Saranda is a small city situated in Southern Albania on the Ionian coast. It serves as a good base for exploring the most beautiful part of the Albanian coast—a strip known as the Albanian Riviera.

Saranda (a Greek word meaning ‘forty’) derives its name from a legend which dates back to the fifteenth century when 40 monks were decapitated by the Turks for not changing their religion.

The city has a population of about 30,000 and is characterized by a mild Mediterranean climate. On average, it has ten sunny months a year, with its maximum summer temperature rarely exceeding 30°C. April, May and September are the best months to visit Saranda. The economy is based primarily on fishing and the cultivation of mussels.

The ancient city of Durres is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It is one of Albania’s important ports and its second largest ci...