By air
Corfu International Airport (CFU), short ferry to Sarandë, then ~15 km by road
Europe · Albania
Ksamil, Albania
Turquoise water and tiny islands on the Ionian coast
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to September — warm sea and sunny days
Don't miss
Ksamil Islands
Butrint
The Blue Eye
Sarandë promenade
Things to do
Swimming out to the islets
Snorkelling
Exploring Butrint
Boat trips along the coast
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: DieliAlla · CC0
What to pack
Swimwear, sunscreen, water shoes, snorkel gear
A quieter corner
Lëkurësi Castle above Sarandë, for sunset views over the sea towards Corfu
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Ksamil?
June to September — warm sea and sunny days. What to pack: Swimwear, sunscreen, water shoes, snorkel gear.
How do I get to Ksamil?
Fly into Corfu International Airport (CFU), short ferry to Sarandë, then ~15 km by road.
What is there to do in Ksamil?
Swimming out to the islets, snorkelling, exploring Butrint, boat trips along the coast. A quieter find: Lëkurësi Castle above Sarandë, for sunset views over the sea towards Corfu.
What should I eat in Ksamil?
Mussels from the Butrint lagoon, grilled fish, Greek-style salads, olives.
About Ksamil
- Coastal
Where it is
Ksamil is a small seaside village on the Ionian coast in the far south of Albania, between Sarandë and the ancient site of Butrint, facing the island of Corfu.
History
Ksamil developed as a farming settlement during the communist era, planted with olive and citrus groves. After the 1990s it grew into one of the best-known beach resorts in the country. The nearby ruins of Butrint, inhabited from ancient Greek times through the Venetian period, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
People
Albanian is spoken in Ksamil, and many local families run guesthouses, beach bars and small restaurants in summer, with a Greek-speaking community also living in the region.
Known for
- Clear turquoise water
- Small islands close to shore
- The ancient city of Butrint
- Views across to Corfu
Did you know?
The small islands off Ksamil are close enough to the beach that many visitors swim or paddle out to them.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.