The archaeological site sits within Butrint National Park, which protects a much wider area of wetland, lagoon, and forest around Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel. The park is one of the most ecologically significant in Albania: the wetlands are an important wintering ground for migratory birds, and the lake itself supports populations of loggerhead sea turtles, otters, and a variety of waterfowl.
Beyond the archaeological zone, the park has walking trails through the forest and along the channel banks. Birdwatchers will find the early morning particularly rewarding — herons, egrets, and kingfishers are common, and in winter the lake hosts significant numbers of ducks and waders. The contrast between the wildlife-rich landscape and the dense concentration of ancient ruins is one of Butrint's most distinctive qualities.