Ksamil, Albania - a complete travel guide

KSAMIL, ALBANIA - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

When you say Albania, your mind goes to Ksamil, the resort most often compared to the Maldives and the place that Albanians are most proud of. Such a high comparison not only makes you want to visit this place, but it can also lead to the creation of quite high and not very realistic expectations. Do all those who come here manage to have their long-dreamed-of vacation?

I am convinced that if you have reached this page, you are considering a visit to Ksamil. In this article, I will present the most important aspects to keep in mind when coming here, including the most beautiful beaches, accommodation options, and many other useful details. Together, we will determine whether Ksamil truly lives up to its reputation or if it’s just an overrated destination.

HOW DO YOU GET TO KSAMIL?

The Ksamil - Saranda area is not yet served by an airport. The closest one is on Corfu Island, Greece. From there, you can take a ferry to the port of Saranda, or you can opt for an organised day trip.

Another flight option (as we chose) is to Tirana airport, located approximately 250 km away. The advantage of flying to the country's capital is that you can get very good prices for plane tickets, the disadvantage is that the journey takes 3-4 hours. There are direct flights from the airport to most major cities, including Saranda, from where you have a connection to Ksamil, and the bus station is on the left side of the airport. If you want to have more flexibility, you can opt for renting a car. Among the companies available near the terminal, the most recommended are Europecar, Enterprise and Sicily by car.

WHERE DO YOU ACCOMMODATE IN KSAMIL?

The accommodation options in this resort are quite vast, from luxury hotels and apartments, to budget hotels and campsites. If I were to spend my vacation in Ksamil, I would definitely choose a hotel within walking distance of the sea, with its own parking. This way I would save myself the hassle of finding a parking space.

Among the options available on Booking, the ones that caught my attention are:

- Vila Balani - apartment-type accommodation unit within a villa, located approximately 10 minutes walk from the beach area. Parking and internet are included in the booking price;

- Ventus Hotel - 4-star accommodation unit, located 3 minutes from the beach. It has double, triple and quadruple rooms, and internet and parking are included in the booking price;

- Noa Boutique Hotel - accommodation unit that has double, triple and quadruple rooms. It is located approximately 5 minutes from the beach area, has an outdoor swimming pool and offers the option of breakfast;

- Sunlight Hotel - 4-star accommodation unit, which has double or triple rooms. Most rooms have sea views, and parking and internet are included in the booking price;

- EMAAR Hotel Ksamil - accommodation unit that has both double and triple rooms, located near Puerto Rico beach. It has a private beach, and internet and parking are included in the booking price.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO KSAMIL:

• although it is the hottest and most crowded, the best time to visit is during the summer, when the sea water is the warmest, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. I do not recommend visiting outside the summer season, not even for a walk. As lively as the summer is, everything is as sad in the off-season;

• parking spaces are quite few, insufficient for how many tourists come to Ksamil. Some restaurants and beaches offer parking to customers, in limited numbers;

• Ksamil is quite close to the Greek island of Corfu, so you can opt for day trips to this popular destination;

• the beaches in Ksamil are not just pebbly beaches, like all the ones in Sarandë, but they are not fine sand either. The sand seems to be made of crushed rock, slightly sharp. Obviously, there are exceptions, some with pebbles, others with slightly larger stones;

• besides the fact that the beaches in this resort are quite small and can feel overcrowded when full of tourists, they are also private, meaning that sitting on a towel is not allowed. Most of the time, even the sunbeds are taken early in the morning. Additionally, there is no promenade along the beaches, as found in other similar places;

• Ksamil has access to the Ionian Sea, so the water is warm in summer, crystal clear and has an absolutely gorgeous color;

• if we can praise the natural landscape, offered by the sea in combination with the beauty of the beaches, we cannot say the same about the town itself. In addition to the excessive crowding, you will see buildings under construction everywhere;

• all-inclusive meal packages are not commonly found in this resort;

• if you like to go out in the evening to clubs and parties, then I have good news. In Ksamil you will find several clubs and bars, the most famous of which are Poda and Mulino.

• Ksamil is not a cheap destination. Although Albania is known as a relatively cheap destination, in my opinion, Ksamil does not fall into the category of low-budget destinations. This is largely due to the beaches, which are not free and for which you will have to pay a fairly expensive sunbed;

• cash payments are preferred, even at hotels booked through Booking or other platforms. Euros are accepted almost everywhere, so you don't necessarily have to exchange money into the local currency.

