How to Visit Albania from the Greek Island of Corfu

Inside: The ferry from Corfu is one of the most popular ways to visit Albania. Here’s how to get two great destinations for the price of one!

I hadn’t originally planned on a stop in Corfu during my 3 week tour of the Balkans.

But I really wanted to visit Albania while I was in the region and the options for getting there were somewhat grim (no trains, limited flights). 

When I discovered that the high-speed ferry from Corfu to Albania was one of the most popular ways to visit the country, it seemed like a sign.

A sign that it was time to get back to the Greeks.

Corfu seemed the perfect place to base for the weekend and as a bonus, I’d get to spend a full day in Albania. There would be sun and sand and gyros (not together, hopefully). It was the perfect plan.

I am travel genius, hear me roar.

I flew out of Sofia, Bulgaria, connected in Athens and by 10pm Friday night touched down on the island of Corfu for what I fully expected to be an idyllic weekend of Greek Island bliss and Albanian cultural exploration.

As luck would have it, smugness gets you nowhere.

As I emerged from the arrivals area, I quickly learned that there were no taxis due to a strike. Alrighty, not a problem. There’s a city bus into town which is just a quick two miles away.

Frugal traveler that I often am, I probably would have taken that anyway!

I caught the bus and arrived in the main square of Corfu Town 30 minutes later. My hotel was (allegedly) in town so how hard could it be to find on foot? After all, I use instinct for navigation all the time!

My first mistake was not having a map or a working GPS on my phone.

My second mistake was greatly underestimating the size of Corfu Town…it is HUGE by Greek island standards.

I wander aimlessly for a bit before stopping in a shop to ask for directions. Turns out, my hotel, the Sunset Hotel Corfu, is on the “outskirts” of town and definitely not walking distance from my current location.

The shop owner kindly directed me to a different bus from the main square that would get me pretty close. I head back to the bus station to wait for the right bus.

There are at least 100 other people waiting for the same bus – the last of the night since it is now after 11:00pm.

Please let me make it on this bus. I do not have a Plan B.

Thankfully, when the bus arrives, I squeeze my way on and tell the driver where I am going. He nods reassuringly.

How many stops are we making? I have no idea.

Where exactly should I get off? Don’t know that either.

My plan: get off where everyone else does or spot the hotel from the road.

Wrong and wrong.

After more than a dozen stops, I am still clueless about my destination. I work my way back to the driver through the crowd and again say the name of my hotel.

Of course, we have already passed it.

Thankfully, the driver is a sweetheart and tells me to stay on the bus after the last stop and he’ll take me back.

Finally, around midnight I walk into the Sunset Hotel.

While checking in, I inquire about ferry times to Albania for the next day. The front desk agent is lovely, but his English is limited and he’s not familiar with the ferry schedule. He says confidently that the girl at the desk in the morning will know.

With not much to go on, I set my alarm for 7:00am so there’s plenty of time to get the information I need and get to the port in time.

A Day Trip to Albania from Corfu

The next morning I drag myself out of bed early and head down to the front desk to inquire again about ferry times.

As advertised, the morning girl is well-versed in ferry times. The first ferry is at 9:00am. She explains that I should arrive by 8:30am and I will need to take the bus to the port since, of course, the taxi drivers are on strike. Good thing I got up early!

I catch the next bus to town, easily locate the Albania ferry terminal and buy my ticket for the return ferry ride to the resort town of Saranda, Albania.

The Ferry ride from Corfu to Albania

It’s a quick easy and 30-minute hydrofoil ride across the narrow channel from Corfu to Albania. Our passports are checked in transit so when the ferry docks the arrivals process is a breeze.

And as we dock in Albania I am instantly taken by surprise with Saranda.

It is absolutely beautiful!

We disembark the boat and the whole day is in front of me. The plan? A visit to the archaeological site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then an afternoon discovering the beaches of the Albanian Riviera.

My research mentioned a local bus that will take me right to Butrint but at first glance, I don’t see a bus station anywhere.

I walk a few minutes before noticing an old, run-down bus on the side of the road. The sign in the window reads simply, “Butrint.”

As it turns out, I don’t need a bus station, just one lone bus. We have a winner.

I walk up to the driver to inquire about the fare and whether they accept euro (I haven’t changed any money yet). He doesn’t speak English yet enthusiastically waves me aboard. I step aboard and hope for the best.

Side Note: I know what you’re thinking, my advance planning for this portion of the trip was abysmal (you’re not wrong). Lucky for you, there are far easier ways to visit Albania from Corfu without worrying about ferry times, finding the right bus to Butrint, or currency conversions. Just book a day trip. Here are two good ones:

But back to my “do it yourself” semi-success story…

As the bus gets underway, a girl comes around collecting money for tickets. I hand her 1 euro hoping it will suffice and it does. (A lucky break since I don’t want to be put out on the side of the dirt road we are currently on.)

