Things to do in Ksamil

Ksamil is a small beach village at the southern tip of the Albanian Riviera, tucked inside Butrint National Park about fifteen kilometres south of Saranda. It has become the poster image of coastal Albania for a reason: a string of small offshore islands, white pebble-and-sand beaches, and shallow water in shades of turquoise that look photoshopped until you are standing in them.

The classic Ksamil day is simple — claim a spot on one of the beaches facing the islands, swim or take a boat across to the Ksamil Islands themselves, and finish with seafood at a waterfront taverna. Speedboat trips add snorkelling stops and stretches of coast you cannot reach on foot. Ksamil also makes an easy base for two of southern Albania’s biggest sights: the UNESCO-listed ruins of Butrint, a few minutes down the road, and the Blue Eye spring inland towards Gjirokastër.

June and September give you warm sea and space to breathe; July and August are beautiful but busy, so arrive early for the popular beaches. Local buses and taxis run from Saranda throughout the day, and boat tours fill up fast in high season — browse what’s running and reserve your spot in the Wayward app.