Ksamil: the beaches, the islands and Butrint in southern Albania

Ksamil: a fishing village turned beach resort

It is seven in the morning, and the water at Ksamil is so clear you can see every stone on the bottom. In three hours every sunlounger will be taken. A few decades ago Ksamil was a small village at the southern tip of Albania. Today it is the country's best-known beach resort, with restaurants and beach clubs packed along the shore.

What draws people here are the four small islands just offshore and the water around them. You can swim out to the nearest one or hire a kayak. Corfu lies across the strait, close enough to see its lights at night. For the rest of the country, see our Albania travel guide.

Things to do in Ksamil

• Take a boat or kayak to the islands. Boats leave from the beaches in the centre all day in summer. The largest island has a small beach and a restaurant.

• Walk around Butrint. The ancient city sits in a national park a few minutes south of Ksamil, with ruins from the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian eras. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive early, before the heat.

• Swim at the Blue Eye. Syri i Kaltër is a spring in the woods inland, where deep blue water wells up from below. It stays at around 10°C all year.

• Take a day trip to Corfu. The fast ferry from Saranda takes around half an hour to Corfu Town.

• Watch the sunset from Lëkurësi. The castle on the hill above Saranda looks over the whole bay and across to Corfu.

Ksamil or Saranda?

Saranda is the town fifteen kilometres to the north, with a harbour, a seafront promenade and hotels at every price. It is livelier, has more going on in the evenings and is open all year. Ksamil is smaller and closer to the best beaches, but much of it closes from October to May.

If you want the beach on your doorstep, stay in Ksamil. If you want a town, restaurants and the ferry to Corfu, stay in Saranda and take a bus or taxi south. For other beaches along the coast, see the best beaches in Albania.

When to go to Ksamil

June and September are best. The sea is warm and there is room on the beach. In July and August Ksamil is very busy, sunlounger prices rise and the water around the islands fills with boats. May and October still have good weather, but many restaurants have not yet opened or have closed for the season.

How to get there

The easiest route from the UK is to fly to Corfu and take the fast ferry to Saranda. From Tirana it is around five hours by car. From Saranda to Ksamil is half an hour by bus or taxi.

Good to know

• Many beaches in Ksamil are run by restaurants. You pay for sunloungers and a parasol, and prices peak in July and August.

• Albania uses the lek. Euros are accepted in most places, but the exchange rate is often poor.

• Bring water shoes. Many beaches have stones and sharp rocks at the water's edge.

• There is little shade at Butrint. Bring water and a hat.

Frequently asked questions about Ksamil

Is Ksamil worth visiting?

Yes, especially in June and September. The water is among the clearest in the Mediterranean, and Butrint is close by. July and August are very busy, so expect crowded beaches.

How do you get from Corfu to Ksamil?

Take the fast ferry from Corfu Town to Saranda, which takes around half an hour. From there it is half an hour by bus or taxi to Ksamil.

Can you swim to the Ksamil islands?

The nearest island is close enough for strong swimmers in calm weather. Most people take a boat or hire a kayak from the beach.

Should I stay in Ksamil or Saranda?

Stay in Ksamil for beaches and islands on your doorstep. Choose Saranda for more restaurants, evening life and a short walk to the ferry to Corfu.