Turquoise water, small white beaches and a few islands you can almost swim to: Ksamil is Albania’s best-known beach village. It sits right in the far south, facing Corfu, and in summer its bays fill up with sunbeds and parasols.
Ksamil has grown fast in recent years, with more and more hotels, apartments and beach clubs. And although the village isn’t big, where you stay makes quite a difference. Do you want to walk from your hotel straight onto the sand, right in the thick of it? Or would you rather sleep somewhere quieter, away from the busiest bays?
In this guide we compare the different parts of Ksamil and tell you where to stay, with tips for great hotels and apartments, from small, personal places to stays right on the beach.
Where to stay in Ksamil at a glance
Short on time? Here’s the best area for each type of trip, with the hotel we like most there.
- Best for the beach on your doorstep and the islands: by the Ksamil Islands (our pick: Poda Boutique Hotel Ksamil)
- Best for restaurants and beaches within walking distance: the centre (our pick: Hotel Sole Mare)
- Best for peace and quiet with Butrint nearby: the southern edge (our pick: Sunlight Hotel)
- Best for views and a pool: the hillside (our pick: Ionian’s Breeze Hotel)
Where is Ksamil?
Ksamil lies in the far south of Albania, about twenty minutes’ drive from Sarandë and a few kilometres from Butrint and the Greek border. The village sits on a narrow strip of land between the Ionian Sea and Lake Butrint.
Many travellers fly into Corfu and cross over by ferry: in about half an hour you’re in Sarandë, and from there it’s a short drive to Ksamil. Ksamil is also the southern end of the Albanian Riviera, so it pairs well with a few nights further north.
→ Discover the 6 best places to stay on the Albanian Riviera
→ Discover the 20 best things to do in Albania
Ksamil or Sarandë?
Can’t decide between Ksamil and Sarandë? Ksamil is all about the beaches and the water, Sarandë about the promenade, the restaurants and town life. Ksamil is better for beach days with kids, while Sarandë is handier if you plan lots of day trips or travel out of season.
→ Discover the best hotels in Sarandë
→ Discover the best things to do in Sarandë
How many nights do you need in Ksamil?
Two to four nights is enough for the islands, a few beaches and a morning at Butrint. Looking for a proper beach holiday? Then you can easily stay a week and take day trips to the Blue Eye, Gjirokastër or Corfu.
Do you need a car in Ksamil?
In Ksamil itself you can walk everywhere. For Butrint you can also take the bus that runs between Sarandë and Butrint, but if you want to visit the Blue Eye or Gjirokastër, a car makes life a lot easier. With Discover Cars you can compare rental companies and add full cover in one go.
→ Compare car rental in Albania with Discover Cars
When is the best time to visit Ksamil?
In June and September the sea is warm and you’ll still find a spot on the beach without much trouble. July and August are Ksamil at its busiest, with packed beaches and the highest prices. Out of season many hotels and beach clubs close, and Sarandë is the better choice.
The 4 best areas to stay in Ksamil
#1 By the Ksamil Islands: the beach on your doorstep
This is where you sleep beside Ksamil’s best-known beaches, with the Ksamil Islands right offshore. The water is clear and calm, and boats and pedalos leave from the beach for the islands. Some of them you can even reach by swimming.
The downside: in summer this is the busiest part of the village, with sunbeds down to the waterline and music from the beach clubs. If you want the beach on your doorstep and don’t mind a bit of buzz, this is your spot.
#1 Poda Boutique Hotel Ksamil is right on Ksamil Beach, with the islands straight ahead. There’s an outdoor pool with a separate children’s pool, so when the little ones have had enough of sand and salt water, they can carry on playing at the hotel.
#2 King Hotel Ksamil is just a few steps from Ksamil Beach and has its own section of beach. The family rooms have a balcony, nice for sitting out of the sun in the afternoon.
#3 Hotel Meta Ksamil is on the southern side of the bays, a few steps from Beach 9. The rooms for four have a bunk bed, and it’s one of the most popular places in the village.
