11 Wonderful Beaches in Ksamil Not To Be Missed in 2025
Ksamil is a small beachside village in the south of Albania, famed for its beautiful white sand Ksamil beaches, similar to those across Asia. It’s a series of interconnected bays and coves with incredibly clear turquoise waters and beautiful white sand.
Although some of the beaches in Ksamil are rocky, most are sandy, which is unusual for the western Balkan coast. Ksamil is a truly beautiful part of Albania. The Greek island of Corfu can be seen everywhere; the people are super friendly, and the sun always seems to be shining. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why Ksamil, Albania, is quickly becoming one of the most highly rated beach locations in Europe. Located in the Albanian Riviera, the beaches in Ksamil offer a slice of paradise along the Ionian Sea!
When I visited, I fell in love with it. The water really is like nowhere else in Europe, and whilst it has grown incredibly popular and therefore busy in recent years, there are still little pockets you can find that with no one else around.
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Ksamil beaches are hugely popular with locals and tourists. Nearly every patch of the public beaches in Ksamil is covered by sun loungers and has a nearby restaurant, bar or beach club attached to it.
During the peak summer months, the beaches can become incredibly crowded, making it hard to find a sunlounger on a public or private beach. I visited during August and found it incredibly busy.
Before we dive into the post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Albania’s gorgeous Riviera, Ksamil.
If you’re thinking of visiting Ksamil, then you should also visit Saranda, near Ksamil. It’s one of the main tourist destinations on the Albanian Riviera, nestled in a wide gulf with over 300 sunny days yearly (similarly to Ksamil). It’s no surprise that it’s grown from a once-sleepy fishing village into a thriving city, a bustling holiday spot. Saranda Ksamil is packed with beautiful beaches and should be included in your trip to Albania. As should the rest of Albania’s gorgeous natural wonders.
Here is a handy map to help you locate all of the beaches in Ksamil:
In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to visiting the beaches in Ksamil, Albania!
How to get here: The nearest airport is Corfu, Greece. From here, you can get a boat across to Saranda and then take a 20-minute bus to Ksamil.
What language is spoken? The main language is Albanian
What currency is used? Albanian Lek
Where to stay: Hotel Ksamili or Twins Hotel. Both are budget-friendly, well-located, clean and have friendly staff.
When to visit: Ksamil gets REALLY busy in peak summer, so I recommend visiting April – early June or September
Everything you need to know to visit the beaches in Ksamil: The Ultimate Ksamil, Albania Travel Guide
Is it better to stay in Saranda or Ksamil?
If you’re trying to decide whether to stay in Ksamil or Sarande, Ksamil it’s worth thinking about what you’re looking for from a beach holiday. Sarande or Sarandë is the more popular resort and therefore has more attractions and facilities. But it is also much busier and more built-up and loses some of the charm that Ksamil has. Saranda Ksamil felt more like a bigger city, whereas Ksamil felt more like a (very busy) beach town.
Saranda has better transport connections and is great for visiting the Blue Eye or travelling to Tirana.
Things you should know before visiting the beaches in Ksamil:
ATMs: A total of 3 ATMs can be found in Ksamil, to keep fees down, utilise the one at the major bank. Some charge a steep 700 Lek fee.
Visiting by Bus: There is a bus that runs every hour from Saranda to Ksamil, departing both towns every half hour and finishing at Butrint National Park.
Beach Chairs: During the off-season, chairs are free with the purchase of a drink or meal. In the summer, they can reach 1,000 Lek per day.
Accommodation: Book your accommodation in advance! Especially during peak season, the hotels surrounding the beaches in Ksamil get booked up quickly, and prices skyrocket.
Should You Visit Ksamil Beach in Albania?
If you’re looking for a slice of paradise, white sand, and clear turquoise waters, then you should most definitely pay a visit to the beaches in Ksamil.
How to get to Ksamil?
There are two main ways to get to the Ksamil beaches. The first is by boat from the Greek island of Corfu, and the second is by land from another destination in Albania or another European country. The nearest airport is Corfu (CFU), which is situated just 30.7 kilometres away across the sea.
There’s a fast ferry which takes about 30 minutes and a longer journey of almost 2 hours to travel from Sarande ferry terminal to Corfu. The boat costs approximately £40/ 53.25 USD pp per way from Saranda to Corfu. You can book your boat in advance here or in the office in Sarande.
