Butrint: Ancient City between Lake and Canal

Butrint lies between Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel. Traces of archaeological settlement date from 50,000 BC to the 19th century AD. The ancient city combines Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian roots. This long settlement history can be seen in the fortifications, whose construction phases range from the Greek colony to the Middle Ages.

Among the notable structures is the ancient Greek theater, which is relatively well preserved. The early Christian basilica was rebuilt in the 9th century. Its ruins are preserved well enough to reveal a structure with three aisles, a transept and an outer polygonal apse. The baptistery is also one of the ancient Roman structures. It was adapted for Christian use and has a beautifully designed mosaic floor. The theater, basilica and baptistery represent different periods in the history of Butrint.

The Butrint Archaeological Museum is located in a fortress from the Venetian period on the acropolis of the ancient city. It houses more than 1,300 exhibited objects. Archaeological materials and written sources by ancient authors convey the city's origins, development and decline. The official tour of Butrint also includes the Triangle Fortress. This makes it possible to combine a museum visit with the historic sites in a single cultural tour. When visiting the museum, current opening hours should be checked before arrival.

Other destinations on the same higher-level page are Xarrë, Saranda, Mursi and Ksamil.

Butrint National Park encompasses diverse landscapes with lakes, lagoons, forests, cliffs and a coastline. It protects and preserves historic monuments as well as the rich natural heritage. The Butrint wetland is part of this natural area. In July 2003, it was included under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance for waterbird habitats. Historic monuments and protected landscapes thus belong to the same national park.

Hiking in Butrint National Park is unrestricted in the designated recreational zones. Visitors can request a guide at the entrance. For a self-guided tour, guidebooks can be purchased at the ticket counter. Those who explore the historic sites and natural area in their own order can distinguish between the two forms of tour. Before hiking, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions.

During the summer season from June to September, local fishermen offer boat tours to remote monuments such as Ali Pasha's Castle. In addition to the designated hiking zones and self-guided tours, seasonal trips on the water are available during this period. The current dates should be checked before arrival for such a boat tour. Butrint is visited year-round by local and foreign tourists.

To the higher-level travel overview: Saranda.