{{Short description|Lake and tourist attraction in Albania}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox body of water | name = Butrint Lagoon | image = Butrint Panorama.jpg | caption = Panoramic view of Lake Butrint | image_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Sarandë, Vlorë County | coords = {{coord|39.78|N|20.03|E|region:AL_type:waterbody|display=inline,title}} | lake_type = | inflow = | outflow = | catchment = | basin_countries = Albania | length = {{cvt|7.1|km}} | width = {{cvt|3.3|km}} | area = {{cvt|16|km2}}<ref name="was_dup" >{{cite web |author1=Ramsar Convention |title=Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (Ris): Butrint (Albania) |url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/RISapp/files/RISrep/AL1290RIS.pdf |website=rsis.ramsar.org |page=2–3 |language=English |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-date=13 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513035847/https://rsis.ramsar.org/RISapp/files/RISrep/AL1290RIS.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | depth = {{cvt|11.4|m|ft}} | max-depth = {{cvt|24.4|m|ft}} | volume = | residence_time = | shore = | elevation = {{cvt|1|m|ft}} | islands = | cities = | frozen = | pushpin_map = Albania | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = Location of the salt lagoon in Albania. | pushpin_map_caption = | website = }}
'''Butrint Lagoon''' ({{langx|sq|Liqeni i Butrintit}}) is a salt lagoon south of Saranda, Albania, located in direct proximity of the Ionian Sea. It is surrounded by dense forested hills, rocky coast and complemented by saltwater and freshwater marshlands. The lake has a length of {{cvt|7.1|km|mi}} and a width of {{cvt|3.3|km|mi}}, with a surface area of {{cvt|16|km²}}.<ref name="was_dup" /> The maximum depth of the lake is {{cvt|24.4|m|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Natural and human-induced environmental change in southern Albania for the last 300 years — Constraints from the Lake Butrint sedimentary record |url=http://www.limnogeology.ethz.ch/ArizteguiGPC.pdf |website=limnogeology.ethz.ch |page=3 |language=English |quote=Lake Butrint has an area of ~1600 ha and a mean water depth of 11.4 m, with a maximum of 21.4 m. |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307170549/http://www.limnogeology.ethz.ch/ArizteguiGPC.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It is shaped like a giant footprint, pointing north. At its south, the Vivari Channel connects the lagoon to the sea.
== Flora and fauna == Butrint is particularly known for the diversity of its flora and fauna.<ref name="was_dup" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Butrint National Park Management Plan |url=https://www.academia.edu/28471210 |website=academia.edu |page=42 |language=English |format=PDF |quote=Flora of the BNP area is rich and very diverse with an expected 800-900 plant species, of which half of them are already reported. |last1=Zotaj |first1=Albana |access-date=23 October 2025 |archive-date=25 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825170754/https://www.academia.edu/28471210/Butrint_MP_English_version_September_2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The southern portion of the lake is situated within the boundaries of Butrint National Park and has been recognised as a wetland of international importance by designation under the Ramsar Convention.<ref name="Ramsar">{{cite web |url=http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf |title=The list of wetlands of international importance |last=Ramsar |date=4 August 2010 |publisher=Ramsar |page=5 |language=English, Spanish |access-date=14 August 2010 |archive-date=30 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530015101/http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sitelist.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The lake has also been identified as an important Bird and Plant Area, because it supports significant numbers of bird and plant species.<ref>{{cite web |author1=BirdLife International |title=Lake Butrinti |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-butrinti-iba-albania |website=datazone.birdlife.org |language=English |access-date=23 October 2025 |archive-date=24 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324010405/http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-butrinti-iba-albania |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=IUCN, World Wide Fund for Nature, Plantlife |title=Important Plant Areas of the south and east Mediterranean region |url=https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2011-014.pdf |website=portals.iucn.org |page=75 |language=English |access-date=23 October 2025 |archive-date=9 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209134505/https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2011-014.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> {| align=left | [[Image:Albanien_(16)_Lake_Butrint.jpg|thumb|205px|Near the shore arrangements to the breeding of Mediterranean mussels]] | A view from the north of the lake|thumb|210px | Forests of Butrint|thumb|245px |}
{{-}}
== See also == {{Commons category|Lake Butrinti}} * Butrinti * Butrint National Park * Venetian Acropolis Castle * Venetian Triangular Castle * Geography of Albania * Lakes of Albania & Lagoons of Albania
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Navboxes | title = Articles related to Lake Butrint | list = {{Lakes in Albania}} {{Lagoons in Albania}} }} {{Portal bar|Geography|Wetlands}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butrint}} Butrint Butrint Category:Wetlands of Albania Category:Geography of Vlorë County Category:Tourist attractions in Vlorë County Category:Important Bird Areas of Albania Category:Ramsar sites in Albania Category:Albanian Ionian Sea Coast Category:Butrint National Park