I droved the whole Albanian coastline to settle for a few days in Ksamil. In May, which is ahead of the peak season, Ksamil turned out to be an original-looking, tasty, and extremely friendly town with truly exotic beaches. The best beaches in Ksamil offer heavenly azure waters, luxury sunbeds on white sand, beach lounges, restaurants, and shallow waters, making them family-friendly and ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Ksamil is also known as ‘the Maldives of Europe’, and I get it. Lori Beach, with its white sand and turquoise waters, resembles a Bahamian postcard.
Ksamil’s stunning beaches are surrounded by a series of small islands just a short swim from the shore. The unique geography of this region gives it a feeling of exclusivity that is hard to find in other Mediterranean hotspots.
The best beaches in Ksamil: Pros and Cons.
- Stunning Scenery: Ksamil’s beaches are Caribbean style with clear turquoise waters and white sand.
- Beautiful Islands: The beaches are located near the four Ksamil Islands, which can be seen from the shore and accessed by swimming or boat.
- Family-Friendly: Many beaches have shallow, sandy areas perfect for families with children.
- Variety of Activities: There are options for water sports like snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boating, and beach clubs with sun loungers and restaurants.
- Generally Good Facilities: Most beaches offer sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants, and restrooms.
However, these beautiful pictures were taken ahead of the peak season in Albania, when not many tourists around. Most of the beaches in Ksamil are tiny, which means they can be crowded, especially during peak season, and some areas may be more commercialized, which diminishes the comfort of privacy and peace.
Another issue might be a very small number of free parking spots near the most popular and best beaches in Ksamil. Thus, it is wise to book an accommodation with a walking distance from the beach.
While Ksamil is becoming increasingly popular, it still retains a sense of untouched beauty, making it a perfect escape for those seeking a quieter alternative to more crowded beach destinations. The charm of this coastal village lies not only in its stunning scenery but also in the warmth and hospitality of its locals.
Public beaches in Ksamil.
Most of the beaches in Ksamil require payment for sunbeds. Most of the beaches located in central part of Ksamil are tiny and there’s very little space to put down a towel without having to pay during the high season.
Bora Bora Beach.
They definitely played with a name to bring all eyes on the spot. 😉 Bora Bora Beach is very popular, due to its accessibility and central location. In May, the beach was quiet with perfect water visibility, but in high season, it has a reputation for being crowded and expensive. Many visitors find the beach overcrowded, with sunbeds packed tightly together and a lack of quiet spaces. But many still say it’s among the best beaches in Ksamil. The azure water is amazing, but I much preferred the southside beaches.
While some reviews praise the clear water and relaxing atmosphere, others criticize the spot as overpriced and chaotic. The Bora Bora beach bar design is very exotic, but it’s known for high prices and rude staff.
Ksamil Beach - Plazhi Ksamilit.
Ksamil Beach (Plazhi Ksamilit) is probably one of the busiest beaches in high season. It is packed with sunbeds, leaving little to no free space for people to move around or find a spot to relax without paying for a sunbed. In May the beach looked very tidy, water was clear with a beautiful light blue colour and crabs walking the shore, which is often a sign that the beach is clean.
There are plenty of facilities available for rent:
- water Lamborghini,
- kayaks,
- beachbed lounges,
- it’s possible to hire a motorboat to take you around the nearby islands (the trip is ~ 40 USD).
The beach is surrounded by many hotels and apartments, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants around.
Recommended stay: Prime Location, near the famous Hand of Ksamil and 2-minute walk from Ksamil Beach 9 – Sea Hotel ~ 33 USD.
Plazhi Paradise.
Paradise Beach is located just next to Plazhi Beach. There’s a lovely, stylish Principotes Resto Lounge, but be prepared, it may be overpriced in peak season when it comes to renting sunbeds
You would need to pay even 50 USD for two sunbeds and an umbrella in peak season.
Recommended stay: Hotel de Ksamil, highly rated for its beach access. Prime Location: Ksamil Beach 9 is a 1-minute walk away ~ 43 USD/per night.
Lori Beach.
Located on the southern part of the town, Lori Beach is one of the best beaches in Ksamil. It’s a lovely white sand beach and turquoise water, and free private parking, which is very convenient for this coastal town.
However, this is a private beach; thus, you must rent a beach bed in order to stay at the beach. The beach is well-organized, and scenic surroundings create a calm atmosphere.
FOOD: There’s a highly rated Lori Restaurant facing the beach and serving tasty food.
STAY: Delight Hotel is located 1 minute walk from the beach.
LOCATION: 15 minutes walk from the center.
Recommended stay: ****Vasiliu Boutique Hotel Ksamil, which offers direct beachfront access, a sun terrace, and a lush garden. Prime Location: located a few steps from Paradise Beach ~ 65 USD.
Puerto Rico Beach.
Puerto Rico is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ksamil with a very pleasant atmosphere and spacious beach set-up.
FOOD: Great, not overpriced BLUE DIMOND restaurant.
FACILITIES: 2 x sunbeds plus umbrella ~10 USD. Toilets and changing facilities are available for visitors.
LOCATION: South end of Ksamil, 20 minutes walking from the city center.
The Last Bay Beach.
It’s a tiny, quieter beach, located at the southern end of Ksamil. There are no heavy hotels in the background; it’s possible to settle on the nearby rocks for more privacy.
If you are looking peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, this is the right beach spot. Sunbeds are much cheaper than on other beaches, wonderful, clean, light blue water colour.
Ksamil Beach 7.
Surrounded by amazing Ksamil Islands, this is one of the best beaches in Ksamil. Ksamil Beach 7 is a perfect white sand beach offering good availability of sunbeds and umbrellas. There are also a couple of beach bars nearby where you can grab lunch.
Water sports options: paddleboarding and kayaking allow you to explore the beautiful nearby islands.
Recommended stay: ****Hotel Villa Adrian, with Ksamil Beach 6 minutes ‘ walk away.
Monsatery Beach Ksamil.
Monastery Beach (known as Plazhi i Manastirit) is a popular beach located south of Saranda and before Ksamil. It’s sheltered by hills on both sides, offering a more peaceful atmosphere compared to the busier towns. The beach is named after the nearby Monastery of St. George, which sits on the hill overlooking it.
It’s a great spot for relaxation, sunbathing, and enjoying the clear, turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.
Monastery Beach is easily reachable by car, with a large parking area available.
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