Where is Butrint in Albania?
Located in the southwest of Albania, it is approximately 30 minutes drive from the city of Sarandë (there are a number of local buses to Butrint or you can hitchhike).
Also, it is very close to the Greek border. If you’ve got your own car, it is well worth catching this ferry as it’s so unique. It is a border crossing point not many people know about and makes a great story to tell friends!
Butrint Albania map
How much does Butrint National Park cost?
It costs 700 lek to get in for foreigners (approximately €5), and you can easily spend a few hours walking around beautiful Butrint National Park.
Butrint is a microcosm of Mediterranean history. It has seen the rise and fall of a number of great empires who have dominated the region, each one developing the city in their own way and adding their own imprint.
There are so many layers to Butrint, and the more you walk around the more you peel back a new layer, delving deeper and deeper into the history of the area.
What you see today is an amalgam of monuments representing a span of over two thousand years of history from the 4th century Hellenistic period to the Ottoman defences created in the early 19th century.
The history of Butrint national park
With the rise of the Roman Empire, Butrint expanded to become a flourishing Mediterranean city.
Monuments like the theatre give it a Roman aspect, and after Julius Caesar and Augustus founded a colony here the city was extended via a bridge and aqueduct across the channel and onto the plain, causing commerce to boom.
Over the centuries that followed the fortunes of Butrint rise and fell much like the empires surrounding it, but during the 13th century Butrint thrived again. A castle was built on the acropolis and its fortification walls were repaired again.
By the 19th century, Butrint had become a small fishing village clustered around the castle, though today it probably sees more people walk through its walls than 100 years ago.
When you are walking in beauty such as Butrint, I suggest you take a packed lunch with you, sit in the ancient theatre or by the church, and take it all in. Trust me, it’ll be worth it. Also, there aren’t many places you can buy lunch, so taking one with you is a win-win situation.
After seeing a fair few ancient Roman cities around the world, I can honestly say Butrint is one the best I’ve ever come across, and it is just another amazing reason to visit Albania.
Butrint opening hours
Butrint National Park is open from 9am till 4pm.
Be warned, during midday and around lunchtime it can be extremely busy at the site. Also, if you’re visiting during summer, it can be very hot too. If you can, I’d really recommend visiting either early in the morning or later in the afternoon when things have quietened down.
Top tips for visiting Butrint
- Drink lots of water – As I’ve already mentioned, it can be pretty toasty during summer so make sure you drink lots of water.
- Wear comfortable shoes – It is very rocky at Butrint so I’d recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Trainers or hiking shoes are best I’d say.
- Don’t forget your camera – I can’t tell you how many photos I took at Butrint but it was easily into the hundreds. Make sure you don’t forget your camera here!
- Leave a little tip – If you’re on a tour of Butrint in Albania then it’s always a good idea to leave a tip with your tour guide as a sign of appreciation. I’d usually say €3-5 is about right.
- Don’t leave any rubbish – You’d be surprised at how much rubbish I saw while in Albania and at this site. Don’t be a part of the problem and take all rubbish with you.
Worked by:Klarisa Sota
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