Saranda is the main resort town of the Albanian Riviera, sitting at the southern tip of the Ionian coast a short crossing from the Greek island of Corfu. It is a useful base and a pleasant enough place, though the town itself — a ring of apartment blocks and hotels around a bay — is less distinguished than the scenery surrounding it.
The main reason to come is the access it provides. Butrint, one of Albania's most impressive archaeological sites, is 18 km south and should not be missed. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a spring of extraordinary clarity, is about 25 km east up the valley — the water wells up from an apparently bottomless pool in shades of deep blue. Both are easy day trips.
The beaches of Ksamil, 14 km south, are the best in the immediate area: small sandy coves with shallow, clear water and tiny islands you can wade or swim to. They are very popular in July and August. The more remote Kakome Bay and the boat-access-only Krorëz beach are quieter alternatives further down the coast.
Lekursi Castle on the ridge above town has the best panoramic view over the bay, and the Forty Saints Monastery nearby adds some historical depth to the ridge walk.
Saranda is directly connected to Corfu by fast ferry (30–45 minutes), making it an easy entry or exit point if you're combining Albania with Greece. Gjirokastër is about 2 hours by bus — a worthwhile detour.