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After researching how to reach Albania (seen very nice pictures and it seems to be very cheap in comparison with pretty much anywhere in Europe), I have decided to fly direct from Manchester to Corfu and then take a ferry to Sarande in Albania. I have 10 days in total, so thinking to spend 3-4 days in Corfu and then go to Albania.
It would be great to have some recommendations for both places, especially regarding hotels.
In Corfu, I was looking at both Marriott properties, but both are sold out in my dates (mid May). The rest of the big chains don’t have any properties there (other than very expensive Mr&Mrs Smith). Any other good resorts? Ideally no more than £200-250 a night or able to use points (I have points with Hilton, Marriott, IHG and Amex). We are travelling with a 2 years old toddler, so it needs to be kid friendly and ideally have a kids club or something similar to keep him entertained.
Then, regarding Albania, what is the best place to be based, Sarande, Ksamil or somewhere else? The hotels there look quite basic, not many luxury resorts, so I may decide to go for Airbnb.
Any other recommendations highly appreciated! Thanks!For Corfu hotels, when I stayed at Domes Miramare (at the old 35k rates), we drove past Angsana a few times and it looked very decent. Cash rates for May12-14 currently at £210 (summer stories promo) for 2 adults, 1 child.
I’ve done this trip to Ksamil, I’m not sure it’ll meet your expectations, you may enjoy seeing more of Corfu.
I think the fact that Sarandë doesn’t have proper resort hotels is part of the attraction of Albania – still very unspoilt, full of history, traditional/real plus reasonably priced. It depends on the sort of holiday you are looking for. Gjirokastër, about an hour away from Sarandë is a very beautiful town.
@YC I’ll have a look at it, thanks!
@Richie did you also visit Sarande? What is better to be based on, Ksamil or Sarande?
@JDB I’m thinking on renting a car; since I think the public transport isn’t great. I need to decide if better renting it at Corfu or in Sarande (not many options and more expensive, but I’d save on the ferry). I was thinking more on visiting different beaches, but I may decide to go to the interior of the country one day and visit a couple of small towns/villages (so I’ll look at your suggestion). Thanks!I have a soft spot for the Akrotiri Hotel in Paleokastritsa although we haven’t been since before Covid. As far as Albania is concerned, we have taken the ferry but only for a day trip to Butrint which was fascinating, the ferry service was good but basic.
Butrint definitely looks worth a visit, Bettany Hughes did a programme on the Roman colony there recently, if you like history. It’s part of the Treasures of the World series – possibly on iPlayer.
@YC I’ll have a look at it, thanks!
@Richie did you also visit Sarande? What is better to be based on, Ksamil or Sarande?
@JDB I’m thinking on renting a car; since I think the public transport isn’t great. I need to decide if better renting it at Corfu or in Sarande (not many options and more expensive, but I’d save on the ferry). I was thinking more on visiting different beaches, but I may decide to go to the interior of the country one day and visit a couple of small towns/villages (so I’ll look at your suggestion). Thanks!If booking car hire from Corfu, check restrictions by individual hire company. E.g. we hired with Avis from Podgorica in Montenegro in Oct 22 and there was a ban of driving in to Albania. Hertz allowed you to drive in to Albania, but charged a day rate. Also, lots of talk by the border (where we were staying on the Lake) that fuel could be a bit of an issue in parts of Albania, but this might have just been the northern part of the country.
Butrint definitely looks worth a visit, Bettany Hughes did a programme on the Roman colony there recently, if you like history. It’s part of the Treasures of the World series – possibly on iPlayer.
I’ve visited Butrint, it was very interesting.
@redlilly thanks for the advice, I may just rent the car directly in Albania, because between the ferry and the daily extra charge I think it is not worth it to rent it in Corfu.
@NortherLass, is Butrint child friendly?
I liked Ksamil, some great views and good beaches.
Hi @gtellez.
I sailed to Sarandë about 5-6 years ago by yacht from Corfu.
In Corfu We stayed at the Telesilla hotel up by the Marina north of Corfu Town. Lovely family run place, pool and lively cocktail bar. Great resto’s nearby. The big Multi’s not really in the area ( I don’t mind an international hotel, I’m staying in an IC atm).
You can get a flying dolphin to Sarandê. Much quicker than ferry. When we went there we stayed on board, but we’re told there was 1 5-star hotel in town (Albanian 5-star). We hired a taxi for a day to drive us to nearby sites. You have to go to Girokaster, Butrint and Blue Eye. The cost of food and drink is really cheap, tho the standard of food was more like Greece in the early 1980’s (I do remember that!).
We then sailed down the coast a bit (can’t remember name), but the beaches were lovely and very quiet.
If you go, report back on how you got on. I’d love to go back.I haven’t been, I just watch a lot of history programmes!
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