Butrint was one of the most important Roman towns of Epirus and today it is one of the most important archaeological parks in Albania and the entire Balkan Peninsula. Located a few kilometers from the famous beaches of Ksamil and the town of Saranda, the Butrint National Park combines history and nature.
Its ancient fortresses, medieval towers and Roman amphitheater are set in a scenic natural landscape, surrounded by a lagoon famous for birdwatching and mussel farming and within easy reach of some of the most beautiful beaches of the Ionian Sea. This is why the Butrint National Park is now one of the most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Balkans.
Easily visited from Corfu, given that the fabulous Greek island is located right in front of the coast of Butrint, it is one of the most popular destinations in Southern Albania. In this guide you will find all the useful information you need to know before you go and an essential guide to visiting Butrint on your own.
What you will find in this guide to Butrint National Park:
- Butrint: Interesting Facts and Historical Notes
- Things to See in Butrint National Park
- Things to Do and See around Butrint
- Guided Tours to Butrint from Corfu
- Guided Tours to Butrint from Saranda
- How to Get to Butrint
Butrint: Interesting Facts and Historical Notes
Butrint is a village located in Southern Albania, 20 km from Saranda. This was once an ancient town, dating back to Ancient Greek times and was one of the most important Roman colonies in Epirus, the historical region that encompasses much of the Ionian coast of Albania and Greece.
It is located on a flat promontory overlooking the Vivari Channel, where the Ionian Sea flows into the Butrint Lagoon, a kind of large salty coastal lake. Butrint is located right in front of the island of Corfu, a few kilometers from the border between Albania and Greece. A little further north is Ksamil, one of the most popular summer resorts in Albania, which boasts a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and fabulous beaches.
The Butrint National Park is nowadays the largest and one of the most important parks in Albania, has also received recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers an area of over 29 square kilometers, in which there are well-preserved remains of Roman villas, basilicas, fortresses and even an amphitheater. In fact, Butrint boasts an exciting history, and was once one of the most glorious towns in the Mediterranean.
Butrint’s name derives from Buthrotos, or “wounded bull”. According to an ancient Greek legend, once a bull managed to escape by swimming from Corfu, and then landed on the beach where Butrint now stands. According to the Greeks this was a sign from the gods, and they built the town in their honor. According to Hecateus of Miletus, confirmed by Virgil in the Aeneid, Butrint was founded by Prince Aeneas of Troy.
However, recent archaeological excavations have confirmed the existence of prehistoric settlements in the area around Butrint, so its history is several thousand years old. Due to its strategic position, Butrint has been continuously disputed between the peoples of the Mediterranean. The ancient Greeks founded a modern city here, which soon became a prestigious Roman colony. Later it passed under Byzantine and then Venetian rule.
The Venetians transformed Butrint into an important port: the geographical characteristics of the Butrint Lagoon made it a perfect shelter for their fleet. During the Middle Ages the Venetians made Butrint a fortified citadel. Even today it is possible to see the Venetian towers and a triangular fortress guarding the entrance to the Butrint Lagoon. The Ottomans did the same and built a fortress at the mouth of the Vivari Canal, the Ali Pasha Castle, which can still be visited today with a boat tour.
Under Ottomans rule, Butrint went into decline. Only in the early 1900s, Butrint was gradually rediscovered by a group of Italian explorers, who began to bring it back to light through various excavations and studies. With the annexation of Albania to Italy in 1912, Italian archaeologists began to study Butrint’s glorious past. The expedition was then encouraged by Mussolini and between 1926 and 1936, the Italian archaeologist Luigi Maria Ugolini discovered the monuments and historic buildings of Butrint. Gradually the castle with its walls, the basilica and the Roman villas, with their precious mosaics, vases and statues, were discovered. Precious sculptures were found in the theater, including a marvelous statue of Apollo and the bust of Livia, the goddess of Butrint.
Today you can wander among its majestic ruins, discovering its compelling history. The best way is to join a guided tour, but you can also visit it on your own. In the summer the Butrint Archaeological Park gets very busy, so it is advisable to go there early in the morning.
Butrint park opens at 8.00 AM while the museum opens at 9.00 AM.
Things to See in Butrint National Park
The Archaeological Site of Butrint (UNESCO) is the largest in Albania and preserves a plethora of valuable artifacts, ancient palaces and temples, sanctuaries, monasteries, fortresses and even a well-preserved Roman amphitheater. Many artifacts from Butrint are now on display at the National Historical Museum in Tirana, while visiting Butrint you can walk inside the ancient town and realize how majestic it once was.
The best way to visit Butrint is with a guided tour. The standard ticket includes admission only, without a guide. But you could purchase a guided tour on the spot. Tours are usually in Albanian, English or Italian. For those coming from Saranda or Corfu there are convenient guided tours that include round-trip transport, entrance tickets and guided tour in several languages (usually English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian).
