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Sarandë · Albania

Monastery of the Forty Saints

The ruined monastery occupies a high ridge above Sarandë and offers a quiet, exposed historic stop with wide coastal views.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
Monastery of the Forty Saints Albinfo · CC BY-SA
Typical visit
1 hour
Setting
Mixed
Region
Sarandë, Ksamil and Butrint
Last checked
31 Jul 2026

Why visit

Choose Monastery of the Forty Saints for a distinctive part of the local landscape and culture. Ruined monastic walls and vaults and historical link to the name sarandë give the stop a clear purpose within a Sarandë itinerary.

What you will see

  • Ruined monastic walls and vaults.
  • Historical link to the name Sarandë.
  • Panoramic ridge-top views.

History

The complex has Late Antique and Byzantine origins and is associated with the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. Sarandë’s name derives from the monastery’s Greek dedication.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Visit early or later in the day for cooler conditions and a calmer atmosphere.

  2. 2

    Combine this stop with nearby places rather than building an entire day around it.

  3. 3

    Dress respectfully, keep voices low and avoid entering during worship unless invited.

Combine it with

More to see around Sarandë

All of Sarandë
Mirror Beach Sarandë · Albania Mirror Beach is a smaller cove reached by a steep local access road. Clear water and rocky coastal scenery are the reward, while facilities and access vary by season. Sarandë Promenade Sarandë · Albania Sarandë’s promenade is the city’s main evening walk, lined with palms, cafés, restaurants, small beaches and views towards Corfu. Lëkurësi Castle Sarandë · Albania Lëkurësi Castle offers one of the broadest viewpoints over Sarandë, Corfu, the Ionian Sea and the surrounding hills. Much of the visitor experience is the panorama and restaurant setting. Butrint Archaeological Park Butrint · Albania Butrint is Albania’s most important archaeological visitor site, combining a Greek theatre, Roman buildings, baptistery mosaics, basilica, city walls and Venetian fortifications within a wooded wetland landscape. Ksamil Beach and Islands Viewpoint Ksamil · Albania Ksamil’s small beaches face low green islands in clear Ionian water. The appeal is swimming and scenery, but the central beaches are highly commercial and crowded in peak summer.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Sarandë

All ready-made trips
Albania Heritage Route — 5 Days 5 days · 21 stops · Moderate pace A southbound heritage journey from Tirana through Kruja, UNESCO-listed Berat and Gjirokastër to Butrint and the Ionian coast. South Albania and Riviera — 7 Days 7 days · 30 stops · Moderate pace A balanced week combining Albania’s historic cities with the Blue Eye, Butrint and the main Riviera landscapes. Classic Albania — 10 Days 10 days · 38 stops · Moderate pace A broad introduction to Albania’s capital, northern mountains, UNESCO towns, archaeological sites and Riviera coast. Grand Albania — 14 Days 14 days · 48 stops · Moderate pace Travel from Tirana and Shkodra into Theth, then south through Berat, Përmet and Gjirokastër to Sarandë, Butrint and the Riviera before returning via Vlorë.