Castle offered a nice view but the top was closed off. Family friendly. Small cafe near the castle.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 20 April 2024
  • Jasmin Schubert
    Manila, Philippines35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Must-Visit
    We visited Butrint National Park via public bus from Sarande (remember to bring cash for the bus ticket). The bus drops you off right at the entrance where you can purchase tickets in person, but you can also buy them online beforehand. In the park itself we enjoyed the walk through nature and the ancient ruins were truly stunning. Our highlights were the amphitheater and basilica, so don't miss out on those. The museum at the top offers not only fascinating exhibits but also a beautiful view. I'd recommend to wear comfortable shoes and bring some snacks and plenty of water. If you have extra time, consider taking the ferry from the entrance to see Ali Pasha's Castle. Although we didn't do this, but later thought this could have been a great addition. Overall, our visit took about half a day, and we easily caught the bus back from the restaurant near the park entrance. All in all, Butrint National Park is a remarkable place that history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike will thoroughly enjoy!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 June 2024
  • gniteIrene
    Toronto, Canada943 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Archaeology and Nature
    Butrint Archaeological Park offers a blend of influences from many different civilizations. Layers of history in well preserved ruins can be observed at this site. Some of the more impressive include the Roman Ampitheatre, the Great Basilica, the Triconch Palace, Baptistery, and defensive castles and walls, among others. This site is unique in that it is also a nature park allowing one to enjoy strolls through forested trails, have a picnic in one of the many shaded areas or just take in the views of the wetlands and the Vivari Channel. Unfortunately, we didn't arrive until mid morning and encountered 3 huge tour groups. Once the groups had been shown some of the main sites, they left and the atmosphere completely changed and we were able to fully appreciate this remarkable site. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1992. We spent about 3 hours here, including visiting the very good museum. Admission is 1000 LEK and well worth it. It is an easy and inexpensive 30 min bus ride from Saranda. . Butrint was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1992.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,619 reviews
Excellent
1,742
Very good
699
Average
139
Poor
21
Terrible
19

The Balkans and Beyond
Glasgow, UK40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
The bus from Saranda dropped us off right at the entrance to the National Park. To enter, we each paid 700Lek (about 5.70 euros) and collected our information leaflet and map. We walked into the park and began our trip through the ages. Initially impressed by the 15th Century Venetian tower at the entrance, that was just a warm up. We followed the route provided through roman baths, an amphitheatre, an acropolis dating back to the 8th Century BC and, our favourite, the relatively complete basilica from the 6th century.

Walking through the ruins, some of which are nearly 3000 years old, was a peaceful and thought provoking experience. Due to the location, there were very few tourists even in the height of summer. Although this park will surely gain popularity year on year. It is also possible to walk within the ruins, as if you were a citizen during roman times, admiring the columns, arches and mosaics. Spectacular views over the water and distant mountains can be appreciated from the 'Lake Gate' dating back to the 4th Century BC.
Written 10 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

T-SGlobetrotters
Preston, UK4,097 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
The best two tips we can give to enjoy this National Park to its best is to 1) pick up a map which outlines the walking route just after entry as there is little direction signage available once you start (this is available is several languages) and 2) if you possibly can, do it independently. The numerous tours walk around the site at breakneck speed skipping a few parts of the route along the way and missing the Museum. As well as walking the defined route around the park taking in the history of the place with its excellent information boards at each key site, time should also be spent enjoying nature and the stunning views along the way.
The walk around the park will take around 3 hours on defined paths to enjoy the attraction at its best. There is a lot of tree cover as you walk around, a little reminiscent of the historical sites in Cambodia so even on hot days it doesn't become overpowering. It becomes apparent that they have actually excavated quite a small part of the overall area which is huge in comparison. You can get up close with obvious restrictions regarding climbing on walls. The only slightly disappointing feature that all the murals on Roman buildings are covered up to protect them. The museum which is at the end of the walk is good to visit and they have a number of statues on display that have been recovered during excavation.
We would recommend taking water, there is not much available in terms of refreshments apart from one small cafe selling drinks. Paths are a little stony in places so good walking shoes would be of benefit. There are toilets just after entry and if arriving by car, there is a free car park positioned a short distance from entry to the site. This is not particularly large although there is a further car park situated about 1 km away. We got there early and found space.
This is the most visited archaeological site in Albania and for good reason. It is a good half day out and even with large crowds from tours, it never feels crushed because the site is so large.
Highly recommended.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jordanellie41
Longridge, UK1,157 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
Walking around the Butrint National Park in 38 degrees whilst being bitten by mosquitos isn't everybody's idea of fun. Unfortunately, this applied to my partner who did not like the experience one bit - apart from seeing the baby turtles! So the warning is there, if this type of thing isn't your bag then I would not come.
However, if you can withstand the slight negatives then this is a very special place with lots of history and ruins that in parts are still very well preserved. I agree with lots of people that the map they give you could be a lot better, the signage is almost non existent, and they should have signs on each ruin telling you exactly what it is. Granted, you will see some of this but there is not enough of it. It costs 10€ to gain entry and the queues were already beginning to build up at 10am. We spent 1.5 hours there which is all you really need to see everything, but history buffs who read everything and take lots of photos will be there twice as long.
As well as the ruins themselves, there are some lovely lakes and mountain views whilst walking around and when you get near the end there is a large viewpoint with stunning views high up looking down on beautiful blue water and the surrounding mountainside.
I do recommend you see this - even if it's not your thing - because it is worth seeing. Just remember to do research beforehand, take good walking shoes, lots of water, and spray yourself head to foot with mosquito repellent.
Written 2 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bluebay06
La Spezia, Italy2,571 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
We arrived in Butrint coming with the car from Greece and we crossed the Vivari Channel on the small ferry which connects the two banks in a couple of minutes. Once we reached the Butrint side we had great difficulty parking, having to go up and down several times waiting for some cars to leave. And like us there were other cars looking for parking. Perhaps it would have been better to park before taking the ferry (there is plenty of space on the other side of the channel) and cross the ferry on foot. The entry cost is 10 Euros and a brochure is provided with a relatively detailed site map. As there are no shops at the entrance it is best to bring a bottle of water as well as a hat (even if the trees in the park offer shade from the sun in many areas), and, in at least in some periods, even mosquito repellent. Although you can decide what to see based on the time available, we followed a fairly complete itinerary of around 3 hours. We saw in sequence: Venetia Tower, Shrine of Shklepio, Roman Theatre and Bath, Triconch Palace, Baptistery, Nymphaeum, Great Basilica (don't miss the only small area with the original mosaics at the SE end of the cathedral), Hellenistic walls, Lion’s gate (with the image above the entrance of a lion biting the head of a bull and the Roman spring behind it), Acropolis (not much left) ending the tour at the Venetian Castle (here there are toilets). In this way we were able to see most of the initial Greek settlement, of the important Roman city with its evolution into the Christianity up to the Venetian domination. From a naturalistic point of view, every pool of water is populated by turtles (Balkan terrapin and European pond turtle) and Balkan frogs. A site not to be missed if you visit southern Albania.
Written 31 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jrapeter
Bude, UK920 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Couples
As this is primarily what I call “a few piles of old stones”, and as the mosaics are no longer visible I was close to rating it 3.