Tirana airport is also a great option if you want to stay within Albania and if you’re travelling around more of the country.
If you are crossing by land, then all routes to Ksamil lead through Saranda and then onwards to Ksamil. There is only one road that connects the two. If you’re driving, simply follow the signs directing you to Butrint National Park. If you’re on foot, then make your way to the bus stop along the waterfront road. A single bus serves this route. It departs every hour toward Ksamil/Butrint and costs 100 Lek (approx 0.83p) each way. Taxis also run between Ksamil and Saranda.
Where to stay in Ksamil
My biggest tip for booking your accommodation in Ksamil is to BOOK IN ADVANCE. I really can’t stress this enough, as Ksamil is packed full of really gorgeous hotels that are budget-friendly. However, the closer to your trip you leave it, and during peak summer, the prices can skyrocket. So, when you know your travel dates, book your accommodation as soon as possible. Some really gorgeous, well-located options that I recommend include:
Hotel Ksamili: The rooms are fairly basic; however, the location is unmatched, especially for the price.
I stayed at the Twins Hotel and can’t fault it. It’s a family-run, small hotel where the rooms are large, clean and peaceful, the family are very friendly and helpful, it’s a short walk to the beach and around 20 minutes to the centre, but this just means that it’s quieter and peaceful. It was also one of the best-priced hotels if you’re visiting in peek season.
What is the best time to visit the beaches in Ksamil?
As mentioned, the beaches in Ksamil get very busy during peak season, making it hard to find a spot or relax. With this in mind, the best time to visit Ksamil beaches is during the shoulder season when the weather is still sunny but the crowds are far smaller. The water will also still be warm enough to swim in.
Note that it’s a beach town that relies heavily on tourism, so if you’re thinking of visiting off-season, then there is a high chance that a lot of the restaurants and bars will be closed.
Central beaches in Ksamil
These are the spots in the busiest area of Ksamil. Chances are, if you’re heading to Ksamil and you’re looking for a beach. Then you’ll stumble upon one of these.
Ksamil Beach
There are a huge number of beaches in Ksamil to be explored. Some are north or south of the main village of Ksamil itself. However, if you have ever seen a picture of Ksamil, it’s probably from this beach right here: Ksamil Beach. There are wooden docks to catch a boat from or relax on. Paddle boats and kayaks are available for hire, and water taxis pull up to the shores waiting to take you to the surrounding beaches.
There are also cafes and restaurants along the whole stretch of sand for you to be able to get a cocktail or food from.
Plazhi Paradhizo Beach
Nestled in the heart of Ksamil, this beach lives up to its name, translating to “Paradise Beach,” with its stunning views and relaxed atmosphere it’s the perfect spot to spend an afternoon relaxing.
Ksamil Islands Beaches/ The Four Islands
The four islands are right off the shore of Ksamil beach. They can be accessed by boat, kayak or by swimming across. The Ksamil Islands boast several pristine beaches surrounded by the captivating waters of the Ionian Sea.
Note, though, that there isn’t much else to see on these islands except the sand and some jungle; however, they’re still a gorgeous place to relax. The boat trip over is also gorgeous, and you can make a whole day of it. I recommend the Tongo Island Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch. You’ll sail to Tongo Island and Ftelea beach, you’ll also enjoy a BBQ on board and even have the opportunity to see some dolphins!
You can find other options for boat trips around Ksamil here, I recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season, as they can get fully booked very early on!
Ksamil Beaches to the South – the best beaches in Ksamil
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Ksamil can be found in the south of Ksamil. This is also where slightly cheaper accommodation could be found and in our opinion, the best beaches in Ksamil. I stayed in Twins Hotel which is located to the south of Ksamil. It was peaceful, had gorgeous views, but just close enough that I could easily walk to the main area and beaches.
Bora Bora Beach Ksamil
Bora Bora Beach Ksamil is in the heart of the Ksamil beaches. It’s a great place to base yourself if you wish to explore some of the Ksamil islands via boat, as a lot of these leave from around this area.
This white sandy beach is one of the most popular Ksamil beaches due to its location and beautiful views. As with many of the other beaches, the water is crystal clear and very still. It’s a wonderful beach to relax on during the day.
