Hotels near Monastery of Forty Saints

Saranda takes its very name from the Monastery of the Forty Saints, or Manastiri i Dyzet Shenjtoreve, whose ruins stand on the hillside above the town. The early Byzantine monastery, dedicated to forty martyred soldiers, gave the settlement its Greek name of Agioi Saranta.

Though the monastery is largely ruined, its atmospheric remains and the crypt beneath reward the climb, and the hillside offers fine views over the bay. It is a quieter, more contemplative counterpoint to the beaches and a key piece of Saranda's origin story.

Pro Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for the uphill approach and check locally on access, as the site is sometimes gated. Combine it with the trip up to Lekuresi Castle, which lies on the same hillside.