How to Get to Ksamil, Albania

Ksamil is in southern Albania, almost at the Greek border. It’s not near an airport, so visitors arrive by bus or car from Tirana (the capital), or Saranda. I’m going to explain exactly how to get to Ksamil from both cities, and give you another option – by ferry from Corfu, Greece.

How to Get to Ksamil

I’ve used all of these methods to get to Ksamil or Saranda (the gateway to Ksamil). Unless you’re driving overland from Greece, you have to go through Saranda to get to Ksamil.

Make sure you have cash. Most taxis and none of the buses take cards.

Tirana to Ksamil

Tirana is Albania’s capital and where the international airport is located. From there it’s a 5+ hour drive to Ksamil.

By Taxi or Private Transfer from Tirana

• Airport taxis charge 21,000 lek ($249 USD) to Ksamil. The rates are posted inside the cab, so you can’t get ripped off.
• Private transfer from the airport or the centre is about the same price as an airport taxi. I use Taxi Landi for long distance transfers. Message them in advance to get a quote.

If you’re arriving in Tirana, consider spending a night or two. You can explore Tirana in 2 days, and it’s an interesting capital.

By Bus from Tirana

There is no direct bus from Tirana to Ksamil. You have to take a bus to Saranda or Vlore and then change to the bus for Ksamil.

I prefer taking the bus to Saranda instead of Vlore because there’s a lot more buses from Saranda to Ksamil than Vlore to Ksamil.

And if you don’t feel like dealing with another bus once you arrive in Saranda, you can just grab a taxi because it’s only 14 km to Ksamil. From Vlore it’s still 128 km and a 2.5 hour drive to Ksamil.

• Bus from Tirana South North Bus Terminal to Saranda. Cost is 1700 lek ($20 USD). The drive is 5-5.5 hours. Bus or taxi from Saranda to Ksamil. Saranda Eco Taxi charges 2500 lek ($30 USD) for Saranda to Ksamil. The bus is 200 lek ($2.40 USD), and it takes 30 minutes.
• Bus from Tirana South North Bus Terminal to Vlore. Change buses in Vlore and get the Vlore to Ksamil bus. I don’t recommend this route because there’s not as frequent buses from Vlore to Ksamil as the Saranda option above.

Check the Gjirafa Travel website for the bus schedule, but keep in mind it may not be exact. Buses generally leave when they are full.

Corfu, Greece to Ksamil by Ferry

Surprisingly, the closest airport to Ksamil is Corfu, Greece. The Corfu to Albania route with the ferry is actually a convenient way to get to Ksamil. This is how to do it:

1. Fly into Corfu, Greece international airport
2. Take a taxi or airport bus to the port (4 km from the airport). Make sure you get off at the international port terminal.
3. Take the ferry to Saranda. The hydrofoil ferry takes 30 minutes, the traditional ferry takes 1.5 hours. If you are going straight to the ferry terminal from the airport, book your ferry ticket online in advance on Direct Ferries. You can also buy ferry tickets in person from the ticket office (it’s cheaper), but the office is 1 km from the ferry terminal. When I took the ferry it was €25 each way, but the price fluctuates.
4. Take the bus or a taxi from Saranda to Ksamil. I used Saranda Eco Taxi for my Saranda to Ksamil transfer, and it cost 2500 lek ($30 USD).

Many visitors swear this is the easiest way, and I have to agree it’s a really good option. Personally, I almost always end up flying into Tirana and taking the bus.

Flights to Tirana are usually cheaper than flights to Corfu, Greece, but it depends on where you’re flying from and the airline. I can’t take any of the budget airlines because they don’t allow a dog in cabin, and my dog flies with me.

Saranda to Ksamil

Ksamil is 14 km from Saranda, and it’s easy to travel between the two by bus or taxi.

I’m going to warn you about taking this bus in summer – it can be extremely crowded and hot. So unless you’re getting the bus early in the morning or off season, just take a taxi.

