Is Ksamil Beach Worth Visiting? An Honest Review
Have you heard both good and bad things about Ksamil Beach and can’t decide whether to visit it? This is undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches in Albania, but is it really worth a visit? In this post, you can read our honest review about what we didn’t like and what we loved during our visit to Ksamil Beach.
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Where is Ksamil Beach?
It is located in the southern part of the Albanian Riviera, about a 30-minute drive from Saranda.
How to Get to Ksamil Beach, Albania
There is no direct bus service between Tirana and Ksamil, so you must travel to Saranda first and then to Ksamil. The distance between Saranda and Ksamil is 15 km, and the travel time is usually 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
We have a detailed post on how to get from Tirana to Saranda with all the information you need.
A taxi from Saranda to Ksamil costs between 1300-2000 LEK (13-20 EUR). Alternatively, you can take a bus to Ksamil. Once you’re in Ksamil, the beach is just a 15-20 minute walk from most hotels.
We drove from Himare to Ksamil, left the car at our hotel, and walked to the beach.
If you are arriving by car, there are paid parking lots around the beach. However, we recommend that you book accommodation with free parking in advance.
Read our → Ultimate Albania Itinerary
Best Time to Visit Ksamil
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Ksamil 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 Ksamil in the low season. The average annual temperature in Ksamil is 24°C.
Ksamil Beach (Plazhi Ksamilit)
This beach is famous for its soft white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters, various water activities, and beautiful views of the surrounding islands. Although there are quieter beaches in Ksamil, this was one of our favorite beaches.
We visited the beach several times during our stay, so we recommend that you plan your visit at least once to watch the magical sunset here and enjoy the beautiful views. Then, the next day, take a boat tour and spend the day sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing on the sun loungers.
You can swim from the beach to the two nearby islands. Alternatively, rent a pedal boat, which costs around 15 EUR per hour.
The water is shallow, making it ideal for families with young children. If you’re looking for a quieter place to stay with your family, read our detailed post on where to stay in Ksamil.
We visited Ksamil Beach at the end of May and had fantastic weather. We rented an umbrella with two sunbeds for 1000 LEK (10 EUR).
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.
Ksamil Beach Overview
What we don’t like about the beach
- Crowds: Although we visited during the shoulder season, there were still a lot of people on the beach, so we can’t imagine what it would be like in high season. So arrive early to get a sunbed, especially if you want to stay here all day. The peace and quiet can be disturbed by the presence of many visitors.
- Loud music
- Sunbeds: The sunbeds are overpriced. You can’t leave your towel on the ground, so you must rent a sun lounger! Two sunbeds with an umbrella cost around 15-20 EUR but can be more expensive in high season, especially near the more popular beach clubs and bars.
- Due to the many sunbeds, there is limited space on the beach.
- Restaurants & Bars: The restaurants and bars around the beach are overpriced, and most are closed during the off-season.
If you are looking for a less crowded beach destination, we recommend going to Saranda or Himare.
What we liked about the beach
- Stunning views of the Ksamil Islands, Corfu, and the surrounding area.
- This beach has soft white sand.
- It offers beautiful photo opportunities, especially if you have a drone.
- There are great bars and restaurants nearby.
- You can rent a kayak, jet ski, stand-up paddle board (SUP), or pedal boat at the beach.
- The beach is easily accessible without a car, as the town is tiny and within walking distance from most accommodations.
- Perfect place to watch the sunset.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Ksamil
Best Ksamil Beach bars, clubs & restaurants
There are many restaurants and bars on the beach where you can enjoy refreshing drinks or delicious meals while admiring the stunning views. Here are some of our recommendations.
- Guvat Mediterranean Bar & Restaurant
- Beach Bar Restaurant Korali
- Aloha Beach Bar, Restaurant & Pizzeria
- Poda Beach Bar
Where to Stay near Ksamil Beach
You have to pay for chairs on Ksamil Beach. Although there are accommodations near the beach, such as the Poda Boutique Hotel, which provides free umbrellas and sun loungers for hotel guests.
If you want to stay in a quieter area close to the beach, hotels near Lori and Paradise Beach are good choices.
Best hotels in Ksamil
- Mid-Range: Hotel Olive or Arameras Beach Resort
- Budget: Hotel Meta
Wondering where to stay in Ksamil? We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Ksamil.
What to Pack
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Swimsuit
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera gear
- GoPro
- Snacks
- Plenty of Water
- Local money (LEK) or EUR
We hope you found our guide to Ksamil Beach useful and will inspire you to visit Albania. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
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