Vacation in Albania
First time in Albania. We rested in Saranda at the Troy Apartment 3 * hotel in July 2021. As for Albania, I decided already last year, it only remained to choose a resort. I looked at all the resorts in Albania on the Internet and decided that Ksamil is the best, even though it is located farthest from Tirana airport. Drive 5.5-6 hours. The travel agency also advised Saranda, it is 10 km from Ksamil, so we looked at both of these towns. At first they chose a budget and good villa Kapo in Ksamil, with a new renovation and beautiful furniture, but after 3 days a refusal came, so they chose the Troy apt hotel in Saranda because of the good price and quality. At this price in Ksamil, you could only rent an old dead hotel. The hotel has pros and cons. The town of Saranda itself stretches along the sea for 7 km, there is only one central street. There is a promenade and a port.
The Troy apt hotel is located on the outskirts of Saranda, the penultimate one on the street, then there are fields and meadows. The hotel is quite decent, clean, very large room 58-68 sq. m, consisting of 2 rooms and a bathroom, a kitchen unit and 2 balconies. Three of us lived, in the bedroom - a double bed, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, in a large room (a little stupid layout) - a single bed, a folding sofa, a kitchen, a TV, a table with chairs. Cleaning every day, change of linen and towels after 3 days. From the large balcony you can partially see the sea and the embankment in the distance. The room had a washing machine, which was very useful, a stove, el. kettle, one pot, two scratched frying pans, some plates, 3 assorted glasses and 3 different cups.
Of the minuses: no hair dryer, cutting board, slotted spoon, colander, no microwave, sponge, dish detergent and corkscrew. Well, nothing, somehow managed. Looks like the hotel is going through hard times. But these are trifles. In general, the impression is not bad. The rusty dryer was replaced with a new one on the 3rd day. Yes, there are a lot of mosquitoes, we took fumigators and sprays, the spray was over, everything was sorted out in the store, we turned on the fumigator on the balcony in the socket - it helped.
On the first floor of the cafe. But it looks like it's dead. Almost no one had dinner there, only the owners played dominoes in the evenings. It seems like there was a board with the menu, but for some reason no one dared to eat there. We, too. For some reason, we were sent for breakfast to the Aler Holiday hotel, 100 meters from ours (we paid for breakfast). We dined in cafes, the prices are low, for three to dine somewhere around $ 20-30 with drinks and seafood.
The nearest beach is 3-5 minutes, but a mountain river flows there, the water is very cold. Walked a little further 10 minutes to nice Mango beach. Normally equipped, sun loungers, umbrellas, a cafe. A set of 1 umbrella + 2 sun loungers is either $20 or $10, for some reason the price is different. The water is still cold because of the river. Began to go to the beach in Ksamil 10 min. by bus, bus stop next to our hotel. The beaches are very beautiful and the sea is warm. Just incredible beauty. Archipelago of 4 islands. From the bus stop to Ksamil beach a couple of minutes. We wanted to get to the central Ksamil beach with white sand, but the beach worker said that all the sunbeds were occupied, although there were very few people in the morning (maybe hotels are being booked, I don’t know), we went to the neighboring beach - the same thing, only on the third Stela beach we were given 4 sunbeds. More in Saranda did not go to the beach. In Ksamil, the price for an umbrella and 2 sunbeds was $12, there were three of us, we had to take 4 sunbeds for $24. Local under the trees in the shade rest for free. There are places.
We had lunch at the Island cafe in Ksamil, from our Stela beach 2 minutes, how to go to the bus. Because of the heat, we didn’t want to go far, this is the first cafe that we came across and we liked it there. They just went there.
From our hotel Troy apt to the embankment is far, 45 minutes. on foot. In the evening, the last bus from our hotel to the center leaves at 19.00, back at 19.30 - we did not have time for the last one and had to return on foot.
A guide from Aler Group gave us the wrong bus schedule, 2 days waiting for half an hour. The correct timetable is on the bus.
There are 2 supermarkets near the hotel, we liked Planeta better, the market is very far away, near the port, we didn’t get there. On the first evening we decided to try Albanian wine. There are no prices for half of the alcohol in the supermarket. We chose Albanian white wine for $ 5.60, it turned out to be a rare muck, as if spoiled, they just poured it out. There were wines for $15 and $20 and more, but after that I didn’t dare to take it at all.
Yes, it's safe there, even late at night you can walk, supermarkets work at night, there are fruit stalls and sellers on the street. In the evening, every 100 m, gypsies sit. They just beg, they don't touch anyone. I read that there is a lot of garbage on the streets, yes it is. For some reason, Albanians are not accustomed to clean up after themselves. Garbage is left on the beach, even though there is an urn nearby, the seeds are spit right into the sand. But whoever wants to see rubbish will see rubbish, whoever wants to see beauty will see beauty. I didn't care about the trash. I have never seen such beautiful beaches. (But this is in Ksamil). Another 2 super beautiful beaches are located between Saranda and Ksamil. This is Monastyrsky beach and Mirror. We were on the Mirror, go by bus (it is the only one that runs from Saranda to Ksamil and Butrint), from Saranda 5 minutes. drive, but then go through the mountain for 20-25 minutes. by sunshine. But it's worth it, I've never seen such clear azure water. Incredible nature, rocks, caves and the sea. . . The most beautiful thing I have ever seen! And warm! The beach is equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas, a set of 1 umbrella + 2 deck chairs $12. There is a locker room, a toilet, a shower, a cafe is quite decent. They had lunch there. We did not have time to go to the Monastyrsky beach, it is closer from the bus stop, only 9-10 minutes. And you don't have to go up the hill.
Sights: in Saranda there is Lekursi Castle and the Monastery. Both objects are located in the mountains. The bus does not go there, walk 45 minutes. uphill, we did not go into such inferno. You can take a taxi.
We went to Butrint - an ancient city and a reserve. A bus goes there, which is only one Saranda-Ksamil-Butrint. From Ksamil 5 km. We didn't take a tour, we just took the bus. The price of a bus ticket is $0.5 in Saranda, if from Saranda to Ksamil or Butrint, then $1. Entrance to the reserve is $10 for an adult and discounts for children.
In Albania, the national the currency is Albanian leks, but they accept dollars and euros everywhere, in supermarkets, on the beaches, in cafes. 1 $ - 100 lek, 1 € - 120 lek. I paid in euros, change is given in leks. Everything is clear, no one made a fool. In some places, 1 euro is not 120, but 119 lek.
Conclusions:
Saranda is for those who like to hang out, take a walk along the embankment in the evening, but it’s better then to take a hotel closer to the center.
Ksamil is calmer, there is no embankment, but very beautiful beaches and bays, just incredible beauty.
Troy Apartment 3* hotel is located on the outskirts of Saranda, but closer to Ksamil, where we went to the beach every day.
Would I return to Albania again? Yes, perhaps, but not soon, there are still many places where I have not been. I don't regret the trip for a second. I regret not taking more days.
It's worth going there. But I can't speak for other cities.