By Taxi or Private Transfer from Saranda

• Taxis are always outside the port and at the ‘bus station’ in Saranda (not really a station, but a spot on the street). Taxis have to post their rates, and you can ask to see the price sheet if you think you’re being over-charged.
• I pre-booked my transfer with Saranda Eco Taxi. It cost 2500 lek ($30 USD), the driver was on time and the car was clean. I actually ended up using him again when I travelled from Ksamil to Himare.

By Bus from Saranda

• The Saranda – Ksamil bus is the same one that goes to Butrint National Park.
• The bus stop is on Rruga Skenderbeu, across the street from the Basilica Synagogue ruins, one block from where the Tirana to Saranda buses drop off.
• Bus fare is 200 lek ($2.40 USD). It must be paid in cash.
• The bus stop in Ksamil is in the middle of town on Rruga Butrinti.

When to Visit Ksamil

The best time to visit Ksamil is shoulder season: May 1st to June 15th, and the month of September are good. I was there the middle of June. It was busier, but not crowded yet.

July and August are peak season. Ksamil is very hot, crowded and more expensive in these months. Book your accommodation in advance if travelling to Ksamil in July or August.

During the off season Ksamil shuts down. Most restaurants, hotels and guest houses close during these months and the town feels deserted.

The first time I visited Ksamil was at the end of March. I stopped to see the beaches on the way back to Saranda from Butrint National Park. It was like a ghost town!

How Many Days in Ksamil Do You Need?

Beyond the beaches there isn’t much going on in Ksamil. 3-5 days is good for most visitors. My guide to Ksamil has all the information you need to plan a trip.

You can add on half a day to see Butrint National Park (UNESCO), but apart from that it’s all about how many beach days you want.

Ksamil isn’t big, and despite it seeming like there’s so many beaches, there isn’t. It’s all the same beach, just divided into small sections and given the name of whatever hotel or restaurant manages that section.

Is Ksamil Safe?

Ksamil is very safe. I spent a week there on my own and felt 100% safe the whole time. I did have my 4 kg dog with me, but he is about as intimidating as a rabbit.

Crimes against tourists are very low in Albania. You can safely walk around with your phone in your hand to navigate and take photos, pull your wallet out to pay for stuff and loosely carry your purse.

This is not just true of Ksamil, but Albania in general. In fact, female travellers overwhelmingly report feeling safe in Albania.

Things to Do in Ksamil

Ksamil is a beach town and almost all the activities are about the water.

1. Relax on Ksamil’s Beaches

Ksamil is dubbed the Maldives of Europe because of the beaches. They’re a gorgeous aquamarine colour and the sand is white.

Bora Bora Beach is great if you’re into watersports, Mango Beach has views of the Ksamil Islands, and Jonian Beach is quieter. Try a different Ksamil beach each day.

2. Spend the Day at a Beach Club

There are several beach clubs in Ksamil. Beach clubs aren’t my thing, so I didn’t spend any time in one, but I have heard good things about Africana Beach Club.

3. Take a Boat Tour

Ksamil has 4 islands very close to the town. You can even swim to one of them. But to explore them properly and do some snorkelling, take a boat tour like this tour to Tongo Island that includes lunch.

4. Do Water Sports

You can rent kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis. Bora Bora Beach has a lot of water sports.

5. Eat Seafood

The seafood in Ksamil is amazing, fresh and plentiful. I ate amazing crab, kalamari and grilled fish. One of my favourite places to eat in Ksamil is Restaurant Fredi Fresh Fish, which is a seafood store with a restaurant attached.

6. Visit Saranda

Saranda is a lovely seafront city only 14 km from Ksamil. Visit Lekuresi Castle, stroll the promenade or do some shopping. Saranda has a lot more to do off the beach than Ksamil.

7. Explore Butrint National Park (UNESCO)

Butrint National Park is one of Albania’s most important historic attractions. The park is a rare combination of archeological history and nature, and it’s one of Albania’s UNESCO world heritage sites.

It’s only 4 km from Ksamil, you could even walk there – but it’s easier to take the Ksamil – Butrint bus, or a taxi. Visiting Butrint is one of the best things to do in Albania.

