7 Best Things to Do in Ksamil, Albania
Are you looking for the best things to do in Ksamil, Albania? Ksamil is the most beautiful destination on the Albanian Riviera, so you can’t miss it on your Albania Itinerary.
Wondering what to do in Ksamil? Visit the best beaches, explore the nearby islands, take a day trip to Corfu, enjoy the magical sunsets, and see the Butrint National Park.
This ultimate guide to visiting Ksamil includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Ksamil.
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Best things to do in Ksamil, Albania
Ksamil is a beautiful coastal town and the most popular destination on the Albanian Riviera. There’s plenty to do in Ksamil, and whether you’re on a day trip to the Blue Eye, exploring the town or the surrounding beaches, you won’t be bored.
1. Discover the Best Beaches in Ksamil
Known as the ‘Maldives of Europe’ for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. It’s one of the best affordable holiday destinations in Europe and well worth a visit.
Ksamil Beach – Plazhi Ksamilit
This is one of the most beautiful and crowded beaches in Albania. Although there are quieter beaches in the town, this was one of our favorite beaches. You can rent an umbrella with two sunbeds for 1000 LEK (10 EUR). It’s very crowded in high season, so arrive early to get a sunbed, especially if you plan to stay all day. If you don’t want to pay for a sunbed, there is a free place to swim between Bora Bora Beach and Paradise Beach.
You can easily book water taxis or rent a kayak, jet ski, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), or pedal boat at the beach. Don’t miss a visit to nearby Lori Beach.
For the best experience, we recommend you visit Ksamil Beach at sunset or enjoy the beautiful view from one of the nearby restaurants.
Good to know
The Monastery Beach (Plazhi i Manastirit) is inaccessible due to construction works.
Read our → Albania Itinerary
Mirror Beach – Plazhi i Pasqyrave
This private pebble beach is just a 10-minute drive from the town. The road to the car park is a bit steep and narrow, but the sea view is beautiful. The Mirror Beach is not as crowded as the beach in the center of Ksamil, making it a perfect escape. But you cannot leave your towel on the ground. Unfortunately, this is how it works on most private beaches in Albania. This was quite a negative experience during our trip.
People were very unfriendly to those who didn’t want to rent sunbeds for 20 EUR, so we went to another beach instead.
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Pulebardha Beach
Pulëbardha Beach is a beautiful secluded beach. When leaving the main road, you have to drive on a steep, sloping dirt road. There are plenty of parking spaces, but if you arrive around noon, it can be difficult to find a parking space. To reach the beach, you have to pass through one of the restaurants.
Like Mirror Beach, you have to pay for sunbeds, and you can’t stay here if you don’t pay the fee. Spend a few relaxing hours on this beautiful beach and jump off the cliff into the water.
Card payments are not accepted everywhere, so bring enough cash (LEK or EUR).
2. Butrint National Archaeological Park
Ksamil is the best base for visiting the Ancient City of Butrint and its archaeological museum. You can get to the national park by car, bus, or taxi. We went to Butrint by car, the travel time was about 10 minutes.
If you arrive by car, there is a large car park in front of the entrance where you can leave your car for free. But during the peak season, places quickly run out, so arrive early!
Butrint is an ancient port city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is the perfect escape from the summer heat, as the paths lead through shady areas.
During your visit, you can see some beautiful attractions, like Triconch Palace, the Lion’s Gate, Venetian Acropolis Castle, the Sanctuary of Asclepius, and the Roman Theatre.
The national park is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM. The entrance fee to the Butrint National Park is 1000 LEK (10 EUR) for adults and 300 LEK (3 EUR) for children (12-18 years old).
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Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours in the national park.
Read the full post → How to Visit Butrint National Park
3. Explore the Ksamil Islands
You’ll be surprised at how many exciting things to do in Ksamil. The four uninhabited islands are located in the Ionian Sea, near the Greek island of Corfu. Two islands are connected by a skinny line of sand, mostly washed away by the tide.
You can swim from Ksamil Beach to the two nearby islands. However, this option is only recommended if you can swim well! Bring a waterproof bag with you to protect your valuables while swimming. Another great way to get to the islands is by renting a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), pedal boat, or canoe. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and snacks.
The Ksamil Islands are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. To avoid the crowds, visit the islands in the low season or arrive early in the morning. Spend some relaxing hours sunbathing and swimming on the pristine beaches.
4. Visit Saranda
As Saranda is only a 30-minute drive from Ksamil, it’s worth visiting and spending a few hours exploring. Saranda is a popular destination on the Albanian Riviera, where you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife. Its popularity is due to its easy access by bus from other Albanian cities or by ferry from Corfu.
Relax at the Lost Seaside Beach Club or Saranda Beach, then visit the nearby Lekursi Castle. Alternatively, book a full-day jeep safari tour HERE.
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Add an extra day to your Albania Itinerary and take a day trip to Corfu.
Recommended post → Where to Stay in the Albanian Riviera
5. Take a Day Trip to Gjirokaster
One of the best things to do in Ksamil is to take a day trip to the picturesque Gjirokaster. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive to Gjirokaster. There are no direct buses from Ksamil, but you can easily get from Saranda to Gjirokaster by bus.
