Destination guide
Saranda weather by month
June to August is the best time to visit Saranda for sunshine and swimming, while September suits travellers who prefer less daytime heat. Average highs rise from 27°C in June to 31°C in August, then ease to 26°C in September. The catch is that rain becomes more frequent as summer ends. Spring is better suited to time outdoors than warm-water swimming, and winter calls for waterproofs and layers rather than a holiday built around the sea.
- Hottest month
- 30.9°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 11.7°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 25.4°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 3 h 18 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Saranda, month by month
A little perspective
Saranda through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.7°C | 4.3°C | 15.3°C | 4.3 | 162 | 12 | 0% |
| February | 12.6°C | 4.8°C | 14.4°C | 4.7 | 158 | 12 | 0% |
| March | 15.2°C | 6.6°C | 14.5°C | 5.5 | 143 | 12 | 0% |
| April | 18.5°C | 9.7°C | 15.8°C | 6.3 | 103 | 11 | 2% |
| May | 22.9°C | 14.1°C | 19.0°C | 7.9 | 68 | 9 | 28% |
| Junebest | 27.3°C | 18.4°C | 22.3°C | 10.8 | 33 | 5 | 76% |
| Julybest | 30.3°C | 21.1°C | 24.2°C | 12.6 | 18 | 3 | 98% |
| Augustbest | 30.9°C | 21.7°C | 25.4°C | 11.6 | 20 | 3 | 98% |
| September | 26.1°C | 18.3°C | 24.3°C | 8.0 | 119 | 8 | 63% |
| October | 21.8°C | 14.2°C | 22.3°C | 5.9 | 164 | 10 | 10% |
| November | 16.9°C | 9.9°C | 19.9°C | 4.2 | 250 | 13 | 0% |
| December | 12.7°C | 6.0°C | 17.2°C | 3.9 | 224 | 14 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Saranda
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. November is the wettest month (250 mm, about 13 rainy days) and July the driest (18 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.4°C and coolest in February at 14.4°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias International Airport (CFU, 31 km from Sarandë) takes roughly 3 h 18 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Tirane.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Saranda between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.4°C on 24 July 2007; the coldest fell to -9.5°C on 7 January 1993. In August one day in ten tops 34.1°C and about 65% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 0.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2010 with 542 mm, against a November average of 250 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Saranda
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:00 | 16:38 | 9.6 h | 4.3 h |
| February | 06:34 | 17:14 | 10.7 h | 4.7 h |
| March | 05:51 | 17:46 | 11.9 h | 5.5 h |
| April | 06:02 | 19:18 | 13.3 h | 6.3 h |
| May | 05:25 | 19:48 | 14.4 h | 7.9 h |
| June | 05:11 | 20:10 | 15.0 h | 10.8 h |
| July | 05:24 | 20:08 | 14.7 h | 12.6 h |
| August | 05:52 | 19:37 | 13.8 h | 11.6 h |
| September | 06:21 | 18:49 | 12.5 h | 8.0 h |
| October | 06:50 | 18:01 | 11.2 h | 5.9 h |
| November | 06:25 | 16:24 | 10.0 h | 4.2 h |
| December | 06:54 | 16:16 | 9.4 h | 3.9 h |
December to May - cool winters, steadily warmer spring
Winter is mild by day but not reliably warm. December averages 13°C, January 12°C and February 13°C, with January nights falling to 4°C. Pack a warm layer and waterproof jacket, and keep outdoor plans flexible: December averages 14 rain days. Spring brings a gradual improvement rather than an abrupt switch to summer. March reaches 15°C, April 18°C and May 23°C, making May the stronger choice for travellers who want warmth without midsummer heat. Even then, evenings average 14°C, so a light jumper remains useful. The sea takes longer to warm up: April's 16°C and May's 19°C favour those comfortable with cool water. For a trip centred on swimming rather than walking and sitting outdoors, waiting until summer is the better bet.
June to August - the strongest swimming weather
June offers a useful balance: days average 27°C, the sea reaches 22°C and rain falls on an average of 5 days. July turns hotter at 30°C and has the most sunshine, averaging 13 hours daily. August is the hottest month, with average days of 31°C and the warmest sea at 25°C. July and August each average 3 rain days, making them the strongest choices if avoiding rain matters most. The trade-off is midday heat, so plan more active time for mornings and take shade during the hottest part of the day. Nights stay warm too, averaging 21°C in July and 22°C in August.
September to November - warm sea, increasing rain
September is a good compromise if you want warm swimming water without peak summer temperatures. Days average 26°C and the sea remains at 24°C, although 8 rain days mean more scope for interruptions than in summer. October still offers daytime averages of 22°C, matched by a 22°C sea, but its 10 rain days make flexible plans sensible. Bring a layer for evenings, which average 14°C. November is a clearer shift away from swimming-focused holidays: days fall to 17°C, nights to 10°C and sunshine averages 4 hours daily. It is also the wettest month, so go prepared for wet weather rather than expecting a dependable run of warm, sunny days.
A little more detail
Saranda weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Saranda?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Saranda are July, August and June. August is the hottest month (average high 30.9°C) and January the coolest (11.7°C).
How many months a year is Saranda over 25°C?
4 months in Saranda average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 6 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Saranda?
November is the wettest month in Saranda (250 mm on average) and July the driest (18 mm). Annual rainfall averages 1462 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Saranda?
The hottest day recorded in Saranda between 1991 and 2020 reached 40.4°C on 24 July 2007; the coldest fell to -9.5°C on 7 January 1993. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Is May or October better for swimming?
October has the warmer sea, averaging 22°C compared with May's 19°C. May is slightly warmer by day and has fewer rain days, so it is the better balance for general outdoor time. Choose October if sea temperature matters more, while allowing for rain.
Which month has the most sunshine?
July has the most sunshine, averaging 13 hours daily, alongside 30°C daytime temperatures and 3 rain days. It suits travellers prioritising sunny weather, but the heat makes shade and a slower pace sensible around midday.
Will I need warm clothes in Saranda?
Yes, outside summer you should bring layers. January nights average 4°C, while April nights average 10°C. Even May and October evenings can feel cool at 14°C. Winter also calls for a waterproof jacket, rather than relying on warm clothing alone.
See also: Albania weather by month · where else is hot in August
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Sarandë. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 1.7 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C