I landed in Tirana, hired a car, and drove the entire coastline of Albania to settle down in Ksamil for the last couple of days. I heard Ksamil tends to be crowded and busy, but instead, it surprised me with a charming atmosphere and numerous great spots to explore. April and May are good months for visiting southern Albania, as there are very few tourists yet. Here are five amazing things to experience in Ksamil that will leave you breathless, along with some special places I managed to discover.
Top things to do in Ksamil, Albania.
Ksamil is car-friendly, which means most of the hotels and stays have their parking spots, unlike most Albanian cities. Saranda, for example, is a hell for car users! Driving there in high season is pointless, unless you want to drive yourself mad while looking for parking spots and getting stuck in traffic.
Things I liked most about Ksamil were the beaches, amazing traditional food and a quiet landscape just a few minutes outside of the town.
Top travel tips for Albania.
To make your stay more enjoyable, here are a few travel tips for Albania:
- Bring WATER SHOES! You will not be able to explore the most amazing beaches and caves without water shoes. Most of the beaches are stony. I even had my wetsuit and snorkeling mask, so I could use them on remote islands and hidden beaches.
- Albania is safe – you can explore the country independently, so there’s no need to book organized trips, which are often overpriced.
- Bring sun lotion 50+and sunglasses.
- RENT A CAR IS VERY CHEAP: Albania roads are not perfect, but they are ok if you stay on the main roads. With a car you will be able to explore the best hidden places along the Albanian coastline. As usual, I went with Rentalcars.com.
How to get to Ksamil?
There is NO direct bus from Tirana (the capital city of Albania) to Ksamil.
However, you can take a bus from Tirana to Saranda, and then transfer to a local bus or taxi to reach Ksamil. The journey from Tirana to Saranda takes around 4-5 hours.
The easiest way to travel to Ksamil is by car. I rented a car at Tirana airport and drove to the southern border of Albania. Car rental is cheap, and you get lots of flexibility when it comes to your travel itinerary.
1. Beach hopping at the Ksamil Islands.
Ksamil is called the “Maldives of Europe” for good reason. The beaches in Ksamil are truly amazing. Beyond the main beach, you can enjoy the uninhabited small islands just off the coast, where you’ll find secluded spots perfect for swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.
I managed to explore almost every beach in Ksamil and here are the hidden gems you’re gonna love 😉 I suggest picking a beach a little far from the center of Ksamil, it’s going to be quieter and less crowded.
The best beaches in Ksamil.
LORI BEACH.
Lori Beach was my favourite discovery! It’s an amazing white sand beach located southern tail of Ksamil, with a nice restaurant and great beach facilities (sunbeds and umbrellas). Sunbed prices in Ksamil vary, but expect to pay between $10-15 for a standard sunbed with an umbrella.
BORA BORA BEACH.
Bora Bora beach in Ksamil is a tiny beach with a nice Bora Bora Beach Bar and plenty of facilities to enjoy watersports and sunbathing. I assume it can be very crowded during high season and there are limited car spaces.
KSAMIL BEACH.
Ksamil Beach is a beautiful beach with clear water, but it becomes very popular in high season, and the crowds can be enormous. There’s a good choice of sun loungers on the water, which are very cool but some of them are quite old 😉 The restaurants around can be very overpriced during high season.
Water sports in Ksamil.
Speaking of the underwater life, outdoor sports and snorkeling are some of the top things to do in Ksamil. Most of the beaches are stony, which ensures great water visibility. It’s best to bring your mask, but there are many places to rent snorkeling equipment.
The best tour I can recommend in Albania is THE ONE I BOOKED – Exploring the Hidden Wonders of Karaburun in an exclusive Speedboat 8-hour Tour (with swimming & snorkeling) – Blue Gem Cave & Grama Bay.
This is a must-do in Albania, you will be amazed by the beauty of the coastline – it’s as pretty as Sardinian lagoon waters!
2. Try local cuisine in Ksamil.
That was a huge surprise! Ksamil was my second favourite town (after Berat) with the best traditional food! Experiencing local flavours is one of the best things to do in Ksamil. There are the top two restaurants I highly recommend for the amazing taste of Albania!
In Ksamil, the seafood is exceptionally fresh, and you can easily find restaurants that serve delicious traditional Albanian cuisine. I highly recommend trying the crabs, grilled fish, paired with a side of local vegetables, and baked beef with white cheese.
TWO TOP RESTAURANTS IN KSAMIL: Basilico Restaurant (my no 1) and the Museum Restaurant with traditional decor and food. These are the two places to visit in Ksamil.
My favourite dishes in Albania:
- Grilled fish with fresh vegetable salad and white Albanian Cheese.
- Baked beef in herbs.
- Tavë Kosi – is a traditional lamb and yogurt dish that will melt in your mouth.
- Olives from a local market were amazing!
DESSERTS YOU MUST TRY:
- Tramisu
- HASUDE – traditional Albanian dessert
- Pistachio Baklava
- Local fruits!
3. A trip to Gjirokaster and Blue Eye.
I went for a day trip to Blue Eye Spring, or Syri i Kaltër. This natural wonder is a very popular spot to visit near Ksamil, where the incredible blue waters are surrounded by lush greenery and numerous hiking trails.
To step back in time, visit Gjirokaster, located on the slopes of the Gjerë Mountains. This UNESCO World Heritage site of Gjirokaster is often referred to as the “City of Stone.”
This is a lovely ancient town with cobbled streets, Ottoman-era architecture, and traditional stone houses, many of which are over a century old. At the Old Town, you will have an opportunity to try a glass of raki while engaging with friendly locals who are always eager to share their stories.
4. Take a day-trip to Corfu (Greece).
There are ferries connecting Saranda (Albania) and Corfu (Greece) with multiple crossings daily, especially during the high season. Several companies operate this route, with the journey taking around 30 to 45 minutes.
You can book tickets online through various websites or directly with the ferry companies, and the prices range from 10-35 USD per one-way ticket.
5. Visit the ancient city of Butrint!
I don’t want to send you to Sarande, which is 20 20-minute drive north direction from Ksamil, as it is probably the most touristic city in Albania (along with Vlore and Durres).
Instead, explore the southern quiet tale of Albania. Just a short distance from Ksamil, you’ll discover the ancient ruins of Butrint. Exploring the Butrint National Archeological Park is one of the most interesting things to do in Ksamil.
The park is home to ancient ruins dating back to the Greeks and Romans. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by a stunning lake and a natural landscape.
If you are into sightseeing, there are a few interesting options:
- Visiting the castle, a very popular spot for organized tours. The entry fee for Butrint National Park, which includes the archaeological site and the museum in the Acropolis castle, is 1000 LEK (~ 10 USD).
- Taking a 3-hour boat tour to explore the white fortress. The beauty of Butrint lies in its blend of nature and antiquity.
The best places to stay in Ksamil.
Here are my few recommendations for top-rated and best places to stay in Ksamil ~ 65USD/per night in high season.
I stayed in HOTEL SUNWAY and it was great! It’s located max 10 minutes walk from the main center of the town. An amazing breakfast is included in the price. There are a few local shops around. Rooms are renovated, clean, comfortable, with AC and a balcony.
Another highly recommended option is DINE HOTEL, located 2.5 mi of Butrint National Park in Ksamil, Dine Hotel provides self-catering accommodations with a garden.
Hotel Milo Ksamil offers family rooms with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and garden or mountain views.
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