Ksamil Albania | Discovering a Hidden Gem

Ksamil, an adorable town with a rich historic past, crystal clear turquoise waters, and an idyllic location on the beautiful Albanian Riviera, is the ideal combination of rugged beauty. A fantastic option if you’re looking for a not so famous, undiscovered location that won’t break the bank.

Having been there multiple times already, I cannot speak highly enough about this place. It’s small but cute, with a lot of little islands close by , so close that you can swim from island to island.

Ksamil is becoming an admired vacation spot for both foreign and Albanian visitors, having grown into a major tourism hub in recent years. It makes sense that southern Europeans are drawn to this small heaven on the Albanian Riviera given its closeness to Western Europe via Corfu, Greece.

How to Get to Ksamil Albania

Ksamil lies in the south of Albania, about 9 miles away from Sarande. Sarande can be reached by ferries from Corfu Island in Greece, which is home to the nearest international airport.
Ksamil is four hours’ drive from Tirana the capital of Albania, which has the closest airport in Albania. Some decide to take this route and stop along the way to see more of Albania. If you have the time I’d actually recommend doing this, because there’s a lot more to see especially if you love driving.

What to Do in Ksamil Albania

Visit Beaches & Islands

Beautiful beaches and islands are plentiful in Ksamil, making it a popular destination for that exact reason. The location is gaining recognition for its pristine waters and white sand beaches, which resemble a tropical paradise.
You can explore a variety of beaches across the coastline, some of which are connected to bars and restaurants.

It’s hard to find a spot on the beach to just throw a towel down during the busiest summer months because there are so many sun beds there.

Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Ksamil islands that are close by. You can swim to the closest island from the beach! For around $10 per hour, we rented a peddle boat and went around.
Mabye because it was May, there wasn’t really anyone on the beaches that we discovered on the islands, and we enjoyed them so much. This probably won’t be the case in August because this places is usually packed!

Visit Butrint National Park

A few miles away from Ksamil are the ruins of Albania’s Butrint National Park.
Situated only 3 kilometres from Ksamil, Butrint National Park is a conservation area in Albania and is at least 2500 years old. The park is home to a wide range of plants and animals and has a total area of 122 square kilometres. In addition, the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Saranda, in the most southern area of Albania, is home to the Butrint National Park. Tucked on a peninsula, Butrint is encircled by the Ionian Sea and Lake Butrinti.

Because of its natural beauty and historical importance, the Butrint National Park is an appreciated attraction for tourists. The park is home to several historical ruins, such as a mediaeval castle, an ancient Roman bath complex, and a Greek theatre.

See The Blue Eye Spring

Both residents and visitors to Albania have been fascinated with the Blue Eye, a natural phenomenon found here. In Albania, there is a myth that claims that if you go to the Blue Eye, a naturally occurring spring there, and you make a wish, it shall come true. This stunning blue hole is in fact a spring that was created over time when a deep cave collapsed.

The rich blue coloration of the spring, believed to be a sunlight reflection off the limestone at the bottom of the pool, which is what leads to the name. Even in summertime, the water is extremely cold and crystal clear and I personally couldn’t stand in there for more than a few minutes at most.

From Ksamil, it takes roughly 50 minutes to get to the Blue Eye. A large number of taxis will be glad to take you there and set up a time for pickup. Additionally, guided tours are offered if you want to.

Explore the Islands of Ksamil

Visit one of the three different islands by pedal boat or boat excursion to discover them. Most of the islands are really small. Honestly you could also swim to all of them if you’re a somewhat good swimmer, because they’re not that far out. Out on the largest of the three islands, there’s a small shack selling water and beer, and a few shades set up. Get a boat ride out early if you want to enjoy the day on the island because it gets extremely busy.

Visit Gjirokaster Old City

I went to Gjirokaster on a cloudy day. It was a very scenic drive from Ksamil, taking about an hour. The majority of the drive was through charming rural areas with olive groves and small towns. Everything about the drive was lovely until we got to the old town. The streets are somewhat steep and narrow. It would probably be chaotic if it was busier because it was hard for two cars to pass each other if they were going in different directions.