☞ Guided Tour to Butrint from Saranda
☞ Guided Tour to Butrint from Corfu
If you want to visit Butrint on your own, then below you will find an essential guide to the main attractions.
Temple of Asclepius
This temple, dating back to the 4th century BC, was dedicated to Asclepius, god of healing and believed to be able to resurrect the dead. The people of Butrint used to come here to pray to be healed. The temple was protected by defensive walls and is located on the top of some terraces near the amphitheater. Today only a few ruins remain.
Butrint Theater
The fabulous Butrint Theater dates back to the 3rd century and was once the heart of the town’s public and religious life, as was the nearby Forum. The Roman-style stage and the auditorium can accommodate up to 2,500 people, while at the back of the stage you can see three openings, which it is assumed were the passages used by the actors to enter the scene.
Here some of the most valuable statues have been found, such as the bust of the Goddess of Butrint. The statue was donated by the Albanian government to Mussolini, but the Italian government returned it to Albania in 1982. Today it is exhibited at the National Museum in Tirana. Today the amphitheater is still used for theater and classical music performances.
Roman forum
The most recent find in Butrint is the Roman Forum, which was only discovered in 2005. Only a small part is currently visible, but the Butrint Forum already stands out for its amazing stone floor. This is over 2000 years old, and is still well preserved. Around you will be able to see a series of arcades and three sanctuaries dedicated to Minerva. The Roman finds discovered with the Forum are now visible in the Archaeological Museum of Butrint, housed inside the Venetian Castle.
Gymnasium
The Gymnasium, dating from the 1st or 2nd century, is one of the most mysterious remains in Butrint. What its function was still remains unknown. It is thought it was a gymnasium for soldiers, or a place of worship. In fact, several tombstones and votive inscriptions have been found here, which today are not visible because the ruins are flooded. Nearby is a sanctuary believed to be dedicated to heroes, and in particular to Aeneas of Troy.
Triconch Palace
During the visit you will be able to see several Roman villas: the Triconch Palace is the most important and best preserved. Initially this was also a patrician villa, but was later transformed into an elegant palace around 400 AD. It was adorned with classical decorations, mosaic floors and an interior courtyard with a well. Later the courtyard was enlarged and the well became a fountain. The palace grew in size and several rooms were added, such as the Triconch Hall, a luxurious banquet hall.
The building also had a church, today only a few ruins remain, dating back to the 13th century AD. The building fell into decline during the Middle Ages and was transformed into a complex of artisan workshops and a part was used as a cemetery.
Baptistery
The Butrint Baptistery is one of the best preserved Byzantine monuments in the Balkans. Dating back to the 6th century, this circular-shaped baptistery is surrounded by stone masonry with 24 pillars and Ionic-style capitals that supported the roof beams.
The hall has an ancient mosaic floor representing seven concentric circles. Decorations with animals and geometric motifs are visible. In the center of the room is a marble baptismal font, which in effect represents the eighth circle in the geometric symbolism of the floor. According to Christian symbolism, eight is the number that represents salvation and eternity which are the two main themes of the act of baptism.
Looking north from the baptismal font, you can see a door that leads to another room, the function of which is not yet known. It is assumed that here the bishop welcomed people who were about to receive baptism. Floors today are usually overshadowed by a protective covering, in order to preserve them. You will still be able to see detailed reproductions in the Butrint Archaeological Museum.
Water Gate
Butrint was once enclosed by defensive walls and there were several access gates. Until the 16th century A.D. the main gate was called Gate of the Tower, which at the time consisted of two towers – one circular and one rectangular – joined by a wooden gate.
In Roman times, a bridge and an aqueduct above the Vivari Channel were built here, to bring water to the ancient city. Unfortunately both were destroyed in the Middle Ages, and now only a stone arch remains, which serves as the entrance to the town. Next to the gate you will see a fountain, called the Fountain of the Nymphs.
The Great Basilica of Butrint
The Butrint Basilica dates back to the 6th century and today only its walls and stone floor remain. It is a large basilica, probably built by a local noble. It is assumed that he is buried under the floor, where several tombs have been found. The central nave features brick windows and arches. It is still possible to see the apse and the bema, the space before the apse. The nave has a stone floor, while the apse has a mosaic floor.
Gate of the Lake and Gate of the Lions
Other secondary doors of Butrint are arranged along the perimeter of the ancient walls. The Gate of the Tower was the main entrance, but there were others towards the port, such as the Gate of the Lake, also known as Porta Scea, from the name given to it by the archaeologist Ugolini.
Even today it is possible to see the medieval floors, while a staircase leads to the top of the archaeological park. The Lion’s Gate, on the other hand, features a relief of a lion devouring a bull. The stone with the relief was not originally found on the gate, but in a temple, and is believed to date back to the 6th century BC. According to archaeologists, its function is to reduce the size of the gate, so as to make it more easily defensible.
