Our wonderful tour began in the south of Albania. Our first stop was the small resort of Ksamil. We were particularly impressed by the beach and the highlights in the surrounding area. Don’t expect too much; there isn’t much to see in Ksamil. Nevertheless, we had a perfect start here in the south of the country and can definitely recommend the area. In the following article, you will learn everything about the place, the region, and highlights.
What else you should know:
- What else you should know:
- Getting to Ksamil
- Accommodation in Ksamil
- Beaches in Ksamil
- Restaurants and Shops in Ksamil
- Highlights in the Surrounding Area
- Construction Site Romance in Ksamil
Getting to Ksamil
Ksamil is located in the south of the country, at the narrowest point of the Strait of Corfu. You reach the small resort shortly after Saranda. We took the ferry from Corfu to Saranda (€18 one-way). From there, we rented a car and drove about 15 minutes to Ksamil.
You can also take a taxi from Saranda (€10 to €12). During rush hour, it might take a while to get out of the city. When we arrived in Saranda, everything seemed deserted. Hardly any people on the streets, no tourists, and no traffic.
Accommodation in Ksamil
We booked a small room in a guesthouse (Villa Nertili*) the day before. Since we were in Albania during the off-season, we paid just €12 for the two of us, including breakfast. Crazy, isn’t it? It’s generally very affordable in Albania. You’ll find a variety of local guesthouses and apartments in Ksamil.
We received a very warm welcome from the owner. She showed us our room with a sea view and brought us cookies, raki, water, and coffee as a welcome drink. The people in Albania are generally very hospitable and always willing to help. Our room had a closet, a refrigerator, air conditioning, and a small bathroom with a toilet and shower.
We can definitely recommend the accommodation. Everything is very simple and looks rather old. Nevertheless, you have everything you need. Nothing more, nothing less. A small, fine local breakfast is served for breakfast.
Other accommodations in Ksamil:
- Villa Juli Ksamil*
- Agim Caca Apartments & Studio*
- Hotel Festim Caca*
- Villa CACA*
- Deluxe Apartments Pollo*
- Hotel Mira Mare*
Beaches in Ksamil
We had no idea that Ksamil had such beautiful beaches. Really, no exaggeration! Fine white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and small islands in the sea – absolutely amazing! In high season, the place is said to resemble a party venue. But we were lucky; not a soul was in sight. Numerous bays are lined up here. You can reach the four offshore islands by boat, or you can simply swim across.
The seaside resort of Ksamil is very beautiful during the off-season. The many sun loungers and parasols aren’t set up yet, and most of the bars and restaurants are still closed. We found this very pleasant. If you Google “Ksamil Albania,” you’ll find pictures from the high season. You really wouldn’t want to be there. Ksamil is the Caribbean of Albania. It’s understandable that most tourists travel there in the summer.
Unfortunately, the many bays are somewhat built up with accommodations, restaurants, and bars. Concrete everywhere – unfortunately! But generally speaking, the beaches are still very beautiful. Especially the piers that lead to the water. You can take really cool photos here. Since there was no one on the beach, we sent our drone into the air. This allowed us to take great bird’s-eye views.
Restaurants and Shops in Ksamil
There are a few restaurants and bars in Ksamil. When we were there, most were still closed. Only a handful of restaurants were open. Generally, we were often the only guests in restaurants in Albania. That was a bit strange and took some getting used to. There are several restaurants right on the beach and in the resort.
We highly recommend the Abiori Bar Beach Restaurant. The food was freshly prepared and tasted delicious. We usually only paid €12 for two people with a main course and drinks. In the town itself, there are also several supermarkets, such as the Bora Bora Market, the Big Market, the Alfa Supermarket, Conad, and the Gjordeni Supermarket. In nearby Saranda, you’ll also find shops, banks, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, and much more.
Highlights in the Surrounding Area
There are several highlights in the surrounding area that you might want to check out. The good thing is that most of the routes aren’t that far by car. In the following section, we’ll show you a few places worth seeing near Ksamil. More about this here: Sights in Albania.
Butrint National Park
A detour to the Butrint National Park is definitely worth it. Here you can explore an impressive ancient port city dating back to the 8th century BC. The park is surrounded by Lake Butrint and the Vivar Canal and is home to approximately 800 plant species, over 240 bird species, 15 fish species, and 39 mammal species.
The ruins of Butrint are particularly impressive and tell an important part of the region’s history. It is even said that Butrint is a kind of “second Troy” – only on a smaller scale. We really enjoyed the tour. The entrance fee is 1000 LEK per person (approximately €10). From Ksamil, you can reach the park by car in just 10 minutes.
The Blue Eye – Syri i Kaltër
The Blue Eye is one of Albania’s most famous natural attractions – a crystal-clear karst spring whose deep blue waters practically glow. Surrounded by lush nature, it is the perfect place for a short excursion. Swimming is officially prohibited here, but the view alone is absolutely stunning and offers great photo opportunities.
The historic city of Gjirokastra
A detour to Gjirokastra is a must on your Albania tour. The historic city is located in the south of the country, about 90 minutes from Ksamil, and has a population of around 20,000. Gjirokastra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
Nestled between the mountains of Mali i Gjerë, which rise up to 2,000 meters, the wide valley of the Drino River seems almost surreal – like something from another time. The stone houses here stretch several hundred meters up the mountain slopes. In the old town, you’ll find many small restaurants and shops, while the impressive Gjirokastra Castle sits enthroned on the hill above. More about it here: Gjirokastra in Albania – Our Top Highlights & Travel tips.
Construction Site Romance in Ksamil
Ksamil is a truly small town with many concrete buildings and many abandoned ruins. You’ll repeatedly see dilapidated houses that were simply never finished. While we were in Ksamil, there was hammering, drilling, and painting going on everywhere.
They were probably getting ready for the upcoming season. Don’t expect too much from Ksamil, though. There isn’t much to see, and the many concrete ruins reinforce the construction site feel. Ksamil is a mix of beautiful nature, great beaches, and lots of concrete.
