Butrint National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to ancient ruins dating back thousands of years, from Illyrian, Greek and Roman to Byzantine and Venetian civilisations.
As you wander through crumbling ruins, grand basilicas, and moss-covered city walls, it’s easy to see why Butrint is often called an open-air museum.
Unlike other archaeological sites in Europe Butrint is relatively under developed. While that can mean less infrastructure, it also means lower entry fees and less crowds!
We visited Butrint on a Sunday at the end of Ramadan, so even though it was off-season, it was still a busy weekend for locals. We loved wandering through the ruins.
In this post you’ll find all our hints and tips for how to visit Butrint National Park, transport, tickets and more.
Download our FREE 2-page ALBANIA ROAD TRIP CHECKLIST HERE
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Purchasing through these links supports our work and allows us to continue bringing you travel guides, like this, for free. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying sales. Thank you for your support.
What is Butrint National Park?
Butrint National Park isn’t just a bunch of old rocks – it’s also a fascinating natural environment where the woods meet the wetland. The park covers over 9,000 hectares and is home to over 400 species of fauna.
There are several rare and endangered species here. We saw turtles, many different birds, and you can watch our Butrint video to hear the noisy frogs!
The area has been protected as a National Park since 1992, and is recognised for the diversity of its flora and fauna.
But of course most people visit Butrint to see the archaeological site. And with good reason!
History of Butrint National Park
Although the settlement of Butrint dates back to the 7th century BC it owes its growth and fame to a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine which was established here in the 4th century BC.
Julius Caesar visited Butrint in the 1st century BC and established a Roman colony here which was further expanded under Augustus Caesar. After the fall of Rome, Butrint came under the rule of both the Byzantine and Venetian empires.
The town was eventually abandoned in the 16th century as the water levels rose and marshlands developed.
All these civilizations left their mark on Butrint making it one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in all of Europe.
How to get to Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park is located on a rounded promontory in the far south of Albania around 4km from Ksamil or 17km from Sarandë on the Albanian Riviera. It’s location between the lake and sea made it a strategic stronghold for the many civilisations that called this place home.
By Car
You can easily drive to Butrint, just head south along the main road from Ksamil. There is a large carpark just near the entry gate. Depending on the time of year, this parking lot can get very full. There may be an attendant collecting a parking fee.
If you’re travelling with a motorhome or campervan, you may not be able to park in this carpark. We have read mixed reviews about people parking in the Hotel Livia parking lot.
By Taxi
We took a taxi from Ksamil to Butrint which cost us 700 Lek.
A taxi from Saranda to Butrint should cost around 3000 Lek (€30) but may vary depending on the season.
It’s always best to agree on a price before getting into a taxi in Albania. Most don’t have meters.
By Public Bus
You can take the bus to Butrint from either Saranda or Ksamil. It’s the same bus that passes through Ksamil on the way from Saranda.
The bus from Saranda to Butrint costs 200 Lek and takes around 30 minutes depending on the traffic. During summer, traffic in Saranda can be very heavy – the journey might take you an hour or more.
You can take the bus from the main Saranda bus stop (opposite the ruins near Friendship Park) or the bus stop along the waterfront (opposite the Buzz Bar). The bus leaves every half hour during the summer months, and hourly during winter.
The bus from Ksamil to Butrint leaves from any of the bus stops in Ksamil (they are marked on Google Maps) and the ride will cost you 100 Lek.
When you are catching a bus in Albania, just get on and take your seat. A conductor will come around to collect your fare. You’ll need to pay cash, so it’s always good to carry some Lek coins.
Walk
You can walk to Butrint from Ksamil, it will take around an hour. We don’t recommend this in summer, as there is no shade on the walk.
Bike
You can hire bikes (or motor scooters) in both Ksamil or Sarande and ride to Butrint. It is somewhat hilly, so you might want to make it an e-bike, particularly if you’re visiting in the height of summer.
Tours to Butrint
You can take a guided day tour to Butrint from Saranda or Gjirokaster. Some of these also include the Blue Eye.
How to get to Butrint from Corfu, Greece
It’s also possible to visit Butrint from Corfu, Greece. You can either take an organised tour – this one looks great, or travel independently. You’ll need to catch a ferry from Corfu to Saranda, and then take the bus or a taxi to Butrint.
Where to stay near Butrint National Park
As we are driving around Albania with our campervan, we stayed in Ksamil at “Ksamil Caravan Camping“. This family-run campsite is conveniently located in the town of Ksamil and has everything you need for your stay. Linda and Alexander who run the campsite are two of the loveliest people we met in our time in Albania.
If you’re looking for a guesthouse or hotel near Butrint, we would recommend staying in either Ksamil or Sarandë. Ksamil would be our preference, Saranda is bigger and busier! Check here for availability and pricing for Ksamil accommodation.
Times and Tickets for Butrint National Park
Butrint is open from 8am until dusk. In summer Butrint usually closes at 8pm, in winter closing time is around 4pm-5pm.
Tickets for foreigners cost 1000 Lek for adults, 500 Lek for children 12-18 and its FREE for children under 12. Kids would love this place!
Prices for Albanian Nationals are cheaper.
How to visit Butrint National Park – the ruins
After paying your entry fee you’ll see a stand with information brochures. Make sure you pick one up. When we visited there were no English maps, so we grabbed a German and and Italian and with the help of Google Translate we managed just fine.
Its very easy to walk around Butrint – there is a circular path that will take you past all the main sites.
