Fodor's Expert Review Butrint National Park

This major archaeological site is a 45-minute drive south of Sarandë. The park, which encompasses 86 square km (33 square miles), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a microcosm of Mediterranean history, representing all its phases of development and offering evidence of the rise and fall of the great empires that dominated the region. Excavations and monuments, including wonderfully preserved mosaics, span more than 2,000 years, from the Hellenistic period to the Ottoman defenses of the early 19th century. By then, Butrint had become a small fishing village clustered around a castle and governed by the ruthless Ali Pasha. In 1928, archaeologists started to uncover most of what you will see on your visit, including the magnificent amphitheater. Since 2003, Butrint has become a Ramsar Wetland Site of National Importance, and you can see the park on a guided walk or by hiking on your own. A small visitor center sells guidebooks in English and free maps of the park.