A full guide to the Roman Ruins of Butrint National Park Albania including a map, the route we took, ticket price, what you need to take with you and what it’s like to visit with teens (in February).
Welcome to an exploration of the ancient wonders nestled within the enchanting landscapes of Butrint National Park in Albania. Embark on a journey through time as we unveil the remnants of multiple civilisations amidst the lush greenery and serene surroundings of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll navigate through the intricate paths of history, offering insights into the ruins, practical tips for your visit and firsthand experiences of exploring this remarkable destination with teenagers.
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Butrint National Park’s History
Butrint National Park in Albania is a captivating amalgamation of diverse architectural styles and historical layers, reflecting the different civilisations that once thrived within its borders. Among the various structures that adorn the park, the most prominent are the remnants of the ancient city of Butrint, which was inhabited by several civilisations over millennia.
One of the earliest known builders in Butrint were the ancient Greeks, who established a settlement in the 8th century BCE. They erected temples, fortifications and other structures that laid the foundation for the city’s development. Subsequently, the Romans arrived in the 2nd century BCE and expanded Butrint, constructing impressive buildings such as a theatre, baths and a forum, adding to the architectural splendour of the city.
In the centuries that followed, Butrint experienced the influence of various other civilisations, including the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans, each leaving their mark on the landscape by constructing churches, castles and even an aqueduct.
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Map Of The Park
The map you’re given at the ticket office isn’t exactly accurate so I found the best thing to do is open Google Maps in satellite mode so you can see the pathways.
Click the map and the yellow pins to see their number. We found it best to go around the park anti-clockwise.
Using The Park’s Map
Using the park’s numbered map here is the route I recommend:
- 1 The Venetian Tower
- 7 The Roman Civic House
- 8 The Baptistry
- 9 A fountain
- 10 The Great Basilica
- 11 The Lake Gate
- 12 The Lions Gate
- 14 The Venetian Castle
- 15 The museum
- 2 Chapel
- 3 The ancient theatre
- 4 Roman baths
- 5 Agora
- 6 The Gymnasium
We might have accidentally missed out 13. the Acropolis.
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Butrint National Park Ticket Cost
The tickets were:
- Adult Ticket – 1000 lekë (£7/€8.20) ·
- Group Ticket (minimum 12 people) – 800 lekë each (£5.60/€6.50) ·
- Children (12-18) – 500 lekë (£3.50/€4.10).
You can pre-book tours here if you don’t have your own car:
Practical Stuff About Butrint
The ground is rugged in places, there are no paved pathways and it is not pushchair-friendly.
When we visited we’d had 2 days of torrential rain and the ground was wet, muddy and boggy. Take good trainers/sneakers that you’re happy to get a bit dirty and that are comfortable.
You’ll need at least 3 hours to explore the site, it isn’t that big but at the same time there’s a lot to see and you need to be prepared to do some walking up steep-ish hills.
I recommend taking water, even in February when the sun shone it was quite warm. If you can take snacks, maybe even some lunch.
If you like animals some stray dogs and cats around/in the car park look really thin, you could take them some food. This was quite a common sight throughout Albania, in the end we kept food in our car boot/trunk so we could feed them.
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Things Not To Miss
Some of our favourites were the Venetian castle, gardens, museum and tower. This was in good condition and gave a fantastic view over the wetlands.
The Great Basilica was phenomenal. It was just so big and so many add-ons over the years. You can see the different building methods and types of stone used.
We had the ancient theatre all to ourselves, although we shared it with a gorgeous little stray kitten. Having that level of architecture for yourself to enjoy in absolute peace was mind-blowing. We sat there in the sunshine (having a few snacks) and admired the nature and the view.
Exploring the outer perimeter wall was good too. Again you can see the different building techniques and different stone used and look out over the water. It was very peaceful and there were plenty of birds to spot.
Stay Locally In Ksamil or Sarande
If you’re looking for accommodation nearby, we stayed here in Sarande. In February, we were the only family staying for one night and for the second night there was a couple also staying. It was very surreal to have a hotel all to ourselves. It also wasn’t the hotel we were supposed to stay in but that’s another story!
If you book out of season, just give the hotel an email to make sure your booking has been accepted.
Driving In Albania (In February)
I had been warned about driving in Albania but honestly in February, it is quite easy as there aren’t many other cars/tourists visiting.
We rented a hire car at the airport and drove down through Gjirokaster to avoid the coastal route. Some of the coastal route is single-lane and twisty but they are building new motorways.
If you want to see the price of driving a car, click here alternatively scan the QR code below
Eating In Albania In February
Because it’s the low season, the majority of restaurants are shut in popular places like Ksamil and Sarande. There are a few open in the evening though.
To make lunch for ourselves, we went to the supermarket in Sarande and bought ingredients for wraps etc. I would also recommend buying a big case of bottled water. We got through two of those cases in 5-days, as a family of 4. However, it was quite warm towards the end and we did some hiking.
Overall we had an awesome time and recommend it to seasoned travellers who like to explore.
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