Bare in mind this part of the city is very old and definitely not designed for cars.
The old town is a time capsule that is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is a fascinating place to explore with its cobbled streets, Ottoman style homes, popular stone roofs, and the majestic Gjirokaster Castle.

You must pay in lek (roughly $4.) to enter the castle. Euros or cards are not accepted there. There is plenty to explore inside the castle, and the views from it are breathtaking. Visiting Gjirokaster, with its captivating fusion of natural beauty and cultural heritage, is a once in a lifetime experience that exemplifies Albania’s diversity and rich history .

Visit Pema e Thate Beach

Near Ksamil is a small sandy beach called Pema E Thate Beach. “Dry Tree Beach” is the English term for “Pema e Thate.” The reason the beach is called Dry Tree is because there once was an ancient, several hundred year old tree in the water close to the shore.
Ksamil and Pema e Thate are roughly six kilometres apart. Being the closest point between Corfu Island and Albania, Pema e Thate beach offers a clear view of Corfu Island.

Because the sea floor is all sandy and the waters are shallow, the beach is an excellent place to take kids.
Additionally, there’s a seafood restaurant located roughly fifty feet above the beach that offers fantastic seafood and mussels and the views are incredible.

Tips Before Visiting Ksamil Albania

Tipping in Ksamil, Albania

Throughout the week we spent in Ksamil, we had numerous conversations with service personnel. Though it is customary in Albania, sadly, many of the country’s closer neighbours do not tip.
Almost everywhere we went, the service was excellent, so we left tips totaling my usual twenty percent. We were regular customers of the same places, and every server knew us and did a great job taking care of us.

As an American and a former barman, I’m accustomed to tip 20%, but a little less is fine too.

Is It Safe in Ksamil Albania ?

I felt completely safe the entire time, even though we were only there for 5-6 days. I went on nighttime walks by myself and saw nothing sketchy. So if you’ve heard roumors about Ksamil being not safe, it’s definitely just that…a roumor.

Prepare a Hot Spot

I suggest preparing a hotspot if you are a digital nomad or if any other part of your life depends on WiFi. While we were there, there was a disappointing rainy day, so I packed my computer in case I needed to finish some work. My laptop wouldn’t even detect the network that my Airbnb host had provided, much less establish a connection.
So just a reminder, have a hotspot.

Where to stay in Ksamil Albania ?

There are several different lodging options in Ksamil. Understand that different countries have different star ratings, so a four-star hotel in Albania won’t be identical as a four-star hotel in the UK. Since Ksamil is a small town, it’s difficult to pick between good and bad locations because you can walk everywhere if you’re fit.

You might want to base your decision more on the amenities that are offered than on how far it is to the beach.
Naturally, I reserved the least expensive two bedroom apartment with a lovely view of the sea. It was right by the beach and cost $200 for six nights.

Keep in mind that, in comparison to many other European destinations you may be used to, Albania provides superb value for money, making even the more expensive options worthy .

Onix Hotel

An excellent low-cost choice. The hotel features a spa and is near a beach. For £300 for seven nights, you can get a sea view room with breakfast included (price based in May)

Hotel Kuburi

This hotel offers complimentary breakfast and a swimming pool. Beautiful new hotel near the city centre.
The room costs approximately £490 for seven nights in May.

BLISS Hotel

An ideal, reasonably priced hotel in the heart of things. a great deal because breakfast is included. It’s close to the beaches and has received excellent reviews.
May 7 nights starting at roughly £200 per room.

Ultimately, travelling to Ksamil for holidays is a fantastic and affordable choice if you’re looking for gorgeous beaches, a rich history, and friendly locals. Ksamil offers something for everyone, whether your goal is to chill on gorgeous beaches, go on a journey through historic ruins, or simply enjoy some delicious sea food. Hope you enjoy your Ksamil holidays.