However, it is an extensive site, there are a few intact areas such as the theatre and it is in beautiful surroundings. I enjoyed the walk and we also called in to the small museum (which is included in the entry fee).

There is a cafe towards the end and decent toilets on site and a small “artisan” tourist nick-nack area.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mariliza_KL
Athens, Greece56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
The part of Albania known as Northern Epirus that smells like Greece! A well preserved ancient greek turned roman turned byzantine turned medieval city counting millenias of existence. Grab a bottle of water, wear a hat and get ready to explore the ancient ruins. The ticket price was 1000 lek (around 8 euro) per person which I think is relatively high for an open space. Student discount was available only for Albanian students which was somehow disapointing.
Written 20 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tommy599
Two Rivers, WI902 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We boarded a bus from the sea port and traveled overland for about 40-50 minutes to visit the ruins of Butrint.

We have been spoiled (numbed) by visiting many Greek settlements on our trip last year so this city layout although spectacular archaeologically, has resulted in us to becoming numb with any shock and awe impression. But we love the HISTORY of places like this (as all have their own story), and other historical spots that may have (in some cases) been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The ruins of the ancient city of Butrint were a lot more than I expected. Situated on a defendable peninsula at the source area of a river, its position had morphed in its 2,500 years of populated history going way back to its first settlement in the fourth century BC, and an eventual peak population of about 10,000 in the Middle Ages and then eventually abandon).

To give it credit, the archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city's development, and Tom can “almost” hear the echo of footsteps from the peoples that inhabited this location over the Melia.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,920 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Settled in Neolithic days, the World Heritage Site was an important center as far as Ottoman and Venetian days. It is a large site so you can readily spend three to four hours here [or more] if so inclined. The Temple of Asclepius showed ancient, Greek and Roman building. Various city gates were of interest waterside. The acropolis is an easy climb, well worth it for views and the small but excellent museum in an old Venetian tower. The best baptistery in the Balkans was found here with a mosaic usually left covered to protect it. Butrint well deserves its World Heritage Site designation. There are ample descriptions in English too.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Middlefield
Springfield, VA67 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
In October 2023 we took a full sized public bus from Saranda to the Butrit archeological site. The bus stop is across from the Synagogue-Basillica archeological site. Bus times are posted on the wall of the bus stop shelter. A ticket seller takes your money after the bus starts moving. Bus fare per person to Butrit was 200 lec. On the return trip we got off at Ksamil which unlike Saranda was mostly shut down for the winter.  The total return fare because we stopped at Ksamil was 300 lec per person.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mpdrumond
Istanbul, Türkiye79 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
UNESCO Heritage Site. A very interesting park with many findings from Venetian and Roman era, with castle/museum, basilica, housing, mosaics, amphitheatre and paths. The Baptisterium keeps the mosaic preserved under protection, and every couple of years they remove it for the visitors' admiration. A 3-4h slow pace walk would cover the whole ground.
Written 12 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 1,233
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Butrint National Park

All things to do in Butrint
RestaurantsFlightsTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire