Shopping in Saranda
When you stay in our apartment you have a kitchen, so you can cook for yourselves and don't need to eat out for every meal. Happily, shopping in Saranda is easy and pretty cheap. Here are a few practical tips on where to find what, what to grab as soon as you arrive, and what to know about drinking water.
The little shop under the building and corner stores
Right under our building there's a small shop where you can quickly grab the essentials: water, bread, milk, beer, a few snacks. It's perfect for whatever you need straight away or late in the evening, without having to walk anywhere. Saranda is handy like that: almost every street has at least one small grocery shop, and most are open seven days a week and, in season, until late. Prices in these smaller, local shops are often a bit friendlier than in the stores right on the seafront promenade.
A larger supermarket for the big shop
For a proper weekly shop it's worth heading to one of the larger supermarkets. Saranda has several (Spar-type stores and local chains such as Eco Market), with a wider choice including imported food, toiletries and things the corner shop won't carry. They tend to be a little further from the centre but are walkable, or a short taxi ride away. It's a good idea to go early in your stay and stock up on store-cupboard basics, then top up fresh items as you go at the shop by the house.
Drinking water: buy it bottled
This one matters: don't drink the tap water in Saranda, and we wouldn't use it unboiled for cooking either. Locals don't drink it, and in season the water supply in coastal towns can be under strain. The good news is that bottled water is everywhere and cheap. As soon as you arrive we'd buy a larger pack (five-litre bottles are handy) for drinking and cooking, plus a few small bottles to take to the beach or on a day trip. Prices are roughly very low, but check the current price in the shop.
Fresh fruit, veg and the local market
For fresh fruit and vegetables, the best bets are the small local shops and especially the market in the centre of Saranda. The fruit and veg market is mainly a morning thing, with seasonal tomatoes, melons, figs, grapes, nuts, spices, plus local honey, olive oil and cheese. It's fresh, tasty and usually cheaper than the supermarket. If you're buying several things, feel free to agree on a price; a bit of friendly bargaining is normal here. Just bring a bag and some cash in lek.
What to grab on arrival
Our suggestion for the first shop, so you can relax: bottled water (a decent stock), coffee or tea, breakfast bits (bread, eggs, butter, yoghurt, fruit), some oil and salt for cooking, and a few snacks. With that sorted you won't need to rush anywhere on your first evening. It helps to carry small change in the local currency (lek), as the smaller shops and the market are cash-only; cards are mostly taken only at the larger supermarkets. A reusable bag always comes in useful.
Simple cooking in the apartment
The apartment kitchen is set up for everyday cooking, so breakfasts, easy lunches and dinners are no trouble at all. Saranda makes the ingredients a pleasure to buy: fresh vegetables, fish and olive oil practically ask to be turned into simple Mediterranean meals. And when you don't feel like cooking, there are restaurants right next door and across the street, with the supermarket a little further on, so it's easy to mix and match: breakfast on the balcony in the morning, out for dinner now and then in the evening.
FAQ
Can you drink the tap water in Saranda?
We wouldn't. Locals don't drink it, and in season the water supply in coastal towns can be strained. Use bottled water for drinking and for unboiled cooking; it's available everywhere and cheap.
Does Saranda have a supermarket, or just small shops?
Both. There's a small shop right under our building for quick essentials, and several larger supermarkets a short distance away for a weekly shop. Most shops are open long hours and seven days a week in season.
Where can I buy the cheapest fresh fruit and vegetables?
At the market in the centre of Saranda, mainly in the mornings, and in the small local shops. It's usually fresher and cheaper than the supermarket, and bargaining for several items is normal. Check current prices on the spot.
Do shops take cards or only cash?
In the smaller shops and at the market, expect to pay cash in lek. Cards are mostly taken only at the larger supermarkets. It helps to carry small change and a reusable bag.
