Down on Albania’s sun-kissed Ionian coast lies one of Europe’s best-kept secrets- Ksamil. With its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and dreamy offshore islands, Ksamil feels like a true escape. Whether you’re planning a lazy beach vacation or an extended trip through the Balkans, this Ksamil travel guide will help you plan your perfect Albanian Riviera Itinerary.
In this post, I cover everything you need to know for your 2 days in Ksamil including the best beaches, local food spots, great places to stay, day trips from Ksamil, and essential travel tips. If you’re looking for an affordable European beach destination with stunning views and Roman ruins (!!!), Ksamil should be at the top of your list.
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What to Do for 2 Days in Ksamil
Ksamil is located in southern Albania, right near the Greek border (my phone actually charged me because it thought I went to Greece). It’s known for its natural beauty, affordability, and lively vibe as well as the fact that it’s not nearly as crowded as Greece or Croatia- but has the same amazing beaches.
But there’s much more to do than just plop yourself down on a lounge chair for the day (no pressure!). I have put together a few things to keep you busy on your 2 days in Ksamil.
Hang at the Beach
The main reason people come here is- of course- for the incredible beaches and they do not disappoint. The calm, crystal-clear water is wonderful but the nearby islands are what really makes these beaches stand out (and the reason they’re Instagram famous).
You’ll have your choice of beaches to visit. Heads up, however, that it’s not the kind of place where you can just wander up and down the beach and check them all out. Most of them have you rent a lounge chair for the day and, depending on where you are, they can be pricey. If you want the best view- be prepared to pay for it.
Lots of the beaches are an extension of a restaurant so you’ll have access to food and drinks while you lounge.
Ksamil Beach 7
This beach has a killer view of the islands- and they’re swimmable from here. If you’re after the photos you’ve seen on Insta, be sure to hit this beach up. Just know that the club music starts at 7 in the morning.
Rilinda Beach
Next to Ksamil Beach 7, this is another option with great views but less music.
Bora Bora Beach
A sandy, lively beach near Ksamil Beach 7 that fills up quickly in the summer so be sure to get there early before the lounge chairs are gone.
Lori Beach
This less crowded beach has a pebbly-sandy mix that’s great for snorkeling and a laid back vibe if you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter. The umbrellas tend to be the pretty straw ones.
Paradise Beach
This beach is next to Lori with a sandy beach and parking nearby. There are movable umbrellas and fabric loungers.
Puerto Rico Beach
Just around the curve from Lori, this beach offers gazebos and net sunbeds that hang out over the water if you get there early enough.
Swim, Paddle, or Kayak to the Ksamil Islands
The uninhabited Ksamil Islands are beautiful to look at from your lounge chair on the beach, but you can also explore them. If you’re wondering how to get to the Ksamil Islands, you can visit by swimming from the nearby beaches like Ksamil Beach 7, or by renting a kayak or paddleboard for the trip.
Be sure to wear water shoes (I love my Chacos) to explore the rocky islands and bring your snorkel gear to check out the underwater view.
Explore Butrint
If you want a little history with your vacay, these extensive Roman ruins located near Ksamil are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and really impressive.
Close to the entrance is the theatre, but I suggest taking the time to head over to the other side of the complex for a gorgeous view, a lovely breeze, and fewer people.
The highlights for me were the Roman Theatre, baptistery (just the columns were cool even if the mosaic is covered), the Great Basilica, views from the Lake Gate, and the quiet of the Lion Gate. I didn’t make it to the castle or the museum but let me know how they are if you go!
It takes just 10 minutes to get from Ksamil to Butrint by car. If you don’t have a car, you can easily grab a taxi- or just join a tour of Butrint.
Take a Boat Ride
The Albanian Riviera is dotted with secret beaches only accessible by boat- there are even caves here and there. Take a boat to secret beaches and caves where you can swim and enjoy something a little different. Be sure to bring your snorkel gear! 🤿
Visit the Blue Eye
The Blue Eye is an electric blue natural spring and is one of the best day trips from Ksamil. You park, walk 15 minutes along a paved road, and are rewarded by a gorgeous natural spring that is so bright blue you’ll think I edited the heck out of my photos (I didn’t).
There are a couple cafes to enjoy a nice lunch next to the crystal clear river that flows from the Blue Eye and even a couple rooms to stay in if you want to have it all to yourself.
🧿 This isn’t the only Blue Eye in Albania. There’s one up in Theth that is an hour hike to get to- but it has a waterfall AND you can swim in it.
Just 45 minutes northeast by car, it’s an easy drive from Ksamil to the Blue Eye. Or you can visit on a Blue Eye tour.
>>If you’re traveling solo, tours are a great way to meet other travelers!
Check Out Nearby Beach Towns
The Albanian Riviera is covered in beautiful beaches and Ksamil is just the start of them. If you rent a car, it’s easy to explore and find your favorite one (for your next trip to Albania of course).
🚗 Looking to rent a car? Just click HERE for the best deals in your area.
Sarandë (30 minutes north), Borsh (1 ¼), or Himarë (1 ½ hours) are all great towns to visit that each have their own vibe.
Best Places to Stay in Ksamil
In Ksamil, your best bet is to figure out which beach you’d like to be walking distance from and go from there. For me, it was Ksamil Beach 7 simply because I was dying to see those gorgeous islands before they filled up for the day.
