Forever summers in Saranda

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The beautiful fusion of culture with stunning scenery is a major reason why Saranda is one of the most visited cities in Albania.

Past the image of it as a famous beach town, the city has its own story to tell through its history, evident in its sights and edifices.

If flirting with sea waters becomes tiring, try roaming around and be accustomed to the city’s raw culture.

Location

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Found in southern Albania, Saranda is a beach town in Vlore County. Located in the open sea gulf of Ionian Sea, the famous beach town has a population of more than 21,000 inhabitants.

The area covers a total area of 22.76 square miles including beautiful coasts in the Central Mediterranean. There is no denying that this town is one of the major tourist destinations as it is not only adorned by beautiful beaches, but it is also rich in heritage sites worth visiting.

Climate

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This destination has a Mediterranean climate. To enjoy the beach at the utmost, it is advised to travel here in the months of June, July, August and September.

Soak under the sun and get that coveted tan while lingering in the inviting ocean waters since the aforementioned months complete the summer season in San Sebastian.

The coolest month is January while October possesses an average temperature.

Transportation

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Getting to Saranda mostly requires bus rides. Major cities in Albania have bus lines that pass through this city.

SH8 is the road that runs along the Albanian coast while SH4 is the west road from Kakavi that lies within the borders of the South-Eastern Greek-Albanian border.

Those who come from Greece can conveniently use the routes of Corfu, the border of Qafe Bota and the aforementioned Kakavi border.

Attractions

Castle of Lekursi

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This is a remnant of an older civilization in the town. The main reason why this caste was built was to watch over the entire town together with the bodies of water that surround it to protect against invaders who attempted to conquer the city.

Built in the 16th century, the Castle of Lukersi is now a tourist spot that provides a great view of the city.

Butrint

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This is the melting pot of the most important cultures from the renaissance era. The remnants left by the Roman, Byzantine, Greek and Ottoman epochs are still very much present in this heritage site. Inside, there are structures that signify each era.

There’s a cathedral, artifacts and museums that will bring visitors back to the times when these empires were at their peak.

Ksamil

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If you are looking for some beach action then Ksamil is the place to go. The fine white sand will not hurt your feet as it glides smoothly on the skin.

It is one of the prime locations for those who want to enjoy the ocean at its finest. Aside from different water activities, satisfy that appetite by trying fresh seafood from the restaurants nearby.

40 Saints Monastery

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This monastery serves as a reminder of the 40 saints who were killed in Siberia because of resisting the rejection of the religion they believed in.

Originally built in the 6th century, this important site in town has undergone many renovations as the time passed. It even endured the harsh environment of World War II.

http://laurenceourac.com/forever-summers-in-saranda/

Images:
(1) https://www.cruisingexcursions.com/imgCrop/Ports/1/al-saranda2.jpg
(2) http://www.albaniahotelsbooking.com/images/stories/albania_tourist_map.jpg
(3) https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3665/9133321335_009884fa5e_b.jpg
(4) http://i0.wp.com/findingthefreedom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/IMG_1409.jpg
(5) http://incomingalbania.com/images//tours/Clasicalbania/butrint/butrinti%201.jpg
(6) http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/15266471.jpg
(7) http://albanian-treasures.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Amphitheatre_butrint-Albania.jpg
(8) http://albanian-treasures.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/465436213.jpg
(9) http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/riviera2001/images/ksamil_5_jpg.jpg
(10) http://www.sarandaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Monastery_of_40_Saints_1.jpg