Triangular Venetian Castle, Venetian Tower and Archaeological Museum
Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the Venetians transformed Butrint into a fortified town. The Triangular Fortress and the Venetian Tower were then built. The Triangular fortress is located south of the Vivari Channel and is a simple defensive work consisting of a perimeter wall within which there was probably a village of wooden shacks. Today only a circular building from the Ottoman era remains inside, which was originally a hammam. There are also several statues and a tower from which you have a beautiful view of the Butrint National Park.
The castle was restored in the mid-1900s and now houses the Butrint Archaeological Museum where you can see a rich collection of archaeological finds found at the site. The museum exhibition tells the story of Butrint and the peoples who dominated it until the late Middle Ages. Another remnant of the Venetian fortifications is the beautifully preserved square tower which once served as a watchtower and warehouse. It consists of two floors and a smaller tower. It can be visited by climbing the steps located on the eastern side.
Things to Do and See around Butrint
Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park includes not only the Butrint Archaeological Site, but extends over 95 square kilometers in Vlore County. The Butrint Lagoon, famous for bird watching and mussel farming, the Vivari Channel and its particular aquatic environment, the Ksamil Islands and the surrounding countryside are part of the park.
Butrint National Park is home to over 1000 species of plants and animals, including Hermann’s tortoise and sea eagle. It is an excellent destination for nature walks, bicycle or horse rides, and offers an interesting perspective on the authentic life of the Albanian countryside.
BUTRINT FERRY
The most authentic experience to do near Butrint is the Butrint Ferry. The SH81 road connecting Ksamil with the Greek border crosses the Vivari Channel, but there is no bridge. In its place is an old cable ferry that goes back and forth.
Crossing with the ferry will allow you to visit the Venetian Castle, located on the opposite bank to Butrint, and eventually continue your exploration towards the south of Albania. It’s pretty rude, but it does its job. Crossing on foot costs 75 LEK or 0.50 €. If you cross with your car expect to pay around 700 LEK or 5 €. Quite expensive for just a few meters of crossing.
Ali Pasha Castle
This castle is located on an islet in the middle of the entrance to the Vivari Channel. It was built by the Venetians in the 15th century to protect the Butrint Lagoon and its port. This was an important crossroads for the merchant trades of the Venetians of Corfu, who in the region produced olives, farmed and fished.
Despite being destroyed by the French in 1798, the fortress was rebuilt by the Ottomans, as the home of Ali Pasha of Tepelenë. This was the fearsome governor of the region surrounding Ioannina, owner of several large fortresses in the area. This fortress functioned until the mid-19th century, mainly as a guard post. It has four well-preserved towers on the corners and can only be visited from the sea. In summer, local boatmen offer their services to travelers around the Butrint Archaeological Park car park. A boat tour costs around € 20 per boat.
Guided Tours to Butrint from Corfu
Many people staying in Corfu choose to visit Butrint and Saranda on a day trip. This is quite easy to do, as there are affordable guided tours that include the boat trip to Saranda and Butrint, all the necessary tickets for the Butrint visit, the guided tour with professional multilingual guides and an excursion to the lively Albanian city of Saranda.
Tours also include a generous lunch at a restaurant in Saranda and the chance to shop at low-cost duty free shops around the port, as Albania is not part of the EU. Prices are very affordable, as they start at just € 60, all inclusive. In comparison, the single return ferry ticket from Corfu to Saranda would cost 50 €. So, the tour is definitely a bargain! However, it is very popular, so it is advisable to book in advance!
Guided Tours to Butrint from Saranda
If you are staying in Saranda or if you are planning to arrive there by ferry, then you could visit Butrint on a guided tour from Saranda, which includes round-trip transport, entrance fees and a guide speaking your language (guides are available in English, Italian, Spanish, French or Portuguese).
How to Get to Butrint
The best way to get to Butrin is by car, staying in Ksamil (5 km away) or Saranda (20 km away). From Saranda to Butrint it is about half an hour drive and you will pass through Ksamil, a town famous for its fabulous beaches. There is ample parking for cars, RVs and coaches right in front of the Butrint National Park entrance.
If you’ll visit Saranda, Ksamil and Butrint from Corfu, then you could rent a car in Saranda. Rates are quite affordable if you book in advance. You can check rates and find reliable and inexpensive car rentals on Rentalcars.com or Discovercars.com.
Otherwise, from Saranda there are local buses that go to the Butrint Park. In summer, departures are every hour and the journey takes about half an hour. The bus stop is at Rruga Mitat Hoxha 5. You can get off at the terminus, right in front of the archaeological park. Tickets cost around 100 LEK.
