Mussel Sailing Tour: Discover Albanian Mussel Cultivation with Tasting Experience
4.6
47 Ratings
Butrint
Embark on a unique Mussel Sailing Tour in Albania and discover the fascinating process of mussel cultivation. Enjoy a tasting experience and a relaxing sunset sail.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Butrint National Park - National Park of Butrint.\nWe start the tour from the entrance of the ancient city of Butrint, at viavari channel (11:00am) on traditional engine boats with capacity 8+ 2(Guide and Captain). \nSail to mussel beds, concrete structure where we cultivate mussels, 10minute sailing.\nAt 11:10 we arrive at the mussel beds, first stop here, we park the boat and stay on the boat through enjoying the process of mussel cultivation explained by our local guide. Stay here for about 20 minute. During this time we will wear gloves and start working as mussel farmers do, work and meditation will be. \n- Kalivoj - At 11:30 we start sailing again, this time our direction will be at Kalivoi, “rich man” home in ancient Rome, part of National Park of Butrint, a nice local restaurant near the lake is situated there. 15 minutes sailing. \nAt 11:45 we will land at the restaurant and start preparing the mussels that we had taken on mussel beds. Enjoying the lunch with three kinds of mussel dishes, fresh vegetables, homemade bread accompanied with local white wine and water for each. At the restaurant we will stay for one hour, sometimes more. \n- Mussel Tour - At 12:45 we will sail back to Butrint entrance. This period is perfect to link this experience by visiting the ancient city of Butrint at the same time
What's Included
  • Traditional boat sailing experience
  • Gloves and plastic bags for mussel farming
  • Included lunch
  • All fees and taxes covered
What's Not Included
  • Private transportation
Additional Information

The Mussel tour is a one-of-a-kind local adventure where you get to acquaint yourself with our regal blue mussel of Butrint Lake. The excursion kicks off on a traditional watercraft, with our first halt at mussel farms. Here, the process of mussel farming is detailed, with an opportunity to collect fresh mussels directly from the source. Next, we pause at a restaurant, but not before attendees participate in the mussel separation process. Everyone rolls up their sleeves to isolate the Queens. A blend of labor, sailing, and 15 minutes of optional meditation forms the unique experience for each passenger. Following this, we navigate to another portion of the Butrint National Park, where a quaint local eatery is located. Here, we cook two varieties of mussel delicacies, seasoned with olive oil, lemon, and parsley. The meal is rounded off with local white wine, fresh veggies, homemade bread, and water. After savoring the flavors of our region and sharing engaging tales, we conclude with a relaxing sail back, all the while witnessing the sunset.

Location
Butrint Mussel Tour
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(47 Ratings)
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H4855ueeleanorh
Feb 17, 2024
Beautiful - Fascinating and humbling experience! Beautiful views and interesting lesson on mussel farming! Also got some free time to go for a dip on an empty beach while waiting for some wine and mussels :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megisad2020
Nov 11, 2023
Authentic educative experience - We did the tour after visiting the archeological park of Butrint, directly at the entrance of Butrint our captain was waiting. Sailing through the channel of Vivari gives me the impresion as I where back in antiquity. We stop sailing when we arrived at mussel beds, concret beton structure build for mussel cultivation. The captain explained the whole process of mussel cultivation and at an ideal place we did the second stop for the lunch, fresh mussels that we harvest from the lake the family cooked for us in two kind of ways. Delicious. Two hours spend in happines and learning.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
76omare
Sep 24, 2023
Amazing 😍 - Highlight of our short trip to Albania. Our guide Elidon was knowledgeable with a calm and friendly manner. It was the end of the mussell season, so we didn't know if we would find any Queens, but we managed to find enough to experience cleaning and preparing process. Delicious meal at the tiny restaurant, and we got to go for a tiny dip in the lake. 100% recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
837shaunan
Sep 18, 2023
Lovely tour. Very informative. Beautiful experience. A must try! ☺️ - Started off with a lovely sail into the lake to see where the mussels came from, followed by a meal and a sail back to shore with the the sunset 🌅 Lovely tour. Very informative. Beautiful experience. A must try! ☺️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmawh7693jm
Sep 10, 2023
Informative tour and delicious food. One of the best things to do in Ksamil - The views were amazing. Elidon, our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. My children loved being shown the baby mussels and crabs and getting hands on cleaning the mussels was a highlight for them. The restaurant where we ate our mussels was in a beautiful location and we all agreed they were the best mussels we had ever eaten! I really recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carolin_h
Sep 9, 2023
Joyful experience - This was a great experience! You learn about mussel farming and are taken out on the Butrint lake on a small boat. The restaurant they take you to is open air on the other side of the lake. You have a few moments to swim before lunch/dinner is served. The food was delicious and so fresh!
Review provided by Viator
504karent64
Sep 3, 2023
Fantastic trip - Fantastic couple of hours learning about mussel farming - small group (9), knowledgeable guide and after helping to clean the mussels we got to eat them hosted by a lovely family on the lakeside. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trek71723
Sep 9, 2023
Stunning scenery , relaxing , tasty seafood - Booked a few weeks in advance and didn’t get confirmation email after booking it, only had screenshot of booking ref via trip advisor, so found WhatsApp via Google to confirm when to arrive for. Advised to arrive for 4pm had booked 5pm trip set off around 4. We got to the Lake Park pool bar/restaurant in the morning (just above the lake where you get boat from) paid for sun beds for the day , (really good spot) not associated to this trip, but would highly recommend. The mussel tour itself; beautiful scenery, guide was informative, learned a new appreciation for mussels. These ones are particularly tasty. We prepared them after what we were to eat was collected by our guide from the lake, to then move on to a lakeside rustic place where they were steamed by the chef and prepared by our guide with local ingredients & some other local produce, so good & stunning views! Would’ve been 5 stars but chasing down the booking confirmation and details on when to arrive for gave me a bit of anxiety beforehand, with having to search further online for WhatsApp link and fortunately having taken screenshot of booking ref at time of booking it on here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P4700fvsarahc
Sep 3, 2023
They have NO IDEA how to run a company - I do not know how this gets such great reviews! After pre-booking (4 days in advance) and paying in-full, (through TripAdvisor), we were informed that the local business had “over sold” ….on the morning of the tour. This is a recurring theme for Ksamil “businesses” btw…take your money then either disappear, or “change the terms” last minute. Super shady and dishonest. And they DO NOT give a care. We had a day planned with this tour company- written confirmation and payment, well in advance…and then were told to bug off. No booking management, unprofessional, absolutely no knowledge in how to run a tour operation. DO NOT make these plans. Go elsewhere.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Freedom23040616438
Sep 3, 2023
Awful, disrespectful service. - Terrible experience. Booked and paid for this tour 5 days in advance. We were SO excited for this experience and they then emailed at 23:15 (!!!) the night before our tour saying they had overbooked the tour and had to cancel us. Unprofessional. Appalling service. Don’t book.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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2 Adult
May 2024
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