WHERE TO EAT IN KSAMIL

Among the restaurants with the best customer reviews are:

Beshiku - a fast food location, where you will find shawarma, kebab, gyros, burgers and other similar dishes. Do not confuse Beshiku with Taverna Beshiku, they are two different locations, with different reviews and ratings.

Mr Crabs is a restaurant where seafood dishes represent a major part of the menu. Here you can choose from pasta, risotto, various types of fried fish, seafood platters, but also chicken, or other types of meat.

L’arte della pizza Ksamil - as you probably guessed from the name, it is an Italian restaurant. Pizza, pasta and burgers are on the menu.

Grill Zone is a restaurant where you have little chance of going wrong, if you are a meat eater. In addition to all the types of meat they have on the menu, there is also seafood.

TOP BEACHES IN KSAMIL:

Twin Islands are two small islands connected by a sandbar. They are not very far from the shore, but can be reached by boat, paddle, or kayak. The beaches formed on these islands are pebbly and in some places, rocky.

Poda Beach is one of the most interestingly arranged beaches in Ksamil. It has both sunbed areas and a pier with hammocks hanging above the sea. Personally, I must admit, what attracted me the most was the hammock area. The beach has a floating pontoon, bar, nightclub and restaurant. The reviews for the restaurant, however, are not the best. Customers complain about the quality of the food, the size of the portions, but also the excessively high prices.

In the immediate vicinity of Poda Beach is the King Hotel Beach, which you will not find marked on the map. This beach has a generous area of ​​sun loungers with umbrellas, located right next to the entrance to the sea. You will also find a restaurant and a massage area here. Below, you will find the price list (as of 2024) from the restaurant.

Paradise Beach is located in a small cove, but it is one of the largest and most spacious beaches in Ksamil. However, it is extremely crowded during peak season, and the sunbeds are quite close to each other.

Lori Beach is located in a cove and is quite small. The entrance to the water is smooth, and there is free parking and a restaurant in the area. The swimming area is restricted due to the jet skis.

Puerto Rico Beach is one of the most popular beaches for families with children. It has both sunbed areas on the sand and hammocks and beds built on wooden pontoons. Nearby is a slightly more rocky area, ideal for snorkeling.

Pema e Thate beach is long and very narrow, with a row of sun loungers and an area of ​​hammocks hanging over the sea. There are also areas that are impounded, so you will have to walk a little to get into the water if you have a sun lounger in those areas. It is a pebble beach and has its own restaurant. The road to this beach is not the best.

Guvat Beach is a small beach, slightly hidden between rocks and restaurants. It has both a sandy area and a wooden pier with canopies.

Bora Bora Beach is located in a small cove and surrounded by greenery. The entrance to the water is gentle, and the Ionian Sea is not lacking in turquoise color here either. It is one of the most famous beaches in Ksamil, so the sun loungers run out very quickly during busy periods.

Rilinda Beach is a mini-beach divided into several segments, including a wooden pontoon, which is supposed to be an extension of the beach. Right next to this beach you will also find a restaurant with a nice view of the sea.

Ksamil Beach 7 is a slightly more generous beach, with sun loungers and one of the most beautiful views of the sea and islands. The water at this beach has the most beautiful color.

ORGANIZED TOURS TO OTHER AREAS IN SOUTHERN ALBANIA (DEPARTING FROM SARANDA):

• Butrint, Blue Eye, Lekuresi, Ksamil, details here;

• Jeep Safari and Secret Beach, details here;

• Boat trip to beaches accessible only by water, details here;

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT KSAMIL

Being one of the most promoted resorts on the Albanian coast, tourists have very high expectations, with many leaving disappointed after visiting. In fact, Ksamil has significantly dropped in its TripAdvisor rating and is currently one of the lowest-rated resorts. It is enough to research information about the location and set our expectations according to reality. Many visitors end up disappointed primarily due to the prices, which can be much higher than in the rest of Albania and at the same time higher than they expected.

Other aspects that can create unrealistic expectations include the way the resort is organized and, most notably, the comparison with the Maldives. If the Maldives consisted only of small, overcrowded beaches, loud music, and noise so intense that you couldn't hear the waves, then yes, we could make that comparison. Obviously, despite all these negative points, the beaches are beautiful, with stunning landscapes, and the sea water is crystal clear with a remarkable color.

Read about other places in Albania: Durres, or Sarandë. You can also read about other holiday destinations: Zakynthos Island, Malaga, or even the Romanian coast.

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