Ksamil Guide 

An Albanian treasure on the Ionian Sea, where turquoise water and white beaches are reminiscent of the Maldives, except that instead of palm trees you will find olive groves. In the summer it can be crowded, so if you want to enjoy peace and quiet, arrive before the fight for the last free spot under the umbrella begins. When you get tired of beach life, you can take a trip to nearby Butrint, which is an Albanian mix of Pompeii and Indiana Jones, listed on the UNESCO list.

Sights and attractions - Which beaches in Ksamil to visit? How to get to the nearby islands?

Accommodation - Where to stay in Ksamil? Tips for popular accommodation in a 4* hotel, guesthouse or cheap hostel.

Practical tips - What is the best way to get to Ksamil? What to pack with you or which beach you can take your own umbrella to.

Typical food and drink - What to taste in Ksamil? Definitely fresh fish and seafood, lamb or your favorite yogurt soup.

Weather – What temperatures and precipitation should you expect when visiting Ksamil?

Originally, there was a small village called Heksamilion, whose inhabitants mainly made a living by breeding goats and sheep. Only after 1960 did Ksamil begin to grow and acquire its current name. Olive groves were planted here and the construction of new houses and tourist facilities began.

Today, Ksamil attracts with its white sandy beaches and four picturesque islands, which can be reached by boat, paddleboard, or, for good swimmers, by swimming. Beaches such as Paradise, Bora Bora or Mirror are among the most photogenic in all of Albania. And if the sea is not enough for you, the UNESCO-listed Butrint National Park is just around the corner. The famous ancient city of Butrint was founded by the Trojans after the Trojan War. It is nicknamed the “Albanian Pompeii”.

When you get hungry from swimming or snorkeling, the local restaurants will treat you to fresh fish, seafood and olives. And if you get tired of the beach, you can try kayaking, jet skiing or take a trip to nearby Saranda, where it comes alive at night.

Sights and attractions

Beaches that even the Caribbean would envy:

Plazhi i Ksamilit – The main city beach, the real heart of the resort. Here you will find fine sand, clear water and a view of three wild islets. If you like company, you will enjoy the crowds and loud music here. If you prefer peace, we recommend coming at sunrise!

Paradise Beach (Plazhi i Parajsës) - Quieter, ideal for families and those who want to bring their own umbrella.

Mirror Beach (Plazhi i Pasqyrave) – A beach popular with locals, offering great snorkeling and the opportunity to jump off the rocks. The approach is a bit adrenaline-pumping, but the result is worth it!

Seagull Beach (Plazhi i Pulëbardhës) – A cozy beach with an excellent restaurant and cliffs that protect your privacy from the prying eyes of other vacationers.

Dry Tree Beach (Pema e Thatë) – The southernmost beach in Albania, with views of Corfu and lower prices than in the center of Ksamil. Ideal for those looking for a little less people and a little more space for a towel.

Laguna Beach – A hidden gem for adventurers who are not afraid to find their way along a gravel road. The reward is peace and white sand far from the crowds.

Islands:

Twins (Ishujt Binjakë) – Two islets connected by a narrow isthmus, where there is barely room for a few sun loungers. Water taxi, pedal boat or kayak – choose your means of transport according to your mood and strength in your arms. It gets crowded in high season, so first come, first served!

You can reach the other islands around Ksamil by boat, paddleboard or good swimmers can swim there. An ideal place for snorkeling, sunbathing and taking photos.

Historical and cultural treasures nearby:

Butrint National Park – This UNESCO-listed archaeological superstar is located just 5 km from Ksamil. Here you will find ancient ruins, an amphitheater, Roman baths and a Venetian fortress. Butrint is nicknamed the “Albanian Pompeii”.

Triangular Fortress – The fortress is located south of Ksamil and can be reached by a legendary wooden ferry that can also carry cars. The fortress was built by the Venetians in the 15th century. Today, you will mainly find views and a dose of free romance.

Accommodation

In Ksamil you will find a wide range of accommodation – from classic hotels to spacious apartments, pleasant guesthouses or private houses and villas. In the high season, book your accommodation well in advance. You can book a stay right by the beach or with a pool. Be prepared that accommodation in Ksamil is very cheap in the off-season, but prices increase a lot in the high season.