Here are some places to stay in Ksamil that I recommend:
Near Ksamil Beach 7:
King Hotel Ksamil
This larger hotel has a private beach area (!!!) as well as incredible views and all the modern amenities you want.
Hotel Resol
This modern hotel has direct beachfront access, a swimming pool, and delicious continental breakfast.
Near Lori Beach:
Asters Hotel
This great hotel has a pool bar, easy access to the beach, and incredible ocean views.
Hotel Olive
This hotel gets high marks for its attentive staff, on-site restaurant, and beachfront access.
🏨 Check out Booking.com for more hotel options at all different price points
Other Locations in Ksamil:
Blue Eye Hotel
Where I stayed. Small, modern, and nice. The owner was nice enough to park my car for me in their teeny tiny lot. Good buffet breakfast up on the rooftop with byrek and a cappuccino. The owner insisted we try his homemade fruit preserves. There’s even a small swimming pool and loungers for when you don’t want to go to the beach (a 6 minute walk).
Villa Agur Kapo
Both rooms and apartments are available in this place with free parking, continental breakfast, pool, and a lovely garden.
Restaurants in Ksamil
My rule is to always eat what the locals do- it’s the best quality and what they’re pros at. In Ksamil, that means seafood. You can find ultra-fresh fish, shrimp, calamari, and mussels at most places around here and I encourage you to dig in.
And when I say fresh, I mean fresh. As you drive along near the water, you’ll see mussel farms floating along with your dinner still attached. They just pluck them right out and serve them up. Yum.
>> Do NOT drink the tap water here- it might make you sick. But a great excuse to have a nice cold beer or Aperol Spritz as far as I’m concerned. 🍻
There’s nothing like sitting at a restaurant looking out across the crystal clear water and enjoying a delicious grilled fish dinner. But this is the place I went with the most tourists, so if it’s pizza you’re after then don’t worry. You can find it all over Ksamil.
Near Ksamil Beach 7:
Korali Bar Restorant
A great place to have a bite to eat near by the best beaches in Ksamil. The salad and fish I had were excellent and only surpassed by the view out over the water.
Guvat Bar Restorant
We went to dinner here on the recommend of our hotel guy and it was 100% worth it. We had an excellent meal with excellent service. The Aperol Spritzes were perfection, arugula salad was fabulous, linguini with tiny shrimps was great, and the stuffed meatball (which was a meatloaf it turns out) was fantastic.
>> There are lots of furre buke (bakeries) around town where you can just grab a byrek or something else fast and easy.
Near Lori Beach:
Restaurant Lori
Right on Lori Beach, this attractive restaurant has everything from seafood to pizza to pasta. And don’t miss out on the homemade baklava.
Beach Bar Restaurant Landi
This family-run business has great food, good prices, and fantastic views out over the beach.
Sea Breeze Seaside Bar and Restaurant
Offering a wonderful sea view (especially at sunset), this place is one of the best near Lori for a laid-back cocktail and seafood dinner.
Transportation around Ksamil
How to Get to Ksamil
You can either fly into Tirana (or there will be an airport near Vlorë soon), take a ferry from Italy or Corfu, or drive overland from Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, or Kosovo.
✈️ Looking for flights? Check HERE for all your options!
By car, Ksamil is about 3 ½ hours south of Tiranë. I highly suggest you stop in Gjirokastër for a night or two on the way- it’s an absolutely lovely old village that allows you to see a different side of Albania.
Once you arrive in town, you can park either at your hotel or in the free parking lots around town.
🚗 Looking to rent a car? Just click HERE for the best deals in your area.
Getting around Ksamil
If your goal is to bake in the sun on the main beach and only take breaks for food and drink (no judgement) then you’ll be fine without a car. Just to give you an idea, it’s about a 20 minute walk from Ksamil Beach 7 to Puerto Rico Beach.
But if you want to go check out all the crazy, off-the-beaten-path beaches, Roman ruins, and natural springs (yes, do it!), then you’re going to want to rent a car.
What to Pack for Ksamil
Ksamil is a beach town so you’ll want all the beachy stuff. You’ll need sunscreen (reef safe is best!), sunglasses, maybe a packable sun hat.
As far as clothing, you should be OK wearing whatever you want in this town- not the case in other parts of Albania. And don’t forget your bathing suit! 👙
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I also like to bring a Turkish towel since it doesn’t pick up sand and can be used for all sorts of stuff. And if you’re a reader like I am, a book or Kindle is a good idea.
>> Not sure what to bring? Check out my packing tips to make it super easy! 🧳
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Questions about Ksamil
When’s the best time to go to Ksamil?
May to October is the perfect time to hit the beach on the Albanian Riviera. However, July and August are crowded, so I’d try to go skip those two months if possible. If you do go then, just be sure you grab a lounge chair at the beach early as they sell out quickly.
Is Ksamil expensive?
By most European standards, Albania in general is not expensive at all. But they are starting to understand that tourists will pay more so get there before the prices go up!
Is Ksamil safe?
I felt absolutely safe in all of Albania- even solo. Of course, you should always take the normal precautions but I found Albanians to be helpful and kind and I never once felt unsafe (except maybe driving on the mountain roads- but that’s a whole different thing).
If you want crystal-clear turquoise waters, untouched beaches, and Mediterranean charm without the crowds or high prices of Greece and Italy, then Ksamil, Albania, should be at the top of your travel list.
Happy travels… 🇦🇱 🏖️ 👙
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