8. Take a Day Trip to Corfu, Greece

Corfu is so close to Ksamil, you could kayak there! Take the 30 minute ferry from Saranda to Corfu, and spend the day in Greece.

Corfu Town is charming and very different from Ksamil, with its beautiful Venetian architecture and lovely gardens.

Where to Stay in Ksamil

If you want to be near the action and a short walk to the beaches, stay on the west side of Ksamil. If you want a quieter location stay on the east side.

Ksamil is divided in half lengthwise by the SH81 highway. The west side is where the beaches, restaurants and all the action is. The east side is more residential (with lots of small guest houses), and much quieter.

When I was in Ksamil, I stayed in an Airbnb on the east side, but I toured many hotels and guest houses, including the 3 listed below.

These are my top picks for hotels in Ksamil:

Luxury: Poda Boutique Hotel: Luxury beachfront hotel with beach access. There’s a great beachfront restaurant, bar, beach club and beautiful swimming pool. Modern rooms start at $260 USD, including breakfast, dinner and parking. My top pick in Ksamil for a luxury resort experience.

Mid-range: Hotel Vathi is tucked away on a quiet street just 300 metres from the beach. Bright rooms with balconies and great views of the town start at $80 USD, including breakfast and parking. Very friendly atmosphere. This is one of my favourite mid-priced Ksamil hotels.

Budget: Vila Sun 2e: On a tranquil street slightly up from the town center. New and spotless apartments in a cute villa with balconies, kitchens, and city views start from $30 USD, parking included. Fantastic value for holiday apartments in Ksamil.

Where to Eat in Ksamil

I ate out quite a bit in Ksamil. I always look for places away from the tourist zone where locals eat. I somewhat succeeded in Ksamil, mostly because there isn’t much out of the tourist areas. These are my best finds:

• Garden Mix Grill: Great mix of traditional foods and seafood in a garden terrace setting. A little off the beaten trail on the east side of town. I had amazing stuffed squid here.
• Basilico Restaurant: One of my favourite restaurants in Ksamil. Excellent food and service. In the tourist area, but off the main road. Mix of seafood, salads, pasta and traditional dishes.
• Restaurant Fredi Fresh Fish: Seafood store with restaurant attached. Super fresh fish! Casual place with outdoor seating just off the main street on the quieter side of Ksamil.
• Bega Guesthouse Restaurant: A casual spot well away from the tourists, catering to locals. Simple but delicious home cooking for much less than the same dishes in the tourist zone.
• Pasticeri Bleta: Pastry and sweets shop. They have all sorts of desserts, coffee, gelato, byrek and serve a buffet lunch in the back. Very popular with locals. My Airbnb host’s daughter brought me here.

Which is Better, Ksamil or Saranda?

Many first time visitors have a hard time deciding between Saranda and Ksamil. Even though they share the same coastline and aren’t far apart, they are very different.

Ksamil is much smaller than Saranda and has less to offer away from the beaches.

While Ksamil used to be somewhat of a hidden gem, that is not the case anymore. It is busy and commercialized. Saranda is also very busy in summer, but still retains a local, more authentic feel.

The beaches in Ksamil are better, but more crowded, and there’s no public beach (like there is in Saranda).

Personally, I find Ksamil too touristy for my liking and lacking cultural authenticity. But if all you want is a good beach, and don’t care about being surrounded by other tourists, Ksamil is better.

Where to Go After Ksamil

Ksamil is at the bottom of the Albanian Riviera, so travel north through the Riviera. It’s one of the most stunning regions of Albania, and the drive up the coast is truly spectacular. Beautiful towns like Greek influenced Dhermi and Himare await!

Last Words on How to Get to Ksamil

It’s pretty easy to figure out how to travel around Albania once you get a handle on the bus and private transfer systems.

Even though Ksamil is at the bottom of Albania, it’s not that hard to get to. Between the bus from Tirana or Saranda, and the ferry from Corfu, Greece, there’s some choice.

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