You can visit the Gjirokastra Castle & Museum and the Zekate House, explore the Old Bazaar, and see the Ali Pasha Bridge. The entrance fee to the castle is 400 LEK (4 EUR) per person. The castle is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Book your Day Trip via Viator or GetYourGuide.
It was one of our favorite places in Albania. So, if you have enough time, we recommend spending a full day in this charming city.
Recommended post → Gjirokaster Guide
6. Sunset Watching
Looking for more things to do in Ksamil? Then don’t miss the magical sunsets. If you don’t just take a day trip, you will have more opportunities to catch the most beautiful sunsets. The best places to watch the sunset are Ksamil Beach and Guvat Restaurant.
Although you can enjoy breathtaking views from the Guvat Restaurant, we recommend arriving early or booking a table in advance as the restaurant fills up quickly.
7. Blue Eye Albania
One of the best things to do in Ksamil is to visit the Blue Eye Albania. The Blue Eye, known as Syri i Kaltër, is a natural freshwater spring famous for its crystal clear turquoise water. From above, this natural wonder looks like a human eye.
We drove from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. The SH99 road to the Blue Eye Spring was not paved everywhere, and the travel time was about 1 hour. You can get from the parking lot to the Blue Eye by walking, a little train, or an electric scooter.
It is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM from May to October and from 8 AM to 4 PM from November to April. The entrance fee to the Blue Eye is only 50 LEK (0.50 EUR) per person.
The water is ice-cold, and the temperature in Blue Eye Albania is around 10°C all year round. Therefore, it’s incredibly crowded in summer as locals come here to cool off.
Read the full post → How to Visit Blue Eye Albania
Where to Stay in Ksamil
There are 3 good neighborhoods that are the best places to stay.
- Near the Beaches: The best choice for those who want to stay near the beach and love the vibrant nightlife.
- City Center: The best choice as everything is within walking distance. You’ll find affordable accommodations and if you arrive by public transport you’ll get to your hotel quickly.
- Quieter Area: Families will love this area as it is very quiet and there is a beautiful beach nearby. In just 15 minutes you can walk to the best restaurants and beach clubs.
Recommended post → Best Areas and Hotels
Alternatively, stay in Saranda, a 30-minute drive away. But in our opinion, Ksamil has better beaches and is more relaxed than the bustling city of Saranda, known for its nightlife. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Saranda
- Luxury: Yacht Premium Hotel
- Mid-Range: Demi Hotel or Rozafa Palace Hotel
- Budget: Keos Hotel
Best hotels in Ksamil
- Mid-Range: Hotel Olive or Arameras Beach Resort
- Budget: Hotel Meta
How to Get to Ksamil, Albania
Ksamil is located in southern Albania, about a 4-hour drive from Tirana, 1.5 hours from Himare, and 30 minutes from Saranda. The nearest airport is Corfu International Airport (airport code CFU) in Greece, so you can fly there and then take the ferry from Corfu to Saranda. Then, you can get from Saranda by bus, rental car or taxi. The other closest airport is Tirana International Airport (airport code TIA) in Albania.
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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.
The distance between Ksamil and Tirana is about 270 km, which is 4 hours, depending on traffic. It is not easy to get there, as there are no trains or direct buses between the two cities, and taxis are expensive.
Therefore, the only two options are to rent a car and drive yourself or join an organized tour that includes transport. Alternatively, you can travel first to Saranda and from there to Ksamil.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Tirana to Saranda with all the information you need.
We arrived by car from Himare, and the roads were in good condition. The distance between the two cities is about 70 km, and the journey takes 1.5-2 hours along a scenic coastal road (SH8). On the way, we recommend you stop at the Porto Palermo Castle.
How to Get Around
The best way to explore Ksamil is on foot, as most beaches are within walking distance. You can get to nearby attractions by car, taxi, local bus, or organized tour. Alternatively, rent a scooter in the town.
TIP
If you arrive by car, book accommodation that has parking.
Best Restaurants & Bars
You can find many beach bars & restaurants, vegetarian options, and the best places to eat with all budgets. These are our recommendations.
- Restaurant Momento (The pizza is heavenly)
- Guvat Mediterranean Bar & Restaurant (Perfect place for a romantic dinner)
- Bar Restaurant Korali (Fresh seafood dishes with a nice view)
- Vamos Cocktail Bar (Great cocktails and shisha)
- Lounge Bar Bermuda (Delicious cocktails)
- Foga Lounge (Fantastic atmosphere)
Most restaurants and bars are closed during the off-season. Enjoy delicious pizza and fresh seafood while you’re in here. But if you want to try some traditional Albanian food, we recommend visiting Berat or Gjirokaster.
Good to know
The bars have happy hours from 5 PM to 9 PM, and cocktails cost just 500 LEK (5 EUR).
Best Time to Visit Ksamil, Albania
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is from May to September. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the nearby attractions. The hottest months are July and August. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 40°C.
The summer months are the peak season in Albania when hotel prices are higher and attractions are busier. In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance! If you want to avoid the crowds, you should visit in the low season. The average annual temperature is 24°C.
We visited Ksamil at the end of May and had fantastic weather. In addition, there were few tourists.
How many Days do you Need in Ksamil?
It is a popular beach destination and the perfect base for day trips. So we recommend you spend at least 4 days and enjoy the best things to do in Ksamil, Albania.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Ksamil will help you plan your next trip to Albania. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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