Butrint National Park

Butrint National Park lies near Sarandë in the far south and combines a UNESCO-listed ancient city with lakes, lagoons, forest, cliffs and coastline. The setting is as much of a draw as the stones themselves: ruins sit in woodland beside water, and the walk between them is gentle.

It is an easy day trip from Sarandë or Ksamil and a good way to balance beach days with something older. Go in the morning, before the heat builds, and bring water, a hat and sun cream because shade is patchy. The AKT, the Albanian tourism agency, also lists nearby Ali Pasha's castle and the Lëkurësi castle above Sarandë as add-ons.