Rilinda Beach
A very small but incredibly beautiful beach that shouldn’t be missed when visiting beaches in Ksamil. White sand and crystal clear waters. Just bear in mind that the little beach has around 6 sun loungers on it, all of which get taken up very quickly. There are more to the side on the rocks but these all get taken up early on.
If you can’t find a spot to relax, then instead enjoy a meal in the restaurant above and experience the beautiful views from here.
Rilinda Beach also has public toilets next to it.
Lori Beach
This small cove has gorgeous white sand and sun loungers on which to relax. There’s also a small restaurant that serves drinks and snacks. Like a beach in Ksamil, be prepared for it to be covered in sun loungers. But this doesn’t take away from how gorgeous it is.
Laza Augusto (The Last Bay)
The Last Bay Ksamil is one of the last main beaches in Ksamil, located at the village’s southern edge.
Laza Augusto is, usually, much quieter than the other Ksamil beaches because it’s less obvious. Making it the perfect option to avoid crowds during the busy summer months.
The beach is far more natural and less developed than some of the others. The beach also has a wonderful restaurant and bar where you can get a drink and relax and use their Wi-Fi. It’s the perfect beach to escape the commotion and crowds of Ksamil’s main beaches.
If you arrive in the afternoon, the loungers and umbrellas cost roughly 1000 Lek for a pair or half price for a singular lounger.
Ksamil beaches to the North
Mirror Beach/ Plazhi Pasqyra
Currently, Mirror Beach is one of the more remote beaches, owing to the difficulty of reaching it.
Plazhi Pasqyra or the beach of mirrors is a beautiful hidden beach just north of the main Ksamil beaches. The name is inspired by the clear and still waters of Mirror Beach that reflect the clear blue sky above.
Mirror Beach can be found halfway between Saranda and Ksamil. To get there take the bus that runs every hour between Saranda and Butrint.
Instruct the driver to drop you off at Plazhi I Pasqyrave (Mirror Beach) and then walk downhill for around 15 minutes until you arrive at the beach. If you don’t fancy this then you can also rent a taxi or car.
Sunset Beach
Just at the end of the northern part of town is the wonderful Sunset Beach. It’s the perfect spot to watch, you’ve guessed it, the sunset! There is a restaurant and bar set on the edge of fine white sand with beach umbrellas. To get to Sunset Beach, follow the path from PODA Beach. Perfect for sunset walks.
Manastir/ Monastery Beach
Manastir Beach, also known as Monastery Beach, is a hidden coastal gem situated near Ksamil, Albania.
With its soft golden sands and clear turquoise waters, Manastir Beach is wonderfully peaceful compared to the other beaches in Ksamil.
The beach doesn’t have many amenities, but this makes the unspoiled setting and the backdrop of the historic monastery even more enchanting. From here, you can see gorgeous views of the Ionian Sea and the nearby Ksamil Islands. The perfect destination for those who appreciate both natural beauty and a touch of cultural heritage.
FAQs on the the best beaches in Ksamil:
Unfortunately, the majority are. We struggled to find a beach that not only didn’t have sun loungers on that you had to pay to use, but also wasn’t owned by a nearby hotel.
It does! Quite a few of Ksamil’s beaches are sandy, which is not the norm across Albania or the whole Balkans, believe it or not. But here’s the twist – not all of them are sandy; there’s a mix.
Yes! You can swim your way to the Ksamil Islands since they’re pretty close to the shore. Some are just a short swim away in a matter of minutes. But, attempting the farther islands without being a strong swimmer or a boat? Not the best idea. Instead, you can hire a jet ski, a boat, a canoe, or a paddleboard.
As one of the most popular cities to visit in Albania, which is only growing in popularity one of the first questions that people ask is: is Ksamil safe? The answer has to be, yes! Ksamil is a well loved family destination within Albania for a reason: it is incredibly safe and the crime rates are virtually non-existent.
Final thoughts on Ksamil beaches
That wraps up my guide on the best beaches in Ksamil. It’s a place packed full of gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal clear waters that wouldn’t look out of place in the Maldives. From Ksamil beach, to Bora Bora beach and the most remote Plazhi Pasqyra. We hope that it helps you have an incredible time visiting the Ksamil beaches and this guide helps you decide where to stay and which ones to visit.
