Butrint Lake

Butrint Lake (Liqeni i Butrintit) is a coastal lagoon located north of the ancient city of Butrint, featuring a mix of fresh and saltwater fed by the Ionian Sea through the Vivari Channel. For its surrounding landscape and distinctive fauna and flora, the lake became part of the Butrint National Park. It is known for its ideal conditions for mussel farming.

The lake is fed by the Bistrica River, which starts in the nearby Blue Eye, and is connected to the Ionian Sea in the southwest by the Vivar Channel. Its water is brackish, i.e. has more salinity than freshwater, but not as much as seawater. The salinity varies with the tides and the intensity of rainfall.

The lake is known for its extraordinary diversity of animals and plants, which is why it was included in the Butrint National Park in 2000. It is home to rare bird species such as the Slender-billed curlew. The local wetlands are also popular with the Loggerhead sea turtle and the Mediterranean monk seal. Since ancient times, the lake has been a renowned fishing ground.

The southern shore of Butrint Lake can be reached by ferry across the Vivar Channel (700 leks per car, 100 leks per person). You can take a hike starting from the Triangular Fortress. The route will take you through the archaeological sites in the surroundings of Butrint (remains of the Aqueduct, the Roman villa Diaporit or the prehistoric hillfort Kalivo) and around the adjacent Lake Bufi (Liqeni i Bufit). See map.

The lake is known for its famous blue mussels, which have been cultivated here since the communist era. Take a boat tour that takes you to the mussel farm and a restaurant to taste this delicacy. It is worth it just for the views of the picturesque landscape of Butrint Lake. There is also a great restaurant called The Mussel House which can be reached by car in the northwestern part of the lake.

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