Forty-five minutes later we arrive in Butrint.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint

Considered a microcosm of Mediterranean history, Butrint covers the rise and fall of great empires from 4th century BC to the Ottoman defenses created in the early 19th century.

According to classical mythology, Butrint was founded by exiles fleeing the fall of Troy. Virgil’s epic poem, the Aeneid, recounts Aeneas visiting Butrint on his way to Italy.

By the 19th century, Butrint had become a small fishing village clustered around a castle. Over the centuries the ancient town had all but disappeared under layers of silt and vegetation but in 1928 an Italian archaeological mission began excavating the site.

Over the course of the next 10 years, they uncovered the grand monuments visible today. In 1992, the site was named to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

It’s a fascinating site to explore and I spend a few hours doing just that.

Discovering the Albanian Riviera

My visit to Butrint complete, I hop on the next bus back to Saranda. It’s beach time!

The 80-mile stretch of sparkling coastline between Saranda and the city of Vlore has become known as the “Albanian Riviera.” It’s marketed as a budget alternative to the exclusive (and pricey) Italian Riviera and Croatia’s brilliant Dalmatian Coast.

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Truthfully, it looks more like Greece than Corfu does!

Or, at least what I’ve seen of Corfu so far. Which, to be fair, is mostly city.

The white-pebbled shore is lined with hotels and cafes. And on this sunny summer Saturday afternoon it is bursting with beachgoers. I spend some time walking along the beach just enjoying the beautiful day. Then, I settle into a seaside café for lunch and a sampling of the local brew.

By 4pm it’s time to catch the ferry back to Corfu.

All in all, a splendid day in Albania and well worth the side trip from Corfu.

Exploring Corfu Town

For my final day on the island of Corfu, my plan is to spend Sunday morning strolling the streets of Corfu Town (another UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Corfu is part of the Ionian Islands and was one of the first Greek islands to open its doors to tourism. The name Corfu translates as “city of the peaks” and the island is divided into 3 districts by two well-defined mountain ranges.

Corfu’s history is laden with battles and the legacy of these struggles remains in the two fortresses that surround the capital. It is the only city in Greece to be fortified in this way.

Long controlled by Venice, the Venetian influence is profound in Corfu Town.

In fact, walking through the labyrinth of winding, cobbled alleyways you’d almost believe you were in Venice rather than Greece.

Read More: The Romance of Venice

Absent are the white-washed buildings clad with bright blue shutters, replaced by the warm pink and yellow hues that define the Venetian blend of Gothic and Moorish architecture.

The Venetian influence in architecture reminds me of one of my favorite Greek islands, Symi. Though Symi is much smaller and, in my opinion, far more charming.

Read More: Sparkling Symi is the Best Greek Island You’ve Never Heard Of

In fact, to be honest, Corfu doesn’t feel like Greece either. It’s not just the architecture that’s different, it’s the entire vibe.

Even the food is different.

I love a good gyro and they are ubiquitous street food elsewhere in Greece. In Corfu, the two gyro stands I did manage to find were both disappointing. As was the Greek salad I ordered which had (horrors!) lettuce.

Perhaps I should have tried the Italian food.

At 227 square miles, Corfu is a huge island. Getting around without your own wheels is a challenge. Especially when you arrive in the middle of a seemingly endless taxi strike.

Call me crazy but I like my Greek islands small, quaint, and easily navigable. Of course, Greece’s largest island – Crete – is a notable exception!

Read More: Crete Greece in 5 Perfect Days

My choice in lodging, the Sunset Hotel, probably didn’t help. It was a perfectly lovely hotel with extremely friendly staff, but the location was a bit far from town. With a taxi strike and rental cars fully booked, that left the bus.

Luckily, the bus station was right outside and by day two I’d mastered the bus system thanks to my struggle from the airport the first night.

If I had it to do over again, I would choose a hotel right on the beach like the Alymros Beach Resort. Or something right in the heart of the action in Corfu Town, like the Bella Venezia.

I wish I’d had more time to get out of Corfu Town and check out some of the island’s beaches, I’m sure there are some beauties! Hopefully, someday I’ll get to return and see the more beautiful parts of Corfu like these:

I spend the rest of Sunday wandering the narrow alleyways of Corfu Town and visiting both the new and old fortresses before walking (yes, walking) two miles to the airport for my flight to Bucharest.

The taxi drivers are still on strike and, as I learned the hard way, the buses are very infrequent on Sundays.

It wasn’t at all what I’d envisioned for my weekend back in the Greek Isles. But perhaps Mykonos and Santorini have spoiled me.

Read More: The Meaning of Mykonos

Read More: How to Plan the Perfect Santorini Honeymoon (on a budget!)

Next up, my final stop of the trip, Romania!