#2 The centre: restaurants and beaches within walking distance
The centre of Ksamil isn’t big: one main street with supermarkets, small shops and restaurants, surrounded by a maze of streets full of hotels and apartments. From here you can walk to Bora Bora Beach and numbered beaches like Beach 7 in a few minutes.
It’s the handiest base if you don’t want to lie on the same sunbeds every day. In the evening you can stroll to a restaurant, and hotels here are often a little cheaper than right on the bay.
#1 Hotel Sole Mare is a two-minute walk from Bora Bora Beach, in the middle of the village. There’s an outdoor pool, and you can choose between a room for four and a family suite.
#2 Colosseum Hotel is close to the seafront, with Bora Bora Beach and Beach 7 both within walking distance. Ideal if you want to try a different beach every day and pop back to the pool in between.
#3 Blue Eye Hotel is on a quieter street behind the main road, a five-minute walk from Ksamil Beach. The pool is open in season, and shops and restaurants are just around the corner.
#4 Hotel Murati is a simple, affordable hotel on the main street, a five-minute walk from Beach 7. No pool, but there is breakfast and everything is close at hand.
#3 The southern edge: peace and quiet with Butrint nearby
Things get quieter on the southern side of the village. Paradise Beach and Lori Beach sit in smaller bays, and you’re closer to the archaeological park of Butrint, where you wander among Greek, Roman and Venetian ruins.
With kids, Butrint makes a lovely morning out: the park lies among the trees, and the old theatre and city walls really fire the imagination. The further south you stay, the more useful a car becomes.
#1 Sunlight Hotel is a three-minute walk from Paradise Beach. The sea-view suites sleep up to five, with separate beds next to the double, and after the beach you can cool off in the pool.
#2 ILLYRIAN Hotel Ksamil is four minutes from Paradise Beach and has several layouts for families, from a room for four with separate beds to a family suite for five. Handy if the kids each want their own bed.
#3 Hotel Lula Ksamil is a small hotel a few minutes’ walk from Lori Beach. There’s no pool, so it suits you best if you plan to spend all day by the sea anyway.
#4 ARAMERAS Resort is outside the village centre towards Butrint, about two kilometres from Pema e Thatë Beach. You come here mainly for the peace and the resort’s own pool; for outings you’ll take the car.
#4 The hillside: views and a pool
The hills around the village are home to newer hotels with pools and views over the bay and Corfu. You’ll sleep more quietly here than by the beach and often get more space for your money.
You notice the catch after a day at the beach: the way back to your hotel is uphill, with a beach bag and perhaps a tired child on your arm. So pick a hotel with a pool here, and you won’t have to head down every day.
#1 Ionian’s Breeze Hotel is on the slope above Sunset Beach, with an outdoor pool and a separate children’s pool. The beach is a nine-minute walk downhill; the way back is a climb, which takes some effort with a pushchair.
#2 Aeris Sol Ksamil is on the higher edge of the village and has rooms for four with two double beds. From the breakfast terrace you look out over Ksamil, and after the beach the pool is waiting.
#3 Vila Bello is on the northern edge, a five-minute walk from Sunset Beach and ten minutes from the centre. You get sea views and a pool, with the busiest stretch of beach at a comfortable distance.
More tips for your trip to Albania
Our tipStill looking? Browse all hotels in Albania on Booking
Albania is best explored on your own wheels. Rent a car at Tirana airport with Discover Cars and compare the big rental companies in one go.
Fancy doing it by camper, like we did? Rent a campervan in Tirana or on the coast with Campervan Planet.
Prefer everything arranged? Browse Albania tours on TourRadar.
No flight yet? Compare flights to Tirana. Heading mostly south? Check Corfu too and hop on the ferry to Sarandë.
The ferry across Lake Koman was a highlight of our month in Albania. Check out the Lake Koman boat trips on GetYourGuide.
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