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Butrint

Ksamil, Albania

Butrint

This is an UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic. - Despite being one of the greatest classical citie

s of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion's gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent of what lies beneath. As of summer of 2005, there is an international archaeological team performing excavations at Butrint which can be observed inside the park. - 700 lek entry fee (€5). As of September 2014, there are city buses that run to Butrint, via Ksamil, every even hour on the half hour, from 6:30 until 16:30 p.m. (06:30, 8:30, 10:30...16:30). The same bus line runs from Butrint to Saranda, via Ksamil, every odd hour on the half hour from 7:30 until 17:30 p.m. (07:30, 9:30, 11:30....17:30). Bus price is 100Lek per person and can be picked up at the main Saranda bus station or across the street from Hotel Buntrinti. Butrint visitors should allocate approximately 2 hours to enjoy the site; archaeology fans will probably want closer to 3 hours.

Listen to the audio guide for Butrint Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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