To Sea or Not To Sea? Written by Diana Lumani
Photographed by Mary Kathleen, Elsa Skenderi and Javier R. Linera
Photo by Mary Kathleen
Those who remember Albania from before the era of Hoxha will
hardly recognize it today. Saranda is Albania’s most southern
city on the coast of the Ionian Sea. Situated opposite the Greek
Island of Corfu, it is visited by many day-trippers, honeymooners
and families alike who enjoy this ancient and previously inaccessible
resort.
So, some might ask, “What’s the appeal?” Well
for starters, the scenery. Saranda gains its stunning allure by
the bay on which it was built, and the turquoise sea can only
be better esteemed if verged upon from the sea. The port is fairly
small - mostly boxy communist-style apartment buildings highlighted
and brightened by the vibrant purple bougainvillea and cypress
trees. This is the most stunning and pure coastline that Europe
has to offer.
Photo by Elsa Skenderi
Saranda is an old town which was first settled by the Illyrian
tribe. In 4th century A.C. the town was fortified with walls.
The many mosaics found in the town confirm that the town must
have seen some above average development around second and third
centuries A.D. Near Saranda are the ruins of the ancient city
of Butrint a World Heritage Site and one of the most important
archeological finds in Albania, and the “Blue Eye”
natural spring. The ancient city of Finiq which, according to
Edwin Jacques, is found to have had one of the biggest acropolis
in the ancient world, roughly seven times bigger than that of
Athens, is also nearby. Only 2 km from the town enjoy a cup of
coffee at the Likursi castle which sits atop a dominate hill over
Saranda. Your stay will be an even more enriching experience if
you visit the nearby traditional villages of Lukova, Piqerasi
and Borshi where unique panoramic sea views, beautiful mountain
and olive grove landscapes are combined with the charm of village
life and the most dramatic and magnificent scenery along the whole
length of Ionian sea.
Photo by Javier R. Linera
All these years Europeans have missed out on this favored coastal
resort. It is a low-key and budget friendly alternative. Vacationers
are now visiting this untouched, unspoiled coastline and they
are flocking from all over arriving by air, boat, yacht, car or
ferry. The smaller cruise lines are now adding Saranda to their
itinerary. In the main part of the town there are many boutique
hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants all of which are a stone’s
throw from the beach. In a part of the Mediterranean that has
remained miraculously pure, Saranda not only has cultural and
historical sites but it is an eclectic city offering a vibrant
nightlife similar to that of Greece or Croatia but for the fraction
of the price. To dine, to club, to people watch, Saranda IT is.
Diana Lumani’s
passion for travel began as a child when her family retreated
to their summer home in Europe each year. Born in the United
States but growing up spending entire summers overseas. These
experiences made her an avid lover of history, politics and
cultures. She is currently living in Connecticut and working
in New York City.