Along the way you’ll see many signboards telling the history of the place and the different ruins. These are in Albanian and English.
What to see in Butrint National Park – the highlights
Walking straight ahead you’ll see the Venetian Tower which was built as a watch tower in the 15th century. Directly across the water you’ll see the Triangular Venetian Castle.
Follow the path to the left towards the Ancient Theatre. This path is lined with eucalypt trees and really reminded us of Australia.
Just before the theatre you’ll walk through the Sanctuary of Asclepius, the God of Medicine. Worshippers came to the Sanctuary to be healed, and they left offerings for the god and his priests.
Ancient Theatre
The Ancient Theatre of Butrint was built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and later remodelled by the Romans. It could seat 1500 people. Both theatrical performances and political speeches were held here.
Today the ruins are quite in tact, and we enjoyed walking up the steps to view the theatre from the top, especially through the pink blossoms.
Continue walking through the Roman Forum and by the School and Roman Villa, follow the path to the Baptistry.
Baptistry
The Baptistry dates from the Christian era when Butrint had a bishop. Built in the 6th century AD it still has a beautiful mosaic floor. However, due to the level of the lagoon rising and falling, the mosaic floor is often covered with sand to preserve it.
We were unable to see the floor, and we wondered why it hadn’t been taken up and put in the museum.
The columns of the baptistry were recycled from other more ancient buildings in the city.
Great Basilica
A town with a bishop needs a cathedral! The basilica, along with the baptistry, was built in the 6th century AD. This is one of the most impressive ruins in the park. You can still walk through the arches although there is no longer a roof.
From the basilica you’ll head outside the walls.
Ancient City Walls
As the Sanctuary of Asclepius grew in fame, walls were built around the town, and these 4th century BC walls are still standing. They were built with stone blocks fitted together with no mortar. Amazing, right?
Lion’s Gate
The Lion’s Gate is part of the old city walls and is one of the few remaining original gates. The gate gets it’s name from the relief of a Lion biting the head of a bull. However, this relief was added later – apparently to intimidate would be invaders.
Just through the Lion’s Gate you will begin to climb the stairs, but look out on your left for the Spring of the Nymphs.
The climb will take you up to the old Acropolis, and the newer Venetian Castle.
Venetian Castle and Museum
At the top of the hill you’ll come to the Venetian Castle. This Castle was built in the 16th century over the ancient acropolis ruins. The castle now houses a small but interesting museum (free to enter) which has statues and other artefacts that have been found around the park.
The views from the top of the castle are beautiful, you can see out over the Vivari Channel and Lake Butrint all the way to Corfu.
Butrint National Park – Facilities and Accessibility
There are two toilet blocks at Butrint National Park, the first is between the entrance and the Ancient Theatre, and the second by the castle and museum. The toilets are free, however there was no toilet paper when I visited.
The paths around Butrint are fairly well formed so if you have limited mobility you could see most of the park. If you’re in a wheelchair or pushing a pram you may need to skip the castle and museum as there are around 200 steps to reach the top of the hill.
There is a café near the entrance to the museum or you can visit the restaurant at the Hotel Livia opposite the public bus stop. We had coffee and used the toilets (which had paper!) here before catching the bus back to Sarandë.
FAQs
How long do you need to visit Butrint National Park?
We would recommend spending 2-3 hours at Butrint National Park. There is plenty to see here, lots of information boards to read (in English), and it’s beautiful to be in the woodlands.
When is the best time to visit Butrint National Park?
We would recommend getting to Butrint as early as possible. We arrived late morning and there were several tour buses here.
We visited Butrint on 30 March, a Sunday at the end of Ramadan. There were a lot of Albanian people out enjoying the beautiful weather as well as foreign visitors.
Spring and Autumn are lovely times in Albania, the weather is pleasant and the crowds are fewer.
Is Butrint National Park worth visiting?
We definitely think that Butrint is worth a visit! We have explored several archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, and this is one of our favourites. It’s relatively raw and under-developed, and not too busy. We also visited Apollonia in Albania, and thought that Butrint was far superior.
Is Butrint suitable for children?
Your kids will LOVE visiting Butrint! Wandering amongst ancient ruins they can feel like Indiana Jones. Challenge them to spot different wildlife species. Just remind them to treat the ruins respectfully and not climb over them!
What should I wear to Butrint National Park?
Dress to the season and wear comfortable clothes. The most important would be good walking shoes. The path is fairly even and well-formed around the park, but there are steps up and down to the castle.
While the archaeological park is quite shady, the surrounding areas are not, so a sun hat would be advised.
At times there can be a lot of mosquitoes due to the wetlands, so bring bug spray! Oh, and bring some tissues or toilet paper (see above 😉 )
Watch our Butrint National Park Video
As we are road-tripping around Europe in our campervan, we produce weekly cinematic vlogs highlighting the places we visit. You can see our full Albania Playlist here.
Where to Next?
We can highly recommend a visit to Ksamil. If you’re catching the bus to and from Saranda, you can stop off in this small beach town for lunch or perhaps take a boat trip out to the islands.
Hello I would love to know, is there any time you can see these mosaic floors, I heard that it was to be seen this summer, is this true and what dates are the cutoff time for seeing them?
Hi Andrea, I don’t know the timings sorry, but we were told the sand covers the mosaics during the winter. Their website is in Albanian, there is an email address there info @ bmf dot com, you could ask there.