Butrint National Park

The archaeological trail starts from the ticket office and leads through a shaded forest path into the heart of the ancient city. The first major structure is the Hellenistic theatre from the 3rd century BC, carved into the Acropolis hillside. Its stone seating rows held around 2,500 spectators and remain well-preserved enough to host the annual Butrinti Summer Festival each July. Nearby stand the remains of the Asclepius sanctuary, a Roman forum from the Augustan era, and thermal baths with a visible hypocaust (underfloor heating) system.

Further along, the trail passes the 6th-century baptistery with its mosaic floor – one of Butrint's most prized artifacts. The mosaic features medallions with animal and plant motifs, protected by a canopy and open to viewing. Climbing the Acropolis hill brings you to the 14th–15th century Venetian fortress, now housing a museum with artefacts from different periods. From the tower, views extend across the Vivari Channel, Lake Butrint, and the Greek border mountains.

The park encompasses far more than archaeology – its wetlands support over 1,200 plant and animal species. Turtles, herons, and other birds are common sights along the trails. The entire zone is shaded by trees, making walks comfortable even in summer heat. Picnic benches and tables are scattered along the route.

Age – earliest settlements date to the 10th–8th centuries BC; the city developed over 2,500 years

UNESCO status – Albania's first World Heritage Site (1992), designated a National Park in 2000

Theatre – 3rd-century BC Hellenistic theatre for 2,500 spectators, among the best-preserved in the region

Baptistery – 6th-century early Christian baptistery with original floor mosaics

Area – 94 km² encompassing the archaeological zone, lake, wetlands, and Ksamil Islands

Biodiversity – over 1,200 animal and plant species, including rare and endemic species

Butrint was founded as a Greek colony no later than the 8th–7th centuries BC on a strategic site near the Strait of Corfu. By the 4th century BC, it had become a major centre with a theatre and Asclepius sanctuary. In the 1st century BC, it entered the Roman Empire – Emperor Augustus designated it a veterans' colony in 31 BC. The Roman period brought a forum, aqueduct, baths, and residential villas. In the 6th century under Byzantine rule, the baptistery with its mosaic floor and the Great Basilica were constructed.

Following Angevin and Venetian rule (13th–15th centuries), during which the Acropolis fortress was built, the city gradually declined. By the late Middle Ages, marshland encroachment and malaria forced residents to abandon Butrint. The city remained forgotten until the 1920s, when Italian archaeologists began the first excavations. Large-scale research resumed in the 1990s with support from the Butrint Foundation. In 1992, the ruins were inscribed on the UNESCO list; in 2000, the national park was established.

From Saranda (18 km, 30–40 min):

– Bus from the stop near Friendship Park – 200 ALL, every 30–60 min in summer (less frequent in winter), last return bus around 5:00 PM

– Taxi – 3,000 ALL (≈ €30/$30), agree on the price beforehand

– Rental car – free parking at the entrance

From Ksamil (4 km, 10–15 min):

– Bus – 100 ALL, same Saranda–Butrint route passes through Ksamil

– Taxi – 700–1,000 ALL

– On foot/bicycle – 4 km along the SH81 road (no pavement; not recommended in heat)

From Corfu, Greece:

– Ferry Corfu–Saranda (25–30 min, from €25), then bus or taxi to Butrint

– Organised day trips from Corfu with a guide – from €40–50

Season: April–June and September–October offer comfortable weather (20–28°C) and fewer tourists. July–August is hot (up to 40°C) and crowded.

Time of day: Morning (8:00–10:00 AM) – the park is nearly empty and cool. Tour groups arrive by midday. After 3:00 PM it quietens again.

Duration: 2–3 hours for the full trail including the museum. Minimum 1.5 hours for the main ruins.

Avoid: Midday in summer (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) – peak tour group arrivals and heat. The last return bus departs around 5:00 PM – keep track of time.