Finiq & Butrint: 2,500 Years of History Near Saranda

Long before it was a beach destination, this corner of Albania was one of the most important places in the ancient world. Within a short ride of Saranda you can stand among Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins — and most visitors only ever see half of it.

Butrint: a city of empires

Butrint (Butrinti), a UNESCO World Heritage Site 20 minutes south of Saranda, was inhabited for more than 2,500 years. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians each left their mark, and you can walk through a theatre, baptistery, basilica and fortress all within one quiet, wooded national park beside a lagoon.

Finiq (Phoenice): the forgotten capital

Less famous but just as remarkable, Finiq — ancient Phoenice — was once the capital of the Chaonians and one of the wealthiest, most powerful cities in Epirus. Its hilltop ruins overlook the plain north of Saranda, and because it sees far fewer visitors than Butrint, you often have the history almost to yourself.

The living history in between

The land between these sites is history in itself — old stone terraces, shepherds moving their flocks as they have for generations, and abandoned tunnels and bunkers from the communist era carved into the rock. It is a landscape where 2,000-year-old ruins and 20th-century history sit side by side.

How to explore it off the beaten track

You can visit Butrint by car or organised trip, but the countryside around Finiq is best reached off-road. Our Ancient Finiq & Byzantine Heritage ATV tour takes you through the hills and back-roads past ruins, churches and viewpoints that most tourists never reach, with a local guide to bring the story to life.

Local tip: go to Butrint early in the morning to beat the coach tours, and save the Finiq hills for a guided ride when the light is soft and golden.

Curious about the history behind the ride? See the Ancient Finiq tour or get in touch to plan your day.