Sarandë

Sarandë has suffered from decades of unregulated, "Wild West" construction. It is a dense forest of concrete hotels and half-finished buildings. If you are looking for quaint, traditional charm, you will be disappointed as it has a big “summer resort” energy in peak season

Sarandë’s town beaches are convenient but not the dream you see on social media. Expect pebbles/rocky entries, busy waterfront, and a more “urban swim” vibe. The best “wow-water” usually means going south toward Ksamil but you'll face even more crowds. Traffic jams on the Sarandë–Ksamil road in peak season are common (especially on weekends)

Perched on the hill overlooking the city, Lëkurësi Castle is the definitive sunset spot. While the castle itself is now largely a restaurant, the panoramic view of the bay and Corfu is unbeatable. Don't make the mistake of eating at the restaurant, it has very poor reviews due to bad service, high prices and average food

The smartest way to reach Sarandë is often flying into Corfu, Greece, and taking the 30-minute hydrofoil ferry (approx. €25–€35). It is much faster than the 4-hour drive from Tirana