Albanian Riviera from Corfu — Self-Launched Version
5 days · Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi) with Corfu start/end
Choose Balkans charges £1,010
No-markup version: ~£292 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Choose Balkans' 5-day semi-private Albanian Riviera loop out of Corfu: hop the passenger ferry from Corfu to Saranda, base yourself in Saranda or Ksamil, and explore the coast by local buses and shared minibus (furgon) at your own pace. You'll hit the same beaches (Ksamil, Borsh, Himara, Dhermi, Palasa, Vuno), Lekursi Castle and Porto Palermo Castle, then ferry back to Corfu. No guide, no group — self-book the ferry direct with the operator and use local buses (or a rented scooter/car for a couple of days) to reach the beaches. Note that in shoulder/winter season some coastal buses are thin, so a small rental car is the most reliable fallback. All costs are approximate per person and assume shared/solo budget accommodation.
Day-by-day
Corfu → Saranda + Lekursi Castle
Corfu, Greece → Saranda, Albania
Catch the morning passenger ferry from Corfu New Port to Saranda (~30–90 min depending on the hydrofoil/ferry; book direct with Ionian Seaways, Finikas Lines or Sarris Cruises for roughly £20–28 return). Get your passport stamped at Saranda port (EU passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days). Check into a hostel or family guesthouse in Saranda town — Hostel Hasta La Vista and Saranda Backpackers are reliable budget options, or a sea-view guesthouse for a little more. Afternoon: walk the seafront promenade, then take a local taxi (~£6–8 each way) or the town bus up to Lekursi Castle for sunset views over the bay and Corfu on the horizon. Evening: seafood by the port or a cheap gyro/souvlaki spot in town.
🚌Passenger ferry Corfu–Saranda ~£20–28 return (pre-book direct); local taxi/minibus to Lekursi ~£6–8 each way
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Saranda (dorm ~£10–14, private double ~£22–30)
- →Self-booked ferry Corfu to Saranda
- →Saranda seafront promenade walk
- →Sunset at Lekursi Castle
- →Optional swim at Saranda's rocky beaches
Ksamil beaches day
Ksamil
Take the local bus or shared minibus (furgon) from Saranda to Ksamil (roughly 20–30 min, ~£1–1.50; buses run from the main bus stop near the port several times daily in season). Ksamil's islets are the postcard of the Albanian Riviera — hire a sunbed (~£3–5) or walk to the free public stretches and swim across to the small islands. Lunch at a beach taverna (fresh mussels are a Ksamil speciality, ~£7–10). Stay in Ksamil for the evening or head back to Saranda for cheaper rooms. If you're travelling outside June–September, plan a taxi or scooter hire (~£15–20/day) instead of relying on the bus.
🚌Local bus/furgon Saranda–Ksamil ~£1–1.50 each way; optional scooter hire ~£15–20/day
🛏Guesthouse in Ksamil (~£18–30 double) or return to Saranda base (~£22–30 double)
- →Swim at Ksamil beach and islets
- →Beach sunbathing and relaxation
- →Optional boat trip around the Ksamil islands (~£8–12)
Borsh Beach + Porto Palermo Castle
Borsh and Porto Palermo
Head north on the Saranda–Vlorë coastal road. Local buses run Saranda→Himara via Borsh several times a day (~£3–4), and you can hop off at Borsh (longest beach on the Riviera, pebbly and quieter) then re-board to Porto Palermo. The castle of Ali Pasha sits on a tiny peninsula across a causeway — entry is around 200 lek (~£1.70); it's a short walk or a few minutes by taxi from the main road. Practical note: buses are infrequent outside summer, so the easiest DIY option is a small rental car for days 3–4 (from ~£25–35/day, split between travellers) or a negotiated round-trip taxi from Saranda (~£45–60 for the day). Overnight in Himara old town for a head start on tomorrow.
🚌Local coastal bus Saranda–Borsh–Himara ~£3–4; or rental car ~£25–35/day; castle entry ~£1.70
🛏Guesthouse in Himara old town (~£20–30 double)
- →Swim at Borsh beach
- →Visit Porto Palermo / Ali Pasha Castle
- →Coastal viewpoint stops (Borsh gorge, Qeparo)
Himara Old Town + Dhermi, Vuno and Palasa beaches
Himara and Dhermi
Morning wandering Himara's old town — stone lanes, a Byzantine-era castle on the hill and a decent bakery for byrek (~£1). Then drive or bus north past Vuno and Palasa (both worth a stop — Palasa is a long, wild pebble beach backed by olive groves) to Dhermi, the Riviera's most famous beach, with a lively strip of beach bars and Drymades beach a few minutes further on. Buses Saranda–Vlorë stop at Dhermi (~£2 from Himara), but local taxis are easier for beach-hopping. Handmade lace and olive-oil souvenirs are sold along the road. Overnight in Dhermi or Dhërmi village, or drive back to Himara.
🚌Local bus Himara–Dhermi ~£2; or rental car; short taxi hops ~£5–8
🛏Guesthouse in Dhermi or Himara (~£20–32 double)
- →Himara Old Town and castle walk
- →Swim at Himara beach
- →Stop at Vuno and Palasa beaches
- →Beach time at Dhermi and Drymades
- →Local seafood dinner in Dhermi
Return to Saranda and ferry to Corfu
Himara/Dhermi → Saranda → Corfu
Early bus or drive back south to Saranda (~1.5–2 hrs, ~£4 bus). If you have time, a last swim at Saranda's beach or a quick stop at the Blue Eye spring (Syri i Kaltër — local minibus from Saranda ~£4 return, entry ~£2). Check the ferry timetable carefully: afternoon departures typically leave Saranda around 13:00–16:00 and arrive in Corfu 1–2 hours later, so book a mid-afternoon sailing and allow buffer for the bus. Passport control on both sides. Arrive Corfu Port by early evening. Ferries run fewer times outside summer — confirm the return sailing when you book the outbound ticket.
🚌Local bus Himara–Saranda ~£4; ferry Saranda–Corfu (return leg of pre-booked ticket); optional Blue Eye minibus ~£4
🛏None included (or a final night in Corfu town if your flight is the next day)
- →Morning beach time
- →Optional Blue Eye spring (Syri i Kaltër) visit
- →Ferry back to Corfu
Self-launched vs. Choose Balkans
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Choose Balkans | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£292 | £1,010 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £718 per person (71%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Choose Balkans-style trips? Check them out here.~£292
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Albanian Riviera from Corfu — Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £292 per person for 5 days in Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi) with Corfu start/end. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Choose Balkans?+
Yes — Choose Balkans charges around £1,010 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £292 — a saving of roughly £718 (71%) per person.
How long is the Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi) with Corfu start/end trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi) with Corfu start/end.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a beaches, budget, backpacker trip through Albanian Riviera (Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh, Porto Palermo, Himara, Dhermi) with Corfu start/end, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
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