Ancient Ruins

Phoenice (Finiq)

Hilltop above Finiq village, ~10–12 km inland from Saranda

Period: Hellenistic — Chaonian capital; Treaty of Phoenice 205 BC
From Himara: Inland near Saranda — roughly a 1–1.5 hour drive south of Himara
Entry: 300 Lekë (about €3), per the on-site ticket board
Hours: Open Tuesday–Sunday, closed Mondays; seasonal hours (shorter in winter)
Time needed: 45–60 minutes

About Phoenice (Finiq)

Phoenice — ancient Φοινίκη, modern Finiq — was once one of the wealthiest cities in Epirus and the capital of the Chaonians. Today it's a quiet hilltop archaeological site above Finiq village, just inland from Saranda, where fortifications, a theatre and the outlines of the ancient city reward the few who venture up — including the spot where the 205 BC Treaty of Phoenice ended the First Macedonian War between Rome and Macedon.

History

Capital of the Chaonians, one of the three main tribes of Epirus, Phoenice grew into one of the region's richest cities. Its most famous moment came in 205 BC with the Treaty of Phoenice, which ended the First Macedonian War. The Chaonians' alliance with Rome spared the city when Rome took the region, while rival Molossian cities were destroyed. The hilltop preserves fortifications, a theatre and the outlines of the ancient city.

What You See

The hilltop city fortifications, the theatre and civic remains, and the outlines of the ancient capital — read from its setting rather than standing monuments — plus wide views over the plain toward the coast.

Photos

How to Visit

About 10–12 km / 20 minutes by car from Saranda (≈25 minutes from Ksamil), on the hill above Finiq village. No direct public transport — drive or take a guided tour. Pairs naturally with Mesopotam, Delvinë and Butrint.

Best Time to Visit

Cooler morning or late afternoon for the exposed hilltop; any clear day for the views

Location

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Deep Dive: Full Visitor Guide

History, practical tips, and route notes in long form — the article that goes deeper than this page.

Read the guide →

Nearby

Saranda
Butrint
MesopotamMonastery
Delvinë

Questions

What was Phoenice in ancient times?

Phoenice (modern Finiq) was the capital of the Chaonians, one of the three main tribes of Epirus, and one of the wealthiest cities in the region. It's best known as the site of the 205 BC Treaty of Phoenice, which ended the First Macedonian War between Rome and Macedon.

How do you get to Phoenice (Finiq) from Saranda?

It's about 10–12 km / 20 minutes by car from Saranda, on a hill above the village of Finiq. There's no direct public transport to the site, so drive or take a guided tour. It pairs well with the Mesopotam monastery and the town of Delvinë on an inland-from-Saranda day.

Is Phoenice worth visiting?

For history-minded travelers, yes — it's the capital of the Chaonians and the site of a Roman treaty, on a commanding hilltop with wide views and almost entirely free of crowds. It's a quieter, deeper-history complement to nearby Butrint rather than a rival to it.