Luxury in Ksamil is offered by Hotel Castle with a private beach. In addition to free private parking, the hotel offers its clients a fitness center, a terrace with a sea view and sun loungers, a restaurant and a bar. The restaurant, which is always open, can provide tourist information or rent a bicycle upon request.

Among the 4* hotels, we can also recommend the family-run Hotel Meta Ksamil, which is located right by the beach. At the reception you will usually meet the owner's son, who will be happy to advise and help you. Here you can use free parking on site, a restaurant and a bar. If you don't feel like going to the beach, you can relax on the terrace or in the garden.

The popular guesthouse Vila Murati is located a short distance from the beach and the city center. It offers spacious rooms with a private bathroom and free private parking. You can relax on the terrace with outdoor furniture or in the garden.

For example, the Villa Klea hostel offers cheap, quality accommodation. It is located about 400 meters from Ksamil beach. You can choose a two-, three- or four-bed studio. The studios have a kitchenette and a refrigerator. Guests can use the outdoor grill, sun terrace, garden and free parking. The 24-hour reception will provide advice and store your luggage.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Ksamil, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com. You can also use Booking.com offer for Ksamil.

Practical advice

There is a direct bus from the nearest larger city of Saranda to Ksamil approximately every hour during the day. The bus stop in Saranda is located at the port. The journey takes 20-30 minutes and costs approximately 100 lek. A taxi from Saranda will cost approximately 1300 lek.
If you are traveling from the Greek island of Corfu, take the ferry to Saranda (the journey takes approximately 30 minutes, there are up to 12 connections per day in the season), then continue by bus or taxi to Ksamil.

If you like snorkeling, pack your own equipment - the underwater world around the islands is worth it.

You can rent a paddleboard, kayak or pedal boat on the beaches, or take advantage of the boat trips to the islands.

Expect more tourists and higher prices for beach chairs in high season. If you are looking for a beach with free entry where you can bring your own umbrella, head to Paradise Beach in the southern part of Ksamil.

Ksamil, as a small town, is generally safe. The locals speak Albanian, but you will have no problem communicating in English in tourist services.

Mobile internet is available, you can buy a local SIM card or use an eSIM through apps like Airalo. Hotels and restaurants have good Wi-Fi.

Tap water is not suitable for drinking, buy bottled water or use a filter bottle.

Typical food and drink

Fresh fish and seafood – Thanks to its location by the sea, Ksamil is a paradise for fish and seafood lovers. In local restaurants you can enjoy grilled fish, calamari, shrimps and mussels.

Tavë kosi – National pride, i.e. lamb baked in yogurt sauce with rice. Yogurt turns into a creamy delicacy when baked, which will warm you up even after swimming in the Ionian Sea.

Byrek – A crispy filo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, meat or potatoes. Ideal for breakfast, a snack or when you need to quickly satisfy your hunger after swimming among the islands.

Speca me gjizë – Roasted peppers stuffed with cottage cheese and herbs. Suitable as a light appetizer or snack.

Tarator – Cold yogurt soup with cucumber, garlic and dill. Perfect refreshment on hot days at the beach.

Baklava – A sweet dessert made from puff pastry, nuts and honey syrup. The Albanian version is less sweet than the Turkish one, so you can easily have two pieces.

Albanian wine – Local wines (merlot, cabernet, tokaj) are a pleasant surprise for lovers of grapes in liquid form.

Beer – You will most often come across brands like Tirana or Korça, which are great for refreshing after a day in the sun.

Dhalle – A yogurt drink similar to ayran, refreshing and ideal with heavier meat dishes.

Boza – A traditional thick, slightly sour drink made from fermented corn or wheat, popular especially in the summer.

Weather

Ksamil has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters. The best weather for a holiday here is from May to October, when temperatures are pleasant and there is little rain.

Summer daytime temperatures usually rise to 27–33 °C, the sea is warm and the weather is almost always sunny. It hardly rains in summer and if it does, it is usually short thunderstorms.

Spring and autumn are very pleasant, with temperatures between 20–26 °C and a slightly higher chance of rain, especially in October. You can swim in the sea until October.

In winter, daytime temperatures range around 10–14 °C. It rains more often, especially in November and December.

The sun shines here on average 270 days a year, and thanks to its coastal location, there is a pleasant breeze in summer that alleviates the heat.